Fearless (The Powerless Trilogy, #3)

by Lauren Roberts

There, gripped between scarlet-stained fingers, hangs a crown.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the court, it seems Paedyn Gray has successfully completed her first Trial.”

And with that, Paedyn’s lips lift. She raises the crown then, matching its bloody and mud-streaked appearance.

I smile before she’s even done it. Wide enough to show those damn dimp...

AHHHHH

Yes, I smile when she pushes the crown ...

I feel suddenly hollowed out as the happy couple strides down the aisle.

But I’m nearly at the door now and— A hand tugs at my arm. I turn to find Andy looking alarmingly serious.

“Don’t steal her away from him when they finally get a moment together.”

Unspoken words hang in the air between us. The corner of my mouth twitches. “I don’t...

“They’re engaged, Kai. You can’t have her.”

They are standing in the hallway, bodies close and voices hushed. Her eyes meet mine over Kitt’s shoulder. I quicken my pace. Smother my jealousy. And open my damn mouth.

It is the anger and grief in his voice that pushes the Silencer to whisper what may be his own death sentence. Kings have a way of killing the messenger. “She is powerless.”

IT IS PAEDYN

“But I enjoy seeing you giddy like this. It reminds me of Adena and her boy from Loot.”

“What are you talking about?” I hear the hesitance in her voice, the quiet sadness that remains there. “That’s right. She never told you, did she?” She lets the words linger.

Ellie pulls back, allowing me to open the eyes now welling with tears. “She didn’t want to distract you from the Trials.”

“She said you wouldn’t rest until you met him and approved. So the plan was to tell you after. But then…”

“I want her with me tonight. Adena,” I say quietly, breaking the silence that has long stretched between us. Ellie nods in understanding and swings open the closet doors.

“Ready?” he murmurs. “Not in the slightest.”

mind, I begin to push my way through the gaggle to claim what is mine—not out of jealousy, but as an act of power that I clearly need to establish.

An emotion more potent than rage begins to boil within me at the sight of that lilac hair.

Instead, I’m standing at the edge of the dance floor, staring at Adena’s murderer.

I lunge, teeth bared, and arms outstretched— Arms wrap around my waist, tugging me back from her. I let out a cry of frustration as I fight against the familiar hold.

Kai’s lips are at my ear before my feet have even met the floor. “Easy, Pae. You need to calm down.”

“Keep her out of my sight,” I order evenly. “Because you won’t be able to stop me, Lenny. You know that.”

thrum through me. “Do I even want to know what you’re planning?” Kai sighs from where he towers over me. I give him a smile, noting the way it affects him. Then I shove my empty glass into his hand. “I’m planning on having fun.”

She’s lost her shoes. Well, she had.

That was before I’d scoured the ballroom for them, knowing Paedyn would not.

Seeing that she flung them off her feet with a declaration of discomfort, I’m sure she was quite...

Now, swaying in time to the music, she hardly notices the heels han...

But despite her glistening skin, Paedyn doesn’t remove the thin shawl around her shoulders. And I may be the only one in this room that knows why.

And occasionally unlace my dress afterward.” I chuckle at her sly grin. “You know why I did that.” “Yes, but what I don’t know,” she says innocently, “is why you haven’t since.”

“Are you…” I shake my head at her in disbelief. “Are you flirting with me, Gray?”

“Why aren’t you drinking with me?” she shoots back with a mischievous grin. “Someone has to look after you.”

She takes a step closer. “I have a fiancé.” “And yet…” I dangle the heels in front of her. “I’m the one carrying your shoes. Though, I am worried about what it is you’ll be taking off next.”

That thought alone has me dropping her forgotten shoes and snatching the glass from her hands. In one swift movement I down the stolen liquid, savoring its sweetness on my tongue.

Alcohol emboldens, loosening her lips to spew sober thoughts. And, truthfully, I’m not sure how to hold myself back from a Paedyn who so brazenly pursues me.

In fact, she might even be making me nervous. I’m unused to the feeling.

Picking up her shoes, I return to my spot against the pillar,

“I wish they were my biggest concern then, too. But I was busy being cut open by our father.”

“I only say that to remind you of how much better you can be. How much better you’ve already become.”

This is the Kitt I know and love. This is the friend I’ll spend the rest of my life with. This is the man who is marrying the woman I love.

If they have any more, the court may begin to think our little brother is trying to steal away your betrothed.” “Oh, I doubt that’s the brother they’re worried about,” Kitt says evenly. Here we go.

This girl holds my heart in her hands, could crush it between her fingers and still have me thanking her for the touch. And I hold her shoes.

It doesn’t help that the rest of me has been spinning for… a length of time I don’t care to determine at the moment.

They are a pretty pair, the Azer brothers. And I have the rest of my life to spend with them. Married to one and in love with the other. That

I’m suddenly standing before the king and his Enforcer. Kitt and Kai. Betrothed and regrettably not betrothed.

My tongue feels loose and dry and where the hell are my shoes? I ignore all of this to say, “Why aren’t you two having fun?”

“Me? Or Kai?” I think I hear myself giggle. “Yes.” And with that, I’m grabbing them both by the arm. I don’t bother trying to comprehend their persistent protests as I drag them toward the dance floor.

“As future queen, I hereby instate a new tradition.” I might have yelled the words. Oops.

Kai is now pinching the bridge of his nose, swallowing the laugh in his throat. “Plagues, I hope you remember this tomorrow.” “Shh, I’m making a decree,” I scold. Kitt might have smiled. “We’re listening, Paedyn.”