Page 149 of A Fate so Cruel

How many innocents had come before him? How many younglings had suffered as he had?

Rion clenched his fists. None. Because none had survived the people who had claimed to love them.

The thought sickened him. Sent his stomach rolling.

Brónach. A city of strength, yet one founded on abhorrent traditions. Maybe it would be better if the city fell. If he himself tore it apart from the inside out.

Maybe he should be the one to do it. Eventually.

Rion’s heavy boots echoed in the halls as he kept walking, then shoved the throne room doors open without pause.

He hadn’t stepped foot inside since his injury. Hadn’t seen his brother, either.

Alec pretended he could control everything. Everyone. It was time he learned otherwise.

Alec’s nostrils flared upon seeing his youngest sibling. The guards reached for their weapons but didn’t draw. Saoirse sat across from the High Lord, but Rion didn’t look at her. He wouldn’t bring his sister down with him. She didn’t deserve that.He’d tuck her love away in a velvet box, perhaps save it for the next life.

“Why are you here?” Alec demanded, barely restraining the hate in his voice.

“I’m healed,” Rion said simply. “I’m ready for another assignment.”

Alec’s jaw ticked. “Your last one failed.”

“I seem to remember encountering . . . a scheme that derailed me.”

Alec stood slowly, assessing Rion’s body. The magic dancing at his feet. “You won’t be assigned further missions.”

Rion cocked his head and glanced around, meeting each face one by one. The council’s fear burned his nose, something he used to find unpleasant. “Really? Do you have duties for me to attend here?” A small smile spread across Rion’s face. “Perhaps I’ll start attending council meetings. After all, I am a Lord.” His gaze met Alec’s again and his voice turned lethal. “Or do you plan to stop hiding behind your puppets and take me on yourself?”

“Rion.” Saoirse’s stern voice was a warning. He didn’t look at her. He wasn’t a child anymore and didn’t need her protection.

Shedidn’t need him weighing her down.

The scent of Alec’s magic sparked in the air and small tendrils of greenery poked out from beneath his sleeves. Likely all deadly. Rion knew Saoirse utilized deadly plants to make killing easier on the battlefield.

“It’s a pity Selina didn’t finish the job.”

Rion knew the mention of her name was meant to rile him, push him to anger, but Rion only smiled. “Pity indeed. She didn’t even put up much of a fight in the end. Tell me,” he dared a step forward, forcing Alec’s guards to draw their weapons. “Didyour warriors find their bodies beneath all that rubble, or did you leave them there to rot? Rotting would be preferable.”

“You killed an entire unit of our best warriors.”

Rion shrugged. “They violated the code of conduct which states comrades aren’t to engage one another in combat while on assignment. Last I remember, that same code allows the victim to defend themselves by any means necessary.

“Besides,” Rion continued. “Let’s not stand on false pretenses. We all know I was their real target all along.Theywere the ones who failed.” Rion pulled at his magic, letting it rise up and around his body. “And rest assured, if you try to repeat such events, the next group will also fail. So let’s make this easier for everyone. You’ll pretend to control me and save face with the masses, and I’ll put my skills to use in the field.”

“I could exile you,” Alec threatened. Saoirse’s head shot toward him, a retort on her lips, but Rion responded before she could.

“Could you?” He tilted his head toward Saoirse. “I don’t think losing our sister is in your best interest.” Alec growled. Rion gestured to an empty chair. “Should I sit? Discuss strategy?”

“You won’t take one more step into this room.”

Rion took two. The guards summoned their magic. Vines and plants snaked around their forms like living creatures.

“Did you know that the security in our villages is—how do I phrase this—lacking? I’d love to know the name of the lazy individual who is responsible for ensuring everyone stays in line. Or how about the ones responsible for training said warriors? Have you checked in on them?” Rion made a show of eyeing the guards. “If someone were to attack Brónach from the eastern coast, rest assured they’d sweep across the continent with ease.”

“Don’t act as though you saw enough to make an informed decision.”

“I saw enough and I was disappointed. Father would be downright insulted.”

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