Chapter Eighteen
The two decided to sleep for a few hours before grabbing a quick lunch and heading out. She never mentioned the almost kiss. Maybe it was a mistake on her part, or maybe it was too distracting with the conclusion of their mission fast approaching. He wouldn’t pressure her on the matter.
Days passed as they continued their trek south. The temperatures rose to peak levels that had sweat rolling down the back of his neck. He was glad he’d cut his hair. The event seemed like both yesterday and a lifetime ago.
Rion cracked his eyes open just as dawn began illuminating the clear sky. Their fire had shifted to ashy embers and Selina was—gone. He shot up, throwing out his magic in all directions.
Her pack still sat on the ground, just out of reach. Her water skin, too. Which meant she couldn’t have gone far.
Rion stood and scented the air. Close. He grabbed his sword belt and fastened it on before jogging slightly uphill through the thin trees.
He didn’t have to go far.
There, just at the top of the hillside, the sunlight creating a halo around her braid, Selina stood with her body lowered in a perfect stance. She moved her foot in an arch and lowered further, her chest expanding and contracting with deep, controlled breaths.
Sweat dripped from her hairline and rolled down her exposed collarbones. She wore the same shorts from yesterday but had opted to shed her top shirt, leaving her clad in nothing but a tight wrap around her chest that left her stomach and arms exposed.
Rion swallowed hard, trying to keep his gaze from drifting. Selina pulled her blade from its sheath, then exploded in a series of movements. She jumped and dodged and rolled, her magic following every movement with lethal grace.
Rion sank back into the shadows to watch. Her foot shifted, but instead of pushing forward in the manner that had previously given her body away, she lunged without a tell.
Fast learner. A dark voice in the back of his mind whispered that it had been an act. Maybe it had been. Maybe at the time she’d intended to follow through with Alec’s orders, but after saving him and nearly kissing him again, Rion wondered if she’d damned those orders.
He let her go through her routine without interruption. He waited until she stood and wiped the sweat from her brow before emerging from the trees.
Breathless, she waved him over. “You slept in late.”
“I’ve been up for a while.” He threw the water skin.
She caught it and popped the top to take a long swig. “Watching, I presume?”
“For a bit.”
“Creep.”
Rion chuckled. “You said you wanted me to train you, remember? What better way to see what I’m working with?” He drew his sword.
Selina arched a brow. “Now?”
“Now.” He lunged without warning and Selina barely had enough time to lift her blade. They clashed and she gritted her teeth, her feet scooting back slightly as she tried to maintain her balance.
Rion didn’t relent. He kept battering her with strike after strike, moving in different patterns to see how she’d adjust. She was fast herself, though the exhaustion slowed her down.
His magic danced around the pair, eager and excited. Selina ignored it. She ducked beneath Rion’s next strike and came up at his side with her sword aimed for his thigh.
Rion already had a knife in his other hand and shifted his forearm to block the movement, reinforcing his arm against the steel with magic.
Selina retreated a step, briefly scanned his body for any weakness, then lunged at him again. Rion simply stepped out of the way, but she dropped to a crouch and swept his legs out from under him.
His body hit the ground hard, then she was over him, a knife aimed at his throat. Rion’s heart jolted and his magic sped to wrap around her wrist, stopping the blade just before it met his skin.
“How was that?” she breathed, a hint of triumph flashing in her eyes.
Rion’s mouth had gone dry, an exhilarating mixture of trepidation and awe coursing through him. Selina’s legs were on either side of his hips, her body hovering just above.
Rational thought disappeared entirely as he studied the swirling amber depths of her eyes. He knew he should say something, or at the very least remove the sharp object from her hand. Instead, Rion’s hands drifted to her thighs. He wouldn’t move further without her permission.
Her eyes tracked the movement, then she met his gaze. For a brief moment, Rion thought she might try to kiss him again. In fact, he hoped for it. Just to feel her close. Wanting the way he wanted.
But Selina stood instead and Rion didn’t stop her. He tried to remember her question and cleared his throat. “You don’t lean forward anymore.”
“I’ve been working on it.” She didn’t meet his gaze.
Perhaps he shouldn’t have touched her at all. “About before.”
