Page 187 of Fearless

All of this is for you. Can you see that from beneath the six feet of dirt that separates us? Is this needfor your love too weak for you?If you are shouting up at me, you’ll have to speak up, Father.

Power is what you have always wanted from me.

So I’ll become it.

Calum found me, just as I figured he would.

Brave. Benevolent. Brutal.

He told me of his plan to continue my father’s work. I was reminded once again of when the king told me of his hope for a truly Elite Ilya. It all seemed so simple-minded, so lowly for a man who expected perfection from his sons.

For so many years, I hoped that something great was to come from his lack of love. But Father’s obsession with Ordinaries has brought him to his knees.

Calum tells me to marry Paedyn Gray. My father’s killer.

She will draw the remaining Ordinaries out of hiding. Her reign will be a ploy to discreetly rid Ilya of the weak.

But I want to do so much more.

I found Father’s letter to me. He wishes for me to fulfill his plans, carry on ridding the kingdom of Ordinaries. And I might have done just that, might have followed in his footsteps, hoping to please him in death.

But then I learned the truth.

Elites could be made, and I could rule over all of them.

With an Ordinary as queen, the kingdoms will opentheir borders to us. It won’t be difficult to smuggle the Plague into each city with laced resources. And when a new wave of Elites is born, I will be their king.

I will be great.

I will prove myself to Father.

I will be so much greater than him.

Brother,

When was the last time I called you that? It’s strange, not sparring with you in the mornings, or visiting Gail to see who can get away with snatching the most food from behind her back.

I miss us. No titles. No duties.

You left for your mission two days ago, and I can’t help but wonder if you will return. Do you love this version of me enough? Is that even fair to ask?

You are supposed to be loyal to me.

I am going to be better for you. For us. No one has ever loved me like you. I need you to make me whole again. You, Kai. I was harsh when you left—I know. But just come home and punish me for it in the training ring. Come home and give me another chance at being your brother.

Or perhaps she is where your loyalties lie.

We are going to change Ilya, Brother.

You and me. Always.

Calum has agreed to my plan.

The surrounding kingdoms must open their borders at the welcoming of Ordinaries and the engagementto Paedyn Gray. As much as I wish to rip her from our lives, Calum pointed out the sway she holds within the slums. I only need her on the throne as a symbol to the cities so they will lower their guards against us.

That is, until the Plague rids us of her. Everything fell apart when she stumbled into our lives. She killed my father. Stole my brother. Even now, the traitor is likely tugging Kai back into her arms.

But I need her for a little while longer.

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