Page 169 of A Fate so Cruel

“You could rest here,” she offered. “I could arrange lodging. Supplies. Whatever you need.”

Rion shook his head. They might not even welcome the slaves anymore if they knew who was responsible. “Just help them.”

Rion waited for The High Lady to glance at the frightened slaves, then he broke into a run, sprinting through the night as fast as his feet could carry him. She didn’t pursue. Neither did her guards. Even so, Rion didn’t slow down. Not until he was safe behind those ancient trees.

Rion had never imagined the High Lady herself was the one walking the former slaves through Levea’s gates. She cared. Truly cared what happened to them.

Thereafter, The High Lady of Móirín was always waiting for him. He tried to change the times and dates, but the female had sentinels watching at all times. She was just as proficient as he was. Maybe even more so.

He found supplies littered throughout the forest. It put the slaves at ease, especially when they learned who’d left it.

Rion never spoke to her again. He couldn’t risk it. He remained a silent liberator and quietly watched the slaves shift from prisoners of Brónach to citizens of Levea.

Chapter Seven

Rion’s brow furrowed, staring at his brother as if the High Lord had completely lost his mind. “Care to run that by me again?” He couldn’t believe the words that had just come out of Alec’s mouth.

Alec didn’t even look at him as he repeated. “I want you to kidnap the High Lady of Móirín.”

“Because of land?”

His brother studied the glass of wine in his hand. Tilted it so the liquid caught the nearby candlelight. “Can you do it?”

“You’ll be breaking a centuries-old treaty. Are you really willing to go to war?”

“I thought war might entice you.” With anyone else, Rion wouldn’t have hesitated. Hell, he’d rather kidnap the High Lord himself than ever lay a hand on Lillian.

“What do you want me to do? Sneak in and steal her from right under the guards’ noses?” He’d studied the city before. He could probably figure out a way in but . . . he couldn’t do that to her.

“As fun as it would be to watch the High Lord scramble afterward, no. I’ve received reports that she frequents the outskirts of Levea and often only has a few guards as her escort. She’s made herself an easy target.”

Rion clenched his fists.He’dmade her an easy target. “Why is this so important?”

“We need access to the river. It’s necessary, and negotiations aren’t going well. Things have taken . . . a bloody turn, as I’m sure you’re aware.” He was. Their two countries had been on the brink of war for the better part of five years. It had started with petty squabbling, of course, then someone had wound up dead and neither party wanted to admit fault.

Alec met his gaze. “You’re not to harm her under any circumstances. If I know Lillian well enough, she’ll likely try to negotiate on her husband’s behalf.” He sipped his wine. “There’s a safe house along the edge of the border.” Alec pointed to a folder on the far table. “The details are in there. Hold her and wait for further instructions. Once the High Lord complies, we’ll release her and be done with it.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“She’s his mate. He will.”

Rion hissed through his teeth. He knew why Alec had picked him. Because if anything went wrong, then Rion would be the one to blame. Or so Alec hoped. Rion had never known his brother to be stupid before, but this—Rion clenched his fists. This wasn’t how one worked with their allies.

“When?” Rion asked.

“In two days. I’ve assembled a tea—”

“No.” The word was out before Alec could finish his sentence.

“This isn’t like—”

“I don’t give a damn,” Rion interrupted again. “The answer is no. Whoever you need to send can arrive afterward. I go alone, or you can find someone else.”

“You’re refusing?”

Rion crossed his arms. “It’s within my right.”

Alec watched him carefully and after a moment, leaned back in his chair. “Fine. They’ll arrive afterward, but they have a specific job to do. I’d appreciate it if they returned intact.”

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