3. Kryll

3

KRYLL

T he familiar sight of Beau’s home on campus does nothing to calm the building exhaustion inside of me. Black on black everything leaves little joy to be found in the dark surroundings. The entire day has been a haze. One thing has led straight into another and I don’t know which way is up. I can’t even begin to imagine what Addi’s going through.

Which is exactly why she was carted off to bed the moment we got here. She may be our queen, and we’ll damn sure treat her like one, but we all know she’s going to put taking care of herself at the bottom of the list. No way. We can’t allow it.

It’s our job to make sure she takes care of herself whether she likes it or not. I only wish it was me tucked up with her, but it seems Brody got the golden ticket while I wait for my brother.

I stare at every inch of the kitchen, hoping to find a clue on how to handle everything going forward, but we’re out of our depth. Addi may have been born into this role, just like Raiden mentioned earlier, but she wasn’t trained for this part. The academy classes fell short with these teachings. I guess it’s not their fault the entire academy’s purpose was cut short, but they should have been touching on everything at every point.

“Hey, do you mind if I sit?”

I shake my head, focusing on the present to find Arlo grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and pointing to the table I’m at. I wave my hand, offering him a spot, and he quietly leans back, a heavy sigh falling from his lips.

It seems we’re all up in arms, handling everything as best as we can while remaining present for the woman who needs us most.

Movement by the door pulls my attention as Beau saunters into the room, and I cock a brow at him. “Are they settled?”

“Yes. Mother sends her wishes.” I nod in acknowledgement as my brother heads for the fridge, but instead of retrieving a bottle of water, he pulls out a beer.

August and Nora are off staying with my mother again until there’s a permanent place for them that’s safe enough for Addi to ease up on them. I don’t think that place exists, but we’ll figure it out eventually. One thing at a time, that’s all we can do.

The screech of the chair opposite me dragging across the floor makes me cringe as my brother collapses into it. He takes a swig of his beer before pointing the neck of it in my direction. “You guys can stay here for as long as you need.” He waves it between Arlo and me, signifying everyone, and I nod.

“It won’t be that long,” Arlo states, picking at the label on his water bottle as I cock my head at him. It takes a moment for him to realize he has my undying attention before he expands. “Once all appointments have been made, she’ll be relocated to the castle.”

My nose scrunches as my gaze narrows on him. “How do you know that?”

He shrugs, dipping his gaze back to the water bottle, but I caught the glint in his eye. I’m not sure exactly what it was, but I’m determined to find out. “What am I missing?”

Arlo’s lips part as he finds my gaze again, but whatever bullshit he’s about to feed me falls away quickly as he sighs. “Fine. I knew she was important from the very first day here when Flora wouldn’t back away. It’s like we were drawn to her. My suspicions were confirmed when she was revealed to be Princess Adrianna Reagan. But by then my research had already begun,” he offers, giving me more while still remaining cryptic.

“Research?” Beau prods, needing him to say more just as much as I do, and Arlo nods.

“Yeah, like what would happen when she was appointed to the throne.” He says it casually, but that’s a big ass statement.

“You knew she would be appointed to the throne?” I question, shaking my head in disbelief as he quirks a brow at me.

“Have you seen her?”

Seen her? I’ve fucked her. Shit, I love her.

“That makes sense, but why research?” I blurt instead, tamping my thoughts down.

He offers another shrug. “To be of use, I guess. Fae haven’t had a good reputation in the past few years and I wanted to understand what use I could be when the time came.”

I see the truth in his eyes. He’s not as loyal to Addi as we are, Cassian, Brody, Raiden, and me, but he’s just as loyal to Flora. He’ll do whatever she needs, and if that includes supporting Addi, he will.

Leaning back in my seat, I fold my arms over my chest. “Solid plan. What did you come up with?”

“A shit ton of unnecessary knowledge and no clear plan,” he says with a scoff, chugging at his water like he wishes it was stronger, while I continue to assess him.

“That might not be true,” I murmur, more to myself than anyone else, but before Arlo can say anything, Raiden enters the room.

“She’s asleep. What’s this I hear about knowledge?” he asks, joining us at the table. Brody is likely still with her, and I think Cassian darted off to do whatever wolf shit he needed to do, but we can pass on any information Arlo may have.

“It’s not so much knowledge, but the next steps are supposed to be Addi appointing her advisors, followed by relocating to the castle. Residency in proximity to the throne only signifies her powers now. Once she’s addressed the kingdom again, she will then need to organize tours of the villages, towns, and cities to garner a connection with the people.”

Fuck.

That all sounds like too much and he hasn’t even mentioned the threat that is Clementine and her sidekick Fairbourne. That fucker couldn’t even look Addi in the eyes as he left with that bitch, nevermind glancing in her father’s direction.

He committed betrayal at the highest level, treason, even, and there’s no coming back from that.

“All while Clementine remains on the loose,” Raiden bites, voicing my thoughts, and I take the moment to stand. I’m not going to feel better sitting here. I need to be closer to my woman.

“That’s a problem for tomorrow. If we want to help her, we need to rest too,” I murmur, heading for the door without a backward glance. I’m at our door in a flash, peeking through the gap as I watch her sleep. As I enter the darkened space, the moonlight filtering through the window, Brody places a finger to his lips, telling me to be quiet. Like I need reminding, but I don’t say a word.

Instead, I watch as her chest rises and falls softly with every breath, her blonde hair fanned out over the pillows as I make a silent vow.

From now until forever, I will keep the queen of the Floodborn Kingdom safe. Not for their benefit, but for mine. With all of my heart, I will give myself to the woman who completes me. Time and time again. Until I take my last breath.