Page 171 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

Unsheathing her daggers, she crossed them over the railing like they’d been crossed in the book, her eyes resting on the glittering gemstones adorning each hilt.

Surrendering it all, they will choose to perish with them.

That’s what the scribbles had stated.

She almost scoffed.

Choice…

As if she had one.

As if the gods had ever given her one.

The sound of swords clinking against each other mingled with the rushing waters beneath her, and the eerie melody rattled her bones.

Fate.

She knew she should be grateful for it.

It had brought her Merrick, after all.

Had offered her a soulmate.

But like all the others on this ship, his and her fate was cruel.

Twisted.

Devastating.

But…

Perhapsperishdidn’t have to mean death.

Although… from what she knew of the wicked gods, it surely did.

Her teeth slammed together.

Fuck fate.

That’s what she’d said when Meyah kidnapped Frelina.

Wrath traveled over her skin.

She was so damned tired of being controlled.

If it wasn’t the leaders of the realm, it was the gods.

Lessia let out a trembling breath when she sensed Merrick somewhere behind her.

Blinking rapidly, she pushed the rage and dread deep down inside her, grateful for the practice she’d had over the years of doing the same whenever thoughts of her sister or parents—or her time in Vastala, for that matter—decided to surface.

A forced smile lifted her lips when she glanced up at the Fae as he took a spot beside her, but it quickly slipped when Merrick’s brows quirked, his eyes catching the slight wobble of her bottom lip before she could get ahold of it.

“I know you’re keeping something locked up within you, and I won’t push you… but Lessia, I’m here. I’m with you. I’m always with you.” Merrick’s gaze drifted out toward the sea, and as she followed it, she realized they were facing east, the way Amalise and the others would hopefully soon come.

Loche had informed their friends of what was happening—at least as much as he could in writing—and when Raine had sent his eagle to the area surrounding the cave, it had reported activity, a ship being boarded by several people.

They’d left early, driven by the hope that they’d be able to strategize with the group before Rioner’s arrival.

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