Page 100 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

But no golden glow reflected in the vivid blue.

Instead, the stones, as if in defiance, sparkled brighter, seemingly growing within the dark room.

You lost focus, you idiot.

Lessia’s thought echoed within the thickening shadows, and pressure built upon her chest when they crept closer, sounds that she never wished to hear again mounting within them.

Dripping of water on stone.

Metal scraping against the floor.

A damp blindfold being wrapped too tightly around her eyes.

No.

She’d told herself she wasn’t doing this anymore.

Enough!

Focus on the anger.

The memory of Merrick’s voice broke through the sounds, and with a snarl, Lessia pulled up every ounce of magic left within her.

Eyes flying open, she screamed, “Get out! Get the fuck out!”

The sapphires evaporated.

And so did the darkness.

Waves brushing the side of the ship joined the deep voice whispering “Good” into her ears, and when she lifted her eyes, out of one corner she caught Merrick hovering behind her left shoulder.

Kerym grinned at her when she found his blue gaze. “You held on longer than I thought you would.”

She couldn’t stop herself.

Taking a step forward, she flashed her teeth at him.

“Isn’t it quite stupid of you to drain my energy when we’re heading out into dangerous waters?” she hissed.

Kerym popped his shoulders. “Needed to see if you’d be of any help.”

Lessia tapped her boot on the wood when he didn’t continue. “So?”

“So… what?”

“Am I going to be of help?” she gritted through her teeth, the urge to punch Kerym’s satisfied face nearly overpowering the heavy tiredness on her limbs.

He seemed to mull it over for a moment, and it wasn’t until Merrick growled under his breath behind her that he threw out his hands. “Sure. With more training, you could be an asset. Right now, you’re… ah! What’s the word? Unpolished.”

Merrick’s growl became more menacing.

Kerym’s eyes lifted above her head. “I’m not saying she isn’t strong or that she couldn’t be of help. It’s just… she probably won’t be able to withstand for long when it comes to the Fae. I don’t know these rebels, but if there are shifters and half-Fae amongst them as well… She didn’t even realize I was using my magic initially.”

“Sheis right here,” Lessia snarled. “I might not have trained for centuries like you old bastards, but I am trying! I am willing to train for as long as we have. And if I can help take one—just one!—enemy down, that’s a win, right?”

Curiosity fought across Kerym’s features. “You’re willing to die for this? For these people?”

“Of course I am,” Lessia responded. “They’re my people. And Ellow is my home.”

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