Page 147 of A Fate so Cruel

Once he was back on his feet, Saoirse would pull a few bags of gold from the vault. It would carry them over for a time. Afterward, she could take various other jobs, as could Rion. It would be a different life. A simpler one where she wasn’t responsible for an entire country. The thought was almost refreshing. Her only regret would be lacking the resources to continue searching for their mother.

But their mother had been missing for years. Rion was right here in front of her, and she’d face hell itself before she let anything happen to him.

Maybe she’d leave a letter for Alec explaining what really happened to their father that night. She could hide it in one of his books. Even if it took years for him to find it, one day he’d eventually know the truth.

Saoirse invited Fin into the room and quietly explained her plans. He vowed to remain at her side until she found a safe place to settle.

She knew Rion would object to leaving, but she’d find a way to bend him to her will. She was fed up with everyone hurting him. Caol had almost been her breaking point. Alec’s involvement—she clenched her fists. Damn him to hell.

Saoirse remained in the room with Rion for another three hours. A light knock on the door indicated her slave had finished packing. She’d told the half-breed to leave the two bags by the door. One for her and one for Rion.

It would be . . . fun, she supposed, to wander different parts of the country.

Another knock had the hairs on the back of Saoirse’s neck rising. She took a relaxing breath, then crossed the room and pulled the door open.

Alec stood on the other side, leaning against the back wall with his arms crossed. He eyed the bags by the door, then her. “You didn’t show for the meeting.”

“And?”

His jaw flexed and he swallowed hard, the only bit of emotion he’d allow himself to display. “You’re really leaving.”

“That’s what I said.”

“I didn’t think—” He loosed a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “For him? You’d really give up your country for him?”

Her second and his underlings looked like they’d rather be anywhere else. They didn’t move.

“I’m not giving up anything. One of my siblings wants to murder the other, what do you expect me to do?”

“You know the ancient texts just as well as I do. Probably better. He should have been put down as soon as his magic showed up.”

Saoirse growled. “Well, I guess Father failed then, didn’t he?”

“Youfailed,” he seethed. “You were right there, you should have been the one to do it. He killed everyone in that room.”

“And how old was he when he did that?” Saoirse questioned. “Tell me, Alec, do you think you could stomach killing an innocent child?”

“Sometimes sacrifices are necessary.”

“Says the one who re-homes orphans. Or did you forget your own decree? Have you turned so cold-hearted that you’d have killed our little brother yourself?”

Alec clenched his fists. “I would do what is necessary for my country.”

Saoirse just stared at him. “You disgust me.”

“Do not treat me like the enemy here.”

“You are my enemy.” He flinched. “Everyone who tries to hurt him,” she pointed toward the bed, “is my enemy. I don’t care how close we are or what we’ve been through. If you come after Rion, I will put you down.”

“You’d kill me?”

“How about we not find out?”

Alec growled. “If you keep—”

“Do not threaten her.” Saoirse spun to find Rion sitting at the edge of the bed, his feet on the floor, bent forward as if he intended to stand. She ran into the room to put a hand on his shoulder, hopefully to hold him down. If he tried to fight right now—

Alec followed her. “Or what,” her elder brother spat. “Plan to kill me, too?”

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