Page 65 of A Fate so Cruel

The male bowed his head. “Of course, My Lady.” Silence stretched for a long moment, then Selina seemed to catch on to the male glancing at her purse.

“Oh, right, I’m sorry.” She leaned close to the male, an action that had Rion wanting to protest, but whatever she whispered to him had the male’s mouth gaping.

“Truly?”

Selina held a finger up to her lips and winked. “It’ll be our little secret.”

He bowed again. “Of course, My Lady.” She took Rion’s arm once again and pulled him away from the stall, moving toward the next.

Rion didn’t wait for them to be out of earshot before he asked, “What was that about?” Surely the male wouldn’t give her something so expensive in exchange for her . . . attention, but—

Selina lowered her voice to a whisper. “Just using a family name to my advantage.”

“Mine?”

She balked. “Mine. You’re not the only one with money, you know.”

Right. He glanced back at the male who was already bent over his table. “You probably just promised him an entire month’s wages.”

“More like six. Hopefully he spends it well.”

“And your . . . uncle,” he’d almost said father, “is okay with spending that kind of money on jewelry?”

She shrugged. “He likes to dote on his niece.”

Rion smirked, placing a hand over hers when a pair of males looked too close. They turned away. “So you’re protected and spoiled.”

“I am not spoiled. I’m immaculately cared for. He likes it when I pick out my own gifts. Says it saves him the trouble.”

They moved on to another stall and Rion watched Selina purchase a gold necklace. At the next she picked out a matching bracelet.

The female before him was supposed to be a warrior and he was supposed to be the cursed Lord of Brónach, yet in this square, walking arm in arm, he felt . . . normal. He wondered how it would feel to have her walking with him in Nàdair.Would everyone glare forever or would they eventually accept his presence?

Selina disappeared into a clothing tent, claiming she needed to try on a few things. He waited outside, still watching the shadows. Thankfully, Rion wasn’t forced to carry her trinkets. She paid someone to carry them back to the inn.

If her intention was to draw attention, she’d certainly done a fine job of it. Every merchant in the square now eyed her as if she could pay an entire year’s wages with one purchase. She probably could, given what he’d already seen. Or her uncle could, at least.

Rion wondered if Saoirse knew more about her family. Likely so. It would be yet another question he’d have for his sister, once she calmed down, of course. He was sure Saoirse would have a thing or two to say about him showing interest in the female.

Selina emerged from the tent and they continued through the marketplace. She purchased a few items he deemed useful, like a new set of throwing knives. And went unnecessarily extravagant for other items, like fancy soaps and shampoos. Apparently the inn’s weren’t good enough.

After what seemed like hours, the pair made their way back to the inn. The owner greeted Selina by the door and claimed all her belongings had been placed just inside the room. Selina deposited a few extra coins into the male’s hand.

He bowed and asked Selina to let him know if she needed anything else. Rion wasn’t even sure he existed anymore. He arched a brow. Maybe he should have just resorted to buying people’s favor from the beginning. He wondered if extra coins might have earned him a few less attempts on his life.

The Fae were surprisingly . . . kind with Selina around. Maybe they thought she held him in check. He wasn’t sure he minded. Sure, they were still cautious, but with their attentionon her—or rather, her purse—he was nothing more than a dark shadow. He was . . . free.

Selina turned on him as soon as the room door shut. “Spill it. What banquet?”

Rion gave her a knowing smirk. “There’s an event at the governor’s house to celebrate a trade deal they made between themselves and Whiteridge.”

She raised a brow. “That’s—I left you alone for less than an hour. How did you secure an invite?”

Rion shrugged. “Family name and all.”

She pursed her lips. “Tomorrow?”

“Dinner is served at six.” He kicked off his boots by the door. “Don’t worry, I didn’t do anything to draw attention. I was just scouting the perimeter and one of the staff saw me.”

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