Fearless (The Powerless Trilogy, #3)

by Lauren Roberts

So, when Iris cries out in pain, and a dampness spreads the covers beneath her, the end is very near for Edric Azer. At least, for that dwindling bit of warmth within him.

Kitt nods in silent agreement, striding past to take a seat behind his desk. Calum follows quietly, leaving only Kai standing before the doorway.

He had carried me up into the castle, started the fire that warmed my numb limbs. Then he’d kissed my forehead and slipped out the door, likely dealing with more pressing Enforcer duties than the crumbling queen-to-be.

A MANNNNNN

“Well, you did kill the king that ensured an Elite society,” Kitt mutters. Calum, his voice distant, adds, “And that is not the only royal you have killed.” My eyes dart to his. “What are you talking about?”

He opens his mouth quickly, folding stiff arms behind his back. “A piece of Kitt died that day, did it not?”

Gesturing in the direction of the west tower, he adds solemnly, “Along with the king’s w...

I know Death. There is something intimate about the ending of a life.

That was when she looked me in the eyes, took Death by the hand, and declared once again that she would enter herself into these new Trials.

“And if you die?” I’d shot back, chest heaving. Her next words still plague my thoughts, more than a day later. “Then they will have been right about me. I’m a weakness.”

But the draping white fabric is a message to this court, a reminder piercing my heart. She is a bride-to-be. But not mine. I swallow at the sight.

“Paedyn Gray will once again compete in a series of Trials.”

“These Trials,” Kitt continues, “will be for the future queen alone. They will be structured around the three B’s you all know my father to have lived by.

It is bravery, benevolence, and brutality that make a great ruler. These events will test each of those qualities. This will allow Paedyn to prove herself worthy of the throne—and your loyalty.”

“The first Trial will take place in three days’ time.”

This solution seems to satisfy the court. They will happily sit back and watch her die, smile if she meets the death they think she deserves. But I will only survive this life if she does.

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

Looping her arm back through Kitt’s, she turns one last time toward the crowd. “If it is power you seek from me, then so be it.”

It looks exactly as it had the day Ava died.

I walk toward my mother slowly, taking in the dark circles below her eyes and the frail shoulders peeking above crisp covers.

“My sweet boy.” Her tired eyes brighten when they land on me. “You’re home. I was so worried.”

MY SWEET BOYYY IM GONA CRY

The look she gives cuts right through me. “I know that. But you can also admit how hard it is for you to be up here. See the cot she used to occupy.”

Mother glances around the infirmary, gaze haunted. “I understand your pain.”

Of course she understands. It was her daught...

“I thought I was broken after losing Ava,” she continues softly. “But it seems that the loss of your fa...

I study her pale face and distant gray eyes. “How are you feeling?” “Kai, it’s not long now,” she says simply. “Don’t talk like that.”

“Bury me as close to him as possible.” “Mother, please—” “I want to reach out and grab his hand.”

“You will be close to him. I promise.” Swallowing, I add, “But that won’t be for a long while.”

She shakes her head with a sad smile. “I’ll miss you, my pretty boy. Keep taking care of Kitt for me.” Her dark lashes flutter. “I regret not being there for him.”

“And Paedyn?” I ask slowly. “You know of his engagement to the Ordinary?”

“The Ordinary,” she muses, gaze sharp. “That is not all she is. Especially to you.”

“I don’t know what you’ve heard, but—” “Oh, don’t go denying it, Kai.” Her laugh morphs into a harsh cough.

“I knew from that first dinner—the one with all the Purging Trial contestants—that there was something between you two.”

I blow out a breath. “Mother—” “And then she went and killed your father, and things got complicated.”

She says this so bluntly that I n...

Tears brim beneath the gray eyes we share.

“Kai,” she murmurs, suddenly serious. “She is your brother’s.” I look away. “I know.”

“Don’t let her come between the two of you.” Her tone is stern. “Promise me, Kai.” A shake of my head. “It’s a little late to be making that promise, Mother.” “Then make me a different one.”

“Don’t let her be your ...

In return, I remind her that Paedyn Gray has been my weakness since that very first dinner before the Purging Trials.

ignore the dull ache in my chest. This is precisely what I feared—myself. Adena’s light within me sputters out.

I don’t let myself think as I slam his head against the cave wall, again and again.

woahhh gurl

But I’m laughing again, strained yet relieved. Adena’s light, however dim, is returning to my soul. I am alive. I, an Ordinary, survived a Trial. Again.

I will her to walk through those doors. If not for this kingdom, then for me. I need her to come back to me.

She is willingly my weakness, and yet, nothing has ever made me stronger. And I fear what I will become if—

“Hey, I’ve helped Kitt ca—” A hiccup interrupts the word. “… carry you from a party more than once.”

I can’t exactly argue on behalf of nights I don’t remember. So, instead, I settle with a simple, “If her life weren’t at stake right now, I guarantee I’d be much more fun tonight.”

Only, it does not matter that every beat of my heart belongs to her. Because she does not belong to me.

That is when the doors swing open. Everything fades away, forgotten in her presence.

The future queen of Ilya strides into the throne room, and every Elite falls silent. She is covered in dirt, streaked with blood.

My eyes trail down the length of her, knowing just how much that blood must be affecting her. It’s coating her temple, her shoulder, her hands… Her hands.