Page 83 of A Fate so Cruel

No one tried to stop him.

No one spoke to him.

And best of all, no one lunged for him again.

Gods he needed a hot cup of coffee.

Outside the gates, Rion caught Selina’s floral scent and followed it toward the wood line. He wasn’t sure if she even wanted to see him. If not, he’d begin the long trek back to Nàdair where he’d heal and collect his own information.

The afternoon sun beat down upon him and Rion had a sheen of sweat covering his face by the time he entered the trees. He could smell the alcohol dripping from his pores. He already needed another shower.

A small cabin hidden by the trees entered his view but raised voices had him slowing. He caught another’s scent. A male’s. What was his name again? Rion couldn’t remember.Seán maybe? Rion edged toward the side of the cabin, keeping his footsteps quiet.

“I cannot believe you,” Seán sneered. “He’s the entire reason we’re out here. He’s why the people are rebelling in the first place. You’re telling me you had the perfect opportunity and you didn’t take it?”

Rion clenched his good fist. Seán was too close, towering over Selina with his hands raised. She shrugged, refusing to back down. “I still need him.”

The male looked ready to argue further, then his lips parted. “You care about him.” It didn’t come out as a question. Selina looked away and disgust crawled over the male’s face. “I don’t even know what to say to you right now.”

Selina squared her shoulders, but Rion couldn’t see her face. “Then don’t say anything. Your job is to follow orders.”

“Given your abhorrent fascination, maybe someone else should be giving them.”

Her fists curled, but Rion emerged from the shadows. Seán visibly responded to his presence. His lips pulled back from his teeth and one hand went for the hilt of the long knife at his hip. His eyes darted to the sling holding Rion’s arm in place.

Selina lifted her brows in surprise.

Seán growled, “If you won’t do it—”

Everything happened all at once.

Vines broke from the earth’s surface and shot toward Rion’s torso. His own magic answered in kind, rising to greet a partner in a deadly dance. Rion drew his blade at the same moment Seán did. He let the sling fall away and ignored the pain radiating from the recent wounds.

Selina’s scream roared above it all.

The two clashed. Steel sang against steel.

Seán pivoted. Rion ducked around snaking vines. Chunks of earth ripped the greenery to shreds.

Rion studied Seán’s movements, slowing enough to keep pace. The male was sloppy, almost a novice compared to Selina. How he’d managed to earn a place on her team, Rion couldn’t fathom. This weak male wasn’t worthy of her. He couldn’t protect her, and he certainly didn’t deserve to stand at her side.

Rion wrenched the blade from Seán’s grasp, planted an elbow in the male’s sternum, then gripped his throat with one hand and squeezed the delicate muscles.

The male’s magic whipped out in desperation, trying to fight Rion off, but Rion strangled the life from it. The male’s nails raked down Rion’s good arm, but he only squeezed tighter, watching the male’s face turn purple as he struggled for breath. Sand wrapped around the male’s wrists and pinned them down at his sides.

“Rion.”

He froze.

His name from her lips yanked Rion from his bloodlust. He was powerless against the pull. Completely at her mercy.

He reluctantly tore his eyes away from the male and his stomach knotted when he met her gaze.

“Don’t hurt him.” Her wide amber eyes darted between Rion and the male. Frantic. Desperate.

Rion turned back to the male and growled low as he said, “If you ever speak to her like that again, I’ll rip you apart.”

Seán nodded slowly, then Rion released him and stepped back. The male fell to his knees, coughing and spluttering as he gasped for air.

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