18

My graduation dress was fairly simple. It wasn’t anything meant to stand out or cause heads to turn. I had my hair up in a low flip so the cap would still be on but my hair wasn’t heavy on my neck.

I arrived when the graduates were supposed to… And my group wasn’t small. There was a battalion of Guardians on campus much to the shock of people attending.

“If one more idiot asks me why we’re overreacting when you normally show up with a few guards to most events, I swear my head will explode,” Shael grumbled under her breath. “The arena is open . This is an enclosed auditorium with limited exits. Seriously, how do they not see the difference?”

“We’ve dealt with a lot of the students and their parents all of this time, but now it’s grandparents and siblings who get to play the innocent game,” I muttered. “We get through today and we don’t ever have to come back here. Just remember that.”

“And I get to drink tonight,” she grumbled, scrubbing her hand over her face before really looking at me. “You look stunning, Your Highness. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Commander.”

“Oh, Your Highness, Your Highness,” someone practically screamed over at me. She waved when I looked at her as if I could miss the shifter trying to barrel over my security. “You look wonderful.”

“Thank you,” I accepted and went to move to anywhere else, but she wasn’t remotely done with me.

Of course not.

“You’ll have to drop by our celebration later,” she said as if it was a done deal and she was just confirming it.

“As the princess has repeatedly said, she is unable to attend any graduation celebrations but appreciates the invites,” Shael said with a fake pleasantness.

The woman waved her off. “Yes, of course, that’s for others, but our party is—”

“It’s for everyone,” I confirmed with amusement dancing in my eyes. “And most would expect me to already be busy, asking the leader of a people this late.”

She frowned. “What else could you have to do that’s so important?”

Anything. Anything was more important than dealing with this idiot.

But I couldn’t say that, so I went with the truth. “My coronation.”

“That’s not right after this,” she chuckled like I was being silly. “You have—”

“Yes, please explain our customs to us,” Shael chuckled. “There is a lot for the princess to handle. Now if you could find—”

“Oh, that’s too bad, but you’ll have to invite me to the coronation,” she said brightly… But firmly.

Shael and I shared a look. Was this bitch for real? She seriously just walked up here and demanded an invite to my coronation when I didn’t even know who the fuck she was?

Yup, I was done. People would—things had gotten much better, but there would always still be jerks.

“Invitations were sent out weeks ago and the list confirmed,” I told her firmly with a hostile smile. “There’s limited seating, and people were carefully selected for the honor of seeing the first Queen of Faerie be crowned.”

“Oh, of course, but someone always cancels last-minute and—”

“Not for this,” I cut in, giving her a look to shut up already. “And as I said, the list was carefully considered.” I glanced around and met her gaze again. “And people who make scenes without manners weren’t considered. Enjoy the graduation.”

She gasped as I walked off.

Really? She was shocked I said something?

I was shocked I’d had to deal with that crap.

I was about to head out into the hallway with the others to put on my cap and gown and get into line when I heard something completely out of line. I used my magic to silence the man and went right over to him. “Since you are apparently a jealous child and cannot attend an event with any sort of manners, you will be silent for it. Or leave.”

I gave him a look of disgust—and the people he was with—before walking off. When someone with him muttered that I was too full of myself, I silenced them as well.

Fuck them. Seriously.

“I missed what was said,” Ara muttered, not wanting to know for the gossip but so she could warn people if needed.

“Shit about Izzy being the valedictorian and how the standards of Artemis have fallen since he attended if a woman could actually take the top spot, much less a witch,” I grumbled. “That doesn’t even make sense. If the standards fell—which they have—it’s easier for everyone. Including who he is here to see graduate.”

“Seriously, we should just silence them all,” she sighed.

“Tell the Guardians to do just that,” I told her firmly. “They talk out their ass or look like they’re going to start a problem—silence them until they walk out of the auditorium. I’m so over this crap.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” she chuckled darkly. She told the other Guardians in the radios they were wearing and the amusement around the auditorium shot up about tenfold.

Izzy met me near the entrance of the auditorium and took in my mood. She made kissy faces at me until I cracked and then pinned my cap on me after I slid on my gown. She was all ready to go as well and looked gorgeous.

“Speech ready?” I checked, glad when she nodded and seemed relaxed. “Short and sweet?”

“You know me well,” she chuckled. “Most of these people won’t listen to anything I have to say anyways since I’m a witch or woman or from a class-climbing family—any of it. I’m basically thanking people and wishing everyone luck. Let’s get to the party.” She hurried on when I shot her a worried look. “I meant the food and relaxing. I’m over this as well. I need a drink.”

“A bottle of wine or two,” I drawled.

“Even better.”

I kissed her cheek and wished her luck before she hurried off to get in her position. Mine was easy. I was last.

And the guy who was in front of me was less than thrilled he had to be near me. Not in a mean way, but he didn’t want the attention or people staring the whole time to make him nervous.

Yeah, I felt the same.

“Before we begin, I think some people are unsure of the event they have attended,” Neldor said from the auditorium, using magic to make his voice carry.

