Page 135 of A Fate so Cruel

Her gaze lifted, a smile at the corner of her mouth. “I think I might actually miss having you around.”

His heart beat just a little faster. “I don’t have to go anywhere.”

Her lips parted and her eyes flickered between his. “Rion—”

“I know we’ll have our orders. We’re duty bound to Brónach, but it might be nice to . . . meet up in between. When we have spare time. If you wanted.”

“Time,” she shook her head. “Such a stupid concept for the immortal, isn’t it? We’re told we have infinite amounts of it, and yet so often it’s cut short.” Rion didn’t know how to respond to that, so he kept quiet. She chewed her bottom lip, an act that was far more distracting than he thought it should be. “We’ll meet up with my team and go from there,” she finally said.

Rion nodded. “I can have transportation ready whenever you are.”

“Give me an hour.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Selina showered, ate, then took a heaping dose of painkillers. She was ready in forty minutes.

Rion packed their things and shouldered both their satchels. He’d asked for transportation and the innkeeper had found a merchant already heading for Nàdair. A wagon pulled by a pair of horses was outside the inn in record time.

Rion tossed the male a small bag of coins and told him to head north. Selina could direct him from there.

The male didn’t ask questions, he only nodded. Rion shifted the male’s cargo to make room for pillows and blankets. He helped Selina settle in, then they were off.

The morning sun beat down on them, but Selina tilted her face toward the sun’s rays to soak them in.

The little village faded with the distance and a vast countryside spread out before them. Thick grasses waved in the cool breeze and the narrow dirt road was the only thing Rion could see for miles.

The male didn’t speak, but it didn’t take long before Selina filled the silence.

It started with the weather, then drifted to the Fairy Folk and all the deep philosophies surrounding the Fae and their relationship with the tiny creatures.

Rion mostly nodded while she prattled on, switching topics effortlessly. Weapons, food, past confrontations.

Even the merchant providing transportation seemed intrigued, if cautious.

Rion inquired about her family and she said they’d once grown produce and raised animals as a source of income, but a great grandfather had rebelled against such a simple life and in doing so had made them rich beyond measure. Hereyes almost sparkled as she told him about the diaries she’d found in her mother’s attic. Rion wondered if Selina’s rebellious streak stemmed from that very ancestor. Perhaps that’s why her reputation was so important. Maybe she felt she had something to prove.

When they approached a fork in the road, Selina pointed the driver west. She took more pain relievers, and Rion handed her a sandwich from their packed satchel.

Selina dozed afterward and slept the afternoon away. Rion watched over her, and the merchant didn’t speak.

Night descended and they paused by a river. Rion helped the driver lead the horses to water and brush them down for the night. He massaged their legs and the male watched Rion curiously. He bowed and constantly moved out of Rion’s way and kept far, far away from Selina. The innkeeper must have warned him not to venture too close.

Rion wrapped them both in his sand and scattered it around the camp before settling for the night. He needed at least a few hours of sleep.

The male cleared his throat. “I can take first watch if you like, My Lord.”

Rion shook his head. “Sleep.” He didn’t want the male awake while he tried to doze.

The male didn’t argue. He bowed and unrolled his bedding near the horses.

Selina eased herself onto the makeshift bed and hissed when she laid back.

“Do you need anything?” he asked.

“Not unless you can pull a mattress out of the ground.”

He chuckled. “I’m afraid I’m all out of mattresses.”

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