Moon Cursed (Book 2 in The Star and Her Moon Series)

An Offer of Mercy

Meribella

Wait!"

Thorne's voice rang out over the melee. Meribella looked at her friend, waiting to see what had caused the order. Only, the witch said nothing. She closed her eyes, lifted her hands- the channeling stone on her finger glowing- and whispered words Meribella didn't understand. Opening her eyes, she grinned before swaying on her feet.

"Thorne," Lincoln shouted, scooping her up before she collapsed. Her head lolled to the side, and her lashes fluttered. He pushed a stray curl behind her ear, and his voice was pained when he demanded, "What did you do little witch?"

"Lincoln, look," Meribella said, pointing at the field where several people glimmered green.

"Green is mean," Thorne whimpered.

"You're brilliant," Addien said. "Now we know friend from foe."

"You shouldn't have done that. You didn't have the strength."

"Lincoln, she'll be okay. Thorne knows her limits, but you've got to get her away from the fight. She's no good like this, and you'll be no good if you're constantly trying to protect her."

He looked down at Thorne, indecision tugging at his features. When he raised his eyes to meet Meribella's, her heart broke at what she saw there. Guilt darkened his amber irises.

"If something happens to you..." He swallowed. "I couldn't bear it, and I'm not just saying that because you're Raff's girl. I love you Meribella."

"Awe," Thorne said, patting his face. Her eyes remained closed but she grinned.

"I love you too, you big lug. Now get out of here. The fight is pushing this way, and you won't be able to escape soon."

A brush of fur against her leg reminded her that Aurora was waiting. Lincoln gave them one last, lingering glance and then sprinted for the trees that would take him to the boats where Raff waited. For a moment, she considered reaching out to Raff, but he was going to be angry. And likely here as soon as Lincoln showed up with just Thorne. Once this was all over, she was going to have words with him about changing the plan like that.

Meribella studied the crowd below. While a few skirmishes took place near her, most of the fighting took place on the beach. Every time one of Nerida's followers spotted her, another selkie stopped them before they could reach her, but eventually, someone would slip by.

She looked at Addien. The woman was fierce, and she held a spear in her hand as if she knew what to do with it. Limp or no limp, Meribella would hesitate before engaging her in a fight. Grimacing, she reached down and rolled Marachet's rapidly cooling body so that she could remove her long tunic. This robe wouldn't cut it in hand to hand combat.

"Ready?" Addien demanded when Meribella finished dressing.

"Yes, I think so."

"You can still go. The path for escape is clear."

"I couldn't live with myself if I did that. I'm not a coward, and these are my people now."

Addien exposed her canines in a feral grimace. "Then let's do as you said, and end this."

With a whoop, the leopard selkie joined the fray, her destination clear. As bodies moved and parted, she caught sight of Caspian fighting his way out of the middle. Blood splattered his face, and there were several gashes on his exposed arms. None looked serious. Valencia and her children fought side by side not far away. But even with Thorne's help, it was hard to tell who was winning.

A woman charged from her left as Meribella moved down the hill. Drawing on the power in her middle to steady herself, she twisted away from the woman's blade, and brought the butt of her spear down on her temple. She dropped like a stone and didn't move.