Page 178 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

Rioner’s smile widened. “I can agree to that.”

Releasing a quiet breath, Lessia nodded, her taut shoulders relaxing a single inch.

Until Rioner spoke again.

“I just need to ensure you’re truly telling me the truth and not tricking me into taking those three onboard only to overthrow me.”

ChapterForty-Four

Each beat of her heart slowed as she stared at her uncle.

The king didn’t seem to notice as he waved toward a guard, whispering something in his ear that had the guard slam his heels together before retreating into the ship’s hull.

“What do you require as proof?” Lessia silently cursed herself when her voice wavered, rising a little too much at the end of her question.

Rioner waved his fingers, and her eyes snapped to her father.

Pulled by the water, he moved forward until he stood beside Rioner at the railing, his eyes desperate as they met hers.

“Alarin, I have use for your special skills.” Rioner flashed his teeth when her father snarled at him. “Now, now. I have the younger one downstairs, and I won’t harm her as long as you… cooperate.”

Lessia huffed a sharp breath. “Careful, uncle. My friends back here are under instructions to show you no mercy should you do something to my family.”

“What a waste of a temper and skill on a halfling,” Rioner mumbled. “You would have done well in my court.”

Lessia was about to respond that he was the one who made the decision to freeze out the half-Fae, but she pressed her lips closed when Rioner continued.

“However, betraying someone when he doesn’t love you anymore is easy. When he’s forced those feelings away… I wonder what happens when he can’t anymore.”

Lessia froze.

And the low gasps behind her, mingling with a low hum from Merrick’s chest, told her the males were as surprised as she was.

They’d thought Rioner might try to test her.

But they’d bet on him forcing one of the Fae to hurt the other. Or perhaps hurt themselves.

But this?

Chuckling, Rioner waved for her father again. “I see this shocks you. But if you’re truly like me, Elessia, then the human’s feelings shouldn’t matter. As I was saying. Alarin, be so kind and give the regent his memories and feelings back, would you?”

Her father threw her a helpless look, and magic tinged the salty air when she only stared back at him.

Lessia couldn’t stop her body from turning around, watching Loche’s eyes glaze—this effect was the one thing her father’s magic and her own had in common—before they returned to shiny dark gray, but filled with…

Pain.

Agony.

Sorrow.

Heartbreak.

That’s what marred the regent’s sharp eyes as they snapped to hers.

And when they traveled to Merrick…

“I will not change my mind.” Lessia spun around, praying that Rioner’s gaze would follow her, not the telling sign of Loche’s grief as he beheld her mate. “He rejected me. He can feel the same—worse—for all I care.”

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