Page 78 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile
Chapter 15
Frelina
She stared at the closed door, and before she had time to think about what she was doing, Frelina took a step toward it.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Raine warned from behind her.
Halting, still with her hand outstretched to grip the handle, she asked, “Why?”
She’d seen Elessia in Merrick’s arms. Devastation was too weak a word to describe what had blanched her features.
“She needs us,” Frelina continued as her stomach clenched at the hollowness of the mask Lessia had worn while she’d huddled with Loche and the others to plan for the next few weeks.
She’d been able to observe her sister the entire time, since no one had invited Frelina to join.
Not that it was surprising…
What could she contribute if there was war?
But she could help her sister. She’d been too overwhelmed so far—had found comfort in Elessia being the strong one. But when she’d spoken to that blond Fae…
A chill raced down Frelina’s spine.
It had sounded so ominous somehow—like she’d stepped into a role she didn’t want to claim but that was hers all the same. As if Elessia had just… accepted it somehow.
If what she’d accepted was death… No, Frelina wouldn’t have that.
She needed to be strong now for her sister. Protect her like she’d protected her parents back then.
Frelina let out a sharp breath as she took another step.
“I really advise against going in there.” Raine wrapped his hand around her arm, pulling her back.
“I need to help her,” Frelina snarled, trying to escape the Fae warrior’s grip.
But Raine wouldn’t budge, and she groaned when he only pulled her into the cloud of alcohol stench that always clung to him.
Let me go, you dumb drunk!
She opened her mind to him when her voice wouldn’t cooperate, the thickness from all the crying choking her words.
Raine opened his mind back.Merrick’s got her. He’ll distract her.
I’m her sister!Frelina snarled into his head, trying to make it bounce against those thick walls Raine never allowed her through.
Exactly.
She hated the lopsided smile Raine threw her.
Then he sent her a memory, and her body became warm. Then cold. Then warm again.
Low sounds of pleasure, then gentle, loving words, touched a thick wooden door surrounded by white stone, and she could hear Raine sigh as he lifted a hand to knock on it—could feel how little he wanted to pull Merrick and Elessia out of that room.
That’s what’s going to happen in there, so unless you’re someone who likes to listen—and trust me, I don’t judge—I’d advise you to stay up here with the dumb drunk.
Frelina shook her head as Raine stepped back and released her arm.
Surely Elessia wouldn’t…
