Page 105 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

At least not without verifying it first.

Merrick pulled her closer when more people followed the woman in the front, and she glanced up at him, offering him a quick smile before she fixed her eyes on the small group that had now reached their side of the brow.

The woman standing in the bow had one of those faces where it was difficult to tell whether she was young or old—free of lines but with soulful eyes that seemed to be full of stories.

Inky-black hair, nearly violet in its richness, framed her face, and she wore simple clothing—scarred leathers and boots that, like Lessia’s, had a few holes from use.

Behind her stood a mixture of shifters, one human, and… a half-Fae male with ivory hair and skin so fair it was almost translucent.

A half-Fae male Lessia recognized.

“Bowen?” she asked when the group halted before them.

His pale eyes widened as they locked with hers, and Bowen took a step toward her. “Lessia?”

Raine and Kerym inched closer, tightly gripping their weapons, judging from the metal clangs reaching Lessia’s ears.

Merrick also shuffled to the side, almost imperceptibly putting himself a step ahead of her.

The group ahead responded immediately: hands subtly moving toward weapons, bodies tensing, weights shifting, and eyes darting everywhere they could reach.

“It’s been a while.” Lessia forced a smile, trying to break the unspoken warning that filled the air around the two groups.

“Merrick.” She squeezed his hand. “This is Bowen. We met briefly when we both lived in Vastala.”

Merrick nodded, but his eyes did not once leave the group before them.

“It has.” Bowen gave her a smile back. “Are you joining us? Is that why you waited for our ship?”

“We want to talk.” Lessia made sure her smile remained.

It proved easy when Merrick breathed, “Good.”

“The time for talk is over.” The violet-haired woman nudged Bowen back into the group. “You’re traveling with one of us. He must have informed you already.”

Lessia stared at Ardow for a moment, happy to find he didn’t seem inclined to run over and switch sides before she tugged on Merrick’s hand and walked toward the woman who must be some kind of spokesperson for this group of rebels.

Reaching out the hand not holding on to Merrick’s, she drew a shallow breath, her thoughts fighting over how to approach this.

But as she met the shifter’s guarded eyes, she decided there was only one way.

“I’m Elessia Rantzier, and… I have information that should make you reconsider your plans. Urgent information that you need to share with your leaders.”

She’d been prepared for the gasps from the group before her, but it was her sister’s shocked inhale that stirred something within her.

Stealing a look at her, Lessia’s smile came easier when Frelina grinned back, bobbing her head for Lessia to continue.

“Elessia Rantzier…”

The woman only stared at Lessia’s hand, so with a sigh, Lessia dropped it.

“I thought you went by Lessia Gyldenberg now.”

Lessia’s eyes narrowed, but she worked to keep the rest of her face expressionless.

She wasn’t sure whether this woman was trying to unsettle her or if she actually knew who Lessia truly was.

“I didn’t claim the Rantzier name until recently, when someone told me that just because I carry a name, it doesn’t mean I carry the darkness that comes with another with the same one.” As Merrick’s thumb stroked the back of her hand, Lessia observed the woman, trying to see through the mask of indifference that painted her features.

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