“We were drunk,” Selina interrupted, her voice cold.
It hit him like a blow. “Right.”
“It’s best not to linger on anything that could complicate the mission.”
“Right,” he said again and turned to stare at the rising sun. Palpable silence filled the morning air.
Selina sighed and threw her hands in the air. “Look, I know it was my fault. I’ll own up to that. I wasn’t trying to lead you on or anything, I just—”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. We have a job to do and I don’t need you out of sorts because I did something stupid.”
A smirk played on his lips. “Worried for me again?” He pressed a mocking hand to his chest. “I’m touched.”
He turned that smile toward her and could have sworn color tinted her cheeks. Selina cleared her throat. “I’m going to the river to rinse off. Don’t you dare peek.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Rion watched her go and despite the temptation, he returned to their camp. He wouldn’t push her into anything she didn’t want. That wouldn’t be fair for either of them.
Once she’d cleaned herself up and Rion had washed, they ventured the rest of the way to Whiteridge in silence. He caught her staring several times, but she always looked away. After the mission , he told himself. It wouldn’t take much longer. Once they were back in Nàdair, he’d ask her on a real date and see exactly how far she was willing to go.
They found the city before sunset and Selina whistled at the size.
“I take it you’ve never been?” he asked.
“I have, it’s just been a long time.” Her eyes traced over the three-story buildings and bustling streets. “Please tell me the food is still good.”
“Delicious,” he confirmed and meant it. Saoirse had brought him a few years ago, back when no one this far south knew him as The Demon. He’d been blissfully unrecognizable. Most probably still wouldn’t recognize him if he kept his magic to himself, which wasn’t in the plans.
“You know,” he started. “We could try to sneak in, blend with the crowd for a bit before they figure out who I am.”
“You think they won’t recognize you?”
He shrugged. “It’s worth a shot.”
She looked at his arm. “I don’t suppose I can play overprotective girlfriend, seeing as you’re almost healed.”
“Sure you could. I’ll roll my eyes and everything.”
She shook her head. “We’ll see how they react at the gates and go from there.” Selina batted her eyelashes. “I could always grab your arm and feign the utmost concern for your safety.”
“They’d run just to get away from you.” She slapped his arm and they laughed.
The pair ventured closer. Unlike Fernsworth and the smaller villages, the gate to Whiteridge was closely guarded by sentinels on full alert. Their hands rested on their weapons and tightened upon seeing the two.
Rion let his sand billow up and around their bodies. Selina tried to slow, likely to talk, but Rion kept walking, tugging her along, her arm once again in his.
Recognition flashed across their faces and the guards drew their swords. Not exactly the greeting he’d hoped for.
“My Lord,” one male said, his voice strained. He didn’t bow or incline his head. “We were instructed to escort you to the governor’s estate upon your arrival.”
Rion lifted a brow. “Am I expected?”
“No, My Lord, it’s simply a courtesy. Special rooms have been prepared for any who visit from the capital city.” As if he’d ever sleep in those. It had assassination written all over it.
“I’ll make my own arrangements.”
The guard stepped into Rion’s path. “The governor insists.”
Rion raised a brow. “Am I to be denied entry into the city if I refuse?”
“O-of course not,” he fumbled. “I—”
“Then move .” The male stepped back, opened and closed his mouth, then decided against whatever he’d been about to say. Rion stalked past, but stopped just inside the gate. He eyed the male, barely suppressing a snarl. “If the governor wishes to see me, he can request my presence. Otherwise, I’m afraid I’m busy.” Rion wrapped one arm around Selina’s shoulders. “I’d appreciate not being disturbed. It’s almost the solstice, after all.”
All six guards took Selina in at once. The way she leaned into Rion. Her hand delicately draped around his arm. The shy smile she offered to the male she claimed to love.
Their eyes widened in surprise and Rion turned, giving them his back. He counted his steps, waiting for the battle cries and hurried footsteps.
They never came. Maybe those in the south valued their lives more than the Fae up north.
