Page 4 of A Fate so Cruel

A vine tied down Alec’s leg, then another caught one of Saoirse’s arms, rooting both siblings to the ground. They ripped free and snarled, a fierce sound that might have had Rion cowering were it not for the person he clung to.

No. He could be brave for this. He wanted to join them in their training exercises. A thrill of excitement went through him. He was here. Watching. Participating. For the first time, he wasn’t told he was too little. His mother was allowing it, going against his father’s wishes.

A broad smile spread across Rion’s face as Saoirse launched her own sea of greenery toward them. His mother didn’t cower away. She stood her ground and, without her even moving, the world came alive at her feet. Trees shot out to block Saoirse’s magic, blooming as if they couldn’t help themselves despite the unfolding chaos.

Another wave formed, this one thicker and stronger somehow. Alec.

It only managed to make it halfway before everything fell, as if his mother had commanded it with her mind.

Alec snarled, then their father’s rare boisterous laugh echoed through the trees. His mother patted Rion’s leg and she emerged from the torn branches and brambles that now coated the once soft forest floor. She leaped easily over a large trunk, and Rion’s two older siblings relaxed their pensive stances.

“Enjoying yourself, Eimear?”

She let Rion slide down from her back, then took his hand. “I can’t always let you have all the fun with our children.”

“You knew I wouldn’t see you coming.”

“Naturally, though Rion played a large factor in that. There were about a dozen ways he could have given us away.”

His father scented the air, studied his youngest child, then stepped forward and ruffled Rion’s hair. “You did well.” Rion had never felt prouder than in that moment.

“He wanted to join you all, so I brought him along.”

“He could have gotten hurt,” Saoirse said, her breath still ragged.

“Not with your mother guarding him,” their father replied. He stared at his mate fondly, eyes swimming with emotion. “Shall we call it early today and head back for breakfast?”

“Yes,” Eimear said without hesitation. “I’d like to enjoy our last few days. The snow will melt tomorrow.”

Eimear met Rion’s gaze and offered him a sweet smile that she extended to her other children. She held her free hand out to their father and the male interlaced his fingers with his mate’s. Saoirse joined at Rion’s other side, smiling down at her little brother while Alec followed at their father’s far side.

Rion took Saoirse’s hand and the two females lifted him over the chaos they’d created in the forest. But even as they walked away, the trees were righting themselves, rising up to new heights. Fresh flowers bloomed and vines took over the places where branches were scattered and torn. Within moments, it looked as if the landscape had never been disturbed.

His mother’s magic. A magic full of life. A magic he couldn’t wait to explore for himself.

Rion looked at his mother again and his smile widened when he saw the floral path that opened before them.

It hadn’t been a coincidence. She’d already known they would head back this way as a family and she’d carved a beautiful path to lead them home.

The Cursed Fae and the First Loss

Chapter One

In the span of what seemed only a few minutes, the world had erupted into absolute chaos.

Alarms blared across the darkening horizon, the sun having already dipped behind the tall redwoods that circled and protected the great city of Nàdair. Smoke rose from rooftops in the distance, giving the air a hazy glow. Slaves and servants raced down the hallways, their arms full of various supplies.

Voices echoed. A shrill scream. A barked command. Weapons and armor clanged together and Rion swore he could hear the soft whine of blades being dragged over whetstones three floors down.

Rion’s small fingers gripped the window’s ledge as he pushed up onto his toes and observed the mayhem below. He’d been thrown into the study, left to do nothing but watch as the world turned various shades of red and gray and black.

Bodies littered the normally beautiful cobblestone path that led out the side garden doors. The immaculate white peonies were stained with crimson. Statues were broken at jagged angles and the treasured dogwoods had been uprooted and strewn across the freshly cut lawn.

No one bothered cleaning any of it up. Even the bodies.

A small group, he’d overheard a Fae female whisper.It shouldn’t have been possible, another argued.How did she fall prey to them, a meek voice asked.

Her. That’s all anyone said. No name. No title. As if they were afraid saying the words out loud would make it real.

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