Page 59 of A Fate so Cruel

Selina assigned their teams. It was easy. Gathering intel was short and to the point. They’d each spend two weeks at their given locations, then meet back at the cabin to exchange information.

They’d enter the villages disguised as merchants or traders.

Rion’s assignment was the only one that differed. He’d expected as much. What he hadn’t expected was her outlandish plan.

***

“Explain to me again why this is necessary?” They strolled down the dirt road leading to Fernsworth with Selina’s arm in his. Grassy plains surrounded them on all sides and a cool summer breeze kept lifting Selina’s hair, hitting him with her intoxicating wildflower scent. It was bad enough that she was on his arm, her body pressed close to his. He swore the gods were testing every ounce of his self-restraint.

They’d left the safe house two days ago. Selina had ordered the male and the short-haired female to accompany them separately. Rion wasn’t sure if they lingered behind or had already entered the city. His guess was that they’d gone ahead, just to be sure Selina wouldn’t run into any trouble.

“Because you need to learn to relax before we walk through those gates. You’re as high-strung as a Fae at their first sparring match. Keep that up and you’ll blow our cover before we even begin.” She wasn’t wrong. His entire body had locked up as soon as she’d looped her arm with his.

Rion swallowed hard, trying not to look at her. “I meant,” he cleared his throat. “Why do we have to go through with it at all?”

He caught her smirk from the corner of his eye. “Because seeing you with a female will throw them off and make them think you have a heart beneath that cold shell of yours.” He wasn’t inclined to agree.

His face burned when she leaned closer, her body brushing against his. “I want them to underestimate you. You’re here as a distraction. With you drawing their focus, the others will be free to look around. Plus, being who you are, the governor will be forced to invite you to his estate.”

“And you plan to snoop around?”

“With you distracting him, yes.” Right, because they were just going to let her wander the halls without an escort.

Rion tried to slow his breathing, but only ended up inhaling more of her scent. It felt like every nerve in his body had ignited all at once.A tool, he reminded himself. He was nothing more than a tool to her.

Rion glanced down at their linked arms and the way Selina’s slender frame moved next to his. She was soclose. Closer than any female had ever dared. And she still wasn’t afraid.

Don’t let her manipulate you, Saoirse’s warning rang through him.

He was failing. This female’s entire essence was far worse than any alcohol he’d ever consumed. He was in such deep shit already.

Rion felt her eyes on him, but he kept his head forward, staring at the city gates in the distance. “Does this make you uncomfortable?”

His face burned hotter. “Saoirse warned me about you.”

He saw her brows rise from the corner of his eye. “Your sister? How so?”

“She said you were good at manipulating people.”

Selina laughed, that same singsong sound he’d heard after they’d spared. And damn it if it didn’t do something to his already addled mind. He needed to step away from her. Get some air.

“Well, she wasn’t wrong.” Selina was silent for a long moment. “Is that what you think I’m doing to you?”

“Aren’t you?”

She smirked and shifted her focus back to the city ahead. “Maybe a little.”

He stiffened all over again. “Why?”

She shrugged. “I have the chance to make the most powerful Fae in Brónach uncomfortable and you think I wouldn’t take it?”

Rion clenched his jaw. The guards came into view. Four of them, all standing where they should be. He glanced down at her again. Noted the small smile on her face. He didn’t know why he opened his mouth, why he bothered to say anything at all, but the words tumbled out, making him feel inferior in a way he hadn’t felt since his father had scolded him for dripping paint on a new rug.

“I’ve never had a female . . .” he trailed off, internally kicking himself. He should have just kept his mouth shut.

Selina tilted her head up again, exposing her slender neck. A neck he hadn’t been able to stop staring at since their sparring session. A smile played on her lips despite her effort to keep it hidden. “You’re, what, nineteen, right?” He nodded. “And you’ve never had a girlfriend?”

He couldn’t look at her long. Not with her this close. Rion rolled his eyes instead and waved a hand out to encompass the grass shifting with the breeze. “I’m sure there’s a line of females waiting outside my door back home. I’ll be sure to pick one.”

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