Page 105 of A Fate so Cruel

Selina cleaned herself up in the bathroom. He busied himself by the fire. A cup of tea would help to calm her stomach.

Upon exiting, Selina went straight for her satchel and pushed the half empty bottle far away. She pulled out the documents and books and began spreading everything out in neat piles.

Right. They had information to go over but—

The room was silent as she combed through the documents, her brows furrowing as she tried to piece things together. Rion waited until the kettle was warm, pulled the tea from his own bag, and made them both a cup.

She took it without comment and kept reading.

Rion didn’t know how she could focus on the words. His mind was still reeling. Fantasizing what else they might be able to do in a room alone together.

He studied her. Was she waiting for him to break the silence? She’d initiated first, so perhaps she was waiting to see if he reciprocated.

Then again, maybe Rion shouldn’t allow himself to become distracted until after the mission was over. Maybe rifling through documentswasthe perfect distraction.

He downed his tea, letting it burn his throat, then refilled both their cups.

Rion sat in the small chair and waited. The fire crackled and shifted to embers. They emptied three more cups a piece. His head began to clear, the pleasant fog shifting to a pounding headache.

Selina finally clicked her tongue and let the papers fall from her hands.

“Good news?” Rion questioned.

“Yes.”

“Then why do you look so frustrated?”

“Because I was hoping we wouldn’t have to travel south again.”

“Whiteridge?” She nodded. “We suspected they were involved from the beginning. What now? Do we inform the others?”

Selina shook her head. “It would take too long to find them.” She tapped her chin. “It’ll just be you and me again. We can scope the place out and move on the solstice.”

Rion raised a brow. “Why the solstice?”

“For the same reasons as before. That’s when everyone lets their guard down. There will be Fae from all over the countryside coming to participate in the festivities. It’ll be the perfect cover.”

Rion tilted his mug, watching the remnants of leaves at the bottom. “Is there any clue as towherethey gather?”

“The palace. Where else would you expect?”

“You realize it’s almost as large as the one in Nàdair, right?”

She pursed her lips. “I’ve seen it from the outside once.”

“It’s guarded just as well, too.”

“Yes, but you’re a Lord. Surely that entitles you to certain exceptions.”

“They still won’t let us go anywhere without an escort.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Not in the slightest. However,” he studied the fire. “They’re always throwing parties in the main ballroom, especially around the solstice. I think there’s one every night.”

Selina perked up at that. “You mean I get to dress up, dance, eat good food,andinfiltrate one of the most well-guarded places in Brónach? You might as well call this the best day of my life.”

Rion rolled his eyes. “I met their governor a few summers ago when I was out on an assignment with Saoirse. We didn’t think much of it at the time, but poison was being distributed back then.”

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