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

by Sophia St. Germain

“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.”

“Please, stop hitting me.” Merrick’s face came into view, and his eyes hardened as he growled, “Stop fucking dying, then.”

You’re quite broken, aren’t you, little Faeling?

How had Ardow become such a stupid bastard? She’d saved his life. The life the rebels had gladly sacrificed. And now he wanted to go back to them?

“You can’t lose someone if you’ve never had them,” he finally responded.

“You do not carry that darkness. You may bear a name, but that name does not define you. You may share his blood, but that blood does not dictate who you are. And I promise you”—his eyes bore into hers as he stressed each word—“I. Promise. You. I won’t let anyone hurt you. Rioner, Loche, the rebels, the Oakgards’ Fae, or any of these fucking people won’t come near you. Ever again.”

When he glanced at it for a moment, she whispered, “I’m not making you dance, I promise.” The low chuckle leaving him rumbled through her, and her body trembled when his warm hand wrapped around hers. “But I am.”

It was Merrick. It was trust. It was assurance. It was friendship. It was…

Merrick’s eyes captured hers. “There is no playing in war.” “I know.” Lessia tightened her grip on the sword. “But you and I aren’t at war.” “Aren’t we?” Merrick raised a brow, and Lessia’s face heated.

Don’t let your past convince you that you aren’t worthy of it in return.”

“Tell… tell me what changed between us?” He hesitated for a moment, and despite the cold night, Lessia’s cheeks warmed. But then one of Merrick’s hands landed over her own. “Everything,” he said.