Page 188 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

While the Reinsdor ships still sailed to get away from the towering water, Loche could see how the Fae on them turned backward, not to watch the water but to follow Lessia’s wild ride.

Even in the bay, even with the wave still coming for them, people were watching.

Waiting.

Wondering what that one woman could do.

His damned mother had quieted as well.

If he didn’t know better, Loche would have thought he saw Rioner’s own men wince, their faces tinged with shame, as they watched Lessia ready herself atop the violet wyvern.

Because she was readying herself.

A glacial chill wove its way down Loche’s back, raising every hair on his body.

The ruby-decorated dagger in her hand was clearly visible now, and Lessia’s bared teeth glinted in the sunlight as Ydren ducked and swerved and dove to escape the waves Rioner tried to send their way. Rioner, who stood straight-backed, smirking in the bow, surrounded by hundreds of his soldiers.

There was no fear in the king’s eyes, and yet… that coldness spread through Loche. He didn’t know how the world around them could be so silent.

But as Lessia and Ydren managed to get within thirty feet of the gilded ship, everything else slowed down.

No one breathed.

No one moved.

Even the wind died down.

The entire sea could hear Lessia’s scream as Ydren flew out of the water, the sun shining through her leathery wings, and the crimson dagger went flying.

“This is for us!”

It was such a simple statement, but somehow it seemed to rush through every person who watched the scene unfolding, and Loche wasn’t the only one who staggered at the sincerity of Lessia’s words.

Theuswasn’t just the ones standing on this ship and the ones Loche had funded around them.

Theuswas the rebels.

Theuswas the half-Fae and shifters.

Theuswas humans and Fae who stood with them and against them.

Theuswas even the Oakgards’ Fae above them.

Loche’s eyes fixed on Lessia’s shining blade whistling through the air. Something else met the dagger halfway, and Loche thought he saw a cross of gold and red, before his wide eyes watched Lessia’s dagger hit true.

It lodged itself right in Rioner’s chest, his surprised expression shifting to one of pain before the king fell backward and the soaring wave splashed into the sea.

It was entirely silent for a second, the only sound the wall of water being swallowed again by the sea.

Then someone cheered.

The cheer was lonely at first, before more of them erupted.

In the bay.

Around them.

Clapping joined the voices.