Page 145 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

She knew Elessia would do anything for her. She could feel it in every touch, in every smile, in every time her sister checked on her. But it… it just wasn’t enough.

Frelina missed the banter and friendship with Raine.

She didn’t care about the kiss or whether there would be any more, although she wouldn’t say no if he wanted to continue to pursue whatever they had started back in the lands of gods.

It had felt good to find someone who wasn’t her family and who actually cared for her. Who thought she was funny. Who didn’t treat her like something they needed to be careful with.

But now he barely looked her in the eyes, even when she’d noticed he hadn’t touched the flask, which had begun collecting dust on a shelf in the kitchen.

“Are you sure?” Elessia’s eyes narrowed, and Frelina quickly dragged her downward lips into a forced smile.

Not that it would fool her sister, but if Elessia was allowed to walk around with a grin that should have been the definition of somberness, Frelina should as well.

“I’m sure.” Restlessness settled in Frelina’s bones. “I am going to find Raine.”

She’d been too scared to talk to him the past few days, but what was the point?

They might all be dead in a week… and she didn’t want a stupid kiss to ruin what could be her final days.

Elessia already had one leg over the railing when she stilled, her face tilting to study Frelina. “Did something happen between you two? I know he’s been strange the past few days, but I just chalked it up to him not drinking anymore…”

The smile on her face shook, but Frelina kept her sister’s gaze. “Nothing that can’t be solved.”

She hoped, at least.

Elessia bowed her head, but her eyes were still unsure, so Frelina hurried to begin backing away. “Go on. Your pet needs you.”

Her smile did firm the slightest bit when Ydren screeched at her, trying to splash a wave of water onto the deck, but thankfully, it wasn’t far to the door to the stairs leading down to the cabins where they all slept, and where Raine appeared to spend most of his time.

As she opened the creaking door, which took quite some effort since the wood had swelled from the water either the sea or Rioner must have cast against it for years, she heard Elessia assure the wyvern that “she was just trying to be funny,I promise,” and Frelina shook her head as she offered Merrick a quick wave where he sat against one of the masts, watching her sister with those dark eyes that never rested.

She kept her feet moving swiftly down the stairs, unwilling to lose her nerve now that she’d worked it up, and within moments she stood outside Raine’s door.

Frelina lifted and lowered her hand a few times, reminding herself of what she wanted to say to him, when the door flew open, revealing a Raine with messier hair than usual and more stubble than she’d ever seen shadowing his strong chin.

Her eyes flew to his heaving chest for a second before she also sucked in a breath, the words she’d memorized pouring out of her. “I know you regret the kiss… and what we said. While I don’t, it’s totally fine. I just… I want us?—”

Raine gripped her arm so forcefully she stumbled into the room, and even before she’d regained her balance, he’d slammed the door behind her and thrust her against it.

“I—”

Raine didn’t let her finish that sentence, either, before he covered her mouth with his own, groaning “Finally” into it.

The kiss was as urgent as the one before, and he groaned so loudly when she responded that heat exploded between her legs at the sound.

“I thought…” Raine kissed her again. “I thought you’d never fucking come.”

Frelina opened her mouth for his demanding tongue, and he didn’t hesitate as he angled her head, his fingers wrapping around her chin to position her as he seemed to like her.

Head tilted, Frelina kissed him back, alternating between crashing her lips against his and sucking on his bottom lip when she needed a break.

“Fuck,” Raine swore when a whimper escaped her as the hand not holding on to her chin began exploring her body, finding her ass and pressing her against his hardness.

“Fuck,” Raine echoed when she arched into his touch, grinding against what must be his cock, using it to find some relief from the burning need between her legs. “Is… is this okay?”

Is this…

Frelina wrangled her hands into his hair, which definitely needed a wash, not that she cared too much right now, when the only thing she wanted was to have him closer—have something—and despite the waves of desire washing through her gut, she dragged his head back so she could meet his eyes.