Page 148 of Powerless

ChapterForty-Five

Paedyn

The gardens arequiet at night. Only the chorus of chirping crickets and the soft howl of the wind follow me as I make my way to the familiar willow bordering the open lawn where the last ball took place.

I’ve come here often since that night, finding comfort in the shelter of the shadowy willow when I can’t sleep. I’ve grown used to sitting under there for hours, simply allowing myself time to think.

Brushing aside the low-hanging branches, I step underneath the canopy of leaves. I sigh, suddenly feeling more settled as I breathe in the warm night air.

But the peace I feel is short-lived when a shadow shifts beside the trunk.

I whirl, my fingers flying towards the dagger at my thigh only to be caught by a rough hand. “Easy, Gray, it’s just me.”

I blink through the darkness as my eyes adjust to the dim light, landing on the amused gray ones before me. “What are you doing here?” I sputter.

“I could ask you the same question.”

“And I could have stabbed you!”

Kai’s brows raise. “So you’re not going to try? I’d say that’s progress.”

“Oh, but I should for you scaring me like that.”

He lets go of my hand slowly, studying me all the while. “I scaredyou? You’re the one who crept up on me.”

“Well, I didn’t exactly know you would be here,” I whisper harshly.

“Clearly,” he says with a smirk twisting his lips. “But you’re more than welcome to stay.” And then he settles himself onto the ground, looking rather comfortable with his arm tucked behind his head.

I stare at him. “What are you doing?”

“Waiting for you to get down here and join me.”

I stand there, watching the slow smile spread across his face.

“Is it the dress?” he asks as he sits up and begins shrugging off his suit coat. When it’s slid off his shoulders, he lays it on the ground beside him. “There, now you won’t get all dirty.”

I look down at the simple silk dress I slipped on for our dinner with the king and queen. It’s rather comfortable, and I was far too lazy to take it off before making my way out here. Kai must have felt similarly since he’s still wearing his fine attire.

But my hesitance to join him has nothing to do with dirtying my dress and everything to do with the fact that I shouldn’t stay here. What I should do is turn, wish him goodnight, and head back to my room without another word. And yet, my feet make no move to carry me away from him.

He pats the coat expectantly, and the sight has a choked laugh slipping past my lips. “How very gentlemanly of you, but that coat is not nearly big enough to save my dress from getting dirty.”

“I can take off my shirt and lay that down for you as well if you like,” he says casually.

“On second thought,” I mutter, “the coat will suffice.” He chuckles and I’m suddenly walking towards him, ignoring my screaming thoughts that tell me to do otherwise. I sit and slowly lay down beside him, our shoulders brushing. We are quiet for a long moment, both of us content to stare up at the drooping canopy of leaves above while listening to the crickets chirping beside us.

I’m almost reluctant to break the comfortable quiet, but I ask softly, “Why are you here?”

He almost laughs. “I’ve been coming here since I was a boy. In fact, I fell out of this very tree after Kitt dared me to climb it. Broke my arm, too—”

A bubble of laughter slips past my lips, cutting him off. “Are you laughing at me, Gray?” He’s trying to fight his own smile as he adds, “I’m glad you find my pain so amusing.”

I clear my throat, trying to compose myself. “So, what, you come here to reminisce on the fond memory?”

“Something like that.” He sighs. “I come here to think, to cool off. I’ve always liked the quiet out here. The escape from the palace.” He glances over at me before asking, “So why are you here?”

I smile slightly and echo his words. “To think. I like the quiet. The escape.”

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