Page 122 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

“He took ten arrows in the back for you.”

She moved her eyes to Raine when he spoke.

Even in the dark she could tell he was paler than she’d ever seen, and a sheen of sweat layered across his face, a drop of it trickling down his temple and falling to the floor.

A surge of anger roiled in her stomach when she turned back to Merrick, and she realized the dark stains on his tunic weren’t sweat.

“It’s fine.” Merrick nudged her with his leg. “They ripped them out before throwing us in here. I’m healing.”

“You’re healing slowly. Those heads were laced with Vincere.” Kerym lifted a shaking hand. “I’d forgotten how much that stuff fucking hurts. Vincere? In Ellow… I don’t understand.”

“We… we’re still in Ellow?” Lessia shifted closer to Merrick, trying to make out whether blood still dripped down his back and avoiding his gaze when he rolled his eyes at her.

“We are,” Merrick said as he positioned himself so she’d have no view of his back.

“Where did you think we were?” Kerym glanced at her with a wrinkle between his brows.

“I-I… Maybe in Vastala,” she mumbled.

She was an idiot.

She’d thought she’d gotten better at handling the reminders of Rioner’s cellars…

But apparently she’d made little progress.

Kerym’s eyes searched hers, and for the first time, his face softened.

“It gets easier,” he said quietly. “I should know.”

Lessia frowned as she stared from him to Merrick, and when Merrick nodded, she winced.

“How long?” she asked.

“Long. I wasn’t the most obedient soldier.” Kerym pulled at the chains encircling his wrists so the sound echoed through the small cell. “And neither was Thissian, so Rioner’s father figured out if one of us was kept in his wonderful dungeons, we’d be moreagreeable.”

“I’m sorry.” Lessia’s eyes fell on her own chains, the muddy hands in her lap.

“Don’t be.” Kerym shot her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s how I met my mate. She liked to anger the Rantziers as well. All the way to the bitter end.”

A shuddering breath left her.

The Rantziers were the cause of so much hurt.

Not just for everyone in this cell.

But all half-Fae who’d ever been mistreated…

Or who’d had to hide…

All the soldiers that died for them…

All the Fae who weren’t nobility…

Her sister.

Her father.

Her nostrils flared when she lifted her gaze again.

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