Chapter Three
“Rion.” He turned at the sound of his sister’s voice, the old wooden chair creaking beneath his weight.
He’d returned to the study after grabbing lunch. The tray still sat on the floor at the foot of the dresser. He’d chosen to fill his time by reading a new book on advanced chess strategies.
The glass chess board sat before him with pieces scattered across the tiled squares.
The study separated their two rooms. His sister had once played other games with him in this very room. They’d make up imaginary villains and pretend the bookshelves were castles they had to climb and defend, much to their father’s chagrin. But their villains had become quite real over the years.
He smirked at the memory and moved the glass chess pieces before she could pick apart his new strategy.
Saoirse sat across from him, her hair still damp from her shower. She wore a casual set of green silk pajamas that were patterned with tiny smiling cacti waving their arms.
A smile pulled at his lips.
“Really? Every time?”
“I didn’t say a word.”
“I could get you a pair,” she offered, pushing her hair back from her face. “Maybe it would change a few minds.”
“Ah, yes, why didn’t I consider that before?” He sarcastically waved a hand. “Tiny cacti to the rescue.”
She reached for the white pieces on the board and began setting them up. “I heard Alec assigned you.”
Rion reached for the black ones. “Apparently, I need a team.” He still hated the idea and didn’t try to hide it.
“Selina.” She practically spit the name. “I told him to choose someone else.”
Rion studied her, but she kept her gaze on the board. She’d walked in relaxed, but now her shoulders were pensive.
“Anything I should know?”
Saoirse met his gaze, hers full of warning. “Keep your guard up around her.”
He smirked. “Worried about me?”
She kicked his shin under the table. “You know damn well I worry about you.” Saoirse leaned back and crossed her arms. “She’s taken special classes and knows how to weave her words. Some claim she can even outright lie.”
Rion moved his first piece. “She knows how to manipulate, so what? It’s nothing I haven’t encountered before.”
“She’s never failed a mission.”
“Neither have I.”
Saoirse sighed. “I know, but . . . most of her missions aren’t . . . normal. She goes undercover and is a master at gaining the trust of her target. She’s set a record for getting things done faster than anyone we’ve ever seen.”
Rion indicated for her to move. “Is that what this mission entails?” He wasn’t sure how he’d assist a covert operation if they were supposed to blend in. Everyone knew him by name.
Saoirse finally moved, a mistake on her part. Rion moved again. “I don’t know. Alec wouldn’t give me the details.”
“I thought you were in charge of assigning missions.”
“Not this one, apparently.”
“Why?”
She moved her knight. “He just said the information was sensitive and he didn’t want to risk telling any more people than necessary.”
“That’s sketchy.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t go. I’m sure they can handle it on their own.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“You’ll be outnumbered and somewhere remote.”
He shrugged. “Again, nothing I haven’t encountered before.”
She lowered her voice. “I wish you wouldn’t insist on taking missions at all.”
He snatched one of her pieces. “Why, so I could be attached to your hip forever? I’m nineteen, not nine.”
She took one of his in turn. “At least I’d be able to keep an eye on you.”
“I don’t need you to anymore.”
“I know.” Silence passed as they both studied the board. “Just—promise you’ll be safe, okay?”
He moved once more and cornered her king. “I always am.”
She tipped the piece over, then began resetting. “Another game?”
“A glutton for punishment tonight?”
“Don’t get cocky. I’m still older than you.”
“Doesn’t do much for your skills.”
She set her queen back in place. “Would you care to play a different game? I’m sure the sparring rings are open.”
He clenched his jaw. He might be faster than her now but beating her in the ring was still a challenge. He’d only succeeded twice.
“That’s what I thought.” She moved first. Rion responded and the pair stayed up well into the night playing game after game as if they didn’t have a care in the world.
***
A message arrived at his door two days later. The slight knock was jarring enough, but when Rion opened his door and found a male slave standing with his head lowered and arms extended, Rion almost did a double take. No one ever knocked on his door, aside from Saoirse, and she’d left early that morning.
Rion broke the heavy seal on the envelope and read one word.
