Page 95 of A Promise so Bold and Broken

“They’re not their biological children,” Merrick hissed, his whispers flickering to life again.

Lessia frowned at him. “How do you know?”

It was as if a shock jolted her body when his eyes captured hers, and she realized she’d swayed backward when Merrick gripped her arm.

“I followed you for four years.” Merrick’s eyes dropped for a moment. “I tried my best not to go by your house, to learn as little as possible about what you were doing, but you were careless sometimes. I was in the harbor when you greeted some half-dead Faeling and wrapped him in a blanket. I immediately understood why you refused to follow my orders of showing your face every night.” He shook his head. “I stayed far away from your home after that to try to make sure Rioner didn’t ask me a question that would force me to tell him.”

Lessia blinked at him.

He’d known?

He’s been protecting you the entire time.

She took a step closer to him as she whispered, “Thank you.”

Remaining by Merrick’s side, she turned back to Ardow and Venko. “I think it’s best if you go get them. Ardow, you know them all. And…”

She glanced at the three giant Fae warriors and her father, who might not be as well built but who was still full Fae, with that intimidating stature they carried themselves with. “The children don’t have the best experiences with Fae. I fear they might not come if you’re there.”

Ardow met her eyes and nodded. “We will make sure they get out.”

She shot him a small smile, more embers of warmth settling in her chest.

They might not be all the way back to the friendship they’d formed the past years, but the cracks in their relationship were slowly repairing themselves.

“Elessia,” Frelina said, her voice low but not soft. “I could go with them. If they’re half-Fae like us, they might find it easier to trust me.”

Their father looked as if he was about to argue, but when she and Frelina shot him a dark glare, he raised his hands, a smile playing across his lips. “Very well.”

“We’ll keep her safe,” Lessia vowed when Frelina jumped up and down, and worry flitted across their father’s features.

Alarin met Lessia’s eyes. “Thank you. I shall go to Rioner to ensure he does not get suspicious. Try to see what information I might get out of him.” He nodded toward Raine. “If you don’t mind lending me one of your eagles, I can keep you updated—give you information from the inside.”

When Lessia inclined her head, her father continued, his voice thickening with every word. “Miryn would have been so proud of you for what you’ve done. Saving those half-Fae…” Alarin sighed as his head slumped forward. “He hates them because of the curse, you know.”

“Rioner?” Kerym asked.

“Yes. He believes they play a part in the destruction he fears will be unleashed upon our people. Since the traitor is loved by Fae and human—or half-Fae—he blames them for merely existing.” Alarin threw her and Frelina a sad glance. “Even though it’s wrong.”

“Perhaps we can convince some of those still left in Vastala to fight for us?” Raine asked. “We do need the numbers.”

“They’re living on the streets,” Lessia hissed. “They won’t be in a state to fight.”

“The rebels already got to most of them,” Ardow offered hesitantly. “They’re to attack the capital in Vastala.”

Lessia’s wide eyes found her father’s, and he nodded forcefully. “I’ll warn them, Lessia. I promise.”

She ground her teeth at the thought of the rebels.

As if the half-Fae living on the streets of Vastala were any match for Rioner’s guards…

The rebels were willing to sacrifice so many in their quest.

They might have aims similar to those of the people in this room…

But the path by which they meant to achieve them was vastly different.

Raine shrugged and lifted his flask to his mouth, a scowl overtaking his face when he found it empty.

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