Fearless (The Powerless Trilogy, #3)

by Lauren Roberts

I would spend the rest of my days making her flower crowns if she wanted to be a queen. My queen. Not Kitt’s. Not Ilya’s. Mine.

“So much as breathe on her again,” I snarl, “and I’ll ensure it’s the last time you ever do.” “No.” Her voice cuts through every crazed thought, washing over me as though relief itself is nothing more than the mere presence of her. Paedyn steps beside me, her gaze unwaveringly set on the now ghostly pale man. “No,” she repeats, voice lethal. “I will be the one to ensure that the next breath you take to insult me, or my people, will be the very last one you ever taste. And it will be me, an Ordinary, that ends your Elite life.”

He had kicked the damn door down.

THATS MY BOY

I give him a look. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” “It’s not promises I care to keep—it’s you.” His words never fail to have my stomach flipping, heart fluttering, lips falling silent. So, I flick the tip of his nose with a soft “You’re quite the poet, Prince.” Moonlight pools in the dimple that accompanies his grin. “And you the muse, darling.”

“So bow at my feet with a sneer, if you must. I won’t see it with your face to the ground.”

I’m momentarily stunned by the action, as I always am. But it never gets easier, adjusting to the joy that swells within me when her fingers flick my nose. To feel her endearment so physically is a privilege I don’t deserve.

“Don’t do that,” I breathe. “Do what?” I duck my head. “Ruin me.”

I realize how happily I’d live the rest of my life at the end of a blade. So long as she is the one holding it.

She clicks her tongue. “I won’t be charmed by your pretty words, Prince.” The corner of my mouth curls into a wicked smile. “Seems a bit late for that, doesn’t it?” “Cocky bastard,” she whispers. “Pretty Pae.”

“I want to tell you a secret, but I’m scared of it.” He offers to say it for me. I nod. I notice what is hooked around his fingers, dangling from the hand beneath my knees. “You found my shoes!” He whispers the three-worded secret. “You found my shoes for me.” Another murmured declaration of devotion. Tears prick my eyes. “… you found my shoes for me.” He says he loves me. Again and again.

He brushes cool knuckles down the side of my cheek. “You are forever my distraction, darling.”

“Where’s your sword? I need to hit something.” A ray of sunshine, this one.

This is the boy who braids back my hair and dances for the both of us. The boy who would chase me to the ends of the earth if it meant he could hold me one more time. This is a man who would bury another for me—would bury himself, if only I asked. He is a fool for me. He is my fool.

“Your Highness, we have strict orders from the king to—” The door flies from its hinges.

LETS GOOOOO

He pulls back slightly, lips still lingering above mine, and lands a light flick to the tip of my nose. “My pretty Pae. Look what you have done to me.”

“You love me.” “Then.” His hands cup my face. “Now.” My lips brush his. “Always. And I’ll find your shoes for you in every lifetime if you’ll allow it.”

Why does my love deserve to live and Adena’s does not? But they are together now, decorating the sky. That is what he wanted, I’m beginning to realize. He only wished to see her in the sky.

You are the Flame. And I… I am the Shadow falling at your feet.”

“You added blueberries.” “It pained me greatly.” “Your bravery is inspiring,” I croon.