Page 76 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

That’s what the souls he now struggled to keep leashed whispered of.

Merrick’s eyes focused when the Fae before him let out a straggling rush of air, but that rage within him still reigned, drowning all other emotions.

It wasn’t until a small bandaged hand slipped into his that he could snap out of it.

Merrick’s eyes drew to Lessia’s when she sidled up beside him, and he didn’t know why he was surprised when she offered him only a small smile and a press of her injured fingers instead of wide, fearful eyes.

She’s strong enough now.

The souls whispered the words to him as they huddled around Lessia, not in the threatening way they did around others, not anymore, but protective, as if they knew should anything happen to her, their own fate was uncertain.

She was meant for you. For us.

Lessia smiled wider, almost as if she heard them, before she moved her eyes to the cowering Fae.

“I’m Lessia,” she offered softly. “And I heard you’re Cedar. I believe our”—she swallowed before continuing—“fathers were friends.”

Cedar offered her a shaky nod. “I… I’ve known Alarin since I was a child. I’m s-so sorry for your loss. And… I also wanted to say… thank you for what you did for me. I… I am in your debt.”

A trembling breath made its way down Lessia’s lungs before she appeared to catch herself—catch herself in a way Merrick wished she’d never had to learn, hiding the pain and the sorrow and the guilt somewhere deep within her broken body.

“Thank you.” Lessia stepped closer to Merrick, and despite everything, warmth clawed into his chest when he realized it seemed to steady her.

“You are not in my debt.” Lessia drew another breath before continuing. “Saving you is what any decent person would have done. But…”

Lessia cast Merrick a quick look before continuing, and his brows knitted when he tried to understand the feeling within her.

Guilt and sadness, yes. But also… purpose.

It was purpose, he decided, that drove what she said next.

“But still, I want to ask a favor.” Lessia waited until Cedar nodded. “I need you to return to Vastala. I know it’s probably the last thing you want to do, especially now, being free of Rioner. Trust us… We know.”

Merrick clasped her closer when she shot him another glance.

Gods, he fucking loved her.

He didn’t know how it was possible that he loved her even more every day.

But right now? It felt as if his chest would combust from pride.

She was… a leader.

He’d seen it in her before—it was one of the reasons he had trained her, after all, to ensure she could protect herself when she stepped into what he knew must be her destiny.

But now? It was so clear to him.

This beautiful, strong, kind, loyal, and gentle soul would be the one who saved their world. And he’d be right by her damned side while she did it.

“We need some of the Fae to see our side,” Lessia continued after folding an arm around Merrick’s waist, drumming up heat within him like she always did any time she touched him. “Loche and the others will take on the rebels and prepare Ellow the best they can. We will get the wyverns to fight. But we need you to convince your father to join us.”

Cedar’s mouth fell open as Lessia reached out a broken hand, sweeping it across the group that had gathered on the other ship, waiting only for Cedar to join them.

Raine and Frelina slowly approached, and Merrick only caught his friend’s gaze out of the corner of his eye, but he still noticed the glimmer of admiration in it as it flicked to his mate.

“These humans, Fae and half-Fae, are the only thing standing between a Havlands ruled by cruel and twisted men and women, and a new world—a world where debts aren’t paid in blood or children left to die in the streets. While I’ll never force anyone to join us—not like the ones we stand against—I ask you topleasedo this.Pleasebe a part of this.Pleasestand with us.”

Merrick had to catch himself not to let his own mouth draw down like the Fae’s before him, and he couldn’t help but move to stand behind Lessia, folding his arms around her and whispering how fucking proud he was of her into her ear until those goose bumps he loved peppered her neck.