Even as I hoped for everything to have stayed the same, I knew it wasn’t. Everything was different from when I slept on that altar with Sapphira’s core. I didn’t regret it, and I never would. The first time I came here to visit, I knew Sapphira would play a part in something big. No clue what, but she’d make an impact, and I needed to be a part of it.
The smell of the bread had me near drooling on my sketchpad when Dris walked in. I’ve always liked the little owl Fae.
“I smell rosemary cheddar bread!” Dris said and floated in. Her wispy smoke-like hair and wide eyes made me smile. Although alike in some ways, I was very vocal and stubborn while she was quieter and liked to be flexible. I hoped we would become great friends.
“Yeah. Stress cooking.” I set my sketches down. Dris peeked at what I’d been doing. I blushed. I wasn’t the best artist in the world, but I wasn’t terrible either. I liked drawing different types of Fae and outfits to match their unique personalities and appearances.
“Stress drawing, too?” She strode over to get a better look and complimented my techniques.
“Yeah. Today was a rough day for Sapphira, and I know I didn’t make it better talking to Prince Torin.” I wished I would have kept my mouth shut. Not that the words I said weren’t true, but I kicked a male while he was down. I was better than that.
“I heard.” Dris’s fingers lightly followed the path of the dress like she could feel how the fabric would flow. I glanced at the oven and checked on the bread. It looked divine and the top was perfectly golden. I grabbed the oven mitts and set the pan on the top. I dusted some rosemary leaves on top and now I waited for it to cool.
“When Sapphira showed up as a human, she was in love with the prince. When I revealed information about him, her face fell, and I’d worried she would release her tears.” Dris spoke from behind me and I shifted in her direction.
“She does love him. A part of her always will, but like the first time she and Rune started fighting their pull, they can’t stay away from each other. She’s probably feeling a magnitude of emotions right now. Guilt, shame, anger, confusion. She wants to be who she was before Verin’s deceit, but that’s impossible. She is someone new now, and she’s got to figure out who that version of her is.” Dris made several points I had surmised as well.
“I know. I just hope I can help her. I like to fix things. It’s the only thing I know.”
Dris nodded in understanding. “If I may make a suggestion, I think you should be there for what she needs but let her figure out her life herself. It’s kind of our job as her friend. We’re here to help push her crown back on her head when it slips.” Dris smiled and my essence warmed from her comfort. Before the bookworm showed up, I felt out of control. Now, I felt like I was doing ok considering the circumstances.
“Thanks, Dris. I know things are out of sorts now, and I doubt we’ll have a sense of normalcy soon. But I’m glad you’re a part of this.” I embraced her whether she was a hugger or not.
“I’ve heard about the rescue to get Prince Torin, but tell me everything. I know you owls see everything,” I teased and watched as Dris’s face lit up. We chatted about her life as Celestine’s niece, and how mischievous they were together. Their relationship was more mother/daughter than with her own mother. I liked Celestine, even though she tended to be meddlesome.
“Do you have a lover?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Men in books are much better than men in reality.” She took a bite of the cooled bread and moaned.
“Stop flirting with me, Dris. It’s not very ladylike.” A male voice entered the room and Dris’s cheeks turned pomegranate red. Emrys swaggered into the room with a dazzling smirk. He wasn’t my type but I could see the appeal—black hair, dark eyes, and a lip piercing on his cupid’s bow lips. He dressed like a rebel and I’m fairly sure if I heard the stories right was a spy.
“I wasn’t flirting. I was enjoying the precious bread.” Dris sliced herself another piece of bread, then backed away slowly. “Well, I’m off to the library. I’m sure I’ll see you both soon when we talk about what needs to be done.” She took another bite and was off.
“She likes me. She doesn’t want to admit it.” Emrys shrugged and walked over to my bread.
“You made this?” he asked and helped himself to a slice. While I thought it was a bit rude to take without asking, I didn’t care. I was interested in his character and might be able to chat for a few minutes if he was eating.
“I did. I like to bake when I’m dealing with stuff.” I leaned against the counter and watched him. He moved without sound; his movements were quick and precise. I could see how he could get into places where he wasn’t supposed to.
“I got ya. I like to eat when I’m dealing with stuff. Thanks for the bread.” He patted his belly while he enjoyed his slice. I heard a noise down the hall and looked to see who would be coming into the kitchen now. No one entered and so I returned to chat with Emrys.
Only he was gone.
What an interesting group we had here. I guess I needed to figure out where I fit within this unusual circle.
Chapter Ten
Sapphira
I walked around the woods surrounding the palace until sunrise and eventually found my way to the waterfall where Rune had trained me. After seeing Desmire stick his nose through the falls to be with the queen, I knew there was a cave behind the falls. But there was another memory attached to that cave that had me holding my breath as I climbed through the pouring water to step onto a rocky ledge.
“You came.” He breathed, and my knees wobbled, hearing his voice. I shouldn’t be here. No one knew I was here, but I had to see for myself. I had to know what this was between us.
“I did.” I searched for the scarred male in the dark but couldn’t see him. The cave probably went on for miles and without a torch, I’d be screwed. The ground rumbled beneath my feet and for a moment fear licked my spine. Dying in a cave would not be pleasant.
Warm breath caressed my neck and I stilled my erratically beating heart.
“What is this?” My voice grew husky, and my fingers flexed with the yearning to touch him. I was supposed to be getting to know Prince Torin and agree to be his wife. Everyone expected it from me.
“I don’t know, but it’s strong.” His voice tickled the hairs at the nape of my neck. I breathed deeply then faced him. Ever since that day in the Hallowstags where he attempted to rescue me, I’d been enamored by him. Rune, the cursed prince from another continent. I’d heard the stories and had often wondered where truth and rumor lay in them. Everything about him screamed opposite of his brother. Where Torin was kind, funny, and social, Rune was hard lines, body built from fighting, and scowled almost nonstop.
“I just . . .” I bit my lip, fully knowing I shouldn’t say what I wanted to say. A warm, callused hand cupped my cheek, and the nerves in my body tingled in an exhilarating way.
“Say it.” He leaned closer, sensed what I wanted but knew I had to be the one to voice it aloud. This thing, this attraction between us could simply be lust. My heart clenched at the thought. I lifted my head and stared into his beautiful icy eyes. I saw more than his feelings in those cool depths. I saw his beast, and I saw the other half of my soul. We moved at the same time. This dance we had been doing around each other the past month had brought us to this final moment. Once his lips connected to mine, what felt like a loose band inside me pulled tight, wrapping our fates together in destiny’s tapestry.