Midnight
He turned it over, searching for details, then looked at the half-breed who was visibly shaking. Rion eyed the chains around his wrists and the scars underneath where the iron had bitten into the male’s flesh. The slight scent of blood drifted up from the wounds.
“You’re dismissed.” The male bowed even lower, then rushed from his sight, limping on his left foot. Half-breeds, bound in shackles just because of how they’d been born. Rion let the thought slip from his mind. He had the day to himself. He wasn’t going to waste it thinking about things outside his control.
Rion gathered his satchel and slipped it around his shoulders before closing the door behind him. Alec hadn’t been wrong about others listening in. Someone had been tailing him for two days and Rion had yet to force them out. They were slippery. A shadow. He planned to corner them today and demand answers.
Rion jogged down the stairs and walked down the crisply maintained halls. The windows were open, letting in the summer breeze. It billowed through the top of the tied-off curtains and brushed against the leaves of the various plants lining the halls. A floral aroma had tension falling from his shoulders. He’d always admired the decor, mostly because it was his mother who had put it all together.
Alec hadn’t changed a thing.
Thin rectangular tables lined the walls, and elegant round ones occupied the corners. Lightly colored vases sat atop lattice table runners with robust flowers reaching toward the sun. Pictures of nature lined the halls. All bright and airy and welcoming.
Rion exited from a side door and marched across the immaculate lawn toward the rear training rings. He sometimes wished he could remember how his mother had treated the slaves.
They’d spent a lot of time at the lake house, but the slaves had never been present. And he didn’t have the heart to ask Saoirse, not when she crumbled at every mention of their mother. For all he knew, his mother held similar views to their neighboring country Móirín. She and the High Lady there were said to be close allies, perhaps even friends. He prayed he’d get the chance to ask her himself someday.
Rion passed the first few occupied rings and made his way to the back. Those nearest to him stopped to stare at the abomination in their midst before packing up and moving away. He tried his best to ignore it.
Rion threw his satchel next to one of the wooden benches, then began his normal morning routine. He reached for the ground, flattening his palms in the dirt, then rolled back up, feeling each taunt muscle lengthen with the movement.
He stretched his arms over head, pulling on his elbows, then bent again to grab his ankles. Rion breathed long and deep, letting his mind drift to somewhere far away.
“Just the male I was hoping to see.” Her voice was light and welcoming, like the sunrise after a long, cold night, but something in the undertone had Rion expecting a storm to follow.
Annoyance and curiosity flared through him in equal measure. He slowly rose to his full height, then his throat went dry.
He hadn’t intended to gape.
Her hair was down today, falling just past her shoulders. She wore a casual blouse with the top strings undone. He couldn’t resist following the curve of her neck, but his gaze stopped at the simple tear-drop pendant hanging over her chest.
The female flashed him a mischievous smile. Manipulative, Saoirse had warned. He wondered if everything she did, from her clothes to her scent, was all part of the game. Rion tried to ignore the way she smelled, but gods—her scent reminded him of the wildflowers bending with the breeze. Of long summer nights, doing all the things he’d dreamed of doing with a female.
He shook the thoughts away, wondering how many had fallen for her ruse. Too many, according to Saoirse.
Selina tied her hair back in a low ponytail, then sauntered over and plucked a blunt training sword from the rack. The female tested the weight by rolling her wrist with the blade in hand then executed a series of swift movements.
She smiled at him again. “Have time for a sparring match?”
Rion quirked a brow. “You’re kidding.” No one volunteered to spar him. Ever.
Another smile. His stomach fluttered. “Not in the slightest.”
His gaze roamed across her body, searching for weapons. He found four. “Plotting to kill me before the mission even begins?”
A spark of mischief flashed through her eyes and she tilted her head toward the sword. “Not sure a blunt blade would get the job done.”
“Your other weapons might.” If she could hit him.
She smirked. “Keen eye.” Then reached for the knives. Two hidden in her boots and two along her belt beneath her shirt. She held them up, then dramatically deposited them next to his satchel at the edge of the ring. “Happy?”
Rion only walked to the weapons rack and drew a blunt sword himself, staring back at her incredulously. She’d just disarmed herself in his presence. Others were watching their exchange carefully, as if unsure whether to intervene.
