Heaven Cent’s Reviews > Fearless > Status Update

I’m coughing now, but I do my best to hide it. I don’t want Kai to worry. Several Healers and Scholars document my progress daily. Foul-tasting herbs are forced down my throat in the hopes that they will aid my chances of survival.

I read in Father’s letter how he gave a dose to Ava when she was born. He was so terrified of having a weak child that he did everything he could to prevent it. But Ava was only a child—she could not survive the sickness.

Whattttttt???? Then Kitt took some too??

Kai rushes to his brother, voice choked. “No! You were supposed to dodge, Kitt!” Dazed, the king looks down at the stoker buried in his chest. Touches shaking fingers to the gushing wound. My whole body trembles as I watch blood seep from Kitt’s touch, bathing scribbled words in scarlet beneath his fingertips. His wide green eyes lift. “I… forgot.”

When their weapons meet again, and they stand face-to-face, a slight smile is shared between them. This is how they know each other—this is how they remember themselves. Before me are the brothers who taught each other to love with a sword in hand and a muddy ring beneath their feet. They found companionship in what they could control, and in this moment, that is each other.

sad

“The roses,” I sputter. “What did you do to those roses?” “They were laced, and you delivered them for me.” The damning words slide easily off Kitt’s tongue. Then a rattling cough spews from his mouth. “Izram will be the first infected kingdom.”

omg

My voice is choked. “You knew about Edric’s plan for the Resistance?”
“Calum sent you to go find the tunnels beneath this castle, and Father used me to ensure you did.” He shakes his head. “I was stupid enough to think you wouldn’t use me like that.”

this is an absolute shit storm

I stare at the woman who raised me when the queen could not. The paling of her face is odd. She would have taken care of my mother when she was pregnant with me— My heart sinks, heavy with a sudden realization. Paedyn was born eighteen years ago, the daughter of Queen Iris and my father’s Mind Reader. And yet, I am a year older than she. My throat goes dry.

whhoooop there it is

“People of Ilya, we gather here today to join Kitt Azer, king and savior of Ilya, and the lady Paedyn Gray in holy matrimony. Bear witness to their union and abide by the power granted unto them.”

this is soooo wrong and kai dont even know he has NO CLAIM to the throne

“Holy shit.” I glance over at Kai to find his features arranged in equal parts shock and repulsion. “Took you long enough,” I sigh. “You’re fucking related,” Kai spews. There is something like awe in his voice. Because this is hope. This is a way out of a marriage neither of us wants. “You can’t possibly go through with this ceremony.”

EASEL IS A BAD GUY? WHY AM I GETTING THAT VIBE

This isn’t a goodbye, Father. Only a good way to say bye until we meet again. Because I will haunt you in every lifetime. A shadow of the woman you loved, trapped in the body of an Ordinary you hate. I smile. His eyes widen as though the torture has already begun. Until then, Father.

teaaaaa