Page 63 of A Fate so Cruel

“At ease. I’m not here on business.”

The male didn’t seem to know what to do with that. He opened his mouth, closed it, then said, “Oh.” It took him a moment to collect himself, likely to think through why Rion, The Demon, would be standing in front of the governor’s manor if he wasn’t here to address their ledgers. “Would you like me to arrange a meeting?”

A smile tugged at Rion’s lips. Selina would be thrilled. “If it doesn’t cause too much trouble.”

“Of course not,” the male beamed, his demeanor relaxing by the second. Maybe he hoped to be rewarded in some way for the arrangement. Or maybe he was just happy to avoid Rion’s wrath. What had Selina claimed again? That others believed he drank the blood of his enemies? He shivered at the thought. He didn’t even like his meat rare.

“We actually have a banquet tomorrow evening to celebrate a new trading partnership with Whiteridge.” Rion blinked at the mention of the southern city. “Of course, if you prefer a more private meeting, then I can arrange that as well. The governor would be more than happy to accommodate whatever—”

“The banquet will suffice,” he interrupted again. Selina had dismissed Whiteridge’s involvement, but if the two cities were connected in a trade agreement, then perhaps they were more involved than previously assumed. Were both cities plotting against Nàdair?

Relations with Whiteridge had always been strained. Just a few years ago, he’d accompanied Saoirse on an assignment there. It had been one of the most intense missions he’d ever been on. It was also where they’d first discovered the poison or a variation of it. Despite Selina dismissing them, it wouldn’tsurprise Rion in the slightest if they were at the center of everything.

“I’ll be bringing a guest,” Rion said.

The male’s eyes widened. “Is our Lady Saoirse with you?” He glanced behind Rion as if he might spot her wandering around.

“No, she’s a . . . personal friend of mine.” Rion wondered for a moment if the words would come out as a lie. They didn’t.

The male bowed. “Any guest of yours is a guest of ours.”

“Good. What time shall we arrive?”

“We’re serving appetizers and wine at five. Dinner is scheduled for six.”

Rion nodded and the male bowed again. “Is there anything else I can do for you, My Lord?”

Rion’s gaze returned to the manor. He noted the faces peering through the curtains. They ducked away when he caught them staring.

“You’re dismissed.”

Another bow. A lingering stare, then the male was gone, rushing away as fast as he could without running.

Rion smirked. Selina would be pleased. He hoped. Everything was already lining up and it was only day one.

After circling the property a final time just to rile them up a bit, Rion turned toward the market. The hot sun had risen high and was beating down on his already tanned skin.

He’d spent the beginning of summer outside every day, learning to perfect the magic that still tried to slip from his control. He had a far better grasp on it than he had five years ago, but if someone provoked him too much, it would roar to life of its own volition.

He still practiced day in and day out, willing the magic to yield to him completely. He didn’t need to unintentionally kill someone again.

Caol’s death still . . . bothered him. It didn’t matter that Caol had tried to kill him first, Rion hadn’t wanted the male dead. It was an unfortunate incident that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

“You shouldn’t look so serious,” a familiar voice drawled. “You’ll scare everyone off.” Rion turned to find Selina, a much different Selina, staring at him with a hand braced on her hip.

In place of the black clothes, she’d changed into a pale blue shirt that dipped in the front, revealing far too much skin. A dark pair of loose shorts showed off the muscles of her tanned legs.

The memory of the kiss returned two-fold. He imagined running his hands up and down her thighs. Wondered what it might feel like to have them wrapped around his waist.

She’d left her hair down, the strands still slightly damp from her shower. Her eyes were alight with amusement as his gaze tracked up and down her form.

Selina cocked a teasing smile and tapped the side of her face. “You have a bit of drool.”

Rion snapped his mouth shut and turned away, suddenly interested in a very plain loose stone jutting out of the path. They should fix it. He should tell the governor when they visited. Someone could trip.

“You aren’t armed,” he said, trying anything to distract himself.

Selina sauntered closer and Rion had to resist stepping away as she wrapped her hands around his arm and pulled him close. Gods, she smelled like heaven.

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