More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Read between
June 23 - June 24, 2025
When Lessia returned to the beach with her worn boots securely laced up, that nagging feeling still unsettled her, and it didn’t help when all four males stared at her as she made her way through two dunes.
Nagging feeling. Bitch is that your mate
“Ah, you got me! Seems like it’s going around. All of us scared and broken and ever so lonely…” Raine laughed. A growl boomed through Merrick, and he stepped around Lessia to drag Raine to his feet, their faces barely an inch apart as he glowered at him. “Enough. Let’s settle this like we used to.”
Typeeee
Merrick’s gaze flew to hers. That was all it took. The hardness usually masking his face warped into agony as the hilt of Raine’s sword slammed into the back of his head, and the silver-haired Fae stumbled a step forward.
They are literally mates bc ain’t no way.
His smirk widened when she stared at him with rounded eyes. “But you missed my heart.”
Word to Phoebe Bridgers
Ardow’s eyes narrowed. “Are you? He was ever so quick to throw you to the streets! You think we don’t notice how you can’t even hear his name without looking as if you’ve seen a ghost? What did he do when he found out your connection to the king? Tell me, did he listen to you?”
Oh he’s being a dickhead 😭 but she’s also being kinda delusional 😭 you can’t keep defending him sister!
A breeze traveled across her skin when Merrick hesitated. It was quiet for so long that she would have suspected that Merrick had stormed off if his soft breaths didn’t continue to drift through her hair. “You can’t lose someone if you’ve never had them,” he finally responded. A lump formed in her throat at the sorrow lacing his voice, and something brushed her senses, sending a prickling sensation across her skin.
😩😩😩🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽
There wasn’t anything human about the growl that burst through her. The vicious sound traveled across the beach and crystal sea, and only because Merrick’s hand locked around her arm did she not rip Raine’s damned head off. Ydren popped her head over the calm surface, and her screech was enough to snap Lessia out of the haze that had overtaken her mind.
I just want her to unleash this shit fr.
A low chuckle lifted her gaze into the mirror she stood before, and she grimaced when she found Merrick leaning against the doorframe, a crooked grin pulling at his lips. “Do you need some help?” Without waiting for a response, he strode into the room, towering over her as he bridged the distance.
🤏🏽😛
Lessia realized she’d been staring when one of Merrick’s brows quirked up. “She… she must have also been very beautiful if she chose to wear this dress voluntarily. I could never,” she joked, pulling at the hem of the short dress and desperately trying not to blush at having gawked at him. It was quiet for a beat, and goose bumps raced across her skin when she realized Merrick’s fingers still whispered over her back, his eyes trailing down her body, then back up and clashing with her own. “I-I think you’re done,” she whispered as warmth bloomed across her chest from the nervous energy sparking
...more
🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽😩😭😛😛😛😛😛🤭
“What are you doing, Merrick?” Lessia froze when Raine’s harsh tone drifted toward her. “I’m fighting,” Merrick responded in a furious whisper. The clink of a bottle hitting glass reached her ears before Raine responded in an equally raging whisper. “You don’t have to. You know that, right?”
Are they talking about the bond??? Pls be talking about the bond!!!!
“Merrick!” a melodic voice called out. Lessia stumbled when she was pushed to the side, and only because of Ardow’s tight grip on her arm did she not slam face-first into the wooden floor when a Fae with fiery orange tresses barged past them.
🤨?
She wasn’t sure what it was about this Fae, but even though the smile on her face seemed sincere, there was something off about her eyes, a slight twitch telling her she was sizing up Lessia the way Lessia was her. When Lessia only glared at Iviry’s outstretched hand, Raine chuckled.
Right bc why tf she got her hands on Merrick like that.
“Lessia.” A hand brushed her cheek, and she opened her eyes to Merrick’s dark ones—to his tense jaw and drawn-down brows.
🥹
But it was Raine’s glossed hazel eyes, which flitted between her and Merrick, that had her nearly shut her own again. Agony. It was pure agony flickering across his face.
Yeeeeeah he knows.
“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.”
😩 good heavens.
“Hasn’t she trained enough for today?” Raine asked as he strolled down to the waterline before them. “She looks a tad tired.” “No!” she and Merrick hissed in unison.
lol. Mates. 🤷🏽♀️😛🤏🏽
Another wheezy giggle left her, and he shook his head. Then he took one more step, threw her over his shoulder, and as she made a startled sound, he flung them both into the calm ocean. “What the fuck, Merrick?” she spat as she broke the surface. Saltwater stung her eyes as they widened upon finding Merrick grinning back at her. Actually grinning. Not the menacing curl of his lips that she’d seen before. But a genuine smile.
