Page 67 of Fearless

Blair takes a single slow step toward me. When my gaze finally climbs up to her awaiting one, the shake of her head is pitying. A sharp smile settles on her lips to mirror the one I’ve seen her give since we were children. “Oh, you are fuc—”

“Prince Kai!”

Looking up, I find an Imperial standing in the center of the hall with a plate of food in each hand. Identifying his red hair immediately, I watch Lenny’s eyes flick between his Enforcer and the girl he’s meant to be guarding. He clears his throat, hurrying over with an equally rushed, “Hello, sir, it’s great to see you. Um, Blair, sweetheart, you’re meant to beinthe room. Not loitering outside of it, yes?”

Her eyes roll before she’s spewing falsely sweet words, thoroughly mocking him. “Um, Lenny, my little gingersnap that I could quite literally snap in half with a single thought, Kai spotted me before I had the chance to enter the room and send my sharpened knives flying toward those who pass beneath the window.” She turns to me then, smiling sarcastically. “He loves that game. Don’t let him tell you otherwise.”

Laughing uncomfortably, Lenny shoos her toward the door. “Quite the sense of humor she’s got. Never a dull moment with this one!”

“Oh, please,” she huffs. “Don’t pretend that you like me; it will only make me work harder to—”

Lenny kicks the door shut behind her with a smile.

“—ensure you don’t,” Blair calls from the other side, voice muffled.

Alone in the hall, we stare at each other for a long moment. With a sigh, I mutter, “Keep her out of sight, all right? It could have been Paedyn that walked down this hall, and we all know what she would have done.”

Lenny nods in agreement. “Yes, sir.” He steps closer then, casting a weary glance at the door. “She can’t stay locked up forever, though. It’s not right.”

I run a hand through my hair. “I know. But Paedyn needs time.”

That’s the only explanation I offer before turning away and beginning down the hall once again. “Good luck with her.”

His response is quiet, lost to the growing gap between us as I round another corner.

CHAPTER 25Paedyn

Water drips from the ends of my hair, pelting my shoulders as I swirl a finger in the warm bath.

I bask in the luxury of it all, lathering sweet-smelling soap onto my skin. Leaning my head over the edge of the porcelain tub, I shut my eyes and focus on this last bit of calm I feel. Because the water I’ll be venturing out onto tomorrow will not be so peaceful and contained. It terrifies me, the unknown and uncontrollable, nearly as much as it inspires.

After a long day of packing and silently gathering my courage, I’ve approached dusk with much fear of the day that follows. So, as the night yawned on and sleep evaded, I decided to drown my sorrows in a bath.

I’d been buried beneath bubbles for so long that Ellie came to check on me. It took several attempts to convince her that I was, in fact, capable of getting to bed without her being there. After finally giving in and hesitantly wishing me good night, she left to get the rest I desperately wished I could.

Dipping my head beneath the water, I’m reminded how easilysomething so warm and soothing can swallow me whole. Even this bath is dangerously unassuming. But the sea is far less enticing.

I’m running out of air.

I don’t even know how to swim. If I end up overboard, the sea will claim me quickly.

My lungs tighten.

There would be no fighting my way out of Death’s clutches.

Now they burn.

I’ll be completely vulnerable.

I break through the surface, gulping down the damp air. I allow myself another moment to sit within the water, feeling every ripple and lap of it against my skin. Then I’m combing my wet hair back from my face and standing.

Throwing on the silken robe Ellie set out for me—only after smiling at the bag of chocolates she left beside it—I pad into the bedroom, intent on flopping face-first onto my mattress. Not that I expect to get much sleep. No, it’s a combination of nerves and boredom that has me wishing to do nothing at all but rot with my thoughts.

This may be my last night on solid ground.

I feel queasy.

A gnawing worry grows within the pit of my stomach. I think vaguely of how I might leave this world. Fighting? Regretful? At peace?

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