Page 136 of A Fate so Cruel

She didn’t smile. Selina only watched the stars. She hadn’t been as talkative when she’d awoken that afternoon.

“Are you okay?” he ventured to ask.

“No.” Rion waited, but she only sighed and turned her head to the side. “Go to sleep, we have another long day tomorrow.”

He opened his mouth to speak again, but closed it instead. Perhaps the weight of her failure was getting to her. He’d never seen her brood before, but then again, Rion still had a lot to learn about the female who called him a friend.

Rion let himself relax and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

With morning, they ate, strapped up the horses, and were off again. Rion had tried to reassure Selina that everything would be fine, but she’d only grunted at him and settled into her blankets before reaching for more medicine.

She told the male they’d arrive well before sundown.

Rion eyed Selina again. He hated seeing her like this. He’d paint that city in blood and bring Foley’s head back as a trophy if that’s what it took to make her happy. Maybe they could play the whole thing off as her commanding him while she sat back and watched. She was his commander, after all. If the strategy was her idea, then she wouldn’t be forced to lose face.

He’d tell her as much after she reunited with her team. He’d give her the chance to explain to them first.

It wasn’t until they entered the cover of a thinly wooded area that Selina announced their arrival. Rion helped Selina out of the wagon, then once again, took both their packs and slung them over his shoulders.

She was a bit steadier on her feet now. The limp was nearly gone. He’d overheard the healer mention something about a strained hip. It sent a fresh bout of fire through his veins.

The male stared at them with his brow raised, a question on his lips that he wouldn’t ask. Rion merely handed him a few more coins and the male bowed before snapping the reins.

Rion waited until the male was out of earshot before he said, “You’re okay with just letting him go?”

“Getting a little bloodthirsty aren’t we? You shouldn’t kill people who do nice things for you.”

“He could tip someone off.”

She shrugged. “Even if he did, they wouldn’t find where we’re going. We still have a hike.” Thunder rolled overhead. “And the rain will wash away our scents within the hour.”

“Will it take an hour to get there?”

“Roughly.”

He grimaced at her limp. “Do you want me to carry you?”

Selina arched her back, stretching the muscles. “I need to walk, just to get some feeling back into my legs.”

Rion offered his arm anyway. She glanced at it, as if considering, then opted to use her magic and form a staff by braiding gnarled roots together.

Rion backed away to give her space. Maybe with the mission coming to a close, she was pulling away. Perhaps she didn’t really want to meet up in Nàdair. Or maybe it had nothing to do with him and she was simply trying to process how to break the news to her team.

Rion prayed it was the latter. The thought of her saying goodbye hit his heart far harder than he wanted to admit.

As promised, roughly an hour passed before the trees parted to reveal a small clearing. His eyes roamed over three Fae standing beside the wide mouth of a cave. One sat on the ground, whittling a chunk of wood while the other two studied the clouds.

A single drop of rain hit the ground, quickly followed by another.

Selina grunted and the three snapped their heads toward the sound. One of the triplets, the most dominant of the trio,jumped to her feet before breaking into a sprint. Another called into the cave, announcing Selina’s arrival.

The female slowed at the sight of Rion and bared her teeth at him before carefully wrapping Selina in a warm embrace.

Selina grimaced again and the female pulled back to look her over.

“What the hell happened?” An accusatory glare in his direction.

Selina patted the female’s arm. “I was outsmarted.”

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