Page 71 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

And when he reached out his arms, she wiggled out from Amalise’s embrace, and forgetting about everyone else on the ship, she walked right into them, allowing him to shield her from the world.

She listened to his strong heartbeat, wanting nothing more than to stay there forever.

But she made herself whisper, “Is that enough fight for you?”

Merrick nodded, and she let him pull her closer, merging their bodies as much as they could as he whispered, “I love you, Elessia Rantzier.”

Chapter 13

Loche

Loche leaned over the railing, letting the waves still crashing against the sides—even with the heavy anchors they’d lowered to keep the two ships from drifting too far apart—splash salty drops onto his face.

He wished the water could somehow scrub the memories of the last hours from his mind, but it did little more than sting his slightly sunburned skin.

Loche sighed as he straightened and dragged his hands down his rough face. He hadn’t been certain if he’d ever see spring again—didn’t even want to think about summer…

Not that he expected to see another in Ellow.

With the threat of the rebels and now the Oakgards’ Fae…

No. Loche was quite sure he’d be joining Lessia’s father within the next few weeks.

He clenched his hands by his side as Alarin’s lifeless body being carried across the ship flashed before his eyes.

The Fae warriors had given him a proper Fae goodbye, at least as worthy as they could out here in Korina’s waters.

Loche had heard of them before, of course, but he’d never attended one himself.

It might even have been beautiful, how everyone on the two vessels—human and Fae alike—lined up on either side of Rioner’s ship as Merrick and Raine carried the royal Fae across it, humming a mournful song in one of the Fae’s old languages.

They’d each touched their heart and then laid a hand on Alarin’s chest when he’d been carried past them—the way Fae expressed that he’d forever live within them, and that they’d carry his love with them always.

But Loche hadn’t been able to stop staring at Lessia the entire time.

She’d been so strong. Standing straight-backed, she’d held on to her sister, who’d doubled over, screaming out her pain, letting the younger half-Fae lean on her as Merrick and Raine lowered a small boat with Alarin in it and let it drift away to be swallowed by the Eiatis Sea.

Lessia had been strong in the way she always was.

But Loche knew what she worked so desperately to hide behind the quiet tears falling down her face as she pressed her hand against her father’s chest.

Guilt. Raw, all-consuming guilt.

That’s what kept her going right now—what kept her standing.

It was the same guilt that lived in him—the one that had drawn him to her those first days of knowing her.

He’d seen the way Lessia moved—as if she didn’t think she belonged anywhere, as if she asked the world for forgiveness for walking on its earth, as if she didn’t believe she deserved the same treatment as the people around her.

But he’d also seen her kindness. The pure light that drove her to want to do good at whatever cost.

Loche had never felt so connected to anyone before, especially not so quickly.

Not his soldiers.

Not even Zaddock.

When Lessia spoke to him, it was as if she saw him. She saw Loche.