Page 14 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

“What. Do. You. Mean?” he got out, his voice lowering into that frosty one he’d noticed always gave Elessia goose bumps.

He’d never wielded any of the stones—his gift too precious to the Rantziers to have him part of the fleet—so he wasn’t too certain how they worked.

Raine’s features twisted at whatever he saw in Merrick’s face, and his voice lowered so much that Merrick knew the humans by the cots wouldn’t be able to hear what he said next.

“After the Rantziers’ misuse of them, the stones don’t respond to just any Fae anymore. Only those who are worthy—of pure heart—may call them back.”

Merrick’s shoulders dropped two inches.

Elessia was the most kind-hearted, loyal, and pure soul he’d ever met.

Of course she’d be fucking worthy.

Raine’s eyes dropped down to his bowl with gray mush. “Merrick… she’s not just a Rantzier, she also compelled Ydren when she first met her.”

His heart ached so much in his chest he was surprised it didn’t break through his ribs, and as Merrick sucked in a breath, he felt all the eyes in the room fly to his face.

The silence was too much.

The stares too heavy.

Flying from his seat, Merrick ordered, “Tell your captain to steer toward Korina. We’ll start there.”

Then he took the stairs four steps at a time to get up into the rain-filled air again, keeping his eyes on the horizon and screaming into the bond,I’m coming for you! Please, just keep fighting. You’re strong enough. I’m coming!

Chapter 3

Lessia

You’re strong enough.

Lessia jerked as she awoke, trying not to panic at the rattling chains and the damp blindfold Rioner’s guards had tied around her head, which irritated her skin.

Merrick’s voice still echoed in her mind from the dream, and she could almost hear him tell herOnly you and me,could almost taste his soft lips against hers, could almost smell his familiar wild scent fold around her.

She couldn’t stop the sob that left her lips.

“Lessia, are you in pain?” Her father’s voice sounded somewhere to her right.

She hesitated for a moment, listening to the metallic rustles and Kerym’s whispered words to his brother, who still hadn’t responded in the hours they’d been here; to her sister’s soft breathing; and to her father’s repeated “Lessia?”

Was she in pain?

Not physically.

Although she still had a strange aching sensation traveling up her right arm…

Not even mentally.

She didn’t know how, but… the tears that fell from her eyes as she thought of Merrick weren’t of sorrow.

They were of resolve, of what she knew she must do.

She’d made a vow back on Raine’s island: to fight back—to do whatever it took.

It was time now.

It was really time.