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

by Sophia St. Germain

“It’s time for you to tell me what’s going on! It’s been a week, and I’ve tried to be understanding, but I’m done waiting! Absolutely. Fucking. Done.”

Aelin???? Is that you??????!!!!

Arguing on a stupid ship in the middle of the Eiatis Sea would be of help to exactly no one.

Reminds me of M

“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.”

I adore this

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

Merrick’s battered body came into view, and curiosity flooded her. But it wasn’t her own. No, the presence made her relive the full memory of forcing Merrick to look at her. Of how uncertain she’d been that it would work. Of how surprised she’d been at his eyes.

“Let. Me. Down,” she snarled when he started walking after Raine, Venko and Ardow cautiously following. “I swear, Merrick, I will kill you.” “No, you won’t,” he said simply as he adjusted her and lengthened his strides to follow Raine up a sandbank.

“Are you trying to get me undressed?” she taunted, ignoring the small voice in her mind warning her that she’d just decided not to agitate him more. A vein throbbed by his temple. “If I were, you’d already be splayed out on the sand beneath me, begging me to join you.”

But his voice was gentle as he whispered, “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.”

“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.”

“I told him I loved him,” she said in a monotone, refusing to let the images of Loche’s disgusted face surface. 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. Lessia looked on as he threw his head back, more realizations slamming into her. That’s why Rioner had been so adamant Loche had something to do with the strange things happening, even when she told him he didn’t… That’s why he’d needed eyes on him from the inside. That’s why… he’d sent her. A half-Fae. As a test. She bit back a growl. No one hated anyone as much as Lessia hated the king then.

Spending time with the lethal brotherhood, or whatever they were called, apparently had great benefits.

And it wasn’t the danger of battle or even magic but… something even more perilous. Something she wasn’t sure she was ready for. So instead, she nodded, expecting him to drag her out to the other dancing couples.

She met Merrick’s eyes, and they glittered when she stated, “Time to burn.”

“Time to burn,” he whispered.

No one could miss how he stared at you when you weren’t looking.

Swallowing, Lessia set her sights on the empty chair beside Kerym, but as she neared, the Fae violently shook his head at her, eyes flicking toward Merrick. “Absolutely not. I don’t plan on getting killed today. You go over there.”

This is fucking brilliant and hilarious

“What do you want from me?” What did she want from him? She nearly reached for one of her daggers to stab some sense into him. “The fucking truth, Merrick.” She shoved him once more. “I want the truth and not you trying to spare me from fate or whatever else you might think to take upon your own shoulders. I want it all! I want to fucking share it with you.”

“Do you want me to tell you I wanted to fuck you senseless on that table tonight—regardless of who was watching—when you walked in wearing my shirt?”

“Hi.”

:)

“Wrap your legs around me.”

“Good girl”

Please don’t be the last time.

“I forgot how possessive you become.” Raine shot her a sorrowful smile. “I’m honestly surprised the regent is still alive.” “Merrick!” The sound of Kerym slamming into Merrick danced across the sea, and Lessia watched with wide eyes as the former tackled him to the floor, vicious snarls ripping from their throats as they each got hits in. “M— Fuck!” Kerym panted. “You k-know we…” “No! He. Won’t. Touch. Her.”