Fearless (The Powerless Trilogy, #3)

by Lauren Roberts

“And if I said please?” She stills beside the bed, her body swaying with the rolling waves. Pae’s eyes meet mine and suddenly I’m back in the palace, back to that night when I begged her to stay with me after watching her die in my nightmare. I’m reliving that moment, only this time, it’s my own selfish desires that have me needing her beside me. Swallowing, she crosses her arms. “Well, go on then.” I chuckle at her insistence before standing up right as the ship bucks violently. Caught off guard, Paedyn comes careening toward me with a gasp. I catch her against my chest, feel her body melt against mine. My head dips until our noses brush. “Stay with me. Please.” Her head shakes, but she’s wearing a smile. I nudge her nose again as I murmur, “My pretty, pretty Pae.” She laughs breathlessly. “Stay with me.” I press my forehead to her own. “Stay with me. Stay with me.” “Fine!” She laughs out the word while offering a gentle flick to the tip of my nose. “Fine, I’ll stay.” I smile for her, only her, always her. “I was prepared to plead.” She gives me a look. “You would not.” “Oh, darling, I would do so much worse if only you asked.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear with a smile. “Or, even more difficult, so much better.” “You know,” she says slowly, “you’re not nearly as terrifying as you seem.” “Not to you. Never to you.” I sit down beside her, feeling the ship rock viciously all around us. She looks at me, eyes as bright as the sea itself. I stare into them, memorizing...