Page 135 of Reckless
“Who will save you now,Silver Savior?”
I keep my face blank, willing it not to crumble with each insult spit at me. The cuffs rub my wrists raw while the sun beats down on my damning hair.
I keep my eyes on the castle, on the doom I’m slowly approaching. The chants follow us, quieting with each step toward the awaiting king. Perhaps they, too, fear what it is I’ve turned him into. What sort of king did I leave them with?
When we step into the shadow of the palace, I know it won’t be long before I find out for myself. The horse’s hooves clop againstthe cobblestone covering the courtyard. My eyes snag on a cluster of forget-me-nots crowding the stairway into the castle.
Memories of a soaking dress, rain dripping from his lips onto mine, forget-me-nots tangled into my hair, come flooding back. I look up to where Kai sits, finding him staring at the same patch of courtyard where our lips brushed for the first time.
And now I doubt they will ever brush again.
We slow to a stop beside the stairs I hoped to never have to climb again. All is quiet as Kai swings from his saddle, nodding at an Imperial. The man fumbles with the knotted rope, fingers slipping against the tie.
Kai steps beside him, sliding the Imperial’s sword from the sheath at his side to cut the rope with a single swipe. I hear the man swallow, and I almost smile despite my circumstance. Kai then pushes the hilt of the sword into the man’s palm without a single word before wrapping a familiar, calloused hand around my arm.
He leads me over to the staircase, quickly swiping his thumb across my skin.
Pretend.
Words burn in my throat; words I wish I could say to him before it’s too late. I glance over, trying my best to memorize the planes of his face, not knowing if this will be the last time I see it.
Or maybe he will be the last thing I see.
The one to drive a sword through my heart.
CHAPTER 48Kai
What am I walking her into?
Heavy doors swing open at the top of the stairs. Imperials greet me with a bow.
Duty. That is what I’m walking her into.
Because this is no choice of mine.
I could have ripped out that Imperial’s throat for laying a hand on her, so what is it I’ll do if Kitt orders me to do something much worse?
I can hardly stand the way she looks at me, hatred burning in that gaze I love. But this is pretend—the only time I’ve ever pretendedwithher.
Every touch, every dance, every kiss disguised as distraction was anything but. Because before I loved her, I longed for her. She was a want I wasn’t worthy of. And I’m afraid I’ll never get the chance to deserve her.
Because now that I have her, I’m giving her away.
We step through the towering doors and into the ornate hallway beyond. She looks around, taking it all in as if doubting there will beanother chance to. I hate it, hate that she’s already accepted a fate of her deciding.
The emerald carpet beneath our dirty boots looks out of place, as does my lack of shirt and Pae’s filthy one. My first mission as the Enforcer certainly hasn’t failed to make me look bad. But I hold my head high, feeling the familiar burn of eyes searching for imperfections. I roll my shoulders, straighten my spine, slip an unbothered mask over my features.
Because power is portrayal. And respect is demanded.
We continue down the hall, a fleet of Imperials following behind. The gilded doors grow closer, beckoning us to discover what waits on the other side.Whowaits on the other side.
I don’t know what version of him awaits us beyond these doors. Perhaps the brother I know, or the king I now serve. He’s unpredictable, unprepared to rule so young. Or rather, unprepared to lose a father.
And Kitt without his compassion is a man I don’t recognize.
I glance over at Paedyn’s blank expression. But it’s her fidgeting fingers that give her anxiety away, relentlessly spinning that ring on her thumb.
For her sake, I pray to whatever will bother listening.
