Page 19 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile
If it was anything like herself…
Lessia had a few broken ribs and fingers, one of her cheekbones was crushed from the last beating, and she was pretty certain her left shoulder had been dislocated a few times, based on the searing ache shooting from it every time she moved that arm.
And her nose…
Well, it hadn’t healed straight, and she still struggled to breathe through it.
“I’m here,” Frelina rasped somewhere to her left, and Lessia couldn’t help the tears that sprang into her eyes at her small voice.
“She’s by me,” Kerym added softly. “She’s strong, Lessia. Like you.”
Kerym’s arm nudged her when she sniffed, and Lessia made herself nod.
“This would be a great time for your mate to come to the rescue, I think,” Kerym continued, and Lessia could tell he was fighting to keep the cheer in his voice. “I am excited to watch Merrick rip these fucking guards’ heads off.”
“Sh-she is his mate?”
Kerym stiffened beside her as a deep, unfamiliar voice broke in, and although she hadn’t heard it previously, she knew it must be Thissian’s, since he was the only one in here she didn’t know.
“She is.” Kerym’s tone held so much love that Lessia would have had to look away had she not been blindfolded. “He finally found her.”
“Only to lose her.”
The choked sound that followed Thissian’s words shattered Lessia’s heart.
It was so much worse than Raine’s agony and Kerym’s sorrow.
It was resignation.
As if Thissian had merely yielded to the cruel twist of fate they all lived.
“He’ll come for her,” her sister hissed. “I saw how he looked at her. He’ll rip this world apart if that’s what it takes.”
Despite everything, Lessia smiled.
Hewouldcome for her.
She knew it in her bones.
She wasn’t sure how, but she could feel him.
Every time she hurt, she heard his voice telling her she was strong enough.
Every time the darkness moved in on her, she felt his lips press against hers.
Every time she thought she might finally break, the love she felt from him wrapped around her and healed those broken, jagged pieces she was made up of.
While Lessia knew she shouldn’t have hope—because there was only one way this could end, after all—she wished for a little more time.
A few more days with him.
Staring into those night-sky eyes.
Making him smile.
Having his hands travel across her skin as if she were so precious he needed to touch every inch of her.
But even if it was too late for her…
