Page 78 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

She shuddered just thinking of it.

Hailing from an island far away, further than anyone in Havlands had ever traveled before, they fought for control over every Fae lineage. They’d made nearly all Vastala bow before Merrick and his band of Fae warriors took them out.

Apparently, they were all formidable, a combination of mental and elemental Fae, and while Merrick and the other leader were the strongest, they were all deadly in their own way.

“Raine,” Merrick muttered.

“That’s it. And there were more of you, wasn’t it? Where are they now? Do they also support the king? I thought you were a brotherhood or something.”

“They’re gone,” Merrick growled. “And we were friends, not a ‘brotherhood.’”

A muffled laugh escaped her lips.

“What?” Merrick’s shoulders tensed.

Taking a step back, Lessia raised her hands. “I was just surprised you had friends, that’s all.”

“Why?”

A wave of Merrick’s magic wove its way through the room, but she couldn’t stop another laugh from bubbling up. “I don’t know… Because you’re not very friendly?”

He seemed to vibrate from the rumbling in his chest, and the air shifted again, thickening with whispers.

“Sorry, sorry!” Lessia grimaced. “Maybe it’s just with me you’re not very friendly.”

And he was literally called the Death Whisperer, not the most warm and fuzzy nickname.

But given the vibrations rolling off him, she decided not to bring that up.

They were alone down here, after all.

Probably best not to rile him up too much.

Merrick impatiently gestured for her. “Stop stalling and get into position. We’ll start with hand-to-hand before we go into trying weapons.”

Groaning to herself, she took up a spot opposite him, trying to mimic his squared shoulders and wide stance.

“That’s not the right position,” Merrick hissed.

“Well, I told you I haven’t done this before,” she snarled back.

While she was grateful he’d offered to teach her—even if it was for his own benefit—she was still weak and tired from the past few weeks.

And she had little patience with his stupid attitude.

“Feet apart, and plant them firmly. Lower your center, so you’re more stable on the ground. And brace your core,” he barked. “You need to be steady if you’re attacked. If your enemy gets you down on the ground, you’re done.”

Trying to engage her abs only reminded her of the gnawing hunger that still preyed at her, and she placed a hand on her stomach when the ache intensified. She couldn’t eat enough to satisfy it yet, as queasiness would set in after only a few bites.

As Lessia tried to follow his instructions, Merrick sighed loudly, and she stuck out her tongue at him.

“Very mature,” he snarled.

“I thought you couldn’t see me.” She grinned at him.

“I see more than enough even if I don’t see your eyes, Lessia. Now raise your arms and be prepared.”

Scowling, she raised her arms, the leather tunic she’d pulled on shifting after her weight loss. As she habitually pulled at it to ensure her tattoo was covered, she slammed into the hard ground, the air knocked out of her.

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