Fearless (The Powerless Trilogy, #3)

by Lauren Roberts

I have been unwanted in this kingdom from the moment I was born. But not to the man who found me on his doorstep after losing a wife and child of his own.

maybe that is all you need to earn the title of “father.”

It is only then that I allow myself to acknowledge how terrified I had been.

The absence of light is the absence of knowledge. I have no idea what it is that awaits me in these caves, and that is a foolishness I fear.

Again and again, I’ve been set up for failure.

I drop to my knees beside the scattered silver strands, eyes wide as I take in the pieces of a girl I left behind.

Tears prick my eyes for the version of me that still lingers in this cave where Kai held the broken shards of me together.

So much hurt had lived within the strands of somethin...

The one person meant to be my undoing saved me from it.

I gather the scattered pieces, ignoring the feel of dried blood that paints them. It feels symbolic in a way, like gripping a tangible moment in time.

The crypt is not here, but it feels like a to...

I gently lay the long pieces of my past self back onto the stone floor,...

I can’t move freely in the cramped space, and that alone terrifies me into stillness.

I feel the first bead of blood roll down my face when all hell breaks loose above me.

I can see nothing, but I feel the demons that dwell in this darkness.

I don’t know what to do, or how to breathe, or if I ever will again.

For a single, blissful moment, I had forgotten the fear that gripped me. Forgotten how suffocatingly dark it is.

This is the complete and utter absence of light. And for all I know, the presence of something far more terrifying.

It’s a coffin. It’s her coffin. The first queen, Mareena of Dor, lies beside me.

I now understand why the bandits never dared look for her—they are smart enough not to disturb the dead. Because Death protects his own.

when my skin brushes against the cold length of a bone, it’s not shock that has me gasping. It’s regret. This was a human.

The dead deserve more than respect from the living. They deserve peace. And I’ve disturbed her rest to steal what rightfully belongs to her.

I’ve never felt Death so tangibly, and yet, I recognize his presence all the same. The cold breath on my neck can only belong to the Death I have nearly met so many times before.

I need to get out of here. But not without that crown.

It’s been decades since the body was placed in this crypt, and now there is nothing left of her. The very essence of what she once was crumbles in my hands, fragile in death.

I may not be able to see what it is I’ve found, but I know this symbol of power by feel alone.

I would have stood at the edge of that desert until she walked back into my arms.

Guard rotations, training schedules, and safety precautions beg for my attention, but only one thing holds it—her.

Perhaps the king really does know how tragically in love I am with his betrothed. Perhaps he is as well.

She has less than three hours to walk into the throne room with that crown in hand. And some selfish part of me hopes that she won’t.

“If I don’t marry her, I have no choice but to kill her.”

As much as I want her to be mine, I want her to be Death’s far less.

I’ve never felt so completely useless. Every fiber of my being begs to find hers, despite duty trapping me within these castle walls.

it’s comforting to know that she doesn’t need my help—the Silver Savior has made that abundantly clear since the day she earned the title.

one day I hope she does. Just to show her the extent of what I’m willing ...

he is not here anymore to punish me for my defiance.

I feel oddly trapped beneath the doorframe. It seems wrong to step into a piece of a past that doesn’t belong to me.

“Power. When you have nothing, you live only for those who promise you everything.” “You lived for Father,” I reiterate. “Now I live for legacy.” He smiles. “For us.”

“I can’t say it isn’t nice to serve a king that actually gives a shit about me.” “You’re my little brother,” Kitt teases. “I’ve been forced to give a shit about you my whole life.”

Alone with him, I don’t think of the future ahead, or the ring wrapped around Paedyn’s finger. And I’m grateful for that. Grateful to just be brothers.

“I thought I was broken after losing Ava,” she continues softly. “But it seems that the loss of your father will be the death of me.”

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

“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.”

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

that might not have been enough for you to hate her. I know how you felt about him.”

“He never really was much of a father to me,” I state. “So, no, I can’t say I was terribly grieved by his death.”

“I’m sorry for what he did to you. And I’m sorry that I never stopped him.”

“It’s okay. You made me strong.” A tear rolls down her cheek, and I wipe it away with a knuckle. “You made me strong,”

“Not strong enough to stay away from her, it seems.” I shake my head, smiling slightly. “No, not strong enough to stay away from her.”

“Don’t let her be your weakness.”