Page 138 of A Fate so Cruel

Conversation halted when they spotted him and the smile that had been on Selina’s face faded entirely when she met his gaze.

The female with short black hair slowly reached for her dagger, but Selina stopped her with a gentle hand on her elbow. “It’s all right.”

The female eyed Selina for a long while. She glanced at Rion, then back again. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

Rion studied the female and her rapid heartbeat. He noted the way she refused to release her weapon. Fire burned through those dark eyes of hers. A deep, burning rage.

The female loosed a breath before jerking her head. All three filed out, their bodies nearly pressed against the wall to avoid touching him.

“What was that about?” Rion asked.

Selina waved a hand in dismissal. “They’re just protective.”

Rion watched the entrance for another moment, half wondering if the females would return. Selina shifted her weight and grimaced. The movement had his attention back on Selina in an instant. He eyed her stance and the way she kept her weight off her leg.

“Do you want to sit?” he offered.

Selina shook her head. “My legs were cramping.” Her voice turned soft. Disappointed. “We’re headed back to Nàdair tomorrow.”

“You told them?”

She nodded. “I—” her brow furrowed, then her eyes swam with emotion. Rion felt something in his chest pull. He didn’t want her to hurt. Didn’t want her to feel anything but joy and happiness.

She looked up then, locking her eyes with his, and a new sort of fear flooded his body.

The air shifted in the small room. It grew heavier. Her heart jolted, and Rion’s breath caught when her eyes dipped to his lips. His body.

The mission was over. She didn’t need him anymore.

Selina took a limping step toward him and Rion instinctively stepped back, mirroring her motion once. Twice. Particles of dirt floated up between them and she paused.

“Your magic reacts to your emotions, you know.” He swallowed hard. “What are you feeling right now, Rion of Brónach?”

His lips parted, but no sound came out. Her chest rose and fell, matching his own as she dared another step closer.

Whatwashe feeling right now?

Afraid.

Afraid of change. Of confirmation. Of goodbye . . .

Another step and his back was against the wall. Then she was suddenly so close he could have reached out and touched her.

Selina was breathless as she said, “You liked the kiss.” The kiss. The act back when they'd first entered Fernsworth. Then again, after they'd been caught rummaging through a male's desk. It felt like a lifetime ago, yet he’d thought of nothing else. The caress of her lips, the way her body had molded against his. Her intoxicating scent that drove him beyond all rational thought and reason. It had been torture to restrain himself these past few weeks.

She stepped closer. Close enough that their chests were almost touching. She peered up at him from beneath her lashes. His magic danced, pulsing to the rapid beat of his heart.

Selina tilted her head as if still waiting for an answer. The word barely escaped his lips.

“Yes.”

It wasn’t powerful enough to encompass his feelings. It did nothing to explain the madness that rushed through him from the mere thought of her.

She smiled anyway.

Gods, he wanted her. Rion wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything in his entire life.

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