Page 11 of Bound By Roses

Fuck it.

“Merrick!” I call to him, and his head jerks in my direction. “Sword!”

He nods once, drawing his blade and forcing his way through the crowd.

Quinn dodges a swipe that was far too close to his throat. He swipes his leg in an attempt to trip Erwyn, but he can’t reach wide enough without tearing open the wound to his thigh.

If it’s clear to me this man is trained in combat, then it must have been clear to Quinn before the fight even began. He’d likely considered him a worthy opponent if the circumstances weredifferent. Then again, I can almost swear there’s the faintest upturn to one side of Quinn’s mouth. Of course he’s enjoying this on some level. Even in the face of danger, it’s just like him to find some pleasure in it.

Merrick breaks through the last of the sirens and comes to a stop at the edge of the circle, his eyes glued to Quinn.‘On your right,’I say through the bond.‘Get ready to catch.’

Quinn ducks under the blade poised for his head and jumps backwards three paces to put distance between him and his attacker. Quinn looks to Merrick, but the man moves far too fast and is on him again before the weapon can be tossed to him.

‘Fuck,’Quinn growls, bringing his focus back to the towering man, determined to end his life.‘I need you to be my eyes.’

He can’t be serious.

‘I can distract him if I—’

‘No.’That one word leaves no room for argument, and doing so will only put Quinn more at risk. He’s tiring, so the sooner he finishes this, the better.‘I trust you.’

That makes one of us.

Before I can agree, Quinn’s mouth opens. “Merrick, now!”

There’s not even a second of hesitation from the dragon before his sword launches into the air, rapidly closing the distance between him and my mate.

Please don’t hit him, please don’t hit him, please don’t hit him.

‘Now!’

Quinn ducks under a swing, rolls to the right, and then reaches a blind hand up—trusting me entirely. If I’ve timed this wrong, Merrick’s blade could slice his hand clean off! I doubt even Tess would be skilled enough to reattach a limb if she were here.

I hold my breath and send up a silent prayer to any God who will listen that this works. When Quinn’s hand closes around thehilt of the blade—eyes never once leaving his opponent—I can breathe again.

The action cost Quinn and the knife comes down. He’s only just quick enough to raise the sword to the air above him and block. Sparks fly as metal bites into metal, and this battle quickly becomes one of strength rather than speed.

It wouldn’t take a genius to know that Erwyn is the stronger man here. Muscles ripple in his arms as he bears down while Quinn struggles to push back against the weight of the long knife.

Beads of sweat form on Quinn’s forehead and trickle down his face. “Why?” he says as he groans against the force of his attacker. “What will my death accomplish?”

Quinn moves to the side, releasing his blade and darting out of the reach of another blow. He jumps atop a table, putting him about the same height as the massive man. The man has to block Quinn’s blow this time, Quinn no longer just playing defence.

“Not a thing,” the man spits back, his voice menacing and full of a thirst for revenge.

“I want to help your people.Ourpeople.”

The man roars and swings fast. If his blade had been any longer, he might have clipped Quinn’s other leg. “You are not one of us!”

“Enough!” Aurelia calls from the crowd, putting as much authority in her voice as she can. “Stop this!” But the man ignores her. Others in the crowd watch, some looking as if they want to join in. Quinn is barely holding his own now.

I close my eyes and reach inside myself, looking to summon even an ounce of the powers Terranous gave me—but nothing happens. No life grows inside this air bubble city. I’m powerless here and, for the first time, I realize this might be both the safest and deadliest place for us. We’re safe from Imelda beneath thewaves, but the trade is my powers. I’m useless, just as I was before.

“You do not rule us!” Erwyn shouts at Aurelia. Clearly they’re not done arguing.

“Neither do you!”

Quinn dodges another too-close blow, and I feel a sting of pain in my arm. Quinn was hit, but not badly. He doesn’t even seem to notice.

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