A Promise so Bold and Broken (Compelling Fates Saga, #2)

by Sophia St. Germain

“It’s me, Lessia,” the figure said quietly. “No!” she shouted. “Leave me alone!” But the Fae didn’t. Instead, he shoved someone off the cot, the grunt from the person hitting the floor echoing in the cramped cabin. “It’s me. It’s Merrick,” the figure said. She blinked hard. But she could still only see the dim outline of the Fae in Rioner’s cellars. “It’s me.” The voice rumbled through her as she blinked again. Her vision sharpened, and the Fae’s silver hair and familiar features kindled something within her. Lessia blinked again as he climbed into the bed, taking the spot beside her. Merrick. Dropping the daggers, she pressed her shaking hands to her face. Merrick wouldn’t hurt her. Not anymore. She stiffened when the bed shifted, and strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a broad chest. “It’s me,” he whispered into her hair, and as his low voice wrapped around her, her coiled muscles softened.

“She doesn’t need to get better,” he snarled softly. “If she decides to break apart this whole ship to deal with what happened, I’ll help her. If she wants to kick your lying ass into the depths of the sea, I’ll take your legs. If she decides to rip the world to shreds for what it’s done to her, I’ll cheer her on. And if you were a true friend… you would as well.”

Her head snapped up when she heard air rushing once more, and she quickly rasped, “Please, stop hitting me.” Merrick’s face came into view, and his eyes hardened as he growled, “Stop fucking dying, then.”

Merrick stalked right up to them, pushing Lessia out of the way. Getting into Raine’s face, he dragged the Fae to him by his shirt. “Do not threaten any of us again. Especially not her. Do you hear me?”

“Is there anything to eat?” Lessia jerked when Ardow’s voice jarred her out of her thoughts, and when glass shattered a moment after, she spun around, her pulse quickening. Her eyes collided with Merrick’s, and hers widened when she realized blood dripped from his hand, staining the shards of glass beneath him. And her heart beat even faster when Merrick continued to stare at her, his full lips parting as his eyes trailed down her body, and an urge to hide swept through her.

Two pieces that fit so perfectly together—like two melodies harmonizing with each other or two hearts beating in the same rhythm.

Apparently it was impossible for the male Fae to resist being close to their mate once they’d smelled them, the scent driving them to near madness unless they could be near—be with—their fate-bound.

she slipped into her brightly lit room. Her brows snapped together when she glanced around, finding lanterns placed every few feet of the short walls, and two in the windowsill.

“After all you’ve been through, you’re strong enough to handle this.” Merrick captured her with his gaze. “You made it out of Rioner’s cellars. You escaped the blood oath. You even survived the election and L…” He trailed off, his eyes hardening when she stiffened. The fingers holding her chin tensed, but when he moved them to cup her heated cheek, they were gentle. “Trust me,” he whispered. “You are strong enough.”

“You are brave and clever and wildly loyal. You have such fight in you—even after everything. And you love so fiercely… so boundlessly. Don’t let your past convince you that you aren’t worthy of it in return.”

“He is an idiot,” Merrick said as his fingers whispered over her cheek, moving slowly down until his thumb brushed her bottom lip. “A fucking idiot to let you go.” Lessia’s eyes fell to her crossed legs as she whispered, “Who knew the Death Whisperer had a soft side?” Merrick’s fingers wrapped around her chin, tipping her head up and leveling her eyes with his. “You know. That’s enough.”

“Merrick,” she whispered. The voice she heard hadn’t been Rioner’s guards. It had been Merrick. Merrick’s friends. “I’m here,” he whispered right back. “I’m always here.”

“My little fighter,” Merrick whispered,

“The only plan you’ll have is walking right into the arms of your dead loved ones if you touch her.”

“It’s the same one,” he said softly. You and me.

“Do not touch her.” Ice dripped from Merrick’s voice as he pushed the regent back a step. “You lost that privilege that night. Get back before I kill you.”

“No one could miss how Merrick stared at you when you weren’t looking. Well, apart from you, of course.”

room… “He is losing his mind!” Raine rose so fast that his chair also fell over. “We shouldn’t,” Kerym warned. “He’ll kill us. As in actually kill us, Raine.” “He might very well be dead before that, so I’ll take my chances,” Raine snarled back. “I’m sick and tired of watching you two dance around each other, especially when it’s hurting someone I love.” “Hurting?” Lessia’s brows furrowed. “Who is hurting?” “Merrick, of course!” Raine stalked up to her, forcing her to bend her neck to continue meeting his furious hazel eyes. “This will be the one and only time I break a promise to him.” Lessia’s mind spun as she stared up at one of the deadliest Fae in their realm. And when he leaned in and snarled “Merrick is your fucking mate,” she had to grip the chair not to let her knees give out.

“I don’t want you because of the stupid bond!” she screamed. “I want you because you make me feel alive! Because you believe in me when I don’t believe in myself. Because you try to make dumb jokes to make me happy. Because you make me fires to keep the darkness at bay. Because you hide your smile when I’ve made you proud in training. Because when I fucking stab you, you lecture me about missing your heart!” She

“I love you,” she breathed back when she came up for air, the heat within her becoming almost unbearable as it rushed through her blood. “And one night is not nearly enough. I told you. I want everything. I want to be your fucking mate, and I don’t know the right words, but I accept our bond—I welcome it—I’m proud of it.”