Page 58 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

“No! Lessia!” He tried to run faster, but it was impossible as the smoke thickened.

Merrick had to slow his feet to walk, listening to try to see where everyone was.

“You’re going to die! You…” Lessia’s raspy voice sounded somewhere to his left, but that’s where the wall of fire still burned bright, the crackling of the flames silencing the rest of her words.

“Lessia!”

Fuck, he was panicking now.

Merrick tried pulling on the bond tethering them, but it was still so damned weak. Probably because she was weak, a small voice in his mind dared pipe in.

Fuck that!

He needed to find her.

He needed to protect her.

Just fucking needed her.

“Lessia! Answer me!” Merrick screamed at the fire, but the flames roared louder.

And then… another scream. “Lessia, no!”

The cry was Raine’s, and Merrick had no air left, only smoke filling his lungs, but he still tried to call for her, refusing to let the smoke consume her name.

“Lessia. P-please.” His words were harsh whispers now, the smoke devouring his voice, and he stumbled within the shadowy world around them, begging to find her.

“No!” Ardow’s voice sounded closer. “Lessia, don’t!”

Something metallic clattered, and Merrick tried to see, pried his eyelids open as far as they’d go, but between the smoke and the tears they forced out, it was fucking impossible.

Lessia!

Please!

He screamed down the bond.

Tell me where you are!

I love you!

I fucking need you!

Don’t do this!

The bond wavered for a second, but that second was enough. Merrick released every grip he had on his magic, letting it fly across the ship, the sea, everywhere in this damned world the souls wanted to go.

He knew they wouldn’t be able to do anything—not against the elements; he’d learned that the hard way—and he couldn’t control who they killed if he couldn’t see.

But it didn’t matter. He had to fucking trust they wouldn’t kill her.

They’d kill Raine.

Ardow.

She’d hate him for it, but she’d be fucking alive.

Lessia!