Page 30 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

The chuckle that left Merrick rattled her bones. “You stupid, ignorant human. If you tell the rebels what she is, they’ll kill her on the spot. I don’t know of all your plans, but if the rebels are planning on taking down Rioner and Loche”—Merrick cast her a glance when Lessia swallowed loudly at the mention of Loche—“do you truly think they’ll let their families and friends live?”

Ardow’s face flushed. “I have a high standing with them. I can convince them to spare her.”

Venko laughed hollowly. “Such a high standing that they left you to rot in Loche’s cellars.”

Lessia couldn’t stop herself from nodding.

He’d been unable to stop them coming after her during the election.

What could have changed now?

“Venko,” Ardow started, but Venko turned away from him, pointing to one of the cups on the table, and when Raine nodded, he downed the entire thing.

“I don’t want to hear it, Ardow. I don’t want to be part of whatever you’re planning on unleashing on Havlands. You lied to me, and I’m starting to believe you’re lying to yourself,” Venko rasped once he’d swallowed.

Ardow’s face twisted, but he remained silent as he leaned back on the couch, eyes dropping when Venko moved farther away to refill his cup.

“Humans,” Merrick grumbled under his breath as he also lifted a glass to his lips.

Lessia watched him swallow a small mouthful, his tense features softening slightly as he set it down again. “I have to admit, I’ve missed your liquor, Raine.”

Raine grinned at Merrick as he swept his arm toward the bar. “There is more where that came from.”

When he shifted his hazel eyes to hers, she was relieved no tears glistened in them, but she shook her head when he raised a brow and offered her a glass of blue-tinted liquid.

“Suit yourself.” Raine shrugged and downed that cup as well. “I think you’ll need it, based on what’s to come.”

“What’s to come?” she echoed.

Raine inclined his head. “Those scoundrel rebels came by here a few weeks ago. Wanted to see if I or any of the others here wanted to join in.”

“What did they say specifically?” she asked, her fingers digging into the fabric of the seat. She ignored the mention of others. They hadn’t seen anyone else on the short walk from the beach, but since they hadn’t seen the entire island, that didn’t mean there weren’t more sad recluses residing here, perhaps drinking away their worries like she’d started to realize Raine did.

It didn’t matter anyway.

“Oh, they said many things.” Raine grinned, his eyes glossy again—not from tears, but from the fifth glass he’d downed while she spoke.

“Raine,” Merrick snarled softly.

Raine crossed his arms over his chest. “You two are no fun.”

Flying from her seat, Lessia stepped up so close the stench of alcohol wrapped around her, making her nose scrunch, and slammed a finger into his chest. “You might have given up on this world, but we haven’t.”

Her magic vibrated under her skin, and when Raine only yawned, it burst through her, her eyes brightening his face.

“Tell. Me. What. They. Said,” she purred, every limb tingling from magic flowing freely through her veins.

Raine laughed, and a hiccup sneaked its way into the deep chuckle. “Oh, you’re so young. That magic of yours—” He hiccuped again. “Doesn’t work on me. But the gold is pretty. Better than other half-Fae tells that you have magic. I once met someone—”

Snarling, Lessia lifted her fist, but Merrick was faster, and his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

“Don’t,” he hissed in her ear. “He’ll only enjoy it.”

When she tried turning her head to glare at Merrick, he clasped her tighter against his chest, forcing her to keep facing forward.

“Raine,” Merrick snarled over her head. “She’s right. Unless you prefer we stay here forever, tell us what you know.”

“You’re truly no fun,” Raine whined, but then he straightened.

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