Page 53 of A Fate so Cruel

“I miss her,” Rion admitted.

“Me, too.”

Rion moved his piece and the siblings played in silence for a time. Saoirse had entered the room dressed for a mission. He didn’t know how long they had.

“I could request to go with you,” she said.

“Ever the overprotective sister.”

“That’s a little hypocritical coming from you.”

Rion moved his rook, capturing her bishop. “I wouldn’t dream of pulling you away from your friends. I’ve heard how excited you are.”

A guilty smile. “Have I been too loud?”

“Only on the nights you stumble back drunk.”

“I don’t getthatdrunk,” she challenged.

Rion looked up from the board. “I literally heard you tell your closest friend that if he wasn’t a male—”

She threw up her hands. “All right, all right, I was drunk.” She grimaced. “And I did not intend for you to hear that.”

“The entire palace heard it.”

Color tinted her cheeks. “Well, at least I keep things interesting around here. If it were up to Alec, the entire place would be a cheery as a graveyard.”

Rion chuckled. “He should get out more.” And he meant it.

Saoirse’s smile faltered. “I can’t even remember the last time I heard him laugh.” She claimed his rook.

“The lake house,” Rion said. “With Mother. He was swimming and we were jumping from the rope swing.”

“You almost didn’t let go.”

“Mother was furious the two of you talked me into it.”

A smile graced her features. “I remember.” She moved another piece, forcing Rion’s king into submission. He made a face. He hated losing. “When I come back, I’m forcing him to take a holiday. He’s never going to meet a female locked in that throne room all day.”

“Gods help the female that has to deal with him.”

Saoirse kicked Rion under the table. “Gods help the female that has to deal withyou.” He playfully kicked her back before resetting the board.

“You can still decline, you know. There’s no rule that—”

“I’m going,” he interrupted. “If there’s someone hell-bent against Alec, then you’re on their list, too.”

“You don’t have to protect me. I am the older sibling.”

Rion shrugged. “You’ve always done it for me.”

Her voice lowered. “It was a promise to our mother.”

Rion lips parted. “You’ve never told me that.”

“It never came up. I would have protected you anyway, you’re my little brother. You and Alec mean more to me than anyone else in this world.”

“Now you’re getting sentimental.”

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