“What’s to stop you from using your magic?”
She shrugged. “What’s to stop you from using yours?” Her eyes darted to the grains circling at his feet. “I do believe only one of us has a bloodthirsty reputation.”
“Is that what made you recruit me?”
“A female’s allowed to be curious. Rumors and all.”
He scoffed. “Right, because they’re believable.”
“I guess we’ll see.”
She shot toward him, her body low, balanced. She angled her sword across the front of her body, ready to cut him in two.
Caol had taught him to dodge such attacks. Blocking only expended unnecessary energy.
But he’d never completely listened to Caol. And he wanted to test this female. Meet the challenge in her gaze. Break the fa?ade.
He still hadn’t scented any fear.
The pair clashed, metal ringing out and Rion’s forearms vibrated from the impact. Selina went sprawling back. Her eyes widened, but she caught herself, then greenery split through the earth at their feet.
Rion was ready for it.
He allowed the first few bits of young trees to unfold. Let the vines grow until they were taller than himself. Then his magic roared to life. His body ignited, the secondary pulse quickened. Warmth spread through his veins and into the ground at his feet.
The vines and bushes bent toward him, rushing to strike, but Rion’s magic spun in a vicious storm that shredded the leaves and branches in one stroke.
Selina snarled and lunged again, her weapon raised. Rion parried it and she—let it go. His eyes widened when she reached for his throat with her bare hands. Rion grabbed one wrist and spun them. They tumbled to the ground, their magic and bodies both wrestling for dominance.
Selina twisted his wrist and bucked her hips, but he rolled with the movement and slammed her back on the ground. One hand pinned her wrists above her head and he trapped her arms with his magic.
She kneed him in the gut, but Rion didn’t break his hold. He pinned her legs with his own, then braced his free hand beside her head while the other closed around her throat. She wasn’t breaking the hold his magic had on her arms.
Her vines still grappled with his magic three feet below the surface. One tendril escaped his hold and emerged, but he crushed it with half a thought. Another almost broke the surface and he suffocated the attempt.
Their chests were heaving, the pair pressed tightly against one another, then her body fell slack, her magic with it. And she . . . laughed.
His eyes widened again as a singsong voice echoed from beneath him. “Fine, fine, I yield.”
Rion didn’t move. He kept one hand on her throat, the earth locked around her body. He studied her, then her magic.
Manipulative , Saoirse’s voice reminded him. He wouldn’t be lured into a false sense of security only for her to stab him in the back. Those watching took half a step forward. If he killed her, he’d likely have to fight them as well.
Selina held his gaze without flinching. Hers seemed to soften, as if realizing the thoughts running rampant in his mind. That gaze drifted to his arm. “Are you going to let me up?”
“Are you going to stab me in the back?”
She chuckled. “Not today. I mean, we can stay like this if you want, but if I’m going to be on my back, I prefer not to have so many layers between us.”
Rion’s face heated and he ripped away from her as if he’d been burned. He watched the earth and her movements, waiting for the strike. A hint of magic. Another hidden blade.
Nothing came.
Selina dusted the dirt from her pants and straightened. “Well, I guess at least some of the rumors are true.” She reached to undo her hair tie and smooth out the wild strands.
“And the rest?”
She shrugged. “We’ll see as we go. Come on, I’ll introduce you to the others.”
She was so . . . casual about it. She’d been pinned beneath him and still hadn’t shown an ounce of fear. And what she’d said . . . Rion shook the thoughts away and followed her.
“I thought the team was classified.”
“The mission is classified. The rest was just your brother trying to irk you, I think.” She spoke of Alec casually, too. Perhaps they were friends then.
“Your reputation doesn’t precede you, I’m afraid.”
She smiled over her shoulder before spinning to walk backward with her hands clasped behind her back. The motion reminded him of a youngling. “Being covert is part of my job. If you’d heard about me, I wouldn’t be very good at it, would I?”
“Are they all assassination assignments?”
She spun forward again. “Most.”
“And the bystanders who see your face?”