😩😩😩😩😩🥺🤏🏽🤏🏽
“Merrick?” Raine hissed as the Fae followed her up the beach. Merrick set his jaw. “What?” Raine’s eyes were wild as they sliced from her to Merrick. “You’re playing with fire,” he mumbled before he shook his head. “They’ll be here in a few minutes.”
lol he’s trying to fight the bond but I GENUINELY don’t think having a water fight with your fated is gonna help that 😭
But her mother had died because of the worry she’d brought into her life. And… She’d died not knowing Lessia existed.
Daaaaamn 😭😭😭😭💔
“The Rantzier rule will end, its people disband, by the hands of the reluctant ally—the ally that should have stood by their side, that should have fought with them, that should have protected them. It’s the one loved by Fae and human, the one you may not slay for the war that fragile death would bring, who will finally bring the Rantziers to their knees.”
😶
A muffled cough made her whirl around, and her brows knitted when Merrick’s face drained of blood as he stared back at her. Mind spinning, she stepped toward him, but Merrick’s features quickly slipped into his usual mask, and he waved her away. Her frown deepened as he instead stalked up to her father and Raine and grabbed the glass in Raine’s hand to drain it.
Damn 😭😶
“They do not lie,” Merrick snarled back, his face an inch from hers, and she nearly stumbled back when his eyes flared. “If you want to fight… I’ll fight for you.”
🤭🤏🏽🤏🏽
Kerym also rose, and the thumps as he patted Merrick’s back echoed through the room. “We’ve known each other for centuries, and I was never able to convince you to join us in our drinking escapades! I’m unsure whether I should be upset or happy for you.”
He would literally do anything for her 😭🤏🏽
He was beautiful. She’d always known he was. He was Fae, after all. But tonight? He was every bit the strong Fae warrior she’d heard of.
TYPEEEE SHITTTT
“But I am.” Merrick’s gravelly response made her sway, and he had to steady her when she stared up at him. “You… you’re what?” Lessia asked, that lightheadedness returning when Merrick tugged at her hand, turning her back toward the dance floor. “Dancing.” “But…” Lessia frowned at him, bringing them both to a halt. “You don’t dance.” She must be drunker than she’d thought. Merrick laughed, a rough, quiet laugh. “I’ll make an exception.”
\😩/
|
/ \
It was Merrick. It was trust. It was assurance. It was friendship. It was… Her breath hitched when Merrick’s cheek brushed hers, and she could feel his muscles growing taut as her heartbeat surged.
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
“What are you thinking about?” Merrick asked after he drained the rest of the glass. “Whether I’m allowed to pet you.” Her mouth fell open when she heard herself utter the words, but no heat crept up her cheeks, and she once again thanked the drink swirling inside her. “You… you’re asking if you can pet me?” Merrick asked, and she knew she should have been worried about his low tone, but still, no sense of apprehension rippled across her skin.
You know what hell yeah.
And when she looked back up… Her entire body froze at the look in Merrick’s eyes. The black was all-consuming, but it wasn’t like a great fall right into their depths. It was subtler, more gradual. Like the sky that swirled there wanted her to surrender. Willingly. The world around them blurred at the edges, and Lessia didn’t think as she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.
Bless.
Merrick’s jaw locked as he shook his head. “You did.” He swore quietly as he moved her off his lap and back onto the bench. “You said I was the greatest distraction. That you didn’t even care about Loche anymore.”
I’m pacing around the whole fucking room rn. I need a minute.
From the pain simmering in his black eyes. Then he spun on his heel, his long strides quickly taking him back into the light of the tavern.
I AM UTTERLY HEARTBROKEN BYE.
It had been a good kiss. Better than good. It had been amazing. As in mind-blowing, earth-shattering amazing.
“You’re wrong again.” Merrick’s voice floated over the wyvern, and her adrenaline surged as she whipped her head up to find his eyes staring straight into hers. Her tense shoulders lowered an inch. They were his normal eyes. No hurt lacing the edges like it had back at the tavern.
😭😭😭😭💔
It was as if he was trying to solve a puzzle from memory, his eyes darting back and forth until they finally met hers again. Lessia stiffened when that thought… the thought that he was beautiful… slammed into
her chest once more, and a torrent of heat flowed through her, exactly like it had when she’d climbed into his lap.