A pleasant floral aroma greeted him as he paraded down the main road. The cobblestones were perfectly placed and those ambling up and down the sidewalks didn’t look at them twice. He’d already let his magic fall. It would be nice, pleasant even, to experience the city from a tourist’s point of view before the world recognized him as the monster from their nightmares.
Vendors were already set up, selling their wares despite the festival being a while off. He knew more would arrive over the course of the next week. Then the streets would be crowded as bodies pressed into one another, seeking stall after stall of finery and goods.
As they passed through the streets, Rion watched some Fae position ladders before carrying large streamers up to the second-story balconies. They fashioned them with vines and plant life, coaxing the flowers into full bloom.
“It really does rival the one in Nàdair,” Selina said.
“Do you think the Fairy Folk come to this one, too?”
“I don’t see why they wouldn’t.”
“I always thought they only visited Nàdair, you know, because of the trees and all.”
“Who’s to say they don’t attend both?”
Rion looked at her. “It’s across the continent; it wouldn’t be possible to attend both.”
“Not for us.”
“You think they just, what, magically disappear?”
She shrugged. “Why not? They vanish in the forests. How do we know they don’t go somewhere else entirely?”
“And here I was thinking you were the reasonable one.”
“I am, I’m just speculating based upon what I’ve seen.”
“And you’ve seen them disappear?”
She made a motion with her hand. “Into thin air.” He didn’t want to mention how much time he’d spent around the Fairy Folk. It would only lead to questions he wasn’t ready to answer, not until he knew he could trust her completely. Maybe not even then.
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“Liar.”
He smirked and spotted a small bench with tiny trinkets and boats and leaves all shaped for the Fairy Folk’s use. Nàdair did something similar. The small creatures always seemed delighted by the offerings. Most were made by children, and they too were often just as delighted to see the sacred beings playing with their creations.
They were such strange and enchanting little creatures. Powerful, most claimed, yet none had ever seen the extent of that power. Mostly because the Fae didn’t challenge them. They were sacred on a level that rivaled the gods.
He remembered watching the Fairy Folk play tricks on a few younglings after their failed attempts to capture the tiny beings. They were kind, but clearly possessed a sense of humor. Two of the children had ended the night covered in honey and feathers.
“Well,” Selina said, looking out over the sea of people. “I’m willing to bet at least half the inns are already full.”
“Don’t worry, a vacancy always appears when I walk in.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course it does.”
“You haven’t complained before.”
“Well, maybe I don’t want to piss anyone off today. I would like to enjoy some of the festivities.”
He rolled his eyes and they kept walking. Selina looped her arm in his and he glanced down at the female.
Her eyes were practically beaming. She paused at a few stalls, admiring the wares, and proceeded to tell him every detail about some unimpressive jewelry. The shop owners were more than happy to let her try things on. She purchased a few trinkets, but promised others she’d return once she had a room to store her possessions.
Rion had to resist rolling his eyes a number of times. But when hers lit up and she acted as though his opinion meant the world, he didn’t have to feign interest. He wanted to know how to earn her favor. Wanted to know how to keep that smile on her face.
A shop owner declared himself partial owner of an inn that resided closer to the city’s center. After seeing the gold in Selina’s hand, he’d practically barreled over other patrons to tell her they had ample space.
The shop owner had a young male escort them.
It was charming, immaculately clean, and intricately decorated, as were most structures toward the inner part of the city.
Selina, of course, requested their finest room. The young male was only too happy to oblige and led them to the third floor. He announced breakfast and lunch schedules and excitedly told Selina about a restaurant around the corner that served the best cheese she’d ever taste. She promised to visit.
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 you want to 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.
Garlands and streamers and flowers all along the railings, up the gutters, dangling from overhanging balconies. The chief designer had definitely spent some time in Nàdair. Rion would even venture to say the beauty rivaled that of his home city.
A few blocks later, Rion stood before the massive palace. Its towering four stories promised an abundance of wealth inside.
Wealth and greed.
He circled the outer perimeter. No fence separated the street from the lawn, only thick five foot-tall hedges that were immaculately maintained. Morning glories and wisteria grew in between, and the flowers were spread evenly as far as Rion’s eye could see.
He glanced up, counting the windows. Guards were stationed at regular intervals.
