Page 122 of A Fate so Cruel

She stopped writing. “I was on the first set of teams sent out. The things we saw . . . let’s just say I won’t be forgivinganyone involved and will personally make sure they pay for the lives they’ve stolen.”

“I’m not against ensuring they never stand trial.”

“Good. They don’t deserve to.”

He sipped his drink again. His stomach churned. “How long until the body aches stop?”

“Likely not until morning. If you hadn’t taken a double dose of the antidote, I would have already given you another. If you were a half-breed, your heart would have likely stopped in minutes.”

“Glad to be Fae then.”

Selina refilled his mug twice, despite him claiming he could do it himself. She added more medicine and Rion found himself dozing again.

“You should get some more sleep. We have things to do tomorrow and I need you on your feet.”

Rion eyed the bed. “Are you sure you don’t want—”

She pointed. “I’m busy, go rest.”

He finished his mug, then stumbled back to the bed where he slept harder than he had in years.

Chapter Twenty-One

The next few days passed in a blur. They scouted the palace and even got an inside tour, courtesy of Selina batting her eyelashes at guard. The male was more than displeased to learn that Rion would be joining them. She didn’t reveal Rion’s identity and the guard clearly didn’t recognize him.

During the tour, Selina took the guard’s arm, much to the male’s delight, and inquired about the statues and art. The male was proud to detail every story. It gave Rion time to scout their surroundings.

He marked the exits, the stairs, and other guards wandering past, shaking their heads at the one who’d allowed them in. He’d likely be losing his position once the higher-ups caught wind of it.

Selina paused at each statue of the seven gods and bowed. Rion hardly looked at them. They’d done nothing for him in his short life, aside from maybe spare it.

Once finished, the male eyed Rion before asking Selina to dinner. She enthusiastically agreed with a nod of her head and the male puffed out his chest. He didn’t seem to notice that she’d never verbally agreed. Rion almost felt sorry for him. He’d be sitting at a table alone, waiting for a stranger who would never arrive.

The pair went shopping next and wandered the marketplace, weaving between stalls and venturing into store fronts. Some recognized Rion and cowered, while others offered to dress him in an assortment of finery. He always gave the same answer: They had to impress Selina first.

The female knew her fabrics. Knew her jewels, too. It made Rion wonder if her father and uncle had been merchants at some point in their lives.

Selina purchased food from stalls in passing, and Rion balanced a few of her boxes with one arm.

Some items were scheduled to be delivered later that afternoon. Selina joked and laughed and Rion found himself envious of the way she interacted with the vendors. She acted as though the day at the restaurant had never happened. As if the people who surrounded them weren’t all a threat. He wished he could afford the luxury of relaxation.

But maybe he could. Rion’s mind drifted back to the tiny village off the beaten path. A place where no one recognized a Lord because they’d never seen one.

But could a female like Selina tolerate the solitude? If they became more. If she accepted his invitation for a date. A real date where they wouldn’t be fighting for their lives—Rion shook the thoughts from his mind. He could think about those things later.

The day of the ball arrived and hours before the festivities were to begin, Selina kicked him out of their room. She claimed she needed privacy and absolute quiet in order to get ready. To say he was speechless and a bit annoyed was an understatement.

Selina had told him to return just before six, then slammed the door in his face.

Thank the gods he’d already showered.

They’d discussed their plans over the last few days. Per Selina’s request, they’d arrive late. Not to draw attention, but to avoid the long-winded Fae and their speeches. She claimed if she couldn’t eat, there was no point in listening to speeches.

Rion scouted the perimeter again, marking all the exits they’d seen in the blueprints. He stopped for a cool drink, paying extra attention to the one who served him, then started back.

The innkeeper avoided his stare when Rion entered. He climbed the stairs that led to their room and paused to listen at the door. Her heartbeat was steady and Selina was humming toherself. Rion might have been content to listen to it were it not for the fact that she’d likely heard him come up the stairs. He knocked once and waited.

“Come in.”

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