Page 23 of A Fate so Cruel

“Well Caol’s not your sister, is he?” She stood and studied the landscape. “We’ll start with the small villages. Let you help them out, then move on to bigger ones. We’ll force people to see you’re not a threat, even if it takes us a century to do it.”

“Alec isn’t going to give you a century.”

“You let me handle Alec.”

He chuckled. She was probably the only one who could.

“I’m turning in early, you coming?” Rion took her outstretched hand and followed his sister back to Caol’s cabin.

Two years. He could handle that. He hoped.

Chapter Three

Two days later, Rion wiped the sweat from his brow and plopped into one of the wooden chairs outside. He propped his feet up on the stones surrounding the unlit fireplace and leaned back. He could hear Caol rustling around inside, likely prepping lunch. Rion knew better than to offer his help. Caol treated the small kitchen like a temple. No one else was allowed to touch his utensils.

It also didn’t help that Rion had nearly burned the cabin down when he was a youngling. It was a poor attempt at making lunch. Apparently grease didn’t mix well with fire.

White clouds passed by at a snail’s pace. He had the day off today, aside from the chores he’d just finished. No training, though Caol hadn’t made him do much after chucking a staff into his stomach. The bluish color that had spread across his ribs was just beginning to fade.

He let the tension fall from his shoulders and closed his eyes. The spring air washed through him, pleasant and welcoming.

Rion’s body jolted. He sat straight up in the chair, heart thundering through his chest. The forest was quiet. Rion twisted in his seat, searching for the sound, but—nothing.

He gripped his head, trying to massage away the headache creeping on. What had he been dreaming about? He couldn’t remember, but Rion could have sworn—impossible. No one came within a mile of this place without Caol’s knowledge.

A mouthwatering scent drifted from the cabin’s open window. Judging from the sun’s position, he hadn’t been out long.

Stretching, Rion started for the door with one thought in mind. The festival. He couldn’t go with Saoirse, but maybe, just maybe Caol would say yes today. Rion could control his magicnow, mostly, and so long as he kept his hood up, no one would recognize him. It had always worked when he traveled with Saoirse.

Caol had nearly finished his plate when Rion walked through the door. “If I’d known you’d sleep the day away, I would have assigned you more to do.”

Rion shrugged. “You said I had down time.” Not that he’d meant to fall asleep.

The male grunted and popped another forkful of chicken into his mouth.

Rion sat across from him, his own mouthwatering from the smell of herb-roasted chicken, rice, and vegetables. Caol’s cooking never disappointed.

The male poured them both a glass of water and returned to his meal.

Rion took a bite, savoring the rich flavor. He stared at Caol, his heart quickening as the question danced on his tongue.

“Out with it already,” Caol barked without looking up.

Rion pushed a pea across his plate. “The spring festival starts tonight.”

Caol drank from his glass. “I didn’t think Saoirse would be here for it.”

“She isn’t,” Rion started. “I was wondering if you’d like to go.”

“You know why we can’t.” Right. Because if they were caught, then Rion wouldn’t have a place to call home anymore. But he was so tired of being cooped up. Of only having Saoirse and Caol to talk to.

“We could wait until it’s dark,” Rion tried. “It’d be fun. Maybe we could find a few new weapons. Plus the food is always—”

“I’m not your father.”

The statement hit Rion hard. Harder than he thought it would. His face heated. “I know that. I just thought—”

“Don’t think. We’re not here for you to think or to attend festivals. I entertain the idea because of Saoirse’s insistence. You’re here to get stronger, nothing more.”

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