Page 82 of A Fate so Cruel

No, that was the vines. They moved like giant worms, tearing him from the inside out.

Stupid. Idiotic. Foolish. He’d made himself an easy target.

The pain vanished, leaving a burning sensation in its wake that grew to unbearable levels. He tried to reach for it, to wipe it away, but gentle hands stopped him.

A warm cloth met the tender skin. His body trembled, then Rion embraced oblivion.

Chapter Twelve

Rion woke with a splitting headache. His mouth was dry, eyes strained, and it felt as though someone had poured molten lava through his veins.

He shivered from the cold floor and risked opening his eyes. The room was dark, save for a sliver of sunlight trickling through the cracked door.

He forced himself upright and pain shot through his arm. A different sort of pain.

Rion’s stomach churned and he barely had enough time to scramble for the toilet before it emptied itself into the porcelain bowl. He expected no less after drinking an entire bottle of liquor the night before.

He stayed there, hovering before sinking back on his knees. Rion peered down at his arm only to find it wrapped in a tight bandage.

It took his mind too long to recall the events of last night and how—Rion glanced back toward the blanket that had been draped over him. His heart beat just a little faster. Selina. She’d kept her word. More than that, she’d bandaged his arm and ensured he was cared for.

Her words floated back to him again.I haven’t decided yet.

Did she plan to disobey Alec? Was that too much to hope for?

Rion rubbed his temples, nursing the splitting headache before he carefully stood. He flipped on the light and blinked against the offending brightness. She’d left another roll of clean bandages on the edge of the sink, along with a container of salve. Things she didn’t have to do.

Rion peered into the hall, searching it up and down before seating himself on the cushioned bench in the bathroom.

Slowly, he peeled away the bandage along his arm. It stuck to the dried blood and he winced at the discoloration and swollen skin. He should probably clean it first. Rion eyed the glass in the sink, then opted for the shower.

Afterward, Rion raided the governor’s room for clothes. At least the male had decent taste. He collected weapons and avoided the cold bodies still littering the floor.

Rion hadn’t intended to kill everyone, but when he’d accused them of working with the rebels, they hadn’t denied it. They’d attacked him instead and after the governor’s comment about his sister, the male had found himself without a hand, then a head.

Rion tore a strip of sheet in half, then fashioned it into a sling before making his way downstairs. He paused at the picture frame Selina had mentioned last night. She’d torn it from the wall and emptied the safe behind.

Had she left? Perhaps she’d taken her companions and already traveled south. Maybe she’d found a list of names and had gone out to wrap things up.

Selina—he was alive because of her. Despite his childish actions, she’d come back. He just needed to figure out if she’d come back for him or to watch how he handled himself in a fight. He still wasn’t sure whether he should continue the mission to head back to Nàdair.

Rion walked past the last of the bodies and crinkled his nose at the mess. The blood.

He stepped over broken glass and the splintered wood of the door, then exited to find several dozen Fae standing just outside, all whispering and pointing.

Officials were dressed in their uniforms and quietly tried to usher onlookers away.

He stepped beyond the threshold and all eyes snapped to him. Several stepped back while others drew their weapons. He eyed them and his magic rose in answer. He really didn’t feel like fighting again. Not with his head near splitting from the bright sun.

Rion stepped again and they retreated. Two in the back outright fled. Their gazes were wary, fearful, disgusted.

Several whispered prayers to the gods, and the crowd parted to give him a wide birth as he followed the broken path.

Rion paused to address the nearest official. “The governor is dead.” The male sucked in a breath. “He and his staff were responsible for illegal activities against the crown and paid for it with their lives. See to it that such mistakes aren’t repeated.”

Rion didn’t wait for the male to respond before he left them all behind.

He ignored the citizens who fled from his presence. Ignored the inn where he and Selina had slept beneath the same roof, and ignored the street still stained with blood.

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