Page 154 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

Two of the Faelings were water wielders, and they seemed used to working with each other, one favoring steering the ocean as it was, while the other would freeze his friend’s waves whenever it pleased him.

The skill would come in handy, especially for the ships taking the lead, whether rebel or Fae.

If these two could stop one or two of them—perhaps even have them collide with some of the others—it would give the others time to prepare their weapons, would give himself, Kerym, Raine, and Thissian time to take out as many as they could before the inevitable physical battle would begin.

The third Faeling, a dark-haired, gray-eyed male who hovered around Lessia whenever she was around, was a wind wielder, and they’d all watched in awe as he managed to move entire ships in the direction he wanted, or blew through a groupof Loche’s men so hard they all tumbled to the wood beneath them.

The rest of the Faelings had gifts that either were too unpolished or just wouldn’t be helpful in war—like the white-haired girl Merrick had spotted before but stayed far away from those years he’d followed Lessia around in Ellow.

He believed her name was Kalia, and while she had a strong gift—one that reminded him of Kerym’s and Thissian’s—it wasn’t offensive.

Sure, she could sense all the emotions around her, perhaps even see who was frightened enough that he or she would be a sure kill, but she was getting overwhelmed already.

Merrick had sent her down to Geyia, the shifter Loche was apparently friends with, to help with the food when he’d realized the half-Fae was sensing the fear, worry, tension, and other emotions filling those around them.

“Three is more than we could ask for,” Thissian said softly. “With Raine’s friends coming, too, we’ll be able to stand strong against the rebels.”

Merrick’s eyes traveled to Lessia, who was patting the dark-haired Faeling on the back, smiling at him as she said something.

They would be able to stand against the rebels, but not the Fae. Not when they’d all have used up their magic to keep the rebels at bay, and especially if the Oakgards’ Fae had magic.

He’d heard they could wield all the elements as long as they were connected to that specific element—that they drew power from the world around them—allowing them to continue fueling their energy without food or sleep, like the Fae in Vastala.

“We’ll do what we can, Merrick,” Thissian continued, his eyes following Merrick’s own. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“So will I,” Raine said. “I’ll keep her sister with me, and she will prioritize tracking Lessia, since she’s not fighting.”

As if Merrick would let Lessia leave his side. There was a way to save her, and it was up to him to fucking find it—to ensure he made that promise of future a reality.

“They will try to take you out first,” Kerym broke in. “You know this, Merrick. It’s how it always is. You’ll need to keep moving around, use that speed of yours to your advantage.”

Merrick bared his teeth at his friend. “Her life comes first. I am not leaving her.”

“What can you do for her if you die?” Kerym shot back. “Thissian will stay by her. They always underestimate us. Why, I don’t know, since our powers are clearly superior.”

Raine rolled his eyes while Merrick took a step toward Kerym. “I. Will. Not. Leave. Her. There is nothing, fucking nothing, that can stop me from being right by her side.”

Thissian slammed an arm across his brother’s chest when Kerym seemed to ready himself to argue. “Kerym, enough. You wouldn’t have left Mishah if she were here. Elessia is his mate, and he gets to decide what he wants to do.”

Kerym’s chest puffed out under Thissian’s arm, and his voice shook as he snarled, “I know that! But what’s the point if he dies instead? Shall we welcome her with open arms to our sad little group? Hey, Lessia. Life without your mate is fucking miserable, apart from the small moments when you get distracted. But do you know what? It hurts even more after those moments because then you feel so fucking guilty you wish to die as well! Do you think she wants that, Merrick? Do you think anyone wants that?”

Merrick stared at his friend, at how a shaking began in his shoulders, then moved to his entire body, and he didn’t miss Thissian’s agony-filled face whitening, his arm falling to his side as if it took too much to keep it up.

Even Raine made a choked sound, his eyes flying to Lessia’s sister, who stormed toward them, eyes wide with fear.

Fear that resounded within Merrick when he found another pair of golden eyes—ones that were far too close and that made his entire being ache with how much worry weighed them down as they swept across his face.

He only glared back at her.

Fuck this. Fuck all this pain and worry and fear.

Merrick snarled so loudly that Frelina backed up, and even his friends took a step back when his magic roiled in the air, the power from it shifting across the ship, quieting those who had watched the Faelings practice.

Only Lessia remained planted in place, her face morphing into a mask of defiance that he knew meant she was about to tell him to fucking listen to his friends.

Which he was definitely not planning on doing.

“Come.” Merrick gripped her hand, forcing down a smile when she squeezed his back in a way that made him believe she wanted it to hurt.