Page 87 of A Fate so Cruel

“Not if I get to him first.”

Rion smirked at that. Selina glanced at her hands and Rion waited for her to continue. She sat close. So close her floral scent was affecting his reason. His plan. “About what happened at the manor—”

Rion came back to himself as if she’d dumped cold water over his head. After days of travel, he was hoping she wouldn’t bring it up. His face burned. “I was out of line.” He stood. “It won’t happen again.”

Rion crossed the room, separating himself from her, and stood before the small fire. He watched the flames trying to flicker to life beneath the embers.

“I apologize.” He heard her stand as well. “It wasn’t my intention to push your boundaries.” Her voice was soft and sensual. Alluring.

“It’s fine.” He couldn’t turn to look at her. Didn’t want to.

“Instincts can be . . . volatile. If you’d rather us use a different ruse, I’m sure I can . . .”

“It’s fine,” he repeated.

“If we have to . . . repeat what happened in the office,” she paused and his face burned at the thought, “are you going to be okay with it?” No. No, he certainly wouldn’t be. It was too real for him. Everything he wanted and might not be able to have. It’s what he wanted to do to her now. To turn and run his hands through her hair, to pull her in for another kiss. To press his body against hers and listen to the sound of her breath in his mouth.

“I’ll deal.”

“Okay.” Silence again.

“When we get there, they’ll see that I’m hurt. They might attack before we get a chance to search anything.” There was no hiding the soft scent of blood on him. The wounds were almost closed, but he needed another day, maybe two before his Fae blood completely sealed them shut.

“Not with me around.” He glanced back and found her seated once again, leaning back on her hands. “I can play protective lover. Pull on their guilt and pity.” That didn’t hurt his pride at all. He swallowed it down.

“You won’t be doing much shopping there.” They’d be lucky to find an open inn given how small it was.

“Oh, I didn’t plan to. I’m saving that for Whiteridge. I’ve only visited once and the shoes are to die for.” Rion groaned. “What? I didn’t make you carrythatmuch last time.”

“It was the most boring experience of my life.”

Selina tilted her head back and laughed. His blood sang in answer. “It’s the best way to get the layout of the streets and see who wanders them.”

“I can easily get that without carrying a dozen bags on each arm.”

“Yes, but then you wouldn’t be able to communicate. Not that you do anyway. I’ve got it covered for both of us. Besides, you’ll still be injured before we get there.”

“I will?”

“Of course. We’re going to play it up and make them underestimate you for as long as possible.” He wasn’t sure that was the best of ideas. Her eyes flickered down to his arm and her gaze softened. “How’s it feeling?”

Rion flexed his fingers. “Better. It won’t hinder my movement.”

“Does it still hurt?” Concern laced her tone.

“I wouldn’t want to block with it yet, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t.”

She nodded and studied the worn rug on the floor. “It’ll take us at least a week to get to the city down south. I was wondering . . .” she chewed her lip. “Would you—would you be willing to train me?”

His brows lifted. “Train you?” She nodded and he scrunched his forehead in confusion. “You seem like you know enough already.”

“I do,” she said a bit defensively. “But the way you move is just . . . different. And you’re impossibly fast, even by Fae standards. I just thought—” she huffed. “Never mind.”

Rion noted the hint of red on her cheeks. “Sure. Why not?”

She turned. “Really? It’s not some family secret?”

He chuckled. “No. It was something developed by my great grandfather. He passed when my father was just a child, so I never knew him.”

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