Fearless (The Powerless Trilogy, #3)

by Lauren Roberts

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

Over the years, Death and I have come to share a special bond. But fear is a far less familiar feeling.

I simply wouldn’t let her risk everything for a kingdom that would rather see her die.

I should know better than to give Paedyn Gray an order. She is not one of my soldiers, after all. No, she is so much more.

“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.

It is bravery, benevolence, and brutality that make a great ruler.

Paedyn barely survived the first set of Trials she was thrown into. Even still, Ilya may not deign to accept her if she makes it out of these ones alive.

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.

She is striking in the most formidable of ways. Sharp like the pointed stare she gives, the tongue I’ve tasted, the end of her dagger that’s worn my blood.

“If it is power you seek from me, then so be it.”

I can think of nothing but my reunion with doom. My future haunts my present—and it is grim.

Only, this time, I’ll be facing Death alone.

I nearly died in the Purging Trials, more than once. The thought of willingly stepping back into an aw...

Worse than the imminent danger is the constant reminder...

I may have survived the last set of Trials, but m...

I don’t know how to live, how to survive, without...

can’t lose any more of that warmth Adena pla...

What if I’m forced to kill? Coat my hands w...

I don’t know what I’m capable of without Adena’s light to s...

maybe I’m tired of feeling useless, feeling trapped in this life I don’t know how to live.

I was just beginning to figure out how to live the unfortunate one I had before everything went to shit.

I would rather not let my betrothed know I came out here to meet his brother.

What I want is to be brothers again, without orders you detest shoved between us.

“I’m proud of you. And I’m honored to help rebuild and protect this kingdom by your side.”

In this moment, their bond resembles the one I thought I had broken. And the realization that they are stronger than my vengeance makes me smile.

“You and me, Brother.” Kitt takes a slow step...

the darkness helps me focus. Everything is heightened.”

the sudden urge to hit you did.” He looms over me, his bare chest nearly brushing mine. “If you want to put your hands on me, just say that.”

My eyes lift to his, and whatever it is he sees within them has the Enforcer looking at me as though I’ve already become his queen. And some possessive part of myself aches to command him to never look away.

“My pretty Pae. Tell me you missed me.”

“I missed kicking your ass.” “Oddly enough”—his smile is crooked—“so did I.”

they want to watch you die.” He tears himself off the ground, standing swiftly to his feet. “So I won’t,”

“A martyr, Paedyn?” His laugh is void of humor. “Do you even hear yourself? Part of you has already given up before even starting.” “I’m not giving up; I’m being realistic.”

damn the Trials. Pae, let me force every person in this kingdom to their knees for you.”

It seems you’ve already decided your fate. And I won’t be in it.” “But I want you in it,”

“If you want me to fight you, I won’t, Paedyn. I told you in that field of poppies how I would never do that again. That when I lay a hand on you, it would only ever be in a caress.”

nothing has ever felt so right, vowing to never fight the Enforcer again.

“The willow tree.”

most people don’t realize there is more to life than power.”

my life has always been about power. And trying to survive without it.”

“Don’t hurt him. He can’t afford to break again.”

Kitt has changed since I tore his life at the seams. Now, selfishly, I’m hoping he will allow me back into this carefully mended one.

I don’t want our lives to be distant conversations and avoidant glances. If we are meant to rebuild the kingdom a tyrant king destroyed, I want us to do so together, not begrudgingly.

I made us this way. I marred the relationship he meticulously cultivated. So it is I who will meekly extend an olive branch, raise a white flag between us.

“I want to fix this. Us. We used to be… close. And I know it’s my fault we no longer are, but if we’re to spend the rest of our lives together, we might as well try to enjoy it.”

“Kai is not who I’m marrying.” “But he wishes you were.”

Kitt couldn’t still have feelings for me. Not after what I’ve done. But his words, his piercing look that strips me bare, say differently.

“You don’t want to hurt him by… being with me.”

“He was yours, entirely.” I swallow. “Not anymore.” Pretend.