Page 69 of A Fate so Cruel

Moments later, Selina emerged, her hair damp and, thankfully, clothes on. A casual outfit similar to yesterday’s. One look at him and she wrinkled her nose. “I hope you plan on showering.”

He smirked. “Maybe the governor would be less inclined to follow us through the manor if I didn't.”

“You will shower, or I’ll find someone else to go in your place and make up a grand excuse about him representing you.” Rion chuckled, then she eyed the bag. “What’s that?”

“Breakfast.”

Her eyes lit up. “You brought me breakfast?”

“I thought it would be impolite to eat in front of you.”

“Gods bless whoever taught you manners.”

“Best behavior, remember? I have an uncle to impress.”

She strode over and snatched the bag from his hand. “Which ones are mine?”

“All of them.” Her eyes widened again and Rion scratched the back of his head, suddenly feeling like he’d gone overboard by purchasing six pastries. “I wasn't sure what you liked and I ate mine on the way here.”

“Probably stuffed it down your throat like a heathen. Typical male.”

He ignored the jab. “You have errands, right?”

She nodded, having already taken a bite of a jelly-filled roll. Powder covered her lips and he had to look away again as he tried not to imagine wiping it off with more than just his finger. Gods save him.

“I’ll see you this afternoon then.”

***

The morning passed without incident. Rion went to another shop for lunch, paying special attention to those who cooked and prepared his food. He wasn’t sure the male cooking had ever moved so fast in his life.

Rion missed having Saoirse at his side. She’d always put people at ease with her quick charm, a quality he didn’t seem to possess, even with extra coins.

He circled the manor again, then toured the city, marking abandoned buildings and the dark streets that civilians seemed to avoid. People stared and whispered, but none confronted him. He ventured back to the market where those working the stalls were a bit more . . . inviting. He was certain their uneasy smiles were due to Selina and the hope that she’d visit again.

Rion searched for her companions but they'd vanished entirely. He wondered if they'd try to ambush him at some point. He supposed it would wait until Selina made up her mind about killing him.

She was so . . . casual about it. He’d thwarted several assassination attempts. She knew it, everyone knew it, and yet she found it appropriate to joke about such things as if they didn’t matter. Maybe to her they didn’t.

Rion found a spot in the shade and opened a book he’d purchased from a vendor that morning.

Hours flew by with the breeze rustling his hair. Birds and small animals played in the tall grasses and he stretched out his legs, shifting positions until it was time to meet Selina. Just because they were on a mission together didn’t mean he was required to spend every waking moment with her.

The inn was far busier when he reentered and the sharp scent of alcohol assaulted his delicate senses as he pushedthrough the heavy doors. Rion ignored the lot of them and marched up the stairs.

Selina stood beside the bed when he entered.

He blinked. His throat went dry.

She was bent at the waist, one leg hiked up on the edge of the bed as she fought with the buckles of her shoe. No, her heel. Gods, she was actually wearing heels.

Unable to tear his gaze away, Rion traced the exposed muscle of her calf. Higher. Her thigh flexed and the long dress fell around her legs, the fabric moving like water.

A gold belt wrapped around her midsection. She smiled at him and it took every ounce of Rion’s self-control to remain where he was. To not step closer and move the strand of hair that had fallen over her eyes. Her beautiful eyes, emphasized by the kohl he’d often seen other females wear.

“What do you think?” She spun in a circle, looking herself over.

He swallowed once. Twice. She’d softly curled the ends of her hair and she wore gold cuffs around her wrists. A matching necklace dipped toward her chest, resting perfectly in the V formed by her dress. He didn’t allow himself to look lower.

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