“I’m sure you can use your imagination.” He could, but if she eliminated everyone who’d seen her, then that made her more ruthless than he’d previously given her credit. He tucked the information away.
Rion eyed the rooftops, searching for the tail that’d been on him the last few days. If they were meeting her team— “I have something I should probably deal with first.”
She didn’t stop walking. “Anything interesting?”
He wondered if he should mention it at all and decided his commander should probably know their enemies were on to them. “I’ve had a tail the last few days. I’ll deal with it.”
She didn’t pause. “How do you know you haven’t already been dealing with it?”
He stopped at that, staring at her back. Rion reassessed the female, took in her scent and the faint hints of vanilla. The very scent that had lingered whenever he’d tried to corner the one tracking him.
“You.”
“I’m surprised you caught on. Not many do.”
Rion erased every preconceived notion about the female and tried to focus on her skills instead.
Selina gave off an air of innocence. One that was strong enough to lure others into believing she was a novice. Young. But her skills said otherwise. It had Rion wondering if she’d thrown their sparing match as part of an act.
Two could play that game. He’d participate for a while. Feel her out. “I couldn’t pin down your exact location, if that makes you feel any better.”
“You were close a few times.” Rion could hear the smile in her voice. “I honestly thought you’d found me yesterday on the roof.”
Rion recalled the moment. He’d been more than frustrated by the unknown presence, her presence, and had said to hell with all his training. He’d used his magic to propel himself to the rooftop, intending to confront her directly. But she’d vanished before his feet landed. He’d scoured every inch of the place to no avail. “Where were you hiding?”
She spun again, a child-like grin on her face. “I can’t go sharing my secrets now, can I?”
Right. Well, he’d get to the point then. “If your team is so good, why do you need me?”
She turned and Rion wished she’d just stop walking so he could study her face. “I’m always on the lookout for new recruits. Who better than the strongest Fae in Brónach?”
“That’s a bit overstated.” There were many warriors who had centuries on him. He wasn’t delusional enough to think he could take them on and come out unscathed.
“Not as much as you might think. I’ve read the reports. Not to mention the fact that you took out an entire elite unit when you were just a child.”
Rion suppressed the growl forming in his throat. “I’d rather not talk about that.”
She peered at him from over her shoulder. “Why not, it’s—”
“Because it’s not a day I’m proud of.”
She paused again, meeting his gaze and the fire he knew simmered behind his eyes.
“Sorry,” she stammered. “I just thought—”
“You thought wrong. Are we going?” He didn’t want to give her room to question him on the matter. He’d worked too hard to keep the truth about their father’s death a secret. He wouldn’t slip up here.
She studied him for a long moment, assessing his body language and the dismissal of the topic. Perhaps she’d presumed he would be proud of that night. That The Demon would relish in the blood of his enemies no matter how young he might have been.
But Rion wasn’t proud of it. He’d lost his father, his friends, and the only home he’d ever known. He still had nightmares about torn flesh and pools of blood. Sometimes Rion wondered if his subconscious delighted in tormenting itself.
Selina was silent as they walked through the rest of the training grounds. Rion noted those who stared after the pair, some gaping at the exchange they’d just witnessed. Several tightened their grip on their weapons and Rion scented their magic in the air. He knew they wanted to strike him down, but fear won out it seemed.
Selina waved at a few and they awkwardly waved back, their gazes darting between her and Rion in confusion. Well, he supposed he could count them out as being part of any assassination attempts.
Rion watched her back and noted the skip in her step. Selina certainly wasn’t dressed properly if she intended to catch him in an ambush. Not with her hair down and the small weapons she’d brought. But that could be part of the ruse, too. Perhaps she was just the lure and her companions were lying in wait.
No, doing it now would be too predictable. They’d likely wait until they were far away from Nàdair. Maybe even a few days after so he’d let his guard down. He’d been attacked once in his sleep, he was sure it would happen again.
They walked through the barracks next. Fae roamed the open yard, many either returning from or preparing to head out on assignments. Once again, the female before him waved at Fae she knew.
