Page 24 of A Fate so Cruel

“I know,” Rion grumbled. “I just thought it might be nice to switch things up.”

Caol stared at his plate. “The solstice isn’t far off. Saoirse will accompany you then.” Caol stood and Rion gripped his fork. “Finish your meal before you storm off.”

Rion didn’t want to eat, his stomach had soured, but he did so anyway, clearing the plate as fast as possible before standing. “Thank you for the meal.”

With his face still warm, Rion exited the cabin, careful not to slam the door, and marched straight into the woods.

He knew Caol wasn’t his father, but Rion had hoped, with all the years they’d spent together, they might at least totter the line between family and friends.

Then again, maybe he wouldn’t have gone to the solstice with Saoirse either.

Rion tried to quell his rising anger. Caol had done far more for him than anyone else ever had. He should be grateful. He was grateful, he just wished—Rion slumped against a tree and slid to the ground. He didn’t know what he wished for. A friend, that’d be a good start.

Rion tilted his head back. The afternoon sky was still clear. Open and inviting. Birds flew overhead and Rion found himself envying their freedom.

He felt like a prisoner.

The logical part of his brain knew it was only for his own safety, but his heart, the illogical thing, begged for more. He wanted to know what it might be like to enter a restaurant with a friend at his side. To sit and laugh the way he’d seen so manyother teens do. He wanted to take a female’s hand and watch her blush as they strolled through the streets. He just wanted something other than—Rion looked around—this isolation.

The solstice. He supposed he could wait, but even though the day brought joy, it was also tinged with sadness, especially for Saoirse. It was both a celebration and a painful reminder of when their lives had gone to hell. Rion had found her crying last year, seated at their father’s grave. She still blamed herself, and Rion wondered if she ever regretted saving him.

Rion let his magic spread through the ground. All manner of stones, both large and small, rose to surround his body. He studied it, this cursed magic the world labeled as an abomination. At least it responded better than it had in those initial months. It was only intense emotions that made it act out now.

Sometimes Rion wondered if a creature lurked beneath his skin, just waiting for the day it could break through and wreak havoc on Nàdair and its citizens. He supposed the only way to find out was to wait.

Rion relaxed his shoulders and let the magic fall again. He watched the clouds, the bugs crawling through the pine needles, the birds as they jumped from branch to branch.

How much peace could one endure before they lost their mind?

Footsteps padded nearby and Rion tilted his head to find Caol strolling toward him.

“You shouldn’t leave yourself so vulnerable.”

Rion returned his attention to the sky. “It’s called relaxing. You should try it sometime.”

Caol snorted. “I’m heading into the city for supplies. Do us both a favor and stay out of trouble while I’m gone.” To Nàdair. During the festival. Rion almost clenched his fists but stopped himself. He didn’t understand why the male couldn’tset aside thirty minutes to accompany Rion through the crowd. Not that Caol would attend without him. The male didn’t like big events, or crowds, or others in general.

Rion gave the male a dramatic thumbs up and Caol rolled his eyes, muttering beneath his breath before heading back to the cabin.

Caol only went to Nàdair twice a month. Less, if he could help it. He claimed to despise venturing into the city. But he always returned with his spirits lifted. Maybe he had a friend or two there. Perhaps even a female.

Rion’s jaw worked. A teacher. That’s all Caol was to him. Not a father. Not a friend. Rion stared after the place where Caol had disappeared.

Enough. He’d had enough. He’d face the repercussions later.

Rion waited until the sun had started to set before he entered the cabin, changed into plain black clothes, pulled a cloak from the rack, and let the door close behind him.

One night. He just wanted one night to pretend he was someone else. He’d stroll down the streets he’d once called home. He’d purchase sweets and pretend he had someone who cared waiting on him, too. Pathetic maybe, but it was far better than the lonely truth.

Chapter Four

It was dark before the tall redwood trees came into view. Rion entered through a small break in the trunks. A tunnel of sorts through the massive beasts that protected the city. Saoirse had shown it to him years ago. Rion was sure others knew about it, but she kept it hidden with a row of thick vines. With his sister’s magic, the vines moved out of her way on command. Without her—

Rion pulled another leaf from his hair before flipping his hood up. Soft lights illuminated the main street where the vendors were gathered. During the solstice, the entire city glowed and there were more merchants than he could count. But this festival had been contained to the main road that led up to the palace. He’d be careful not to venture too close.

Rion ambled through the dark streets, watching the rooftops and alcoves as he went. His feet were silent against the cobblestones and Rion ran his hands along the freshly blooming flowers and foliage.

Sudden images of blood and mangled bodies flashed to the forefront of his mind. Rion gritted his teeth. He’d never forgotten the night of his father’s death. It was a scene that regularly haunted his nightmares. Before that moment, he’d never witnessed death. Nor had he known a body could produce so much blood.

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