Page 1 of Reckless
PROLOGUEKai
The halls are eerily empty at this hour.
Just as they are every year.
I take my time walking down them, stealing this sliver of peace for myself. Though stolen bliss is little more than smothered chaos.
I choose to ignore that thought as I turn down a dark hall, my footsteps soft atop the emerald carpet. A sleeping castle is comforting, solitude a rarity among royals.
Royal.
I almost allow myself to laugh at the title. I frequently forget what I was before what I became. A prince before the Enforcer. A boy before the monster.
But, today, I am no one. Today, I simply get to be with who should have been.
A soft light leaks from beneath the doors of the kitchen. I manage a slight smile at the sight.
Every year. She’s always here every year.
I gently push open the doors and step into the puddle of light castby several flickering candles. The sweet smell of dough and cinnamon hangs in the air, swaddling me in warmth and memories.
“You’re up earlier every year.”
I meet Gail’s smile with a small one of my own. Her apron is dusted with cinnamon, her face streaked with flour. I lift myself onto the same counter I’ve sat atop since I was big enough to reach it—my palms flattened behind me, scars sticky from the countertop.
There’s comfort in the normalcy of it all.
I smile at the woman who all but raised me, a single shoulder lifted in a lazy shrug. “Every year I sleep less.”
When her hands find her hips, I know she’s fighting the urge to scold me. “You worry me, Kai.”
“When have I not?” I say lightly.
“I’m serious.” She wags a finger, gesturing to the whole of me. “You’re too young to be dealin’ with all this. It seems like only yesterday you were running around my kitchen, you and Kitt….”
She trails off at the mention of him, forcing me to resuscitate the dying conversation. “I actually came from Father’s”—I pause long enough to sigh through my nose—“Kitt’s study.”
Gail nods slowly. “He hasn’t left it since his coronation, has he?”
“No, he hasn’t. And I wasn’t in there long, either.” I run a hand through my disheveled hair. “He was just informing me of my first mission.”
She’s quiet for a long moment. “It’s her, isn’t it?”
I nod. “It’s her.”
“And are you—”
“Going to complete the mission? Do as I’m told?” I finish for her. “Of course. It’s my duty.”
Another long pause. “And did he remember what today is?”
I look up slowly, smiling sadly as I meet her gaze. “It’s not his job to remember.”
“Right,” she sighs. “Well, I only made one this year anyway. Figured he wouldn’t be able to join ya.”
She steps aside, revealing a glistening sticky bun beside the oven. I slide off the counter, smiling as I walk over to her. Only after I’ve kissed her on the cheek does she hand the plate to me.
“Now, go on,” she shoos. “Go spend some time with her.”
