Page 124 of A Fate so Cruel

“Lose the shoes, tear the dress if need be.”

He raised a brow. “I thought you’d be opposed to such things.”

“In normal circumstances, it would be an absolute crime, but considering the fate of Brónach hangs in the balance, it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make. I’ll just have the tailor fashion me a new one.”

“Are you ready then?” he asked.

She nodded. “Let’s go tear down a rising revolution.”

They exited the inn, biding a blushing innkeeper farewell, and wound their way through the gathered crowd.

The solstice was still a week out, but the Fae had already been celebrating for days. The streets were filled with streamers, flower petals, and discarded waste that the slaves picked up throughout the night.

Everyone wore their finest clothes, but even so, Selina stood out like a rose in the desert. She walked with an elegant stride, her chin high, and eyes alight.

Her heels clicked against the cobblestone path and Rion had to restrain himself from growling at males who stared a little too long. Females, too.

He wrapped one arm around her waist and Selina eyed him before a sly smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. She whispered something about insufferably possessive males.

The guards standing before the palace gate, both immaculately dressed, their weapons glimmering with the jewels encrusted in the pommels, smiled at Selina as they strolled past.

They didn’t even look at him.

Rion surveyed the female at his side. She’d promised to be a distraction. And she’d perfected it. Even those who did recognize him didn’t linger, their gazes snapping to the beautiful female marching across the marble floor.

No one knew she was part of a two Fae team that planned to tear this entire place apart. Or, at least, the illegal part, which they both guessed was the vast majority of those in charge.

Selina grabbed the first drink presented to her by a well-dressed slave and downed the contents, loudly smacking her lips afterward. Rion gave her a disapproving stare, but she only smiled.

She eyed the food table near the side wall next, but he held her elbow, preventing her from sprinting straight for it.They’d lived off stall food since his poisoning. She’d complained endlessly.

Inside was just as decorated as the outside, with what appeared to be an indoor garden in the middle of the dance floor. A skylight allowed natural sunlight in during the day, but with night coming, Rion was sure the stars would be visible in the cloudless sky above.

Males and females already spun their partners on the dance floor, swaying in time to the music. It looked like they’d missed the speeches, just as Selina had hoped.

The lights were dim and he kept his magic hidden. Other Fae were gathered in small groups beside pillars or at the edge of the dance floor, watching others with heated gazes that promised an even livelier after party.

Rion was silently grateful they wouldn’t be involved.

He searched for Foley in the sea of faces, along with the companions Rion had seen the male with for the last several days. He’d spent his time tailing the officials, seeing who Foley worked with. But despite his research, Rion hadn’t been able to pinpoint exactly how they were smuggling the poison out.

Rion recognized a few faces and wondered if Foley and the rest were having their own party in a secluded room. Rion shuddered and prayed it wouldn’t interfere with their plans.

He eyed the stone faced guards. None were drinking. None took their eyes off the guests twirling around the floor.

Several guards patrolled along the upper balconies and guarded the stairs as well as the side entrances.

No one, least of all him, was sneaking anywhere near the upper levels.

It was a good thing then, that his target lay beneath their feet.

Rion casually took his time strolling through the palace with Selina on his arm. Many greeted her with smiles andcompliments, leaving him the chance to look at the new construction that hid the door to the basement.

No guards there.

No door either.

But he’d noticed that little fact during Selina’s guided tour. He’d also noticed the slight crease in the wall and the ever so slight color change that indicated a sliding door.

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