The crowd buzzes like an angry hive. The music has stopped, voices blend into a chaotic hum, and the lantern lights seem almost too bright. The sudden announcement of the duels has scattered guests and participants across the garden like a gust of wind tossing dry leaves. I scan the throng of green dresses, black suits, and white uniforms of other Imperials.
And then, finally, I see a glint of violet.
She stands at the edge of the lawn, partially cloaked in shadows. Her dress, a deep emerald green, stands out among the sea of muted tones. She looks like a marble statue: pale, cold, untouchable.
"Miss Archer," I call, stepping closer.
She flinches slightly and turns toward me.
"Brian."
"It's time," I say firmly. "You need to change."
She nods but doesn't move.
"Blair," I add softly. "Let's go."
Finally, she stirs, and we make our way toward the palace. Her steps falter as we walk; the hem of her dress is wrinkled and dirtied, her gaze fixed somewhere ahead, unseeing. A sharp pang of unease flares inside me. When we enter the castle's corridor, I quicken my pace to match hers.
"Blair, what happened?"
"It doesn't matter," she snaps, not even glancing at me.
I glance around to make sure no one is nearby.
"Blair," I repeat, catching her elbow to stop her.
She finally looks at me, and I see it—glassiness in her eyes, trembling at the corners of her lips, the heavy breath she's trying to hold back.
"I'm fine," she says, her voice cutting like a blade.
A lie.
She tries to wrench her arm free, but I don't let go.
"There are duels ahead," I say firmly. "If something's wrong, you need to tell me."
"Let... me go," she bursts out, but her voice breaks halfway through.
I hold her gaze for a moment before I release her arm.
"We both know who your opponent will be," I say, more calmly this time. "On her terms, you likely can't beat her. So use your strength. Use Tele. Keep her at a distance."
"No problem," she mutters sharply, avoiding my eyes.
I shift tactics, softening my approach, as I always do when she pulls away.
"Do I annoy you?" I ask with a faint smirk, recalling our early conversations.
"No," she replies, but her voice wavers.
"Shall I remind you?" I tease. "A bit. Excellent. Glad to be of service. Like a guard dog."
"Go to Plague, Brian," she says wearily.
"Better," I nod, hiding my worry behind a smirk. "'After you, Miss Archer'"
She stops, and our eyes meet. There's no anger or defiance in hers—just emptiness. And that frightens me more than anything else.
"Are you okay?" I ask again, softer this time. "Blair, you have a chance to end this tonight."
She looks at me, and then it hits me: each of her steps echoes faintly in the corridor, a soft slapping sound.
"You're barefoot?" I ask, peering closer. "I don't hear the click of your heels. What happened, Blair?"
"My father doesn't pay you to discuss my feelings" she snaps.
YOU ARE READING
Loveless/ a POWERLESS fanfiction story
FanfictionA girl accustomed to rivalry. Blair Archer grew up surrounded by Elites. The father knew that his daughter was special, which means she should become the next queen and strengthen the influence of the family. Brian was born a Mundane, but persistenc...
