Page 93 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

Merrick’s arms shook as he came down from the high that only she could conjure, and his chest heaved against her as he carefully set her down on the side of the tub again.

Still, the movement made the water within it splash—which it probably had before as well, but they just hadn’t noticed—and when the drops landed on Lessia, she grinned at him. A huge, wide, warm smile that sent another rush of heat through Merrick.

“It’s actually warm.”

Chapter 18

Lessia

An impenetrable mist had formed ahead of their ship, and a chill wove its way down Lessia’s back as she stared at it, tried to see anything through the thick white wall, but a sigh rushed out of her as she squinted at the whirling air.

It was useless.

They’d begun to glimpse it a few days ago, and she’d already asked Merrick and Raine several times if they were certain—truly certain—that this was the way they must go.

Unfortunately, it was. This unnamed land between realms that appeared shrouded in mist was where the wyverns supposedly lived, and further in… that’s where they’d find the Lakes of Mirrors.

It was believed the wyverns had chosen this location because of its proximity to where Fae could call upon the gods.

Not that anyone did it anymore, not after the war, where the Fae drove the gods from all known realms. No one even ventured out here, as the Fae feared retribution for the bloodshed and violence they’d brought upon the world by turning on their masters.

Lessia wrapped her arms around herself. She wasn’t particularly looking forward to meeting the wyverns or the gods.

She could still hear the way the wyverns had whispered her last name—the warning in it.

A warning not to come here?

She wasn’t sure, but it hadn’t been good.

“You cold?” Frelina sidled up to her, pulling a cloak that Lessia was pretty sure was Raine’s around her shoulders.

Dropping her arms, Lessia shook her head. “Just… apprehensive.”

Frelina hummed as her eyes also drifted toward the towering wall of clouds before them.

It was so close now. They’d sail into it today.

Lessia fought the urge to fold into herself again.

She needed to be strong, just a little while longer. Just until it was her time, she’d hold it together—be the person the ones she loved could lean on.

She didn’t want to see Merrick’s eyes fill with that pain she knew he only allowed when he thought she wasn’t looking.

But he didn’t know she was always looking. She needed to memorize every line of his sharp features, his broad shoulders, his tall and muscular body, before it was too late.

Perhaps it had been rash to tattoo him with her hopes and dreams…

But she’d needed it then—had needed him to know what she wanted.

Because if he knew, maybe… maybe he wouldn’t follow her into death but experience all the things she wished she had time to.

But even if she wished for it, she doubted it. Lessia could see his mind working every time his eyes rested on her, how he seemed to explore every possibility of saving her life. Even if it was as useless as trying to see through the damned mist.

“Is she practicing reading your mind again?” Raine called from a level higher up, where he steered the ship right onto thepath Lessia wished they could divert from. “Do I need to come save her from perishing from embarrassment?”

“Shut up,” Frelina grumbled back. “Besides, I don’t need to practice.”

Despite her words, flames began licking her sister’s cheeks, and Lessia slapped a hand over her mouth, turning away from the two of them when the memory flashed before her eyes of Frelina digging into her mind right after she’d spent two days locked in that room with Merrick showing her his interpretation of love and time.