Page 144 of A Fate so Cruel

Saoirse. His sister. She still cared, right? She wouldn’t—his shoulders shook again and his voice broke. “Saoirse?”

That gentle hand touched him again. “I’m here.” He let her wrap one arm under his shoulder. He didn’t like it. Didn’t trust the touch. Any second now—Rion cried out in pain as she pulled him to his feet. “I’m here,” she said again and led him toward the bed.

Rion fell onto his stomach and his sister cursed when she pulled his shirt up to examine his wounds. His head was too heavy to lift anymore. She left and returned moments later. Perhaps she’d put an end to him. Maybe she’d been waiting for the perfect opportunity as well.

A warmth dabbed across his back and he arched off the bed before sobs tore through him again.

He’d killed her. He’d killed her. He’d killed her.

That beautiful smile was gone. The sound of her laughter nothing more than a memory.

No, she’d deserved it.

Didn’t she?

“What happened?” Saoirse voice was soft, welcoming as she cleaned the deep wounds.

“I thought she wanted more,” he replied weakly. He was as pathetic as they came. “She promised—she promised—” Rion couldn’t finish. Didn’t want to.

“Is she dead?” Rion nodded, still clenching his fists. He could scent Saoirse’s anger through his haze. It burned through the room like wildfire. “Good.”

No, it wasn’t good, but he didn’t have the strength to argue. Maybe Saoirse would have killed her if he hadn’t. He’d never know.

All Rion knew was that his dreams for a different life had shattered. Fate had once again intervened to ensure his misery.

Saoirse pressed a cup to his lips. “I need you to drink this.”

He didn’t pull away. Rion took the bitter liquid and swallowed. Maybe this would be his undoing. A painless end.

His body stopped shaking.

His mind stopped racing.

Saoirse cut the shirt from his body and carefully eased it out from beneath him.

“I tried,” he whispered, but his lips had gone numb. He wasn’t sure Saoirse heard him. “I wanted it to be different. I wanted—I wanted—”

Oblivion dragged Rion down, down, down until he knew nothing but the sweet caress of darkness.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Saoirse

It had taken her hours to stabilize him. She’d called in every healer across the city, explained his injuries, then had led the five who claimed they could heal such extensive wounds right to her brother.

They’d balked at the sight of him, but she’d threatened to maim their hands if they refused. Or if he mysteriously died under their care. She didn’t care if the demand was unreasonable, if Rion might die anyway. She’d do everything in her power to prevent it.

She’d watched their every move. Only one had tried to use their magic in a way that she’d deemed threatening.

They’d left without an appendage.

From there, the others worked tirelessly.

The medicine she’d given him kept Rion sedated.

None were sure he’d live.

She’d kept her tears at bay, even when they advised her to say her goodbyes.

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