Page 27 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

“But you still hurt her,” he said quietly.

Loche’s eyes flicked to the dark deck. “I know. I’ll never forgive myself for that.”

“Is that why you’re here? Because of guilt?” Merrick refused to let Loche’s eyes escape as he awaited his response.

He’d suggested Loche and his men leave to go back to Ellow several times already.

It’s not like a few humans could stand against Rioner and the lethal guards Merrick was certain he had brought to accompany him on this mission…

They might even be in the way should Merrick and Raine have to work to keep them safe.

But Amalise had refused as soon as he brought it up, and the guard that followed her like a puppy had obviously stayed.

Same with Ardow.

Guilt appeared to be permanently etched into Lessia’s friend’s features these days, and Ardow had not even looked at Venko—who, to his credit, also agreed to stay—before he violently shook his head, declaring he owed Lessia this much.

A huff flew through Merrick’s lips.

Ardow truly did.

It was almost like he’d been fucking compelled by that rebel leader, the way he sang her praises.

And while Merrick wasn’t happy about how that meeting on the ship had gone, at least Ardow had seen the shifter for what she was.

Fickle.

Power hungry.

A liar like the rest of the leaders in this realm.

Merrick bore his eyes deeper into the regent’s ones.

But Loche…

He had a whole rebellion to quell.

Why was he still here?

“I can’t… I just… My men will prepare for the rebellion, but given what we know, I don’t think it’ll be enough. I think we need…” Loche hesitated when Merrick’s eyes narrowed.

“We need?” Merrick demanded.

“We need her to kill him. Ellow needs her to kill him.” Loche’s mouth twisted to the side as he shook his head. “I wish it wasn’t her. But… it’s all we have now. I fucked up so bad. Andwhile I owe it to her to save her, I also owe Ellow to do everything I can to save it. I already let her get away, and… I gave her the damned stone. We have nothing left now.”

Merrick was about to snarl at him that Lessia would do whatever she damned pleased, when something between a cough and a sob lodged in the regent’s throat, and a feeling he didn’t like at all chilled Merrick’s chest.

He clenched his fists by his side.

Surely he wasn’t about to feel empathy for this man?

But damned if that feeling didn’t fucking grow as Loche’s shoulders hunched as he stared out over the brightening sea.

Like Lessia, he was so young.

Too young to fucking lead a nation, and a divided one at that.

Too young to take on a war that would be devastating, especially if those rebels got their claws in his people first.