Page 126 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

Several shackles also held his arms and legs in place, but when his eyes found hers, there wasn’t an ounce of fear in them.

Only relief.

Relief that slackened his features as his gaze dragged over her, then to the rest of the brightly lit room, and as she tried to follow it, she realized why.

The leather strap around her head wouldn’t allow her to move it; her gaze was allowed only forward, into the corner where Merrick’s chair was placed…

“No,” she breathed, realizing what Merrick had already understood.

“You see now, don’t you.” A hand landed on her shoulder, and the rage within her rose with each tap of the four fingers. “I was there during your torture and when they made you choose between the traitor and the blond whore. It was clear as day that you hurt more by making a choice between your friends, so I thought…”

The soldier continued to tap her shoulder as if he was building anticipation. “I thought it could be fun to play a little game.” His nails dug into her skin. “See how long it takes you to break, watching us slowly kill the Death Whisperer.”

“I’m going to killyou,” Lessia snarled as she fought against the head strap.

The man laughed. “I don’t think so. You’re going to be a good little halfling and stay in your chair.”

She could hear him move about behind her chair, and she pressed her feet down into the ground to try to tip it over, try to make it fall, but it wouldn’t move an inch.

She snarled again.

It must be bolted into the ground.

“Lessia.”

Whipping her head up from trying to get out of the bind, she met Merrick’s eyes.

He smiled at her.

Fucking smiled.

“Don’t do that,” she hissed. “Don’t do this to me.”

Merrick smiled wider. “You’re stronger than you think. And I am also stronger than you think. I’ve been tortured before. By much worse enemies than some weak humans.” He threw a lazy wink behind her when someone grumbled.

Lessia shook her head, but before she could speak, two men walked up, one on either side of her chair, keeping their backs turned on her the entire time they stalked toward Merrick.

And even though it couldn’t have been more than six or seven steps, it felt like an eternity passed while she desperately met Merrick’s gaze over their cloaked heads.

She made herself breathe in through her nose and out through her mouth as one of the men lifted his fist and, without warning, slammed it right into Merrick’s face.

Even though she could tell the man had used most, if not all, of his strength, Merrick’s face barely moved, and a low chuckle escaped him. “That’s all you got?”

The man struck again.

And again.

And again.

Every time, Merrick only laughed, his eyes dancing as he continued to meet Lessia’s across the room.

As the soldier lifted his hand once more, the other placed his own over his fist.

Walking up to Merrick, he leaned in close. “We heard about the blood oath to your king… It would seem the Death Whisperer wasn’t as dangerous as we were always told. Leashed like a pup for years…”

Merrick gave him a crimson-stained smile, a drop of blood snaking its way down his strong jaw as he shrugged. “You’re welcome to try me.”

The man clicked his tongue. “I think I shall.”

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