Reckless (The Powerless Trilogy, #2)

by Lauren Roberts

Can’t stop thinking about how gently he spoke of her, as though remembering how fragile she was. I could hear the love coating each word and the hurt echoing after.

With a glance over my shoulder, I glimpse inky waves resting against my back. I swallow, suddenly feeling his deep breaths, his hair tickling my arm. He’s asleep.

when do you do anything the king hasn’t ordered you to do?”

“What I felt for you went against every order I’ve ever been given.” “Well then it’s a good thing feelings aren’t getting in the way anymore,”

“You were giving him that look like you do.” “What look?” “I’m not quite sure,” he says quietly. “You never gave it to me.”

“As she got older, using her power was difficult. She would grow tired and fall from the walls. Then she would cry, saying that all she wanted was to be strong.”

“So, I would kiss each of her fingers to ‘give’ some of my power to her. She loved it. Made it higher up the wall every day. But she especially loved when I kissed her thumbs, told me it gave her extra strength.

So that’s what I did. I kissed her thumbs every day until Kitt ...

IVE CRIED ENOUGH TODAY MAN

“Your spirit is familiar. You remind me of what could have been. In another life, I think Ava would have grown up to be like you.”

“I’ve never cared enough to kiss someone else’s thumb,” he continues softly. “But my lips found yours that day.”

“He used to dance for me until I fell asleep,” I whisper against his chest. I feel him nod against my hair. “Then we’ll dance until you’re dreaming of him.”

Her head is crushing my arm. And I fear I’d never move again if it meant she stayed beside me.

Huh...just likke sombr said....

I lowered her onto my bedroll before she could drool on my only shirt.

I killed her father, after all. She defended herself against a man I loathed while I murdered a man she loved.

She is the mission I’m dreading.

Great. Now I’ve been spotted tiptoeing around my own castle.

“I’m better.” I think. Maybe. I actually don’t remember what better is supposed to feel like.

“Of course he will bring her back to you. And not because it is his duty, but because he loves you.”

“I found one for Kai, but it was too late. I meant to put it away a long while ago.” “For Kai…?” Realization cuts off my question. I run a hand down my face, shaking my head at the ground. “Ava.”

I’d forgotten. I’d forgotten despite knowing exactly how important her birthday is to him.

“I didn’t peg you as the type to pray, Prince.” I feel his shoulders shrug against my back. “I didn’t used to believe in a God.”

“And now?” There is a long pause followed by a softening of his voice. “I found proof of a paradise.”

His gaze glides over my face and down the length of my braid. “You’ll know when you see it.”

Plagues. Pretty boy. Pretty words.

“And what is it that souls celebrate?” I shrug a shoulder, still not meeting his searing stare. “That someone cared enough to bury them.”

“You’re okay. I’ve got you.” Concern crinkles his eyes as he looks me over. “I forgot how much shorter you are. Didn’t realize the water had gotten so deep.”

I cough, blinking water out of my eyes. “Still can’t swim yet,

I doubt he’s ever felt so free. There isn’t a soul besides mine and those surrounding us who knows where he is. And there is a certain comfort in being willingly lost, hidden from life itself.

Every piece of parchment burns easier than it tears. I hand each shred of my father to him, watching his life’s work go up in flames.

He’s spent his whole life living a lie that helped him live with himself.

I met an Ordinary girl. Well, a woman. She caught the fever while living in the slums, which usually means death. But I happened to find her in time. She’s beautiful—a complete distraction as I worked. Something about her soul seemed to call to mine. I’m determined to marry her.

I finally did it. I married her.

I’m going to be a father. Alice has been throwing up all morning with a smile on her face. S...

She lost too much blood. I couldn’t stop it. I’m a damn Healer and I couldn’t even save her.

I buried her in the backyard with our baby. She was right. It was a girl. My heart stops. Time slows. “I buried her in the backyard with our baby.”

WHATTT

I woke to a bang on my door last night. Yet when I opened the door, no one was there. That is, until I looked down. And there she was. A baby girl. Someone left her on my doorstep.

She can’t be more than a few weeks old with a head full of silver hair and deep blue eyes. She’s beautiful. Alice would tear up at the sight of her.

I’m going to be a father. This is what Alice would have wanted. She already had a...

When my thumb meets the back cover, I stare at the leather binding representing the end of his life. The closing of a chapter.

“Are you okay?” I rub my hands over my eyes, feeling tears tickle my fingers. Then I settle my blank stare on him. “I always find a way to be.”

We both discovered things last night that have our minds reeling, lives unraveling.

“Maybe I’m fine with being a fool. So long as it’s for you.”

It’s only when piercing pain erupts in my shoulder that I know I was right. Bandits.

He’s hurt. And I hate it. That realization might just anger me more.

Because it is then that I understand just how terribly I will hurt anyone who dares hurt him.

The last thing I hear as I step from behind the rocks is a fervent “Be careful. For me.”

I duck before it can sink between my eyes. “Found you,” I whisper, nocking my arrow.

“I think you underestimate how much I’ve stained my soul as of late.”

I am nothing, and yet, I’ve taken everything from others.

And before I can blink, he fires. I don’t think before stepping in front of the prince I’m supposed to hate.