Fearless (The Powerless Trilogy, #3)

by Lauren Roberts

The three words are born of greed, of an unquenchable ache for strength. Because nothing is more important to Edric than power—not anymore.

“She is powerless.”

Oh my god

“And this good mood has nothing to do with K—” I take a breath. “With the Enforcer.”

Queens are not as easily forgiven as their kings.”

“There was no after,” I whisper, turning away with a shuddering breath. “She was always too damn selfless.”

manage to gather enough courage to peek at my reflection. But I don’t recognize the girl within it.

She looks like the sharpness that piercing grief hones one into. Like fearlessness carved out of necessity, not courage.

So much has changed since the first time I wore this dress. And yet, here I am again, walking toward a ball in honor of the Trials I’m competing in. Only, I’ve now gained a ring on my hand. Cut the hair falling down my back. Earned more scars I’m ashamed of. Lost the girl who made this very dress for me.

This is the hand Ilya needs this ring to be on. The finger Ordinaries need it to be on.

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.

I’m standing at the edge of the dance floor, staring at Adena’s murderer. It’s as though I’m back in the center of that Pit, cradling her broken body with my eyes locked on the culprit, just as they are now.

The brown eyes that had watched the branch plunge through Adena’s chest. The painted lips that curled into a smile as she guided it there with a single murderous thought. And I am going to tear her apart for it.

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

That is all I want to feel tonight. Not anger. Not hurt. Not queenly.

“You cutting me off?” She leans closer, tilting her head at me. “That seems a bit ironic.”

“Are you…” I shake my head at her in disbelief. “Are you flirting with me, Gray?” She giggles in a way I’ve never heard before but would beg to again. “I’m simply thinking out loud.”

“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.”

“Why, because I won’t let you help?” I shrug a shoulder, my eyes darting across the packed room. “Because I don’t like to share.”

I’m not even drunk, but her words are sobering. They cut right through me, the reminder a slap to the face.

I will forever be sharing her in secret, in the shadow of her marriage to my brother.

I’ll still have my eyes on you when I’m drunk, darling. And that is exactly the problem.”

“We are supposed to be keeping our distance, remember? I have enough trouble doing that when I’m sober.”

I’m not sure how to hold myself back from a Paedyn who so brazenly pursues me.

“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.”

what makes you think I want to dance with you?” “I can’t think of a reason you wouldn’t want to, actually.”

I would follow,” Kitt adds, “because I refuse to endure a ball if you aren’t suffering with me.”

how sorry I am about that. What he was to you, what he put you through, was just so… different from the man I knew.”

“I want to be better. Hell, I want to be great.”

“I’m with you until the very end.” His voice is a murmur, earnest as the gaze he pins on me. “You and me, Brother.” “You and me,” I repeat.

It’s taken much grief and anger to get here, but I’m proud to say that my brother has returned to me. This is the Kitt I know and love.

This is the man who is marrying the woman I love.

“I don’t want to get in the way of you two.”

that is what I am, and I will not stop loving her because of it.

if I know anything about your queen, it’s that she will always find a way. To survive or to kill. And I’m not sure anyone can outlive Paedyn’s wrath.”

You know her better than I do. Better than you once knew me.”

“I would know you in every life, Brother.” My words are hurried. I step in front of him, facing my other half fully. “More than any other soul. Believe that.”

This is the brother I know, the bond I know to have with him. And I cannot bear to lose that.

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

I’ve never felt so carefree, so unbothered by life and rules and hopes and failures…

My head is spinning. Not in a particularly unpleasant way. But fast enough to routinely dump the thoughts from my head.

I can’t focus on anything else because, holy shit, they look good.

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.

the thought is fleeting. As is the urge to rip Blair’s head off. For now.

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

I want him to laugh at my words like that. I want him to want to spend time with me. Or something like that.

This is the fun I wanted. This will bring us together. What better way to force the king into friendship with me?

They share a single glance. It’s that brotherly bond that can never be broken—except by perhaps me,

Not rooted in pity, no, but in caring. Kai for me, and Kitt for Kai.

I dare say it’s the most fun this court has ever seen.