A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly (Compelling Fates Saga, #1)

by Sophia St. Germain

But Merrick was one of the Fae king’s most vicious soldiers, and not even a glamour could mask the cloud of hostility that clung to him.

Oh I quite like that 😭🤏🏽

Merrick angled his head, always careful to keep his eyes averted from hers,

Oh he’s smart 😛

But Merrick had been a constant the past four years, not once meeting her gaze, not even allowing her a glimpse of the color of his eyes.

Yeeeeeah he’s a beast fr I wanna see what he can do 😭🤏🏽🤏🏽

“It’s—” Her voice vanished, the blood oath she’d sworn taking her air once more, forbidding her to speak of the king—to speak of anything involving him.

Oh this shit kinda cold 😭🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽

She’d removed memories once… After that day she’d promised herself never to do it again.

Oh wow

“Because we’re different. The human in us makes us more open, more understanding of how the world is changing.

Oh she’s great

In the four years she’d done this—brought these children here for a better life—not a single parent had come for any of them.

Wow.

A girl with a face the mirror to her own, giggling as she chased her. But when that face twisted with pain, emptiness replacing the happiness in the golden eyes, Lessia bit back a whimper. She hadn’t been able to save her.

I think she may have used her powers on her sister accidentally 😩 just a theory but I hope I’m wrong omg

She couldn’t stop the giggle this time, and soon Ardow and Amalise followed. All of them were gasping for air by the time they settled down.

Oh I love her found family so bad 😭 I hope we burning works out for them 😭

Merrick reached out as if to steady her—or perhaps keep her from running—but she caught herself at the last minute, recoiling from his touch.

This little gesture is NOT going unnoticed but he’s gotta work on his people skills fr 😭🤏🏽

“What are you doing?” she whispered through her teeth when his body continued thrumming, his power rolling off him in silent whispers.

Is this him trying to rein in his emotions? I like it

Stellia grinned wider. “He’s not? Well, I might jump on that, then—he’s gorgeous. And I imagine the castle can get quite cold and lonely.”

You know what i like her 😭🤏🏽🤏🏽

“I’ll wait here for a moment so you don’t risk anyone seeing us together again,” she said quietly. Leaning back against the wall once more, she kept her eyes on her boots, but when she didn’t hear him leave, she slowly lifted them. His searing gaze still lingered on her, and a jolt shot through her at the flicker of… Curiosity? Surprise?

Damn why I kinda like him 😭

Loche spun on his heel, taking two long strides before he turned his head over his shoulder and lifted his brows.

Not the invitation 😭😭🤏🏽🤏🏽

“You make me sick, so perhaps we’re even?” Craven’s eyes flared, and he took a step toward her when a snort sounded to her left. She snapped her gaze to Loche and Zaddock, who leaned against the wall a few feet away, their usual black uniforms contrasting with the white walls.

Not him thinking she’s funny hehehe 🤭🤏🏽🤏🏽

“Careful, Merrick. That sounds a lot like caring to me,” she purred, her smile widening when his body tensed and his lips twisted into a snarl.

Type shit!! And he seemed a bit off put by her assuming his clenched fists meant he was gonna harm her again!?!

She could feel Merrick behind her, hear the rustle of skin against fabric as he shifted. With her hand on the doorknob, she quietly said, “My family called me Elessia. I can’t stand to hear it from anyone else.”

She actually felt comfortable enough to share that with him wow.

“We’re going to be stuck together for a few more weeks, Merrick. How about you keep that scary magic of yours to yourself, and I’ll follow your stupid orders?” She eyed his sharp features until he dipped his chin the tiniest bit. Lessia let out a breath.

😩🤏🏽🤏🏽 progress. I’ll take it.

Opening his door, Merrick said quietly, “No more walks without me, Lessia.” Then he walked inside, shutting it softly behind him. She couldn’t stop her lips from curling. He’d called her Lessia.

AYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEE LETS GOOOOOO

With a final glare at the men, she made to stalk out of the house but froze mid-step when she caught Loche’s eyes. His usual hostile gaze was nowhere to be found. Instead, a flicker of something she’d yet to see sparked in them.

Yeeeeah I’m kinda feeling him 😭🤏🏽

Light poured out of the door. As they stepped over the threshold, warmth rushed over them from a fire already crackling in the fireplace, illuminating the empty sitting room.

Officially like loche now damn 😛🤏🏽😭😭😭

Loche shot her sideways stare. “Don’t play coy and pretend you didn’t use magic to light it. Although it’s certainly not allowed, none of us will spill your secret. We’ll all benefit from it.” When her brows snapped together, his eyes swept over her face. “Ah. It wasn’t you.”

OH SHIT 😭😭 it wasn’t loche??? If it wasn’t him then who tf

“What is it you think I could do better?” Lessia jerked when Loche’s voice ripped her from her thoughts, the liquor in her cup sloshing, nearly spilling over her hand. Looking over her shoulder, she eyed him where he stood behind the couch, his hands resting on the back of it. When their eyes locked, his held the same intensity as always, but his face was softer.

😩😩😩🤭 not him lowk caring about her opinionnnnn

But his eyes betrayed him, something she didn’t fully understand flashing in them before he turned and slowly made his way to the staircase. When he lingered beneath the stairs, his shoulders tight, her face softened. “You’re lonely.”

🥺

“I’m not lonely, darling. I have everything I want.” Shaking her head, she watched him scale the staircase until his dark hair disappeared behind the bend. That was his first lie.

TYPE SHIIIIT

The heat from his body enveloped her as he stepped into her space, but Loche didn’t crowd her. Instead, his fingers gently cupped her chin and tipped her head up, his eyes slamming into hers before trailing over her neck. “You’re covered in blood.”

Good lord 😭 he needs to keep his hands to himself and his clothes ON.

After scooping some snow up from beneath the step, he pulled the door shut and walked up to her. “Let me.” She warily eyed him as he closed the distance between them, his bare chest glistening from remnants of snow, small drops running down his sculpted stomach.

“Doesn’t he have a shirt?”— Edward Cullen (Eclipse)

“All done,” he whispered. But his fingers still traced over her skin, and their eyes locked as she bent her head again. A pang shot through her chest when she realized his eyes were hooded and faint color tinted his high cheekbones. Slowly shifting her gaze down to his fingers, she watched him draw tiny circles over her exposed skin, his hand leisurely trailing up toward her face.

Bro please 😩

“So—” “I—” Loche let out a raspy laugh when they started to speak at the same time, and as he shifted on the couch, she turned to face him, crossing her legs and leaning an arm on the cushion.

😩😩😩😩😩😩

“You done using me as a pillow?” Her eyes flew open, and when she turned her head, she stared right into hard gray ones. Looking around, she realized she was curled up against Loche’s leg, which rested on the floor off the couch.

😛🤏🏽🤏🏽🥹

Loche fixed his gaze behind her. “She’s about to faint. Aren’t you her guard? You might want to help her before she hurts herself.” A snarl, too low for Loche to pick up but loud enough for her Fae hearing, rumbled behind her before strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her off the horse.

lol loche telling merrick to take care of his girl

With that, he opened the door again, but Lessia called out before it closed. “Wait! Did… did you help me to bed?” His back stiffened, but his head tilted ever so slightly before he slammed the door shut behind him. Lessia stared at the closed door for a moment, her hands gripping the sheets.

Of course he did 🥺🤭

“Lessia, you’re panicking. Breathe.” Loche’s arms settled around her chest again, his heart pounding against her back as he held her to him. “Focus on my voice,” he whispered, his warm breath tickling her neck.

🥺🤏🏽🤏🏽

As unconsciousness threatened to take over, a loud crash sounded before her, a sliver of light trickling through as the doors burst open. The last thing she saw before darkness swept her away was a flicker of silver.

