Loveless/ a POWERLESS fanfiction story

Chapter 34: Blair

She looks like a wax figure, her skin smells of decay.

She wears a simple green dress. Advisor Knox insisted on this choice, deeming the gown tailored for the final ball "too much." His wife, Sadie's mother, agreed. I failed to convince them otherwise.

I step closer to the boat adorned with green ribbons and fresh flowers. It feels both solemn and haunting. I take one last look at her face—still, frozen in an unnatural beauty. My gaze lingers, desperate to memorize every detail, every curve, as if fearing that my memories will vanish alongside the smoke when her body is consumed by fire.

With trembling fingers, I take out her favorite perfume and let a few drops fall onto her hair. The familiar floral scent floods the air, sharp and bittersweet. I slip the bottle into my coat pocket—a thing I intend to keep for the rest of my life, however long that might be.

In moments, a few Guards will approach the boat to push it into the waters of the Shallows Sea, as is tradition for the Knox family. The crown prince will then honor their lineage by igniting it with Blazer power.

I step back, joining the sparse gathering behind the royal family, my father, Kitt, Kai, Jax, Andie—Plague curse her—Voss, and the rest of the court. They all stand with their backs straight, unmoved.

I straighten my posture as well, forcing myself to match their outward stoicism, though everything inside me feels as if it's unraveling. Suddenly, I feel a touch on my hand. Gentle, barely perceptible. A gloved hand. I don't turn to look—I already know who it is. I know because in the past week, I've learned to sense his presence.

Brian.

Four Guards step forward. My fingers involuntarily curl, and I hide them within the folds of my coat. His hand covers mine in one smooth, deliberate motion. He grips it firmly, and I feel my breath steadying. Tears stream down my cheeks, but they are no longer frantic, only a quiet, aching grief.

No one sees the general's daughter's hand clasped within a Guard's. No one knows how many secrets we share. No one knows that right now, before their eyes, lies one of them.

One of the Guards pushing the boat is none other than Braxton, concealed beneath his mask. I know this because I ensured it. I'd instructed Kitt to summon my maid Mary, asking her to bring my coat. Mary took far too long, and as we were about to leave for the ceremony, Kitt, insistent, offered me his doublet. But then I saw her, hurrying down the steps with my coat in her arms.

I approached her myself and told her to deliver just a few words to Brian—Braxton must be there.

I recognize him among the Guards because, for a fleeting moment, I notice his gloved hand brushing against her hair.

Brian made it for me.

He found a way to bring Braxton to the ceremony, giving him the chance to say goodbye to her. He did what the future king could not.

I squeeze Brian's hand in return but don't look at him. Right now, words are unnecessary.

The boat is in the water now. The prince raises his hand, and a sphere of fire flies from his fingertips toward Sadie. Her body begins to disappear, consumed by the flames.

I force myself to watch.

And it is only he, holding my hand in secret, who keeps me from falling apart.