Page 136 of Fearless

Mak.

Ellie says she only learned this morning that it wasn’t Kai in the arena.

I tell her that I know.

I think I’m selfish for the relief I feel at Kai’s resurrection.

Why does my love deserve to live and Adena’s does not?

But they are together now, decorating the sky.

That is what he wanted, I’m beginning to realize.

He only wished to see her in the sky.

A waterfall of white cascades down my body.

“Are you almost done back there?” I ask with a shade of concern.

Popping her head over my shoulder, Ellie sighs at me in the mirror before us. “There has to be a hundred buttons.”

I shake my head before she ducks and returns to the meticulous task. My gaze wanders over the dress, tracing the delicate curve of its cut against my body. Soft white fabric hugs me closely while a layer of delicate lace falls over it. Clusters of small flowers decorate the dress, climbing up the thick straps around my shoulders to hang down the back in long ribbons.

It’s the perfect picture of purity.

And I’m not sure I should be the one wearing it.

“There,” Ellie declares before straightening. “Oh, you are going to make such a beautiful bride.”

I swallow. Force a tight smile.

“Now,” she continues gently, unaware of my discomfort, “it’s not finished yet. And, um, I can ask the seamstress to widen these straps a bit further, if you like?”

A sliver of my scar still peeks out from beneath the fabric. I brush my fingers over the mangled skin, staring at the odd contrast between such delicacy and animosity. “Maybe,” I say distantly. “I’m not sure if—”

A light knock at the door interrupts my hesitant answer. I whip toward the sound before smiling at the source of it. Calum stands in the doorway, smiling slightly. “Is this a bad time to offer well-wishes to the future queen?”

I wave him over as Ellie steps away, giving us some privacy. “No, not at all. I’m happy you’re here, actually.”

“Oh?” He steps beside me, blond hair bright in the setting sun streaming through my window. “All good reasons, I hope.”

My smile is small. “Well, see…” I’m fidgeting with the ring on my thumb. “You’re the closest thing I have to a father now. And I was wondering if…”

“I’d be honored to walk you down the aisle, Paedyn,” Calum says with a solemn nod.

“Really?” I breathe. For the first time in a very long time, I feel like a little girl again. I feel likesomeone’slittle girl again.

“Of course.” His scrutinizing gaze drifts over the elegant dress before returning to my face. I catch the slight bob of his throat. “You really do look like your mother.”

I’m flattered until reminded of the truth. “That’s right,” I sigh. “I never got the chance to tell you about my father’s journals.”

Calum’s eyes bore into mine, uncovering the buried thoughts behind them. He blinks then, voice soft. “Adam wasn’t your father.”

“Apparently not.” I shake my head, gaze falling to the ring on my thumb. “His wife died in childbirth, and a week later, I showed up on his doorstep. Just another unwanted Ordinary. So… who knows if I look like my real mother.”

“Adam never told me.” There is a long pause before Calum adds, “Did he write about anything else in this journal?”

I shake my head. “He mostly documented his patients and the Resistance’s growth. But if anything else was mentioned, it would have been on the pages I used to feed a fire in the Sanctuary of Souls.” I glance up at him, slightly skeptical. “Why?”

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