Page 30 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

Zaddock’s grip on Amalise’s hand tightened until she hissed at him, but he refused to let go, his face turning as white as the woman’s fingers he squeezed, and he appeared not to care who listened as he spoke. “The fuck you are. Amalise, I need you to listen to me. You’re staying behind with Venko. It’s too dangerous.”

Amalise ripped her hand free, moving to stand between Merrick and Loche. “I am not going anywhere. Lessia is my best friend, and I would gladly sacrifice my life for her.”

“She doesn’t want you to die for her!” Zaddock was nearly screaming now, the desperation so sharp it would have pierced Merrick’s chest should he have space for more emotions within him. “You’re staying behind.”

“I am not.” Amalise’s eyes burned Zaddock’s way, and Merrick shook his head when the guard glared right back.

“He might be right, blondie.” Raine grinned at her, ignoring the vicious stare she shot him. “It’s not like sneaking away from the men that I am sure chase you back home. These people won’t stop because you’re pretty. They’ll rip your head off all the same.”

Merrick gripped the blonde’s arm when she lurched toward his friend, pulling her back even though Zaddock looked as if he’d take the sword and stab it right through his chest for touching his woman.

“Calm down,” Merrick hissed into her ear. “This isn’t about you. It’s about Lessia.”

Amalise panted as she stared up at him, but when Merrick continued to keep her gaze, she finally relaxed. “Fine. But I am still going.”

These stubborn humans.

They all thought they were invincible.

It must have to do with their short lifespans, Merrick thought.

Being twenty-five or eighty was perhaps not that big of a difference.

“Z, just stay by her side on the ship,” Loche offered. “Merrick is right. It’s not about us, it’s about Lessia, and who knows… maybe Amalise will be helpful when we find her.”

Zaddock’s jaw was so tight Merrick was sure he’d have a raging headache after this, but he finally gave a curt nod as he walked up and dragged the still seething Amalise to his side, ignoring her “Stupid, possessive bastard” mumbles.

Merrick snapped his gaze to Raine, but he still didn’t miss Zaddock snarling “If you die on that ship I will come to the afterlife and haunt you for fucking ever, and then we can talk about possessive.”

Despite everything, his mouth twitched, and so did Raine’s as he shook his head at the two humans.

He knew what Zaddock was feeling very well.

But while he was a possessive bastard himself, he’d never force Lessia to do anything.

She’d had enough of that in her life.

He’d be whatever she needed him to be—be whatever she wanted him to be.

Unfortunately, he doubted an overprotective Fae male was her dream.

Even if she did seem to like it in the bedroom.

He couldn’t stop her grinning face from popping into his mind.

The sounds she made when he devoured her.

What she’d said to him that first night they had together.

I love you. And one night is not nearly enough. I told you. I wanteverything. I want to be your fucking mate, and I don’t know the right words, but I accept our bond—I welcome it—I’m proud of it.

Merrick closed his eyes, and her scent immediately slammed into him.

She’d always smelled like warm grass on open fields to him. Like a summer day full of possibilities he’d never had. Like a calm sea begging to be swum in.

Freedom, he’d decided that day he finally got to meet her eyes.

That’s what she smelled like.