Page 42 of A Fate so Cruel

No wonder Alec wanted it destroyed.

Another explosion echoed from the west and two dark silhouettes raced toward the trio.

No one stopped. No one asked for help.

The battle ebbed, slowly quieting. Rion hunted the few who’d attempted to hide, but their rapid heartbeats gave them away. He didn’t give them time to beg for mercy.

Rion wiped the blood from his sword and eyed the female from earlier. The rain had shifted to a light drizzle. She stood in the center of the chaos, whispering to two of her companions while two others shifted through the dead. He didn’t want to know what they might be looking for.

He stared at the five, wondering whether to approach and thank them or get to the last building, destroy everything inside, and make his way home. He’d kill for a hot meal.

The female’s gaze shifted his way. She eyed him for a long moment before approaching, sheathing her sword as she closedin. “Well,” she started, still a bit breathless. “I suppose you don’t need an introduction.”

“You’re from Nàdair?”

She nodded. “We’ve been tailing a small group of them for about a week. They led us here.” She eyed Rion, then their surroundings. “There’s one more storehouse. Do you want the honors?”

Rion looked her up and down, then turned away. “Have at it.”

“We could travel back together if you wanted.”

He raised one hand in farewell and kept walking. He knew better than to trust anyone. He’d learned far too many lessons the hard way.

Chapter Two

“I do not need a team,” Rion said for the third time. It was the same argument before every assignment. Nàdair’s rules were strict when it came to missions. Warriors were to be sent in a group of three or more. Two to carry it out and one to report if anything went awry.

He was the only exception to that rule. Mostly because half the time his team members tried to take matters into their own hands where his life was concerned. It never ended well. “You and I both know they’ll just get in my way.”

Alec quirked a brow at him as if to accuse Rion of enjoying it. He’d done that more than once, too.

“They’ve already been assigned.” Rion tapped his foot on the marble floor and glared at his brother. A look that sent others running in fear. It certainly made the male standing beside the throne uncomfortable enough to inch back a step. Rion bared his teeth. He’d never cared for the male or the way he often looked at Saoirse. But Alec had chosen him as an advisor. Short of killing him, he was here to stay. Rion’s gaze traveled down to the ring around his finger depicting a crow. Such a gaudy thing.

Alec propped his face up with one hand, watching Rion carefully. He let the ring on his other finger tap against the arm of the throne. At least Alec had more taste where jewelry was concerned. The guards stood pensive, as they always were in Rion’s presence.

Rion ground his teeth. A team of gods-only-knew how many. All with blades poised to strike him down as soon as Rion turned his back.

When Rion didn’t reply, Alec waved his hand toward a slave. The female jumped to attention and ran for the side door, opening it with her head bowed.

Her chains rattled, and Rion cringed at the grating sound. He hated the iron and wondered how many might possess magic if they were ever set free. Probably a lot more than the Fae wanted to give them credit for.

A female prowled into the room with a predator’s gait. She held her chin high. Sharp features surrounded analytical eyes and—he recognized her.

Rion’s mouth gaped as he stared at the very female who’d stumbled upon him less than a month ago.

He looked her up and down. Her wounds had healed and her face was far more pleasant to look at without the swollen eye. Too pleasant.

She wore casual clothes today instead of the black fighting leathers he’d seen her in before. Her sandy bronze hair was swept up into a braid that circled the top of her head and she’d gone as far as weaving pale blue flowers between the strands.

She’d tucked her tan tunic into her black pants and wore a belt with a pouch on one side. No knives. No weapons.

Her gaze locked with his and Rion sucked in a breath. She surveyed him too, raking her amber gaze up and down his form. Rion didn’t move, but he couldn’t stop the magic that rose up to surround his body in response.

She smiled, actually smiled, before turning to Alec. Rion gaped.

The female gracefully dropped to one knee and bowed her head, something Rion had never done. “My Lord.” Her voice. It was definitely the same female.

Alec offered her a warm smile. A true smile. “Selina,” he nearly purred. “Rise.” She did, the movement just as graceful.

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