Fearless (The Powerless Trilogy, #3)

by Lauren Roberts

Pretend that the Enforcer hadn’t tried to free me before our trek to the castle.

Pretend he isn’t the fate I foolishly ...

“I want to earn your forgiveness. Your trust.”

I’m not pretending to be your friend. I’ve never had to. Not even when I needed to find that tunnel. And I will keep trying to prove that until you tell me you believe it.”

I feel young. Hopeful. Anew.

I see a friendship, not love. No, love is what I see when I look at his brother.

so my dislike for mashed potatoes is what’s unforgivable?”

She's Like meeeeee

I’m tired and hungry, but most of all, I’m thinking of her.

I’ve gotten rather good at memorizing every sound she makes. Every laugh from her throat, every shuffle of her feet, every sigh against my mouth.

“Where else would I be?” “Your own room, maybe?” “My room doesn’t have you in it.” My lips twitch. “Hence why I’m in yours.”

“Insufferable, cocky bastard.”

“And my pretty—” I kiss her gently, feel her mouth melt against mine. “Pretty Pae.”

“There. Now it’s just a ring. No vows attached.”

he still cares for you.”

“Please don’t push me away too. I don’t want this any more than you do.”

it never gets easier, adjusting to the joy that swells within me when her fingers flick my nose. To feel her endearment so physically is a privilege I don’t deserve.

“Do what?” I duck my head. “Ruin me.” “I thought that is what you wanted?” she reminds me slyly. “Not like this.” I tuck a damp strand of hair behind her ear. “Not with him.”

I will always love my brother, but I’m not sure I can bear to watch him grow old with her. Loyalty and love are damning enough when apart from each other. ...

don’t need to say goodbye,” I answer blandly. “Because I will see you after the Trial.”

no, I won’t say goodbye, because you’re going to be fine. Bravery is the least of your worries.”

in the wise words of Adena, this is simply a good way to say bye until… whatever the hell.”

“Until whatever the hell,” Paedyn repeats with a nod.

The silver dagger gleams, as if calling to her.

Omgg her daggerrrrr

for this one, single moment, all is right in the world. There she is, the Silver Savior, standing before me—dagger in hand and a smile spreading across her face.

“Just try your best not to slice me open, yes?”

“You’re not him.” Those three words threaten to shatter me to pieces.

I hadn’t even realized how terribly I’d needed to hear that from her lips. The symmetries between my father and the monster he made of me have haunted every corner of my mind for as long as I can remember.

“Kai.” Her voice is delicate enough to refocus my fragile mind. “You’re not him,” she whispers again, tears pricking those beautiful blue eyes. “I need you to know that. For me.”

“You’re not him,” she repeats with a soft smile. “But you have both left very different marks on my heart. One an O, and the other something even more damning.”

I told her how impossible it was to stop myself from falling in love with her. And yet, the three damning words have yet to fall from my lips. I love you.

need you more than I need those words.”

“It will take far more than mere words to drag me from you, darling.” “It better,”

Odd, that there was once a time I feared her burying it into my back. Now I readily bare my weaknesses before her.

I realize how happily I’d live the rest of my life at the end of a blade. So long as she is the one holding it.

if it weren’t for the king walking beside me, I’m quite sure there would be nothing but curses flying from the mouths surrounding me.

I almost admire their devoted detestation for me.

if that is the bravery this Trial is testing, I’m not sure I can muster the strength to do it again.

I have yet to fully address the abundance of lingering pain and fear that accompanied the last ones I barely endured.

This Trial proves nothing of my ability to rule a kingdom, and he knows it. But to be an Ordinary is to prove myself in ways that even Elites cannot.

It’s not the Trials themselves I fear—it’s what they will take from me.

The breaking of my will? The flickering of that ...

If I return from these Trials, it will be as ...

I’m running out of loved ones to watch die in my arms, so perhaps it will be me this time around. And maybe it’s better that way—to die before this life ...

This kingdom has done its best to set me up for death....

Perhaps the fear began the moment I stepped onto this sand. But it was not bravery that brought me back out here. It was necessity. Hope.

He was my enemy then, and yet, we had never been closer.

the Enforcer is something far more devastating than a lover, yet we have never been further apart. Keeping my distance from him is a Trial of its own.

It is cruel, not being able to call him mine after everything we’ve endured.

Perhaps in another life, I am brave enough to confess that I love him. Perhaps in another life, I learn to love him from afar. And that is the most fearless thing of them all.

he’s not my father.