I was speechless. It was a lot to live up to being someone I didn’t believe I could be. But that was part of the problem. I didn’t believe. I was letting the fear and possibility of failing hold me back. I snatched a few of the grapes and sipped some tea. Every thought I’d come in here with had silenced.
“Now that my grand speeches have been made, I can give you a few little details that won’t cause any harm to the future.” She leaned in, her hands rubbing against each other like she was gearing up to do something like magic.
I set the cup down and gave her my complete attention. If she was willing to part with information, then I would take every word into memory like it was life or death because in the end it might be.
“I know you read about Rune and his cores. Do not be afraid of him. He will not hurt you. Don’t approach him about them; he will tell you in his own time. Heed my warning.” I would keep my mouth sealed despite wanting to ask him questions. If I bombarded him with my thoughts before trust between us grew, he would completely shut down.
“Anything else?” I dared to ask. There had to be more morsels of the future for me to gobble up.
“You can trust Dris. She will be a very helpful friend to you in times to come.”
She smiled, her white teeth beaming in the moonlight. Her cat-owl hooted, which still sounded like a meow.
“In two days’ time, your general will be away. I suggest a nice long walk in the Hallowstag Woods while he is gone. A creature of legend will find you. Do not be afraid when he shows himself.”
Her mischievous smile blatantly indicated there was something more to her words. I wanted to know what she hid from me, but if I knew, would I still go for a walk in the woods?
“One last matter before you go back to the palace. Pay attention to your dreams, dear, for in them we see things our conscious minds did not. Answers to your own questions might be in your head, waiting for you to acknowledge them.”
She stood there with her creatures one minute, and then was gone, like smoke billowing from the fire.
Her departure surprised me, but I’d give her points for intrigue. I sat by the fire, eating and drinking. The tea she gave me was most likely some concoction to help me relax. She liked me calm, and I did, too. My mind reeled from everything she said. It was all so grand, even though none of my questions were answered. I didn’t know who had an onyx core or how I was going to save the princess and Tor. I did feel different as I gathered my strength to stand and leave for the palace—stronger, like I had been given the right kind of pat on the back needed to push through.
Rune stood by the cave’s exit when I walked out into the chilled night’s air. “The guards told me you were out taking a midnight stroll.” His arms were crossed over his broad chest; his stance told me he was not fond of me being here and having to come fetch me.
I wondered how long he’d been out here waiting for me, and why he hadn’t come in and demanded I leave at once. “I needed some answers.” I kept walking and he fell in line beside me, his large body protecting me from the chilly wind.
“Did you get any of use?” His curious tone replaced his usual disgruntled voice. I shook my head no.
“However, I did learn something that I think will be helpful. We still have a few more weeks. I’ll figure it out in the end.”
Hope blossomed in my chest. I needed to believe in myself more than I ever had before. I needed to do as Celestine said and let Sapphira, the survivor of the apocalypse, lay with the rest of mankind and become someone else. The Sapphira I was meant to be.
Maybe I’d fail. I was scared of that failure, the shame of not living up to this great person in everyone’s heads. If I failed, people died, so I had to keep going, even with the fear grasping my heart.
Rune stayed quiet as we walked back through the palace’s arched doors, the sounds of the ball reverberating through the air with laughter and music. I wanted to dance and sway along with the notes as they traveled through the halls.
“Do you dance, Rune?” The words were out before I could stop them.
His eyebrows lifted, his face taking on a younger appearance. I’d surprised the great, cranky General Rune, an accomplishment fit for a medal.
“I can.” Maybe the princess was his only dancing partner, a position he wouldn’t give to anyone else.
“I bet you could sway like the best of them, shake those Fae hips and drive the ladies wild,” I teased, enjoying myself. I giggled, feeling lighter than I had when I had left the palace earlier.
Once we arrived at my door, I expressed my gratitude, and I wasn’t sure who was more surprised. “I know I’m probably a pain in the ass but thank you for being there, making sure I don’t get eaten by the creatures that go bump in the night.”
While he may have ulterior motives behind escorting me to places or making sure I didn’t die, I still appreciated it.
“You shouldn’t dress like that outside your room,” he said, noting my outfit and the bare brown skin on display.
“Nothing compared to the Fae ladies I see around here. Plus, I’m only human. No one is going to stoop low enough to gaze at my mortal body.”
I was absolutely OK with it. I had a boyfriend. Well . . . sort of.
His gaze hardened once more, and his relaxing posture stood tall and rigid. Conversation was over. He had filled his quota for the day and needed to recharge his social batteries for tomorrow where he might need to speak to someone. “Goodnight Rune.” I opened the door and gave him one last glance before heading inside. His eyes were on my legs like they were poisonous snakes. I couldn’t help it. I raised my leg at him like it was going to bite. The slit on the front of my thigh rose higher, exposing more skin, which seemed to cause him more displeasure. He walked away and I laughed to myself, closing the door behind me.
Still giggling, I snuggled into the bed, leaving my slippers strewn about on the floor.