They ambled through the main stretch of the city, then beyond it. Impatience rose through him at her slow pace, but he didn’t comment on it. She marched off the beaten path, then through the trees to emerge on the other side. Five small single-room cabins stood in a row next to the giant redwoods that circled Nàdair.
A light flickered in the window of the one on the far left. Shadows moved within and Rion braced himself for the impending fight.
Selina turned to give him a reassuring smile as if she knew the thoughts racing through his mind. She trotted up the two steps and walked inside.
Rion paused on the threshold.
Twelve warriors stood within. Seven male, five female. All carried a small arsenal of weapons across their bodies. All were dressed in black.
Their heads snapped up and, as a unit, they drew their blades.
Fine, they weren’t waiting. Neither would he.
His magic snapped free and Rion dropped into a stance, but as his fingertips grazed the hilt of his sword, Selina’s voice cut through the tension. “That’s enough. He’s with us.”
They paused, gazes darting toward their leader. None relaxed and Rion saw the first bits of greenery sneaking up through the floorboards.
One snarled. Another snapped their teeth.
“I said enough ,” Selina’s voice echoed through the space. Not the soft voice he’d heard minutes ago. Not the singsong laugh that had him questioning whether she could truly be manipulative. This was the voice of a commander, and as Rion raised his head to look in her eyes, he saw it. A dangerous warrior. One who’d fought her way through the ranks and earned the respect of each Fae in this room.
They straightened one at a time. Two exchanged uneasy glances but put their weapons away. The others followed. Their magic remained visible, just slightly.
Rion let the dirt particles glide back to the floor, but he did nothing to clear it from the room. It was thirteen on one. Not that he hadn’t faced worse odds.
Selina stood at the head of the room, a small table separating her from Rion. She pulled a few pieces of folded parchment from within her tunic and tapped them on the side of her face, meeting each of her warrior’s gazes one at a time.
“Our upcoming assignment won’t be a fast one. Recent intel suggests the problem is escalating. Scouts have confirmed the issue is wider spread than the High Lord previously hoped. We are to obtain intel first, then eliminate the problem.”
“Eliminate what, exactly?” A male to her right asked. Rion looked him up and down. He stood closer than the others. Short brown hair hung just over dark eyes as if the male were due for a haircut. The male stared back at Rion. Glared really.
Rion smirked, showing his fangs and the male growled in response. He was of medium build, had a bit more muscle on his frame than Rion did, but one look at his stance told Rion he’d knock the male on his ass in seconds. Best team indeed.
Selina eyed the two. “I’m unable to provide further details until we’re in a secure location.”
“We’ve already secured it,” a slender female with a silken voice said from his right. Her hair was braided in five sections against her scalp, each connecting in the back to form a short ponytail. Rion studied her and the pair of females who stood just behind her. Sisters. Triplets. The females were almost identical save for the difference in hair styles.
Selina studied the female, then a smile broke across her face. “I should have known better than to doubt my best trackers.” The female stood straighter. Prouder. He had to remind himself that Selina was their commander.
Her face turned serious again. “There is a large, organized faction that is working to overthrow the High Lord.”
No one looked surprised. Alec, despite holding his position for eleven years, was still largely untested. Nàdair was a flourishing city and it would take a truly neglectful High Lord to mess that up. He had the council and elders to guide him.
But no one knew how he’d react if war suddenly showed up on his doorstep. Nor how he’d handle it if their neighboring countries turned against them.
And then there was Rion to consider and the fact that Alec hadn’t done away with The Demon like the gods commanded.
The male beside Selina shrugged. “That’s nothing new. We’ve dealt with plenty of rebels before, what makes this one different?”
“Their size,” she said simply. “The council has kept an eye on them for years, but they’ve begun to amass, and their tactics are . . . concerning.”
“The poison,” a female confirmed.
Selina nodded. “They’re openly executing those who refuse to join their cause.” She unfolded the parchment in her hands to reveal a map of Brónach with several circled cities and villages.
“With their recent bout of activities, we’ve narrowed down the location of their headquarters to seven possible areas. The problem is that once we infiltrate one, the others will know we’re on to them.” She met their gazes again. “With the recent uptick in violence, we can’t afford to let them go underground again. Our primary objective is locating their leaders and production warehouses.”
