Page 64 of A Fate so Cruel

“Why would I bring weapons when we’re simply going for a stroll through this beautiful city? Besides,” she nudged him. “I have a big bad Fae male to fight all my battles for me.”

Right, their mask. The mask that felt all too real because his stupid instincts wouldn’t stop roaring at him.

At least two dozen eyes watched the couple as they wandered into the main hub of the market. Patrons and shopkeepers alike paused mid conversation, many trying to decide whether to finish their transactions or outright flee.

Selina approached the first vendor that caught her eye and the male running it twisted his hands nervously, glancing between her and Rion as Selina scanned the jewelry laid across his table.

He watched Selina run her fingers over various pieces. Beautiful pieces. Many were items his mother would have likely worn.

“Is there something the miss finds to her liking?” The vendor’s voice shook and the fear leaking from him burned Rion’s nose. He’d always hated the smell.

Rion turned his attention to the shadowed corners and the lowlifes waiting to take advantage of unsuspecting guests. If it weren’t for his presence, Selina would have been a prime target. Her casual dress made her look like a tourist and the lack of weapons only amplified the ruse of her innocent nature.

For the first time, Rion was seeing a picture of exactly how she worked. And how well she wore her disguise.

Too well.

She picked up a golden necklace with red jewels inlaid throughout and lifted it toward the sun. Rion scanned her again. Surely she wouldn’t seriously leave herself vulnerable. Not when Alec and Saoirse claimed she was one of the best commanders in Nàdair.

A shift of her hip had Rion looking lower. She stood with her legs just a little wider than usual. Against her inner thigh then but given how short her shorts were meant the blade would be high.

He stopped thinking about it. Tried to stop thinking about her altogether and failed miserably.

Selina carefully set the beautiful necklace back on the small cushion. “What do you have that would match his eyes?”

The shopkeeper’s mouth gaped, mirroring Rion’s own expression. But reluctantly, as if it might cost the merchant his life, the male shifted his gaze to Rion and met his eyes. Something not many dared to do. Fear shone there and amplified when Selina sauntered over to Rion, her hips purposefully swaying.

She linked her arm with his, leaned close, and Rion forced himself to look at her. “I love his eyes. They carry so much depth, wouldn’t you agree?” She turned back to the shop owner and the male nodded, his expression changing from a fearful Fae to an artist inspecting his canvas. Rion refused to move, no matter how much his body demanded it. He didn’t like being the center of attention. Not like this. He’d never had another survey him so . . . intently.

The male glanced at the items laid out on his table, then moved behind it and pulled out a chest full of tiny drawers. He surveyed them, opened a few, then his eyes lit up in triumph.

The male presented Selina with a pair of small gemstones barely as big as the tip of Rion’s smallest finger. “Will these do?”

Selina stepped closer to inspect the stones and Rion sagged with relief. He couldn’t look away, however, when her eyes lit up, truly lit up in a way that he was sure had nothing to do with their assignment.

“These are—” Words seemed to fail her.

“You won’t find another pair like them. I traded with a male on the northern continent. He claimed the gemstone is rare, even in their mountain ranges.”

“You went to the human lands?” Rion said, a bit of skepticism in his voice. Fae couldn’t lie, but setting foot on human lands was largely unheard of. Especially with their history with the Fae.

The male nodded, his fear sparking anew. “I just returned a few months ago. It was . . . quite a journey.” Rion would say so, considering a Fae had to travel to the port city of Pádraigín, then cross the sea, which, he’d been told, was a two-week journey in itself.

“What can you make them into?” Selina asked, not at all interested in the male’s story about how he’d acquired them.

The male studied Selina and Rion had to resist the urge to growl to indicate the female was taken. A perfect part of their ruse, sure, but far too real. He was certain Selina would notice.

“Would you like a pair of earrings?”

She beamed. “That would be lovely.”

It occurred to Rion that he hadn’t informed Selina about the invite to the governor’s party. He asked, “Could you have them finished before tomorrow night?” Selina cast him a questioning glance. “We’ve been invited to a banquet,” he said by way of explanation.

Selina clasped her hands, but the surprise on her face was real. “Oh, you didn’t tell me.” She turned back to the merchant. “You’ll have to forgive him, my companion doesn’t seem to understand that artistry takes time. I understand if—”

“They’ll be done before sunrise.” The male puffed out his chest as if he’d just been challenged. “You shall wear your gems at the event even if I have to be up all night.”

Selina gave him an easy smile. “I look forward to it.”

---