[TAKES PLACE DURING RECKLESS]

• • •

"Can't sleep?"

A pair of fiery blue eyes that rival Kitt's flames snap up to mine, alarmed.

For several minutes, I've been silently watching Paedyn carve pictures into the sand with a stick. Plausibly plotting her way out of the Scorches.

Away from me.

When she meets my eyes, she promptly rolls hers. "It's particularly hard to sleep when I'm lying next to a man who kills for sport."

"You're charming, darling." The endearment used to sound sweet on my lips. Now it's bitter.

She has no right to tell me that I murder for my own enjoyment. Despite how many I've killed, I've never once done it because I wanted to.

"Don't call me that," Paedyn retorts.

I prop my head up with an elbow. "You used to like it. Don't deny it."

She doesn't. However, she adds, "Exactly. I used to."

Exhausted from keeping an eye on my prisoner all night, I sigh. She's a headache at best, and a personal torment at worst. Although lately, she's been leaning more towards the latter.

Paedyn tries to move away from me, but before she can get far, I scoop an arm around her waist and easily pull her back towards me.

We may be sleeping on separate blankets, but that does not mean I'm willing to let her escape arm's reach.

Kitt will not be happy if I lose the most wanted woman in the country.

Even if she's my most wanted as well.

Wincing at the thought, I let her go.

I can't help my smirk, however, when Paedyn tries to bite my hand.

"Missing your dagger?" I taunt. "Or your pride?" I lean in close, unable to hide my grin as I add, "Both?"

At this, Paedyn kicks me in the shin.

I grimace.

Should've seen that coming.

She smiles at me sweetly. "I do just fine without it."

"Ah, but you can't slit my throat."

"I'll find a way."

I sigh, smiling despite myself. "Yes," I murmur. "I'm sure you will."

"Let me go," Paedyn advises, "and I might let you live."

I let loose a laugh that has several of my men stirring in their makeshift beds beside us. "Might, Gray? That's hardly a deal."

She crosses her arms. Stubborn, as always. "And you," she fires back, ever feisty, "are hardly a prince."

I bark another laugh.

After getting tangled up with both Kitt and I, she should know better than to assume that princes are just men.

"Much to your chagrin," I murmur, facing her fully, "my blood is royal, through and through."

She snarls at me. "Perhaps I should spill it to make sure."

If I weren't so exhausted, I would laugh again. Instead, I settle for an amused smile. "Like I said. Charming."

"I'm a danger to you and your men," Paedyn tells me, as if I didn't already know, "I'm a murderer, after all."

My voice is quieter when I respond. "So am I."

Her startlingly blue eyes meet mine, and for a moment, they're softer. Understanding. For a moment, her eyes are the very ones I fell for, in what feels like another life.

But as quick as the moment arises, it's gone.

Paedyn replaces her lovely features with a scowl. "I don't want to have anything in common with the likes of you."

"And yet," I retort, "you do." I lean in to the silver-haired girl and rest my lips near her ear. "It's why you're always fighting your feelings," I add in a low whisper that sends goosebumps rippling over her skin.

This time, Paedyn executes a punch directly to my jaw.

I grimace once more, rubbing at it. By tomorrow, I'm sure it'll be bruised.

And I'm sure Paedyn will be gloating.

With a low chuckle, I roll away just far enough for her to not hit me anymore.

She's smirking, as I expected.

Charming, indeed.