Page 30 of A Fate so Cruel

“I wish I knew.”

More silence. Rion relished the warmth from the fire after days without one. “Did . . . did the other male make it?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to know. If he hadn’t . . .

“He was still in critical care when I left. The healers are doing everything they can.” She’d probably left two days ago. Rion looked at his hands. He didn’t want to imagine Liam pacing outside the healing quarters. Liam’s mother was probably with him, trying to comfort her son after the ordeal.

Rion dropped his head into his hands, rubbing his eyes. “It was stupid to go.” He could feel Saoirse’s gaze on him. “I just thought I could, I don’t know, talk to him. I thought maybe he of all people would hear me out but—” Emotion swelled in Rion’s throat, cutting him off.

Saoirse stared at the river. “He won’t talk about it. He’s been questioned by multiple officials and refuses to say a word.” Rion didn’t respond. “The others claim you were with the three males. They said you were about to strike out with your magic.”

“And I’m sure everyone believes them.”

“The whole lot of them are traumatized. We’re not even suretheyknow what happened.”

“Yet Alec still has teams hunting me.”

“To bring you in, not kill you. I wouldn’t have stood for that.”

“And I suppose he’ll just let me return to my old room and live a nice cozy life in the palace.”

“If that were the case, I’d escort you back myself.” She kicked a rock near her shoe. “He’s consulting the council, but I think he plans to lock you up until they decide what should be done.”

“I’m assuming you had an opinion on the matter.”

She shrugged. “I told him if that was the case, then no one would find you. He took it for the threat it was.” Saoirse met his gaze. “You should know by now that I wouldn’t turn you in.”

“I know. I just . . . don’t risk yourself for me. We’ve kept things a secret this long for a reason.”

“I never planned to keep you in hiding forever, you know that.”

“Do you have a plan for when Caol finally kicks me out?”

Her heart jolted. “Did he mention something?”

“No, but given the circumstances—”

Her shoulders relaxed. “I won’t lie, he’s furious and you’ll probably be cleaning every square inch of the cabin with the smallest brush imaginable when you get back, but he’s not going to kick you out.” Rion wasn’t so sure.

“He’s thankful you didn’t come back right away. Alec’s patrols searched there first, thanks in part to how often I visit.” Rion’s eyes widened. If they found his scent . . . “Don’t worry, as soon as word reached Caol, he raced back and erased any evidence of you. His reputation with our father helped, too. Most still admire him from his service in the previous war.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t go back at all.”

Saoirse didn’t reply at first. “Where would you go?”

Rion shrugged. “It’s kind of nice out here.”

“You won’t think that when winter hits and your toes freeze off.”

He laughed, the sound bitter. “You mentioned the northern continent once.”

Silence. “I’d never see you again.” Rion didn’t reply. She wouldn’t, not for a long while, at least. The trip itself would take him weeks and he’d be forced to live in secrecy all over again.

“Let’s go to the lake house for a while, at least until things blow over.”

“Won’t Alec look for us there?”

Saoirse went quiet. “No. I’ve been given a leave.”

Rion studied the way her shoulders slumped and the way she gripped her bag a little tighter. “What happened?”

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