He peered over the hedges and into the yard only to find more guards, their hands lightly resting on their weapons as they watched civilians excitedly pointing from the street.
Rion rounded the back and lifted a brow at the large fountain spraying water into the air. That was new, as was the rear addition. It might actually be bigger than the one in Nàdair now. Saoirse would demand an expansion once she found out.
Rion thought back to the mission at hand. If they failed, this place could very well be the new capital of Brónach. The new Nàdair. The other would likely be destroyed, just so no one could claim it in the future.
Neither Alec nor Saoirse had children yet. If the rebels succeeded, the family line would end with them.
Perhaps one of his siblings should do something about that soon, Alec at the very least. Rion wasn’t certain Saoirse even wanted children.
“The young Lord of Brónach has deigned to grace us with his presence? I shall have to make a grand statement welcoming you to the city.”
Rion turned slowly toward the familiar voice, his sand rising to surround his body as he did. He stared at the male’s shoulder-length brown hair, at the matching eyes, then the sharp angular jaw his sister had broken the last time they’d met.
“No statement needed, unless it’s to explain why you’re not behind bars.”
The male waved one hand and Rion watched it intently. He didn’t need Selina digging any more vines out of his flesh. “Simple,” the male purred. “There wasn’t enough evidence and the governor dismissed the case.”
“Last I remember, there was plenty of evidence.”
The male shrugged and slid his hands into his pockets. A sly smile broke across his face. “I suppose the lawmakers were careless then.”
Rion surveyed him again, then turned to observe the palace. He kept a close watch on the male through his peripherals. Rion didn’t need to look much further to determine who sat in the inner circle. This male, Foley, had been involved last time. He’d crafted the first batch of poisons that led to the death of dozens.
Foley could be at the very center of it all. But if Rion arrested him now and he turned out to be wrong—
“Perhaps they should resign if they can’t be trusted to do their jobs.”
Foley’s smirk didn’t vanish. “So like your sister. Not an ounce of tolerance for the occasional error.”
Rion eyed him again. He didn’t let his magic fall. “I hope you’re spending your newfound freedom being productive.”
“I am, as a matter of fact. I’ve made my way onto the city council. They’ve invited me in as a key speaker at the upcoming ball. One of many, as I’m sure you’re already aware. We have elaborate plans to house those displaced by all the recent attacks.” His brow furrowed. “Nàdair’s lack of concern for the issue has raised questions.”
“It’s being addressed.”
“But not publicly.” The male sighed. “I tried to convince Saoirse to allow me to take the brunt of the public eye. The offer still stands.” He looked around. “Did our esteemed Lady not accompany you?”
“She’s on her own assignments.”
The male’s brows lifted. “I thought you’d still be attached at the hip. Good on you for finally breaking the chain.”
Rion kept his temper in check. “It’s been a few years. It was time.”
Silence engulfed them and a small crowd had started to form at the other end of the street. Whispers floated close. Rion grimaced. So much for remaining anonymous.
“Why are you here, Rion of Brónach?”
Rion forced a smile. “Am I not allowed to take a holiday?”
A small disbelieving smile. “I didn’t realize your lot knew the term. Do be sure to visit the spa. It has excellent skin healing properties.”
“I’ll do that.”
Foley’s hand left his pocket and went for the inside of his dress tunic. Rion’s eyes darted toward the movement, but the male held his other hand up in mock surrender. “Just a private invitation,” the male assured before holding out an envelope with a thick wax seal depicting a crow.
Rion met his gaze, wondering if it were a taunt. Foley gave nothing away.
After a moment’s hesitation, Rion took the envelope and the male continued. “All those of significance will be there, the governor included. Can I assure him he need not worry about a repeat of the things that happened in Fernsworth?”
Rion opened his mouth, but a light voice interrupted. “There you are.” Both males turned toward Selina as she half jogged toward them dressed in a pair of light tan shorts and a white top. She wore a necklace depicting a starfish and dangling earrings with sea turtles at the ends. “How are we supposed to get dinner if you’re out sightseeing?”
Selina slipped her arm through his and pressed herself close, no doubt sensing the distressing nature of the conversation. She’d likely seen the crowd and had come running.
