Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy, #1)

by Lauren Roberts

My eyes finally meet his. It’s like looking into a storm. His eyes are the color of thunderclouds settling over Ilya, of smoke puffing from the chimneys overhead, of the stolen silver coins clenched in my fist. His black, long lashes are in total contrast with his steely gray eyes, now sweeping across my face. Shock raises his dark brows, tightens his sharp jaw, emphasizes his strong cheekbones.

“I’ll keep it under consideration, darling.” I draw out the last word, mimicking him with a grin. His smile widens, displaying dimples on both his cheeks. I force myself to ignore them as I add, “And thank you for saving me from eating cobblestone. I seem to be cursed with clumsiness.” “Well, your clumsiness found me, so I’d hardly call it a curse,”

“Every girl deserves something equally as pretty and deadly as they are,”

she heaves a shaky breath before meeting my gaze. It’s like drowning in the ocean.

Her eyes are the color of the Shallows Sea’s deepest corner, a clear sky as it begins to drift into night, the subtle shade of a forget-me-not. And like the hottest flame, her eyes are blue and full of fire. Her high cheekbones lead up to equally strong, dark brows, now slightly raised as she takes me in.

Emotions flash across the stranger’s face as he takes me in, takes in what I’ve done. Shock, awe, confusion, and amusement of all things, flicker across his face.

He presses both my wrists against the brick with strong hands before leaning in toward me.

“Is this how you treat all the people who save your life, or is this a new thing for you?” I grind out the words through clenched teeth, mocking his first ones to me. “I wouldn’t know, seeing that no one has ever saved me before.” There’s the ghost of a smirk on his face, offering me a glimpse of that annoying dimple. “Well, let me enlighten you. When someone saves your life, a polite thank-you will suffice.” “Maybe,” he sighs and leans in closer, “but not for those who steal from me.”

“Impress me, darling.”

“Is there a reason you insist on holding my hand?” My gaze snaps up to his cool one. “Don’t worry, I’ll try to resist kissing your knuckles, Prince.”

“Plenty. Well,” he exhales, shoving his hands in his pockets, “like you so kindly pointed out earlier, I should thank you, again, for helping me, darling.” “Paedyn.” His dark brows raise slightly in question. “My name is Paedyn, not darling.” “Paedyn,” he echoes with a small smile, testing out the word.

“Paedyn,” the sound of my name from his lips cuts me off, “the ladies do love me.” And with a wink, he turns and strides out of the alley.

....

My eyes snag on a particular arrangement of letters before my breath snags in my throat. There, at the bottom of the list, lies a name I’ve thought of far more than I care to admit. It’s her.

“And I’m Kai. But you already knew that.”

I have the sudden and annoying urge to push the strands out of her eyes, if only so I can see them better.

And yet, he failed to mention how he’d hit her. Perhaps I’ll relieve him of one of his hands, so he never has the opportunity to lay it on a woman again.

This girl might be the death of me. Literally.

She cut me. On purpose. A muscle feathers in Kai’s jaw, the only indication of his temper. He remains hovering over me, refusing to turn toward Blair while half blocking me from her with his body.

“Are you… braiding my hair?”

Kai is gripping the bottom seam of my dress, his eyes flicking up to mine. “May I?” His voice is soft, tone amused. I swallow, roll my eyes once again, and nod against my better judgment. And then he’s ripping my dress. He tears the fabric easily, creating a slit up the side of my thigh, freeing me from the tight confines of the fabric. His rough fingers briefly brush my skin as he says, “I am more than willing to rip your dresses for you, Gray. To help, of course.” Kitt snorts while Kai smirks. “You only need to ask.”