😛
But courage, determination, and fiery conviction that Merrick was right sparked through every nerve when he dropped his hands. If she didn’t know better… she might have thought it was Merrick’s emotions flowing through her, for how quickly they drove any lingering worry away. But… he didn’t manipulate or manage emotions.
That’s the bond sister 🤭😛🤏🏽🤏🏽
“You should know.” Merrick’s breath hit her mouth when he leaned in over her. “I don’t regret it.” “Regret what?” she asked. “Kissing you.” Lessia’s eyes rounded so much she was surprised they didn’t pop out of her skull. “I know you didn’t mean it. But…” Merrick’s gaze drifted over her. “You don’t need to feel guilty.”
I almost fucking passed out.
The liquor doesn’t create emotions that don’t already reside within us. It can dim the negative ones but can’t create happy ones. And I don’t keep any.”
Lessia frowned. “But… but that would mean—” “You danced because music makes you happy? Yes.” Her brows pulled in further. Music always made her happy—that wasn’t a surprise. It was the gravitating to Merrick—kissing Merrick!—that was confusing. He makes you happy. The low voice in her mind made her jerk upright. Did he?
🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽
“You should probably grab your towel.” Raine covered his eyes with the arm holding his bottle. “I do not want to get killed if Merrick finds us here.” “Why would he…” Lessia’s words trailed off when her eyes snagged on golden-brown hair sticking out from behind another tree, a bit further back from the one Raine leaned against.
Typeeeee
“We need to act quickly.” Lessia met the eyes of each person in the room, lingering for a moment on Merrick’s when something flickered in them. Fighting a dumb smile that threatened to break out when she realized it was pride, she cleared her throat before she continued.
Hehehe(,:
As if Lessia were falling right into the depths of the dark pools staring back at her. You make me happy. A corner of Merrick’s mouth lifted. And it felt as if her fall increased in speed. Someone cleared their throat. Merrick’s lips lifted even higher when she continued to stare at him, and her eyes dropped down to the fullness of them.
screaming. SCREAMING. CRYING.
It was as if a shock jolted her body when his eyes captured hers, and she realized she’d swayed backward when Merrick gripped her arm.
😛
Lessia blinked at him. He’d known? He’s been protecting you the entire time. She took a step closer to him as she whispered, “Thank you.”
🤏🏽🥹
“How many times do I need to tell you not to lose focus?” “Hmm, many?” Lessia’s voice wavered a little as she became acutely aware of how hard Merrick’s heart slammed against his chest, its beats echoing through her, quickening her own rhythm. Placing a hand on his chest, right over his heart, she let out a soft breath when it drummed against her palm, its beats so wild she thought they might shake the ship if they hastened further, and an idea formed in her slightly clouded mind.
😈
A triumphant grin spread across her face when she jumped back, holding the sword she’d eased out of its scabbard, and lifted it between them. Her smile widened when Merrick stared at it, his body frozen for a moment before his hand grasped at the empty belt by his side. “Who needs to focus now?” Lessia teased, fighting with all her might to hold back the giggle eager to burst out of her. Merrick looked furious—his dark eyes so wild she wondered for a moment if she’d gone too far.
😈😈😈😈
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. When she remained quiet, silently cursing the cheeks she expected to be bright red, Merrick shook his head. And within a second, he’d disarmed her, his chest pressed against her back as he breathed into her hair. “You should finish what you start, Lessia.” Each word came out on an exhalation, the warmth of his breaths brushing her neck. “Or you might find yourself in a… tricky situation.”
Good heavens 🫣😛
Did he ever do something clumsy or rash? “What?” Merrick’s brows narrowed as he turned her way, sitting so close their legs aligned. Lessia elbowed him. “I was just wondering if you’re good at everything you try?” “Yes.”
I love him.
Her gaze focused again when Merrick spoke, and before she could think, she lifted a hand to brush one of his shoulder-length pearly strands off his forehead. “You are nice,” she whispered. “You’re kind and thoughtful and, yes, truly damned broody sometimes, but… you are nice.” Merrick stared back at her as he caught the hand she’d dropped from his face.
🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽😩😩😩😩💗💗💗💗
“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.”
PLEASE 😩🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽🤏🏽😭😭😭😭🤭😩🥺🥹🥹🥹🤏🏽😩😩😩
