Page 174 of A Fate so Cruel

Rion committed the scent to memory, carefully laid Lillian’s head against the floor, and stood. Rion was going to kill him. Kill and torment the male who’d dared to intervene.

A choked gasp had Rion spinning to face the door just in time to see a wall of ice barreling toward him. Rion jumped back, but deadly spikes followed his every move. He stumbled into the nearest wall and a shiver went through him when a roar shook the land itself.

The High Lord of Móirín had come for his mate.

A frozen spike buried itself in Rion’s arm and he winced. Water gathered around the male’s body, rising in a wave so tall it nearly touched the ceiling.

Rion didn’t waste time. He shattered the wooden planks of the wall behind him and jumped through, narrowly escaping the icy torrent chasing after him.

The High Lord roared again, this one full of pain and longing. Rion watched him fall to his knees at Lillian’s side. Saw him caress the female’s cheek with shaking hands, then bury his face in her hair as he drew her body into his arms.

Ice coated the floor beneath the male’s knees, the magic rapidly spreading to the walls and ceiling.

He looked so . . . broken at that moment. Not like a High Lord, but like a male who’d lost the one thing that rooted him to the earth.

Half the guards charged Rion, their own fury written plainly across their faces.

Gods above, what had he done?

Rion had taken her. He’d made her vulnerable, then he’d left her and she’d become an easy target.

Now, there was nothing to be done. No conversation he could have that might ease the situation.

Rion retreated, refusing to fight back.

The ground beneath his feet shuddered and Rion knew the High Lord was coming for him next.

He turned and ran straight for the mountains.

Alec hadn’t wanted a war, but a war was exactly what had just been started.

Chapter Nine

The wooden table shattered against the far wall, then Alec pivoted, magic flaring as he shouted, “I told you not to touch her.”

Saoirse stood in the middle of the room, her body between her two brothers as if she was a shield.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Alec roared.

Rion had walked through the throne room doors without bothering to wipe Lady Lillian’s blood from his hands or clothes. He’d intended to explain the situation, but as soon as Alec saw him, he’d begun screaming, pacing, circling the throne as he rubbed his temples and ordered everyone from the room.

“Why didn’t you consult me first?” Saoirse nearly shrieked. “You’ve just plunged us into war.”

Alec snarled at their sister. “He,” he pointed a finger in Rion’s direction, “just plunged us into war.”

“Dead or alive, the High Lord of Móirín wouldn’t have forgiven you either way. What were youthinking, Alec?” Saoirse’s gaze drifted to Rion and her lips parted as she beheld the blood on his hands. She just stared, as if she didn’t quite believe her little brother could be capable of such a thing.

“You did this on purpose. You did it to undermine everything we’ve tried to build. Do you want Brónach to fall? Or is your problem solely with my reign?”

Rion could have said a million things. He could have attempted to explain himself. Perhaps Saoirse would have listened, but Alec, Alec had made his own decisions. So instead of the truth, Rion quirked a wicked smile. “At least now you have the land you wanted.” Rion waved an arm. “Hell, you can invade Móirín and lay claim to more if you wish.”

Alec flashed his teeth. “I should have killed you years ago.”

“I’m right here,” Rion snarled back. “Take your shot.”

Alec’s magic twitched and he stalked forward, shaking the jacket from around his shoulders. Saoirse stepped between them, but Alec didn’t pause. He didn’t so much as look at her as he glared at his little brother.

Rion’s magic wrapped around his body, preparing for a fight to the death.

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