Page 71 of Fearless

The sound of approaching footsteps has us turning. It’s Calum striding down the uneven dock, clutching a small stack of books beneath his arm. To his right, the court’s spokesman resides with a tight smile. Easel steps forward before curtly relaying information. “Your trunks have been loaded onto the boat and brought to your cabins. The crew is ready to depart when you are.”

My stomach churns at the thought of abandoning solid ground, but I force myself to nod convincingly. Noticing my worry, or rather, reading my anxious thoughts, Calum asks, “May I have a moment with Paedyn?”

The brothers oblige, conversing quietly as they head down the dock. Tucking his hands, and the books within them, behind his back, Calum leads me slowly to the end of the dock. “You’re doing well, you know.”

I kick a rock off the wood plank and hear it hit the water with a soft plunk. “It doesn’t feel like it.”

“Respect is earned,” he says softly. “It takes much time. But once you finish these Trials, things will begin to move very quickly.”

I nod, gaze lingering on the crashing waves below. “I’ll be married.”

“You’ll be a queen,” he adds.

“And I’ll still be Ordinary.”

The words have him turning to look at me, blond hair catching inthe light. At the feel of his piercing gaze, I wonder briefly what it is he’s gleaning from my thoughts. “Yes, you always have been and always will be. Even with a crown on your head.”

We stand in silence at the edge of the dock, watching the sun shimmer against the water as it tiptoes slowly into the sky. I glance over at him, committing this peaceful moment to memory. “Thank you,” I breathe into the crisp air. “For everything. But mostly for being here with me. You’re a comfort in the castle.” I laugh sadly. “And in this whole new life I’ve been thrown into.”

His smile is reserved. “I am here to help in any way.” He pulls the books from behind his back, presenting the worn covers to me. “In fact, I brought these for your journey. They may help pass the time.”

Reaching out, I run a hesitant finger over a familiar burgundy spine. “Thank you. But I’d hate to ruin your things if we somehow end up in the sea—”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” he cuts in softly. “Well, ruining my books that is. These belong to you.”

My eyes snap to his. “What?”

“When your father died, and you disappeared,” he starts slowly, “I grabbed some of your favorite stories for safekeeping. And I hoped to give them back to you one day.”

With every word, the books seem to familiarize before my eyes. Each faded cover holds a distant memory, a fleeting image of a man in his reading chair, and a little girl sitting at his feet. “He used to read these to me.”

“He did.” Calum gently hands me the four thin books. “I believe you even wrote a few notes in there as a child.”

“I can’t imagine I had anything important to add,” I say, laughing lightly. Quickly flipping through one of the books, I find a small rosesketched onto the inside cover. The words “For Paedyn” are scrolled beneath it in vaguely familiar, looping handwriting.

He eyes me carefully. “You’d be surprised.” With a small smile, he adds, “I’ll have them brought to your cabin.”

I suppose he can likely hear the gratitude in my thoughts, but that doesn’t seem like quite enough. So I emphasize the unspoken words with an impulsive throwing of my arms around him. This makes him hesitate for a moment, stutter in confusion, and finally return the sentiment.

With his arms circling my shoulders, I whisper one last “Thank you.”

We stand in the ship’s shadow, all staring at the vessel meant to carry us across the treacherous water.

A crowd has formed on the rocky shore where hundreds of eyes hope to get their last glimpse of the hated Ordinary. Imperials barricade the dock, halting anyone who dares push their way toward us. But no one makes a move, content on letting the Shallows have their way with me.

In their eyes, I’m as good as dead.

The king glances over at his Enforcer. “Changed your mind yet, Kai?”

“Unfortunately not,” he sighs. “But do try not to miss me too much. I’ve stationed extra Imperials with you while I’m gone, so you certainly won’t be feeling lonely.”

“Oh, yes, I look forward to not a single moment of privacy.” The humor in Kitt’s voice dissolves quickly. “Please come home, Kai. I can’t have you dying on me too.”

I look away, as if that could save me from this awkward intrusion of their conversation. Still, I hear the Enforcer’s earnest response. “I’ll be back. Death fears me, remember?” I can hear an inkling of that cocky bastard slipping into his voice when he says, “And when I return, we’llcelebrate with another dance between the three of us. So long as Paedyn doesn’t purposely step on my toes this time.”

“I have no recollection of that,” I state defensively. “It must have been subconscious.”

Kitt laughs, and the sound bleeds into his next words, all of them aimed at his brother. “Well, she kept trying to jump onto my back, remember?”

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