Merrick baby is that you??? 😩🤏🏽🤏🏽 damn I wonder who she’s gonna end up with this is tew much

“Why are you here?” Loche leaned his chin in his hands. “I’m not entirely sure.” A flicker of something she couldn’t quite read raced across his features. “I don’t like it,” he muttered. A weak smile spread across her face. “The infamous Loche Lejonskold isn’t sure of something? Now I’ve seen everything.”

😩 after she just had that lowkey moment with merrick pls.

If Merrick smelled like wilderness, Loche smelled like brightness. Like a cold winter night when the huge moon and millions of stars lit up the sparkling snow.

😩😩😩😩

“Are you not going to help me up?” If she didn’t know better, she’d have sworn he hid a smile when he reached out a hand and easily pulled her to her feet.

Not him smiling 😩

Surprise sparked in his eyes when he snapped them to hers, and when Lessia nervously licked her lips, his gaze flew to her mouth. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud. But apparently, she’d lost all sense when she stepped into this room. To her surprise, Loche’s lips lifted in a real, blinding smile, and a chuckle escaped him. “I’ve worked hard on my charm.” She pulled at a lock of her hair to hide the heat creeping up her cheeks. “If that is you working hard, I truly don’t want to know what you are like when you are not trying.”

THEY ARE FLIRTINGGGGGG FLIRTINGGGG!!!!!! 😩🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🥹😭🤏🏽🤏🏽😩

Loche fascinated her the most.

Me too fr

“I like it.” Her eyes widened when Loche spoke, and his features softened for a moment as their eyes locked.

GLORYYYYYYY

It was quiet for a moment, but then someone called out, “You’re not one of us! Go home, halfling!”

What the fuck they really hate her

It took Frayson a long time to calm everyone down, and when the debate continued, no one asked for Lessia’s opinion again.

See that shit would’ve pissed me off bc that this point why tf am I even here 😭

“I didn’t think you’d break that easily.” Merrick walked up and, to her surprise, sat down on the edge of the bed.

Don’t come in here being nice 😩😭😭😭

“Now, put on whatever nice thing you have in that closet, and let’s go down. I don’t believe some crude humans can break you, not after everything you’ve been through.”

🤏🏽😩😭😭

“May I have this dance?” Her eyes flew up, and her mouth fell open when Loche bowed before her.

His mood swings are finna give me whiplash fr.

She frowned at him and moved to step away, but Loche didn’t allow it; he only pulled her closer. Bowing his head, he brushed his lips against her cheek, lowering his voice. “You wanted to dance, and I think you’ve had enough of a bad day.”

🥲

She didn’t have time to nod before he spun her out in a wide circle, and a shocked giggle escaped her when he followed with a low dip.

HE GOT HER GIGGLING

Loche shifted her away from the center, every deliberate movement of his hard body sending a tremor down her spine and the little space between them crackling with electricity. His hands continued to roam over her back, flooding her veins with warmth, until they reached a dimly lit corner, where he positioned her out of sight from the rest of the people. As they swayed from side to side, his eyes burned into hers until it felt like every nerve inside her was on fire.

😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩

Cautiously lifting her gaze, she found his face steeled, his features once again etched with hardness. “You should stay away from me, Lessia.” With that, Loche bowed and spun on his heel, leaving her feeling more confused than ever.

SEE THIS THAT SHIT IM TALKING ABOUT. YOU LITERALLY ASKED HER TO DANCE WITH YOU?!?!? NOW SHES THE ONE WHO HAS TO STAY AWAY?!? GO. TO. HELL.

But by the end, she’d been able to avoid him for a whole ten seconds, and when she grinned from where she lay on the ground, she swore he turned away to hide his own smile. A soft laugh bubbled out of her. She’d made the Death Whisperer smile.

See I like this. This is stability (somewhat)