One of the sisters, this one with her head half shaved and the remaining hair braided across the side of her head, scoffed. “Find me a hostage and give me an hour with them. I’ll have them spilling every secret they know.”
A half smile from Selina. “I have no doubt, but unless we find someone in their inner circle, I’m afraid it’s a lost cause. We’ve already interrogated a number of their followers and no one appears to have any information on the individuals pulling the strings.” Her voice lowered. “They’ve been careful and have likely learned from the mistakes of those who came before them.”
“How long have they been organizing?” the final sister asked. This one had her hair braided back in a single strand that stretched to her waist.
Selina sighed. “Too long. They’ve recruited known criminals from past organizations as well. All are more than eager to assist.”
“Explains how their numbers grew so fast,” the male beside Selina commented.
She nodded. “And they’re recruiting more. We’ve found evidence of slanderous propaganda in the underbellies of all our major cities. Nàdair included.”
A male at the back of the room hissed through his teeth. “The summer solstice is in six weeks. You said this will be a long mission.”
“I’m hoping to use the festivities as a distraction and a reason for our travel. We’ll be better able to slip in and out without attracting too much attention.”
The solstice. It was normally a time for celebration, but after what had happened to Rion’s father, the citizens also mourned the loss of their High Lord. The Fairy Folk were always quick to comfort those who were upset with their songs and dances. He was no exception.
Rion usually visited their father’s grave with Saoirse the week before to pay their respects. But from the sound of it, his sister would be alone this year. The thought didn’t sit well. His heart ached at the thought of her sitting before that cold stone without anyone to comfort her. He was the only one who knew the truth.
He clenched his fists. A mission was a mission. He couldn’t decline it over sentimentality. Saoirse could certainly pull rank for him to stay, but he wouldn’t ask that of her either. Not when she and Alec already fought over him endlessly. He’d make it up to her when he returned.
“Before we proceed,” Selina continued, “I need to ask each of you a very serious question.” They stood straighter. “You will not be jailed or tried for treason for your answer, but I need to know if anyone harbors ill feelings toward their High Lord.” Everyone stared at her unblinking. “We can use your feelings to speak plainly to the masses in hopes of drawing someone out from their inner circle.” She scanned their faces until her gaze stopped on Rion. “What about you? Do you despise your brother enough that you’d kill him?”
Every pair of eyes studied him now and Rion met their intensity with his own. Despise. That was a strong word. Did he despise his older brother? They’d never been close, especially after what’d happened to their father, but did he hate Alec enough to want to kill him? “No.” The word fell easily from his lips. He didn’t even need to factor Saoirse into the equation.
More than one pair of eyes widened at the truth in his voice.
If they’d asked him whether he fought for his brother’s sake, he would have also said no. He fought for his sister, his home, his mother, and the innocents that couldn’t defend themselves.
Selina shrugged as if she’d expected the answer. “It was a far-fetched plan anyway.” Rion arched a brow, wondering what sort of plan she’d concocted in that manipulative head of hers.
“Remember: Intel first. I’ll disclose further information once we reach our first check point.” Selina looked toward the sisters. “Even with your caution and expertise, I won’t divulge everything here.” The sisters nodded in unison and without complaint. “Let’s pray we’re able to complete the mission swiftly and return home victorious.”
“Forgive the forwardness,” a female, short of stature, said from Selina’s other side. Her hair was cropped into a bob that reached to her chin. “But this sounds just like missions we’ve handled before. So why is he here?” She jerked her chin toward Rion.
“Fear,” Selina said simply. “We’ll be making the leaders’ executions quite public. It will let the world know that The Demon will punish anyone who tries to rise up against the High Lord.”
Understanding swept through him. “And simultaneously tells the world that Alec didn’t make a mistake in keeping me around.”
Selina didn’t back down. “Precisely. It’s no secret that many have had reservations about his decision.”
The male beside her crossed his arms. “And we’re just supposed to pretend he’s actually loyal?”