All of the students graduating turned and looked at me like what the fuck?

Yeah, I didn’t have an answer.

“This is a graduation ceremony from Artemis University,” he continued. “It is not a meet and greet with our leader or a fan event where she will be speaking with people and signing autographs. If you’re confused on that and have never attended a graduation before, I’m sorry you’re ignorant, but please behave accordingly.

“If a Guardian has used magic to silence you, you clearly did not know how to behave like an appropriate adult and were quieted from disturbing the other attendees so we weren’t forced to remove you. If you do not wish to be silenced or removed, please behave like well-mannered adults and focus on the actual event and graduates who have worked hard. Thank you.”

I sighed, heavily. And all of the graduates were looking at me as if waiting for something. “Look, I would have loved to have skipped too. I hate huge public events, but the amount of shit I would have had to deal with for months after for not attending is—this isn’t my fault.”

That seemed to be enough and most of them turned around and focused on what was to come.

We filed in, and it was fucking annoying to have to endure that amount of camera flashes when I knew more people were taking pictures of me because they thought they had a viable excuse to instead of the people they were actually there for. It really ruined the experience and vibe.

Had I really expected any less?

I guess asking for everyone to behave and grow up really was too much too fast. Pity.

Edelman gave a great introduction and congratulated us before introducing Izzy. He also made it a point to say that the top three spots were all held by women and he was pleased to see the turnaround over the recent years and the intelligent women of our society pushing themselves to shine instead of accepting the roles others deemed appropriate for them.

That was going to get him an earful later, but I loved it. Seriously.

Izzy’s speech was just as she said. She thanked the people who were instrumental to her achieving her goal of graduating and with a high ranking. She named me specifically but also Anya White and Dean Pillay among others.

Then she talked a bit about how she was proud she’d broken away from her family who had the wrong mentality and beliefs and found others with the beliefs she had. She admitted it wasn’t easy, but she was proof that it was worth it and the grief that came with it because she was going to have the job and career she’d never thought possible.

Instead of being married off like property by parents who thought they owned her like an asset because they’d given birth to her. She urged others to do the same—male or female—and wished all of us happy and healthy futures to make the world better for the next generation.

It was a great speech. Really and truly, and I could feel the true hope and well wishes for everyone.

Which made the councilman who spoke after so much worse. He wasn’t remotely as bad as the sexist, racist assholes I’d taken out or locked up, but veiled sexism and racism was still sexism and racism.

And the several comments about people making wrong decisions that could still be changed and fixed when sanity hit them again were very clearly about Faerie and them wanting me as their queen. There were enough hints about different values and too much power to mistake what he was talking about, but how often he focused on me or the commanders made it really clear.

But then he continued to drone on about just bullshit and nothing.

I glanced at Edelman, and he looked like he was chewing on glass and so annoyed. So clearly, this guy wasn’t his choice.

When I saw steam about come out of Onas’s ears, I caught on. This asshole would never get an audience with me, so he threw his weight around to speak at my graduation where I was a captive audience.

Oh hell no.

I turned on my telepathy and focused on the guy, letting all the fairies hear me as well. “Hey, tiny dick, I didn’t even remember your name. You’re rambling to deaf ears because we only value the opinions of people who have any value. Pathetic is throwing around your very tiny power to come speak at my graduation. Seriously? That’s your big move?

“We’re all talking in our minds and handling important matters. Stop annoying the poor graduates here with your crap and embarrassing your species—whatever it is—and sit your stupid ass down. Your poor mate. Does she have to put up with listening to your nasally, whiny bitch voice? Nails on a chalkboard are better. Do you have like a point yet?”

I pissed him off and distracted him long enough that it was obvious that he’d tripped over his speech. He was staring daggers at me and I just sat there smirking.

“Yeah, go ahead, call out the leader of Faerie for calling you a pathetic, tiny dick asshole but only in your head. At my graduation? Oh, I don’t think many will believe you anymore. A few years ago maybe but now? That doesn’t seem likely.”

“Councilman?” Edelman said, having hissed it at him a few times.

He cleared his throat and nodded to Edelman. “Sorry, yes, I was distracted.”

“I’m sure that happens when you give a new speech last minute instead of the one sent to my office that the school board approved,” he replied, his tone tight.

Oh damn. Wow, this guy really was stupid because Kyle Edelman was someone people shouldn’t make an enemy of.

And I said as much in his mind and told him that I was going to keep talking until he shut up and sat down. It worked, and he wrapped up and huffed off the stage.

I was pretty sure everyone in that auditorium knew it was me or at least fairies from the amusement coming off of me.

There were a few more things to handle including announcing those of us who were graduating with high honors and such. I bit back a groan and forced myself to stay awake.

Well, at least that answered whether graduations are still boring whether you’re the graduate or just someone attending. Seriously, why are they so fucking painful? Getting waxed wasn’t this much torture. I’d rather go back to that instead of using runes and never have to attend another graduation. And people asked me if I was going to do more schooling?

