Page 18 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

She tried to get in front of Frelina—tried to press her sister behind her—but Torkher wouldn’t have it.

With a sharp order to another guard, he slammed another fist into Lessia’s face, and the pain pulsated through her so violently she wondered if she’d be sick before he pulled the blindfold down once more.

Sounds she knew she’d never forget began echoing through the ship’s cabin.

Moans.

Cries.

Huffs.

Crunches of bones.

Harsh sounds of breaking skin.

Her sister’s defiant scream.

Her father’s desperate cry.

Kerym’s swearing and threats.

Thissian’s muffled groans.

But still, Lessia didn’t miss the king’s demand: “Torkher. Break her completely. Not just physically but mentally. Whatever it takes, I want her to jump off this ship willingly.”

The laugh brushing her ear as the Fae guard leaned in was the same one that filled her nightmares.

“I missed you,” he whispered, his wet lips dragging across her cheek and his hands roving across her body. “I’ve learned a thing or two since last time, and… I can’t wait to play.”

The scream that burst through her mouth wasn’t forced this time.

Chapter 4

Lessia

Lessia shook so much that the putrid water in the cup she held sloshed over its sides, and she barely managed to get a few drops into her parched mouth when she brought it to her lips.

Dropping the mug after trying to lick up the remaining water, Lessia leaned back against the wall, her head throbbing with such force she wasn’t certain if it was her body or the ship they were on that trembled.

She didn’t know how many days had passed, not with the blindfold they kept over her eyes day and night, but she guessed at least a few, based on the aching hole in her stomach and the dried blood that seemed to coat almost every inch of her skin by now.

The guards had beaten them every few hours since Rioner left the room, and no matter how much Lessia tried to persuade them that she was broken—that she’d willingly step off this ship—she hadn’t been convincing enough, and Rioner hadn’t bothered showing up a single time since he’d ordered the torture.

Even when they’d begun bringing the others outside the room, to somewhere Lessia could no longer hear their screams,and she’d truly panicked—had truly meant it when she cried that she’d slit her throat right there and then—they hadn’t budged, believing she still harbored some strength inside.

And while she might… might have that burning love inside driving her not to give up, she wasn’t sure how long the flame would flicker.

Lessia knew her time was running out.

She could feel it.

If she didn’t convince Rioner’s guards soon, they’d do something to someone in this group she wouldn’t be able to reverse.

That she couldn’t bear.

“F-F… Lina,” she managed to stutter through chapped lips.

Her sister had become worryingly quieter with each day that passed, and Lessia wasn’t even able to use her eyes to understand how injured she was.