Page 121 of A Fate so Cruel

It tasted bitter, as if the leaves had steeped too long.

Rion flexed his fingers, glad to find the numbness gone, then he tried standing. The dizziness was gone, too.

“What’s in that medicine?” he asked as he inched closer to the fire. Weak. His body felt so weak.

“It’s an old family recipe. I’d have to kill you if I told you.”

He smirked. He felt . . . better and not better at the same time. Like all the acute symptoms and pain were gone but had left an ache in his bones.

Selina offered him a blanket. He lifted a brow. “I went down the hall when you were asleep. Your magic was . . . erratic, so I didn’t risk putting it on you. Sit by the fire, warm up, and make sure you drink the rest of that. There’s more if you need it.”

Gods she was just as pushy as Saoirse, but . . . he couldn’t deny enjoying it just a little.

“Do you want anything to eat?”

His stomach soured at the thought. “Not unless you want the rugs to have a fresh stain.”

She grimaced. “Right. I’ll make sure breakfast is light then.”

They stood in awkward silence for a time, then Rion took the chair beside the fire while she took the one by the desk. An assortment of documents was scattered over the surface along with a page half full of notes.

She scribbled a few more things at the bottom of the page and Rion sipped his mug slowly, letting the warmth coat his stomach.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice was soft. Small.

“What for?” His heart beat just a little faster as his mind conjured the worst of scenarios.

“For announcing you. If we’d just gone somewhere else, none of that would have happened.”

“It wasn’t your fault. Foley knows I’m here. I’m willing to bet those were his warriors trying to get rid of us before we become a problem.”

“You don’t think the restaurant staff was involved?”

Rion shook his head, an action he regretted when his neck muscles pulled. “If they were, they were under coercion.”

“They’re probably hightailing it out of the city.” He nodded. “Will you go after them?”

He studied the question in her gaze. “No.” She loosed a breath. “But I doubt I’ll be dining anywhere else anytime soon. I’d suggest you do the same.”

“You’re telling me that I’m in a city surrounded by incredible food and I can’t partake?”

“Not unless you want to end up in the same position I’m in.”

“It’s almost worth the risk,” she grumbled.

“I assure you, it’s not.”

“This next week is going to be torture. It’s like dangling alcohol before an alcoholic.”

“I’d steer clear of that, too.”

She threw up her hands. “Great. No delicious food and now no alcohol. Just tie me up and throw me to the wolves now.”

“That can be arranged. Foley is quite wolfish.”

“I’d rather die.” She sighed. “I guess I’ll have to wait until the ball. Surely they wouldn’t risk poisoning their guests.”

Rion watched the fire, feeling warmth return to his limbs. “You’ve . . . dealt with a lot who’ve been effected by the poison, haven’t you?”

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