Page 19 of A Fate so Cruel

His lips parted slightly. Rion knew enough about Fae honor to know what Saoirse was asking.

The male placed a hand over his heart. “I swear, on pain of death, that so long as Rion remains in my care, no harm shall come to him.”

Another long moment of silence passed, then Saoirse nodded.

“But I don’t want—”

Saoirse pressed a finger to Rion’s lips. “We’ll talk about it. I promise.”

The male stood. “Rest. You know where the supplies are. You’re welcome to anything in the house or outside of it. I likely won’t be back for a few days.”

“You’re leaving?”

“My presence will be expected. I’ll let Alec know where you are, but I’ll leave Rion’s location undisclosed.”

Saoirse only nodded, but Rion watched the male’s every move as he gathered a belt full of weapons and strapped it across his torso. He pulled on his boots and slung a broadsword across his back.

The male paused with one hand on the handle. Tension filled the room. “Did he hesitate?” Rion knew what he meant but wasn’t prepared for the answer to sink through him like a lead weight.

“Once.”

The male nodded before gently closing the door in his wake. He trotted down the stairs and Rion listened to his receding footsteps until they blended into the night.

Silence engulfed the space. The steam from their mugs had stopped rising minutes ago.

Images of their father and his guards returned, flashing through Rion’s mind. Then reality hit him like cold water. Their father was gone. Rion couldn’t return home. Alec would hate him. And from what the male had said, it seemed the rest of the world would too.

He’d wanted his magic for years. He’d prayed for it. And now . . . now . . .

“Let’s get you cleaned up.” Saoirse finally released her hold on him as she stood.

Rion squeezed her hand, remembering her wounds. “You should first. You’re hurt.”

She gave him a sad smile. “I’ll be all right. Just . . . let me get you cleaned up, okay?”

He wanted to argue, but the sadness in her gaze had Rion nodding instead. He followed her to a small bathroom with a clawfoot tub in the corner. Surprisingly, the male possessed running water. Saoirse turned the knob and seconds later steam filled the small space.

Saoirse gave him some privacy to strip down before returning to wash his hair. She hadn’t done that since he was little, but Rion let her now. He finished washing himself, then dressed. Saoirse examined his wounds before climbing into the tub herself.

Rion sat just outside the door as he waited for her to finish, then he watched her stitch up the wound in her side. Their father had done that. He bristled at the thought. Tomorrow. He’d learn how to care for wounds tomorrow, that way Saoirse wouldn’t ever have to do it by herself.

Neither spoke aside from asking if the other was all right or if they needed anything.

Saoirse dragged the towel through her hair. Rion watched before finally asking, “Who is he?”

“My teacher.”

“In what?”

“Everything. Combatives. Magic. Strategy.” She looked him over. “He’ll teach you, too.”

“You’re not leaving, are you?” Saoirse sighed and returned to the sofa. She pulled Rion into her arms and cradled him close as they stared at the embers. “Saoirse?”

“Not for a while.”

“How long is a while?”

“I’ll make sure you get settled in.” She rubbed his back. “You have to stay with him from now on.”

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