Foley’s shock wasn’t feigned. His lips parted and his gaze wandered down her form and back up before taking careful note of the way her arm was looped through Rion’s.
Rion offered her a disarming smile. “My apologies, I ran into an old,” he paused and made a show of looking the male up and down, “acquaintance.”
“Oh.” She looked Foley over as if she were just seeing him for the first time. “Do you mind if I steal him back?”
The male sketched a bow and smiled. An evil wicked thing full of dark promises. Rion had seen the same look on Foley’s face after the male had successfully poisoned an entire village of innocents. They hadn’t gone peacefully.
“Not at all.” He stepped back. “Perhaps we’ll meet you and your . . . friend?” Selina tilted her head into Rion, but didn’t speak. “After the event.”
“We’ll see,” Rion replied.
The male inclined his head to Selina. “It was a pleasure,” he waited.
“Selina,” she offered.
“Selina.” The male tasted her name, savoring it as though it were a fine wine. “I was just inviting the young lord to an exclusive after party. I hope you’ll both attend. Things tend to take a more . . . pleasantly heated turn after hours.” He made another show of looking her up and down. Rion clenched his fists. Selina pinched his arm.
They most certainly wouldn’t be joining anything of the sort. The thought of anything heated with Foley in the same room was enough to make Rion’s stomach churn.
Foley turned away first, then Selina tugged on Rion’s sleeve and guided him back toward the inn in silence. Both glanced over their shoulders and into the shadowed alcoves.
“You should have waited for me,” he said.
“I did, then I got bored and when I saw the crowd, I thought you might need a little help.”
“You just painted a target on your back.”
She shrugged. “I did that the moment I recruited you.” She glanced back again. “Who was that anyway?”
“Someone who should be behind bars.”
“Your doing?”
“Saoirse’s, though I was there. He’s the original creator of the poison.”
Selina cringed. “Well, I guess we know we’re in the right place then.”
“He’ll be keeping a close eye on me. If I’d known he was involved—”
“There’s no way you could have, especially if you thought he was locked up.”
“He talked as if Saoirse already knew . . .”
“Maybe she does.”
“She wouldn’t allow him to walk free. Not after what he did.”
Selina shrugged. “Politics are complicated. If there’s no proof to keep him behind bars, then there’s not much she can do.”
“She could tear his head off.”
“She could, but then she’d probably just alienate the governor and his council even more. It’s no secret that Whiteridge and Nàdair have their issues.” Rion’s jaw clenched and she patted his arm. “Don’t worry, once we get the information we need and weed out the ones involved, I’ll help you raze the whole damn place.”
“Feeling destructive?”
“Vengeful.” Her voice darkened. “I’ve seen what that poison does, and if he’s the one responsible for its creation, then he should have it shoved down his own throat.”
“That’d be too quick for the amount of pain he’s caused.”
“Maybe so, but at least he wouldn’t be able to sneak out again and hurt anyone else.”
Rion stared at the invite. “I’m willing to bet this secret meeting is exactly what we’re looking for.”
She crinkled her nose. “Please tell me we’re not going.”
“I don’t know. We’d get a clear view of their faces and it might be fun to see you squirm for a change.”
“That’s cruel. I wouldn’t send my worst enemy into that place. Just his eyes gave me the creeps.”
“It’s a good thing you aren’t my enemy then.” She didn’t respond to that; in fact, she turned away and studied the civilians filing by. Rion swallowed hard and decided to press his luck. “You mentioned dinner.”
“Because I’m starving.”
“Would you like to go?”
She turned to him and a wide smile broke across her face. “Why, Rion of Brónach, are you asking me out on a date?”
“I’d like to.”
Seriousness suddenly returned to her face. Her lips parted. “I don’t know—”
“One date,” he clarified.
“We need to find the blueprints—”
“After then. Tonight.”
“Rion, we have a job to do and I don’t want—”
“Who said we weren’t going to talk about the job?” She peered up at him. “We can even take the blueprints with us if that makes you feel better.”
He allowed her to think another moment before she finally nodded. “Fine. But I warn you, I’m expensive.”
“I’ll be sure to empty the family vault.”