Page 93 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

A darkness she knew all too well herself.

Frelina’s eyes flitted between hers, the amber in her sister’s deepening to almost pure brown. “You have changed as well.”

A weak smile spread across Lessia’s face. “You’re a mind reader?”

“Kind of.” Frelina grimaced. “I don’t read your mind, not like that drunkard Raine does. I get glimpses of memories, almost as if I were that person—as if I am living it.”

“What did you see just now?” Lessia wasn’t particularly eager to relive many of her memories, but her sister’s features had softened, and she’d talk about anything—even her time in Rioner’s cellars—if that’s what it took to continue seeing the angry lines fade.

“It was blurry, maybe two memories mixed? One you were terrified in, but the memory was almost pure darkness, arms holding on to you as they strapped you into something. The other hurt, like stepping onto a sharp rock and being unable to get it out of your foot. A beautiful man—a human man—stood above you, saying something while you called out his name.”

Frelina’s brows knitted when Lessia winced. “Who was that?”

“Loche,” Lessia forced out. “He… he was someone I cared for.”

Frelina crossed her arms over her chest. “He doesn’t seem very kind.”

A low laugh bubbled out of Lessia. “No, perhaps not. But I betrayed him, so I’m not sure I deserved kindness in that moment.”

“Because of what Rioner made you do?”

When Lessia raised her brows, Frelina clarified. “I didn’t get it from your mind, but when Father explained where we were going, that Merrick knew someone he’d probably like to meet, I tried to convince him again of what happened that day—of who you were—and Father told me of the blood oath, the spying Rioner forced you to do. I didn’t realize, though…” She cleared her throat. “I didn’t realize you cared that much for him. But I felt it just now. I felt your heartbreak.”

Lessia reached out to grip her sister’s hand, the slight smile on her face widening when Frelina clasped it tightly.

“My heart was already broken, Lina. It never repaired itself from that day I thought I lost you…”

Lessia drew a breath, the words she’d held in for so long tumbling out of her. “I-I did care for him. He understood me in a way few have before, and we had many similarities—we wanted the same things. But I don’t think I could ever let myself love someone, not fully, unless… unless you forgive me.”

Lessia’s voice began shaking at the end, and she was grateful when Frelina squeezed her hand.

“I do,” Frelina said in a choked voice. “I do forgive you if you promise not to leave me again.”

Lessia nodded. “I promise I won’t. I will need to leave…”

She held up her hand when her sister’s face scrunched. “Wait, let me finish! I will need to leave for Ellow. There are more people’s forgiveness I need to seek, relationships I need to mend. But… will you come with me?”

A rush of air escaped Frelina. “Of course! I’ve always wanted to see Ellow. Father still doesn’t let me go anywhere, so I’ve only seen our damned island. And this one, I guess.”

Releasing Frelina’s hand, Lessia pressed her own down into the soft grass, pushing up to sit. “It’ll be dangerous, Frelina. As in life-and-death dangerous.”

Her sister wiggled her brows. “I was wondering why you had all these broody Fae males around. They’re bodyguards, aren’t they? The Death Whisperer, the Mind Capturer, and one of the Siphon Twins? Probably the best there are. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

Lessia clamped her lips together so as not to burst out laughing.

Frelina wasn’t entirely wrong.

She might have learned a little about fighting, but she was still no match for Merrick or Raine.

Probably not Kerym either.

“Perhaps do not call them that. As you said… they’re broody most of the time, so best not to rile them up further unless you want to deal with all the sighs and growls.” Lessia winked, warmth clawing into her chest when her sister grinned back at her.

The warmth spread to her limbs when Frelina fell into step with her as she headed back to the cabin, and that determination, that fire, burned even brighter as they stepped over the threshold and the males’ heads all snapped their way where they stood gathered around the kitchen table.

She could do this.

They could do this.

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