Page 110 of A Fate so Cruel

The male bowed low, first to her, then to Rion before he raced back down the stairs and disappeared.

“Well, he was lively.”

“I’m sure it had nothing to do with the gold coins you threw at those shoes.” He eyed the box in her hand.

“Did you see them? How could I possibly resist? I’ll have to find a—” she pushed open the door and paused to gape, “—dress,” she finished.

Rion followed her inside. Sand-colored curtains fluttered elegantly as a cool breeze flowed in through the open window. Matching sheets covered the large canopy bed off to their right and enough pillows were piled next to the thick oak headboard that he’d have no trouble using them to fashion a bed of his own.

An unlit fireplace sat in the opposite corner and Selina all but raced to inspect the connected bathroom. He heard her gasp when the lights switched on.

“Now this is what I call a room. Maybe we should drag this mission out until the winter solstice.”

“Somehow I don’t think Alec would tolerate that.”

“He wouldn’t believe his little brother?”

“Not a chance, and Saoirse would be down here in less than a month if we didn’t show progress.”

Selina grimaced. “She’s never been my biggest fan.”

“Did you disagree with one another while on an assignment?”

“She didn’t tell you anything?”

“Not really. What happened?”

Selina ran her fingertips along the wooden desk positioned before the window. “It’s not worth repeating. I was—I made a few calls that some deemed . . . unethical.”

There were a million possibilities, but if Saoirse had disagreed, he was willing to bet it pertained to the treatment of innocents. She’d never believed in sacrificing them for the greater good.

Which left him to wonder just how far Selina was willing to go in order to achieve success.

“I see.” He’d ask Saoirse when he returned. Hopefully, it had been over nothing more than a petty squabble.

“Anyway, if I’m to find a decent dress, then I should probably get to it. Gods know the good ones will get taken if we wait.”

“Now?” He glanced out the window and noted the darkening sky.

“No, in the morning. And don’t worry, I’ll find you something worthy of a Lord to match.”

“I’m not going with you?”

She lifted a brow. “Do youwantto come with me?”

“Not shopping.”

“That’s what I thought. I figured you could get a head start on scouting the palace. Get a count of the guards and see if we might be able to break in around the parties.”

“Not likely. Breaking in should be reserved as a last ditch effort. Things will take a bloody turn if we’re caught.”

She made a face. “Well, at least this won’t be boring.”

Selina looked over her documents again before tucking them away in her bag and curling up on the large bed. Rion took the floor. They slept in intervals.

At dawn, Selina showered, then headed off to the market. There were a few vendors about to have a very good day. At least she was generous where her coin was concerned.

Rion left twenty minutes later and kept his magic in check as he wove through the crowds. More decorations littered the street.

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