Page 51 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

Lessia clenched her jaw.

They had dreamed of that.

On nights where they’d sipped on wine before the fireplace in their living room, they’d let themselves dream up a world where their loved ones were with them, where no one had to hide, where Amalise’s lover was alive and Lessia hadn’t hurt her family beyond repair.

But nowhere in that dream had innocent people had to die for it to be true.

“But you would spill blood—the blood of people we know… of children… to achieve it? Did you even consider our children? You’ve put them in harm’s way now,” Lessia said, her tone eerily similar to the lethally low one Merrick preferred to use.

Ardow’s eyes flew down.

“We don’t want to,” he grumbled. “We will not harm those who join us, and we believe few will decide against becoming one of us when they realize just how many will stand against them otherwise. Especially once we’ve taken down their leaders…”

Ardow snapped his lips shut when she threw his hand off her knee.

She couldn’t believe him.

Rioner she didn’t particularly care what happened to.

Uncle or not.

But Loche…

“You haven’t even given him a chance to stand by you!” Lessia snarled. “How do you know he wouldn’t work with you? He believes in the same world we do.”

“We tried!” Ardow raised his voice. “When he stopped taking the bribes, our leaders tried to reason with him, but he’s too headstrong!”

“Try again!” Lessia glared at him. “I am sure he will listen if you explain.”

Ardow’s eyes narrowed. “Are you? He was ever so quick to throw you to the streets! You think we don’t notice how you can’t even hear his name without looking as if you’ve seen a ghost? What did he do when he found out your connection to the king? Tell me, did he listen to you?”

Her chest caved. “It wasn’t like that…”

“It was. ThatIam sure of.” Ardow threw his head back, his gaze flying to the wooden-beam-lined ceiling. “Lessia, we’ve been friends for a long time. I’ve heard you the past few days, and I agree that the planned attack is perhaps a bit hasty. I don’t want to see blood spilled any more than you do, and I worry about Amalise and the rest as well. I am willing to speak to the rebels and try to stop it—try to find another way. But I am telling you, I don’t think Loche will listen.”

Pity pulled at his features when she flinched, even as she tried to stop her body from reacting.

“Lia,” Ardow said softly. “You can talk to me.”

“There is nothing to talk about.” Her nostrils flared as she let the anger brimming under her skin wash away the hurt.

She was responsible for what happened.

She didn’t deserve pity.

But she’d make it all right again.

“Please, just talk to me. I know how you’re feeling,” Ardow said as he glanced at the door.

“What happened between you and Venko?”

She doubted she’d find out much more than what she’d gathered from the merchant’s hostile glares: that he and Ardow had been involved, that Ardow had lied to him, perhaps even worse than he’d lied to her.

But there was no way she’d speak about Loche.

Not just because it felt as if she would break apart every time his face appeared in her mind… but because she couldn’t afford to shut down.

Not like Venko was doing.

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