Page 141 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

Still, whatever burned in Merrick’s eyes right now…

She couldn’t refuse him closeness if that’s what he needed.

Merrick’s arms tightened around her when she relaxed against him, and he whispered against her hair, “It’s going to be all right. I promise you Rioner will never hurt you. He won’t ever come near you again.”

Oh.

She had barely spared the curse a thought on the way here, her mind too occupied with what she’d discovered about Loche and Merrick.

Pulling back, she eyed the Fae before her, and her insides twisted when she realized the feeling that made the silver in his eyes shine so bright was fear.

Merrick was scared for her.

But she had no inclination to overthrow Rioner…

Nor to divide a people she’d never been part of.

Could they be wrong?

You need to kill him.

If not for yourself, for your sister…

For those like you.

Her eyes widened when the small voice touched her thoughts.

If he’d hurt Frelina…

She gritted her teeth.

Of course he had.

Like he’d hurt so many close to her already.

Of course the king would initiate the damned curse out of his own stupidity—out of his own hatred and narrow-mindedness.

Because there was no way Rioner wouldn’t punish Frelina when he realized who she was. And he wouldn’t spare her father either.

Not when he’d see it as the ultimate betrayal.

As if love ever could be a betrayal…

A chill—and not like the one she’d endured on the ride here, when Loche’s guards wouldn’t even allow her a jacket against the freezing wind and wet air—coated her skin.

She might not havehadan inclination to usurp Rioner.

But now…

Did she have a choice?

Lightheadedness washed over her, and she didn’t have time to react before Merrick scooped her up in his arms and gently set her down on the bed.

Taking the spot beside her, he leaned his elbows on his knees and covered his face in his hands. “I know what you’re going to ask me.”

She nearly smiled then.

He always knew.

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