Page 125 of A Fate so Cruel

No one would look twice at a servant disappearing through the walls. Old passageways were dusty and full of cobwebs, mice, and other foul things the wealthy wanted nothing to do with.

It was a perfect hiding place.

Rion finally relented and let Selina tug him toward the food table. She ate surprisingly light as he watched the slaves and servants come and go. Rion marked those of a similar build. Memorized how they did their rounds.

The guests grew louder, more boisterous and uncaring. Some had started to sway on their feet, drunk from the music and the wine. It was almost time. He’d corner one of the half-breeds in the bathroom and steal his clothes, then take their place among the staff.

Selina huffed and he turned to find her staring. “What?”

“Aren’t you going to ask me to dance?”

He didn’t have to feign surprise. He hadn’t actually expected her towantto dance with him. She had plenty of others to choose from. Rion eyed the exposed skin along her back and arms. His jaw clenched. Others who’d be touching the skin he wanted to touch.

Rion adjusted his jacket, suddenly overheated. “I’m afraid I was never educated on the steps.”

Selina stared at him and upon realizing he was entirely serious, gaped. “Are you truly telling me you don’t know how to dance?”

“Yes.”

“But you’re a High Lord’s son.”

“Who is hated by pretty much every being on the continent.”

“But you had school.”

“Only for a few years. Then I was homeschooled.”

“And your sister never taught you?”

“She didn’t have time and I never asked. It wasn’t exactly high on the priority list.” He had survival to think about. And Caol—well he couldn’t imagine Caol teaching him, either.

“Well, that certainly ruins my plan for the evening.”

“I’m sure there are others you can dance with.”

He expected a sharp retort. It didn’t come. She turned away, color staining her cheeks. “Maybe I wanted to dance with you.”

His heart skipped and he tried to catch her eye, but she refused to meet his gaze.

The moment was both a heartbeat and a lifetime.

Selina swept her hands over the front of her dress and composed herself. “I’ll see you after the . . . events?” she hedged.

He too turned away, afraid if he didn’t now, then he might damn the mission and see if he could try to mimic the steps of those gliding across the floor. But he wasn’t a fool. He knew dancing was like art, it took time to learn. Focus. Dedication.

He inwardly sighed. “You’ll know. Keep an eye out.”

“Right.” Another moment’s hesitation, then she was gone, walking through the crowd, swaying her hips and smiling at any who offered her an inkling of attention.

It took less than a minute before a male approached, the lapels of his jacket in perfect order as he gently lifted the back of her hand and pressed it to his lips.

She giggled and Rion forced himself to turn away before instincts drove him to do something stupid.

She’d wanted to dance with him.Him.He’d learn, he decided. As soon as they were back in Nàdair, he’d pull Saoirse aside and demand she teach him. Or head to the studio and demand lessons from the teachers.

Rion prowled through the crowd, watching the servant he’d selected as his target. Rion waited, following him at a distance until the male finally darted for the bathroom. Rion knew it wouldn’t take him long, not with how he’d been sneaking drinks at every turn.

Only a servant would dare. Their punishment would be little more than a sharp reprimand or possibly losing their job. If a slave tried such a thing . . . well, he’d seen them killed for far less.

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