Page 78 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

“Count me in.” Kerym studied his nails. “I meant it. I am bored with this world. And I enjoy these odds.”

“I will fight as well, Elessia.” Alarin took a hesitant step their way. “It’s what Miryn would have wanted.”

Lessia closed her eyes when raw despair etched across her father’s features, and Merrick’s grip on her arm tightened until she opened them again.

Ardow cleared his throat from the couch while he threw Venko a quick look. “I will stand by you. I believe we need to warn the rebels, but I will follow your orders if you do not wish to do so.”

Venko chewed on his lip for a while, his cheeks reddening as the others’ gazes landed on him, but he finally said, “I can’t promise I will fight. But if you can get me back to Ellow, I will provide you with weapons and other resources you might need from my ships.”

Lessia gave him a small smile, then moved to meet the males’ eyes one by one. “Then I guess our first step is to warn Loche.”

ChapterTwenty-One

“It’s getting late.” Her father stretched his hands over his head from where he was perched on the chair by the fire Raine had lit, his mouth rounding into a yawn.

They’d all quieted after Lessia’s declaration, their eyes drifting to the raging flames as they sipped on whatever drink they held in their hands, and the energy that had sparked in the room had vanished as quickly as the light in Loche’s eyes when he found out why she was truly in the election.

Rising from the squeaking seat, Alarin gave her a sad smile. “I should go check on your sister.”

Lessia rose as well. “I’ll come with you.”

If she were to take on a whole army, she could face her sister—the girl who’d once been her best friend.

Well, her only friend.

But even though she’d met Amalise and Ardow, and perhaps even Merrick now, Frelina would always come first.

“Elessia.” Her father lowered his voice as he walked up to her. “She needs time when she gets like this. I think it’s perhaps best to wait until morning. We’ll need to stay at least a day to plan. There is time.”

“But…”

Alarin shook his head. “Trust me.”

When she remained quiet, he patted her shoulder, and with a soft “Good night” to the rest of the group, he walked into Frelina’s room and closed the door.

Lessia winced as Frelina’s soft voice traveled through the thick wood, her father’s soothing rumbles following soon after.

It had been thirteen years since she last saw her.

Frelina hadn’t liked being alone back then.

She’d always come to seek Lessia out whenever they fought—even when Lessia was at fault.

But Lessia had also changed in the past years—the happy memories from her youth mere whispers whenever she dreamed of them—so it wasn’t that surprising her little sister had as well.

With a sigh, she threw herself back on the couch, eliciting a low moan from Ardow, who’d fallen asleep on Venko’s shoulder beside her.

Her foot tapped the ground as she watched their sleeping faces, but not even when Venko snuggled closer to her friend could she relax.

“Here.” Raine shoved a cup of brown liquor into her hands. “It’s battle nerves. This helps.”

It wasn’t just nerves, Lessia thought as she lifted the cup to her nose, which scrunched at the harsh smell.

It was the damn weight of the world on her shoulders.

Amalise and the others didn’t even know what was coming.

What if Loche didn’t believe them?

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