Page 180 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

Bruises painted almost every inch of his face purple and blue, and from the curved back she glimpsed within a water cage like her father’s, she could tell he was in great pain.

So could Kerym.

“Kerym, don’t.” The words spilled out of her mouth, but it didn’t matter.

Kerym flew forward, jumping over the railing onto the black ship.

As snarls burst through the air and Merrick and Raine left their spots behind her, Rioner caught him in a stream of water, angry blisters rippling across every inch of Kerym’s skin as he fought against it.

But it proved useless.

Kerym sank to his knees a few feet from Thissian’s cage, his chest heaving as he called out for his brother—the brother who didn’t react, didn’t even raise his hanging head, as if the pain was too great—as if the shame was too much.

Tearing her eyes from the horrible sight, she stared at the king again, and her stomach sank at the smug expression on his face.

He’d heard her command.

And he’d realized Kerym had ignored it.

“Elessia,” Rioner tsked as she scrambled forward, racking her brain for what to do—how to help. “I had my doubts as soon as I saw these males behind you, but I certainly thought you would put up a bit better of a fight.” He shook his head. “Guess I was right about you halflings all along. Useless, spineless, waste-of-space creatures.”

Her growl was muffled by the snarls escaping Merrick and her father.

Even Raine bared his teeth, his body vibrating from the rumble that racked it.

“Do not speak to her like that,” Merrick snarled, his voice so defiant she was surprised Rioner didn’t take a step back.

“You’re giving me orders now, Death Whisperer?”

She wanted to slam her fist into the king’s smug face.

Wipe that fucking smirk off it, especially when he grinned at her mate.

But Merrick didn’t bother responding.

Instead, he walked backward until he stood beside her, his hand sliding into hers, squeezing it and sending waves of warmth through her.

Determination.

Courage.

Love.

We fight.

To the end,she wanted to tell him.

She’d fight for him to the end.

Water splashed up the ship’s sides as Rioner let out another hollow laugh. “I am going to make you watch, Merrick. My men have missed playing with her since she left my dungeons… I think I shall create a special cell. Where you can see her—hear her screams—but never again reach her.”

“You will not touch her.” Loche walked up to her other side as Merrick snarled viciously, the air around them heating with rage. “It’s time for your rule to end, king. And I shall watch as she climbs your throne and changes Vastala into the great realm it always had the potential to be.”

The world seemed to still when Merrick and Loche stepped up to shield her.

Two males—one Fae and one human—standing shoulder to shoulder to protect her.

“No,” she whispered.

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