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July 22 - August 4, 2025
“I won’t pity you. We forge our own fates. While the gods might give us gifts, it’s up to us what we do with them. We always have a choice.”
“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.”
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.
Ugh, of course they can smell their mates...
“Of course you had a choice. Everything you’ve done in your young life has been the result of a choice, whether you believe it or not. I can see you think all things merely happened to you, but each heartbreak, every moment of pain, of happiness, of love, happened because of the paths you chose.”
“Rioner couldn’t resist having the Death Whisperer at his beck and call. The strongest Fae in Havlands bound to him?”
But what does his power do?
“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.”
Every nerve within her screamed at her to turn around—to sail to Vastala as fast as possible and waste whatever lives she needed to get her sister out. But… It was bigger than her and Frelina. Wasn’t it?
Nice character growth
“And me,” Merrick grumbled as he nudged Kerym out of the way and tucked Lessia against his body.
Merrick’s nose brushed along hers, slowly, deliberately, and her knees went weak. “Maybe I need to train you to please me instead of piss me off.”
“I see you, Elessia Rantzier. I see how you fight to live through each day. I see how you fight to better yourself—whether it’s through training or understanding of others. I see how you fight to love so freely and so deeply. I see how you fight for a world that’s only mistreated you, because you believe it’s the right thing to do.”
“You wouldn’t have to fight for me. I… I can’t say it would be easy, given what we’re facing, but I’d make sure this—us—would be the one place you can rest, where you’re always safe, where you never have to put on a mask to conceal your true feelings.”
The half smile that had pulled at his lips fell when her wide eyes flitted between him and the other two, and something cold twisted in her gut when uncertainty glimmered in his night-sky ones.
Oh Merrick... Steal my heart why don't you
“You’re wrong, you know.” “What am I wrong about?” “Everything is about you.”
“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.”
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.”