“Tamsin, you’re talking in all of our heads still,” Neldor cut in, his amusement leaking over as well. I knew he’d been able to do it because we were mates but… Whoopsies.

I glanced over at him and let everyone hear us. “I’ll show you how humans wax their legs and body like I used to and you can tell me it’s not as painful as this ceremony. Next time I say I’m skipping and I don’t care about things like this, please listen to me.”

All the fairies looked ready to burst out laughing as the first group was called up to accept their diplomas. I cut the connection so we could focus, but I saw Neldor tap his temple.

“Yeah, I believed you, but one of our parents should get to see one of us graduate, and you could never have taken this moment from him.”

I glanced back and saw Lageos sitting there beaming like the proudest parent ever. No, no, I couldn’t have denied him this moment. That was for damn sure.

So I behaved and acted as if I cared and wanted to be there. Did humans feel this way about their graduations? Was it amazing for anyone? All that dedication to work for this goal and then you were bored out of your skull at the ceremony?

Or was there just something wrong with me?

Maybe a bit of both.

I mulled it over the whole time until it was time for our group of the last two rows on the end section. We all stood and moved along the aisle to join up with the end of the line.

I took a step forward when the line did and waited to feel something—anticipation, excitement, nerves… Anything.

I was just bored. Seriously, maybe I really was missing a sensitivity chip?

Finally, it was my turn, and since I was the last to go, it felt like most people were bored as well. Edelman called my name and I walked across the stage and shook his hand. We turned to take the picture holding my diploma when an ear-piercing whistle that was not natural filled the whole auditorium.

I blinked out and saw my dad with his fingers in his mouth making a complete ruckus. I tried to cover up my laugh and focus on the picture as Edelman muttered his eardrums were blown along with everyone else’s.

Probably.

Oh well.

Iolas was trying to reel my dad back in as I moved to shake the hands of a few other deans. Lageos shook him off and was cheering and clapping when I faced front again.

And he wasn’t the only one. All of the fairies were making a damn scene.

Even funnier? My other four guys—minus the stupid fairy—looked gobsmacked that there was such a commotion as they stood and politely clapped like normal people.

Seriously, nothing was ever simple with these fools.

I kinda loved it.

But that was it. That was basically the end. It felt very… Anticlimactic.

Plus, there was going to be a lot more crazy after with the way just about everyone was staring at me. It wasn’t just my hating being the center of attention. Oh no, I could practically hear my name on everyone’s mind even when I had my telepathy locked down.

“Your Highness, this way to take pictures,” Shael said and opened a portal for me not two feet from my seat. The nod she gave me made it clear to move my ass.

Yeah, she didn’t need to tell me twice.

I went through and she followed after with my detail. “How bad?”

“Apparently, there are several teachers who want to ask you for jobs in Faerie now that it’s not considered rude because you’re not a student,” one of my detail drawled. “Same with way too many of the students. Sure, that’s ever been a thing in Faerie and like you’d ever give a job to those vipers who were jerks to you.”

I nodded. “Yeah, but I’ve changed things with Izzy and Juan, not just having the species aides that were basically in name but rarely came to Faerie. I’ve heard lots of whispers and people talk that Faerie will soon be open to everyone under my rule.”

The fairies who joined us glanced at each other and burst out laughing. Yeah, it was completely stupid and not something I would ever allow.

And the people of Faerie would fucking riot if I’d ever had the insane thought to do something like that. Did I want nice people to be able to visit more and experience how awesome Faerie was? Yes.

Yes, absolutely, but no one was just getting full access. Not when there was—and would always be—too much evil in the world. Nope, not happening.

I glanced around Artemis and was more than ready to leave. Once I hugged my dad and he congratulated me, we left and had a great meal at the place he’d arranged with Katrina. It was owned by a supe, and they’d been paid extra to keep their mouth shut that they were having my graduation celebration because everyone wanted to know where it was.

To “drop by” on accident, of course.

Yeah, sure.

Guardians busted two of the employees for trying to take pictures and I thought the owner was going to beat them, so we didn’t even have to handle it. He was probably making a month’s worth of income off this one day with how much we ate even if we brought in our own drinks to have ones from Faerie.

We had so much fun though, and I noticed how often Izzy was taking pictures. I kept reminding her to have fun since it was her celebration as well. She simply cut a glance to my dad.

Yeah, I would have done the same if the situation was reversed. I had less than a week with him and she was being thorough to make sure to get as many pictures of us as she could.

I kissed her hair and thanked her.

“It’s the least I can do when you gave me a damn house,” she chuckled as her cheeks flushed. “You’ll make it through this, Tams.”

I nodded, hearing it more as a worried question from my best friend instead of a statement. I appreciated the support either way.

And I was glad we’d kept the party smaller. It was just my guys, Dad, and the commanders along with Izzy and Claudia. Oh, and Katrina since she’d set it up and was with Taeral.

This one time I didn’t want tons of people.

This one time I was really selfish even if it felt too much like a last supper before someone died.

Which was why I cried when it was over.