Selina loosed a long sigh and lowered her voice. “I’m only going to say this once.” Every eye in the room zeroed in on her and the promised threat in her tone. “I personally requested Rion ,” she emphasized his name, “for this mission. If any of you puts a single boot out of line, then you’re done. Not just with this mission, but every assignment from here on out.”
No one spoke. “This is too important. If we fail, we could be facing a civil war that will last generations.”
“You’d choose him over us?”
“I’d chose my country over you.” Something like pain flashed across the male’s face. “You’d be removed for failing to follow a direct order. We are strong because we trust one another when it matters.”
The male glared at Rion. “If you expect me to trust him—”
“Enough,” Selina barked again. “If you can’t work with him, then save yourself the shame of returning home with your tail between your legs and opt out now.”
The male stared at Rion for another long moment, then turned back to Selina. She lifted her brows, clearly waiting for an answer. He swallowed hard, then lowered his head in shame.
“That’s what I thought. Now, if no one else has any objections, you’re all dismissed. Gather whatever provisions you need, but pack light. You already received instructions for when we’re to set out.”
No one moved for a long moment, their gazes drifting from her to Rion and back. The sister with the braids in her hair stepped first, followed closely by her siblings. Two males stationed near the back wall exited next, then the rest followed suit.
Rion remained, along with the male at Selina’s side. Selina was studying the map and the points she’d marked across it. “You’re dismissed,” she repeated without looking up. The male looked her over, glared at Rion, then pulled a long knife from his belt. Selina smiled slightly when he placed it on the table before leaving.
Rion didn’t care that a few lingered outside. “So I’m here to instill fear?”
Selina folded the map. “I didn’t think that would be a problem for you. Neither did Alec.”
Rion flexed his fingers. “I never set out with that goal.”
She glanced up and raked her eyes down his form. “Goal or not, the fear is there and we can use it to our advantage. You’re known as one of the strongest Fae in Brónach. You already have a reputation. I only plan to utilize it. Unless you have objections.”
“Alec just wants to paint me as the enemy.”
“Are you?”
He frowned. “No.”
She leaned back against the wall. “So you claim.”
Rion flexed his jaw. “Is this a test?” She shrugged, but kept her eyes locked with his. “I didn’t ask to be born this way.” The particles at his feet rose, jerking in agitated spirals. “I didn’t ask to be branded an outcast.”
“And yet you killed the former High Lord. Your own father.”
Rion looked away. “You wouldn’t understand even if I explained it.”
Silence stretched between them. “It’s difficult for the world, for anyone, to believe you wouldn’t resort to killing another member of your family. Many worry for Saoirse and say her days are numbered.”
“I would never hurt Saoirse.”
She circled the table, prowling like a cat. “Is she the one who steadies your hand then?”
Steadied him, as if he were an animal who required monitoring. “I won’t kill Alec because he is my brother. He’s family.”
“And that circles us back around to your father.” Rion sighed and turned away. “I’m simply trying to understand. You can’t blame a country for resenting the male responsible for murdering their leader.”
“I can blame a country who slaughters innocent children for nothing more than being born different.”
Selina’s mouth gaped as if she’d never considered it. She cleared her throat. “If you resent it so much, why stay? Why fight to defend it?”
“Where else would I go?”
She shrugged. “The world is vast with plenty of unexplored territory. I’m certain there are continents out there that know nothing of our history. You’d live a blameless life in their midst.”
Another continent. He’d considered the idea before. A place where he’d be forced to hide his heritage and race. A place without Saoirse or Alec or even his mother when they finally found her. Rion shook his head. “This is my home.”
“I didn’t take you for the sentimental type. I get it though. It’s hard to pull a tree’s roots from rich soil. Of course, there’s always the possibility of your mother—”
“Do not ,” Rion interrupted, his voice laced with venom, “speak about my mother.”
Her eyes widened and Selina stepped back. There it was, the trace of fear. Just slight, but it was there. She dipped her head. “I didn’t mean to offend. The High Lady was, is,” she corrected, “held in very high regard. I only wish to see her safely returned.”
Silence filled the space but Selina’s apology did nothing to ease the heartache pulsing through him. He turned on his heel and stormed out without another word.