Page 115 of Fearless

I take a breath, fighting to keep my voice steady. “Why were you even in Blair’s room?”

“She…” Her eyes flick behind my back, and I turn to find Kitt leaning against a wall. He gives me a slow nod—or perhaps it is for Paedyn. “She practically invited me in. I was angry and…”

Paedyn’s eyes dart to Lenny, and the pleading look within them has him sighing. “Blair had me pinned. There were candles lit, and one must have gotten knocked over because, suddenly, the room went up in flames.” He shakes his head. “This wall of fire separated me from P, and by the time I finally got her out… Blair was…” Lenny swallows, his brown eyes shining. “I took care of the body.”

I whirl on my Imperial. “You should have prevented this!”

Lenny’s gaze drops. “Sir, I—”

“It wasn’t his fault.” Paedyn’s voice is weak. “He couldn’t have stopped it. I… I wouldn’t let him stop it.”

I give her a knowing look. “You still went after her, didn’t you?”

The anger on her face doesn’t mask the guilt beneath. I know what it looks like to get lost in the rage, the power of controlling another’s fate. And I see it reflected on her features. My voice is a consoling murmur. “Oh, Pae.”

A Healer steps forward then, his voice grim. “Well, it’s a good thing Miss Gray got out when she did. A little while longer and—”

“I know,” I hear myself bite out.

“She needs to rest.” It’s Calum who says this, though I don’t bother to look at him. “Heal.”

“I’m fine,” Paedyn mouths to me in a way that’s only slightly reassuring.

A hand on my shoulder has me turning. Kitt’s expression is stern. “It was a terrible accident. That is what her father, and the rest of the court, will know. I’ll… find a way to cover this up.”

I nod, because it’s the agreement he wishes for.

I stand, because the look in Paedyn’s eyes say she will find me later.

And I leave, because she is not mine to worry about.

I’m not even surprised when she bursts into my room.

I’ve been up for hours, pacing in the darkness and hoping she will stride in to brighten it.

“Where’s your sword? I need to hit something.”

A ray of sunshine, this one.

I lean against a bedpost. “I take it you’re feeling better?”

Paedyn huffs damp hair from her eyes. “That Healer made me sit in there for hours. Even after taking care of the burns.” She waves a hand. “Something about smoke in my lungs.”

I nod slowly. “What happened to keeping our distance?”

“I’m making an exception.”

“Because you wish to hit something?”

“Yes.” A smug smile. “And for once, it’s not you.”

“I’m a bit offended, actually.”

She shakes her head distractedly. “I need to blow off some steam.” I’m skewered with a pointed look. “Sword?”

Fighting my smile, I retrieve a battered sword from beside my desk. “And the reasoning behind this sudden urge for violence?”

“Sudden?” She snorts. “I’ve been kicking your ass for a long time now, Prince.”

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