Page 46 of A Fate so Cruel

Rion passed the first few occupied rings and made his way to the back. Those nearest to him stopped to stare at the abomination in their midst before packing up and moving away. He tried his best to ignore it.

Rion threw his satchel next to one of the wooden benches, then began his normal morning routine. He reached for the ground, flattening his palms in the dirt, then rolled back up, feeling each taunt muscle lengthen with the movement.

He stretched his arms over head, pulling on his elbows, then bent again to grab his ankles. Rion breathed long and deep, letting his mind drift to somewhere far away.

“Just the male I was hoping to see.” Her voice was light and welcoming, like the sunrise after a long, cold night, but something in the undertone had Rion expecting a storm to follow.

Annoyance and curiosity flared through him in equal measure. He slowly rose to his full height, then his throat went dry.

He hadn’t intended to gape.

Her hair was down today, falling just past her shoulders. She wore a casual blouse with the top strings undone. He couldn’t resist following the curve of her neck, but his gaze stopped at the simple tear-drop pendant hanging over her chest.

The female flashed him a mischievous smile. Manipulative, Saoirse had warned. He wondered if everything she did, from her clothes to her scent, was all part of the game. Rion tried to ignore the way she smelled, but gods—her scent reminded him of the wildflowers bending with the breeze. Of long summer nights, doing all the things he’d dreamed of doing with a female.

He shook the thoughts away, wondering how many had fallen for her ruse. Too many, according to Saoirse.

Selina tied her hair back in a low ponytail, then sauntered over and plucked a blunt training sword from the rack. The female tested the weight by rolling her wrist with the blade in hand then executed a series of swift movements.

She smiled at him again. “Have time for a sparring match?”

Rion quirked a brow. “You’re kidding.” No one volunteered to spar him. Ever.

Another smile. His stomach fluttered. “Not in the slightest.”

His gaze roamed across her body, searching for weapons. He found four. “Plotting to kill me before the mission even begins?”

A spark of mischief flashed through her eyes and she tilted her head toward the sword. “Not sure a blunt blade would get the job done.”

“Your other weapons might.” If she could hit him.

She smirked. “Keen eye.” Then reached for the knives. Two hidden in her boots and two along her belt beneath her shirt. She held them up, then dramatically deposited them next to his satchel at the edge of the ring. “Happy?”

Rion only walked to the weapons rack and drew a blunt sword himself, staring back at her incredulously. She’d just disarmed herself in his presence. Others were watching their exchange carefully, as if unsure whether to intervene.

“What’s to stop you from using your magic?”

She shrugged. “What’s to stop you from using yours?” Her eyes darted to the grains circling at his feet. “I do believe only one of us has a bloodthirsty reputation.”

“Is that what made you recruit me?”

“A female’s allowed to be curious. Rumors and all.”

He scoffed. “Right, because they’re believable.”

“I guess we’ll see.”

She shot toward him, her body low, balanced. She angled her sword across the front of her body, ready to cut him in two.

Caol had taught him to dodge such attacks. Blocking only expended unnecessary energy.

But he’d never completely listened to Caol. And he wanted to test this female. Meet the challenge in her gaze. Break the façade.

He still hadn’t scented any fear.

The pair clashed, metal ringing out and Rion’s forearms vibrated from the impact. Selina went sprawling back. Her eyes widened, but she caught herself, then greenery split through the earth at their feet.

Rion was ready for it.

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