[TAKES PLACE DURING RECKLESS]

• • •

"You know, watching someone sleep is creepy." Paedyn's words are accompanied by a yawn, and her half-lidded eyes threaten to close once more.

I can't blame her.

By my guess, it's barely 3 o'clock in the morning.

Though there are dozens of us crowded into Lenny's refuge — which is nothing more than an abandoned building with a glorified title — we appear to be the only ones awake.

I'll admit, I've been watching her for hours. But I've had little else to do, considering that my hands are shackled behind my back with rope that begs to chafe my wrists.

I can't help but smirk at her words, though. I'm glad she's awake to keep me entertained, now. "I'm not watching," I hedge. "I'm observing, Gray."

Paedyn looks as though she's trying not to scoff. "Same thing." Her blue eyes glimmer in the moonlight creeping through the sparse windows, eventually filling with a curiosity she can't quite bury. "Observing what?" she asks at last.

"You."

"Obviously." She snorts. "What about me?"

I consider being honest. Consider telling her I was counting her freckles. Watching how her silver hair drapes her shoulders in lieu of a blanket.

But alas, I can't.

Not now, anyway.

"There's dirt on your face," I say instead.

Paedyn doesn't seem nearly as concerned as most girls would, but she does reach up and brush off her cheeks.

"Higher," I murmur. "On your forehead."

She scrubs at her skin. "Did I get it?"

"You're only smudging it, Gray."

She huffs in annoyance and tries again. Paedyn quirks a brow after scouring her whole scalp. "Better?"

"Worse."

She groans.

"I'd offer to help," I say sweetly, "but my hands aren't exactly accessible."

Paedyn mutters under her breath, thoroughly annoyed with me. And it's not even dawn yet.

I rest my head on my dusty bedroll, unable to help a patronizing smile. "Care to untie me?"

"Certainly not," she says. "Just tell me where the dirt is."

"Your forehead," I repeat.

Paedyn looks ready to have a conniption. "Be specific, Azer."

I crane my head into the darkness. "Above your left eyebrow."

"My left or your left?"

I snort. "My left, of course."

With a roll of her eyes, Paedyn locates the spot.

"Down slightly," I continue. "Closer to your temple."

"What a nuisance you are," she responds.

But this time, she manages to collect the dirt. She even licks a finger and wipes away the trace of any remnants.

Lowering her head, she quietly mutters, "Thanks."

Utterly pleased, I say, "I'd like a favor in return."

She snorts. "I'm not untying your wrists, Prince."

"I had something else in mind."

She humors me. "And what is that?"

"The next time I have dirt on my face, I'd like you to clean it up."

At this, she laughs softly. "Alright."

But I'm not finished yet. Flashing her my charming smile, I add, "Preferably, with your lips."

That earns me a quick punch to the chest.

But I can't bring myself to care, even when pain travels up my ribcage.

Because for the first time in days, Paedyn smiles.

It's weak and short-lived.

She even tries to hide it with her pillow.

But I've already seen it.

And suddenly, being a prisoner doesn't seem so bad.

Because, in some way or another, I'm hers.