Page 166 of A Fate so Cruel

The children settled down until they fell silent, their slow deep breaths filling the space. The adults followed one by one.

Rion laid back and folded his hands behind his head. They still had a long way to go, but perhaps today the half-breeds had tasted enough freedom to push them through the forbidden forest. Perhaps they’d remember instead of trying to run in fear.

He could only hope.

Chapter Five

It took two days to reach the forest’s edge and another few hours to arrive at the entrance where he’d hidden their packs. They’d run out of food and Cara had voiced her concern for water.

Rion simply told her he had everything sorted.

But when he stepped into the forest, a hushed silence settled over the group. They stopped following.

“We’re going inside?”

Rion turned to the male who’d asked the question. He saw the fear all over his face. Saw the way his hands tightened around the strap slung across his shoulders.

“We’re going through. There’s a valley that will make crossing easier.” He eyed the younglings and watched as they craned their heads back, trying to see the tall peaks that reached for the clouds. “We’ll exit in Móirín territory. I’ll stay with you until we reach Levea. They welcome refugees at the main gates.”

The male eyed the ominous trees. “What about the Dark Fae?”

“What about them?”

“Aren’t they—shouldn’t we be concerned?”

“Would you rather turn back and face the wrath of your former owner?”

“There are children with us,” a female spoke up, her voice tentative. “If we have to run . . .”

“The Dark Fae won’t be a problem. Not with me around.” He didn’t mention that he knew the stories concerning the creatures weren’t true at all.

***

“Are you sure about this?” She’d let the first shackle fall, but hesitated on the second.

“You’ll be fine. You’re away from the others, and I’ll stop your magic if it gets out of hand.”

“How are you so sure I even have it?”

“Because you possess more qualities of the Fae than the humans. I’m willing to bet long life and impressive hearing aren’t the only things you inherited.”

Cara swallowed hard, but excitement coursed through her as she inserted the key and turned. The shackle hit the grass, and the fresh scent of budding flowers and evergreens wafted through the air, as if a strong breeze came from somewhere within the female.

The ground beneath her boots began moving. Plants emerged at her feet and Rion stepped back as they grew to her knee, then past her waist. Their leaves unfurled and flowers emerged, reaching toward the night sky.

Her eyes shone with unshed tears as she watched the magic react. Not volatile, as he’d expected, but calm and nurturing, as if her body were ready to let that magic flow for the rest of her life.

She smiled at him then. Genuinely smiled, and he couldn’t help but return it.

“You’re really freeing us.”

“That’s what I said I’d do.”

“But you’re following through. You don’t know how many,” she wiped a tear from her eye. “So many lies. We’ve been told so many lies.”

“I know.”

Rion stepped to the edge of the small cliff, no more than seven feet up and the female looked with him, smiling in triumph. Her family clapped for her, clearly delighted.

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