Page 31 of A Fate so Cruel

“I had a mission that didn’t go well.”

“You found a lead.” Their mother.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I could have gone with you.”

“Because it was sensitive and I couldn’t risk—” Couldn’t risk anyone recognizing him or seeing his magic. Saoirse had taken him on a high-risk mission once before and it had almost gotten him killed. “It doesn’t matter,” she repeated. “It was just another dead end.”

She’d never stopped looking. Not once. Rion looked back at the river and watched a stick float down, carried by the rapid current. It spun in circles, reaching for a bank it would never find.

“Okay,” Saoirse glanced up. “Let’s visit the lake house and go from there.”

Chapter Seven

They spent two weeks reliving their childhood memories. Neither stepped foot inside their parents’ room, though Rion stared longingly at the door every morning, imagining his mother exiting with a smile on her face.

The pair swam in the lake, made breakfast every morning, and basked in the warm afternoon sun. It was the life he longed for and the life he could never have.

Reality forced Rion to shoulder his pack. Saoirse had left before him, claiming she needed to return to the palace. He, in turn, took his time, unwilling to leave the little sanctuary where his life had been nearly perfect.

He’d had everything a child could ever want.

Now—Rion didn’t allow himself to finish that thought.

Three days later and Rion stood before Caol’s cabin. He could hear the male moving around inside and knew full well that Caol had sensed his presence a quarter mile off.

Rion heard a piece of silverware clank against a plate followed by the sound of wood scraping across the floor. The boards creaked. Rion swallowed hard. He didn’t realize how nervous he’d be. He’d lived with Caol for six years and the male was like a father to him, no matter how much Caol denied it.

The door swung open on silent hinges. Caol crossed his arms, leaned against the doorframe, and stared him down. “You didn’t run.”

“Do I have a reason to?”

“You tell me.”

Tension filled Rion’s body. “I didn’t do anything wrong.” Aside from being somewhere he shouldn’t have been.

“That’s debatable.” Rion clenched his fists then relaxed again. His magic stirred around his feet; it didn’t go unnoticed.

Caol’s gaze lifted and Rion tried not to step back as the male surveyed him. “Where have you been?”

“Saoirse sent a letter.”

Caol’s jaw ticked and he pinned Rion with a chilling stare. “A letter,” he scoffed. “I’ll ask again.Wherehave you been?”

Realization dawned on him. Caol wanted to see if Saoirse had lied. “We were at the lake house.” Caol raised a brow. “Just myself and Saoirse. She had a leave after her last mission.”

Caol scented the air. “Why did you come back?”

“I—” Saoirse had been certain Caol wouldn’t kick him out, but . . . maybe she’d been wrong. Maybe he didn’t have a home anymore. “Would you prefer it if I left?” He wasn’t prepared for the pain that radiated through his chest. A far deeper one than the wound left by Liam.

“Three Fae barely more than younglings are dead. Three unidentified warriors from Brónach are dead. And those who lived claim you’re at fault.” The muscles in his forearm flexed. “And youleave,” he seethed, “while the rest of us cleaned up your mess.”

Three younglings, not two. “The male didn’t make it.” The words were barely more than a whisper.

Caol remained still, showing no signs of emotion. “He didn’t. The blade was too close to his heart. There was nothing to be done.”

Rion stepped back and slumped against the nearest tree. Liam would never forgive him now. Rion had seen the way he’d looked at the young male. The love and pleading in his eyes.

---