Page 23 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile
It was the Death Whisperer that stared back at her.
Her mouth fell open, her eyes returning to her own body.
Merrickwas carved into every bit of skin visible from this position, and she started shaking her head.
No.
No.
He couldn’t see her like this.
No.
“Enough, Rioner!” Her father’s growl cracked the image before her eyes, and for the first time in her life, she was grateful when darkness once again surrounded her.
But her face crumbled when she realized that even though the image wasn’t real, the sharp kisses of pain dancing across her back were, and so was the metallic scent of blood that whirled all around her.
“I’ll do whatever you want,” Alarin begged. “Please, just stop this.Please.”
She wanted to tell him no—to be quiet.
But she couldn’t.
Not when fighting to keep the magic invading her mind out.
Not when fighting to stay awake, to not let the other, thicker darkness lurking at the edges of her eyes win.
She didn’t even have the energy to wince when more letters were carved into her skin, the movements fast and determined, almost as if Torkher had done this before.
“Please!” Her father was crying now, and it was all she could do just to stay alive when a low cry left Kerym as well, a deeper one following it.
Rioner laughed again, and she briefly wondered whether one practiced the evil sound that penetrated what was usually something merry.
“You can’t handle this, brother?” the king taunted. “She was with mefor years. Years when she believed no one was coming for her. You left her. This serves you right.”
Lessia braced herself when the familiar sound of water rushed into the room.
Droplets stung the wounds on her skin, and she bit down another whimper, knowing exactly what was coming, when Torkher stepped back.
The rushing inched closer, the sound roaring in her ears.
“Rioner,please. I beg you! I’ll do anything! Anything!” Alarin’s desperate voice barely carried over the sloshing sounds, and Lessia swallowed, quickly pulling in whatever air she could through her broken nose and dry mouth.
You’re strong enough.
Merrick’s voice drowned the sounds around her.
Do you want me to tell you no one—mate or not—has loved anyone the way I love you? That I would laugh as the world fell apart as long as you stood by my side? That even if I could only have one fucking night—one night pretending you’re mine—I’d take it?
“I love you,” she whispered back, trying to be grateful for the two nights they’d had.
It was at least more than one, she argued with the Merrick she’d conjured in her mind when he frowned at her.
Then the water swallowed her.
But not like it had when she dove from that boat to escape Ydren.
No, this water was invasive, forcing itself through her nose, through her mouth, filling her lungs in what felt like mere seconds.
