Page 100 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

It was still too far away for him to see clearly, but Kerym, who benefited from a Fae’s sharp vision, mumbled, “It’s only three people. A woman in the front—she’s definitely a shifter—with two half-Fae escorting her.”

“How do you know they’re escorting her?” Zaddock asked, and Loche was thankful for it, since the question immediately filled his mind as well.

“They’re watching her the way Fae watch their leader.” Thissian joined them, throwing a quick look at the small woman still clinging to his brother before shifting his dark blue eyes to Loche’s. “They’re there for her protection.”

“Who is she?” Loche wasn’t sure why he asked.

Not when he was certain it must be the elusive rebel leader who always seemed to be a step ahead of him.

For years, his spies had failed to find her. He’d even gone out in search of her himself for a few months, but it had been impossible. It was as if she didn’t leave any traces wherever she decided to reside.

“She is who you suspect,” Soria responded, stepping closer to him while her sister remained between Kerym and his brother.

Zaddock also stepped forward so they all stood in a row, facing the small boat, which moved so much faster than theirown, catching up with them in what felt like seconds, even though they hadn’t set anchor.

When the boat sidled up to Loche’s ship, a chain was thrown onto their deck, the clanking jarring them all, snapping them out of the thick silence they waited in.

As a ladder followed the chain, landing on the side of the ship with a soft thud, Soria leaned into him and whispered, “You will be all right, regent. Just remember who you are.”

His brows snapped together, but he didn’t have time to ask what she meant as a dark-haired woman elegantly climbed over the railing, sweeping her long hair over one shoulder when she looked up at the group with a serene smile as the two half-Fae swiftly followed her.

Loche’s back shot straight as he took in the familiar face, and when sharp gray eyes landed on his… he couldn’t help but gasp, “Mother?”

Chapter 20

Lessia

Lessia still held on to Merrick as the mist parted ahead, the white no longer trailing down Ydren’s violet scales as she remained close to their ship, the low hums in her throat echoing around them as she led the way when the fog faded, until it evaporated entirely, revealing a crystal-blue sea filled with large rock formations jutting high above the water.

Despite the warm wind wrapping around them, snow covered the highest peaks towering over the sea, and Lessia frowned as the scent of winter and summer tangling filled her nose.

She could sense Merrick’s muscles coiling under the tunic he’d found—the one that was slightly too small but which she’d never complain about seeing him in, as she could watch every ripple playing beneath it—his entire being reacting to the strange sensations around them.

Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Raine approaching them until he stood next to her sister, his massive body so large compared to Frelina’s, Lessia took a step closer to her sister, even if she knew Raine wasn’t a threat to her.

Merrick stepped with her, and she shot him a quick smile before facing forward again, keeping an eye on Ydren, whoappeared nervous, her maw twitching as she whipped her head back and forth.

Then their ship halted so abruptly that they all had to grip the railing not to fall.

“Did we hit something?” Raine hissed.

“No,” Merrick said in that low voice that used to terrify her. “Something swam into us.”

Ydren let out a squeaking sound before she moved backward, and it was their only warning before the vessel heeled sharply, then slammed back down into the sea.

Merrick dragged her to him, one of his hands locking around her waist as he planted his feet, while the other found his sword.

Lessia shakily unsheathed her ruby-decorated dagger as well—trying not to think about how they hadn’t been able to find the one her father had given her, the one with amber stones to mirror her eyes—but when Merrick’s grip on her tightened for a second, she knew he’d felt that quick sweep of sadness that washed over her.

She was grateful when Raine pushed Frelina behind him, his curved blades glimmering in the sun, which now hung high above them.

Frelina hadn’t wanted to train with weapons when the rest of them had done so on that ship to Ellow a few weeks back, and while the Fae males had tried to convince her, they’d stopped when Lessia had snarled at them.

She’d seen the way Frelina had stared at her daggers, and she suspected that was how Frelina had killed those soldiers who had found their island when her father had been too distraught over their mother’s sickness.

A strange sound began thrumming around them, and Lessia pushed aside all other thoughts, apart from staying alive.

Just one more day.