Page 92 of A Fate so Cruel

“The inn should have a vacant room if you two need a place to sleep tonight.”

“We found it,” Selina said. “Thank you.”

He nodded and the other three followed as they dragged the carcass away from the village. Rion watched them for a time, somewhat marveling at the casual exchange.

“I guess it’s safe to say they don’t recognize you.”

He didn’t comment. Instead, Rion turned toward the water. “What are the chances?”

She shrugged. “We are up here for a reason.”

He continued staring. “If I don’t use my magic, the rebels won’t know anyone from Nàdair was involved.”

“Can you fight without your magic?”

He glared at her. “Iama trained warrior, remember?”

She shrugged. “I’ve never seen you fight without it. What about you losing control? Do we need to worry about that?”

“If the situation calls for that, there won’t be anyone left alive to spread the word anyway.”

“Are you saying you want to take the time to help these people?”

“Are you saying you don’t?”

She chewed her lip. “Well, if it turns out to be another manufacturer, it would still be within the parameters of the mission.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

She shrugged. “Then I’ll tell Alec you went rogue and demanded we save a village of innocents.”

“He won’t believe that.”

“I can’t lie.”

“He still won’t believe it. He’ll likely think you’re delusional and send you off for an evaluation.”

“Then I guess you’ll just have to butter up your sister for me.”

He smirked. “Need lunch before we set off?”

“Lunch and to pay the innkeeper. Can’t have someone stealing my clean sheets while we’re out.”

Chapter Fifteen

The innkeeper acted as though she’d met a celebrity when Selina deposited five gold coins in her hand. Always gold with her, never silver or copper.

The female even went so far as to pack a lunch for their travels and warn them to be careful on the road.

They’d just left the village when Selina dug through the pack to examine the contents. “My word, she gave us everything.” She fished out a small leather satchel tied with a cord. “Medical kit.” She tossed it up to feel the weight. “A nice one, too.”

“I imagine she probably sells them.”

Selina pulled out a wrapped bag of jerky, examined it for all of two seconds, then tore off a piece before speaking with her mouth full. “Well, they might not know how to bake, but the dried meat is divine.” She definitely didn’t fit in with the court ladies.

“I’ll take your word on it if you’re still standing in thirty minutes.”

Selina patted her bag. “Not to worry. I have extra antidote should we accidentally ingest anything foul.” He did too, but Rion didn’t tell her that just in case she tried to poison him herself. It wouldn’t take much to drop a full grown Fae male.

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