30. Adrianna

30

ADRIANNA

T he only sign of exertion noticeable on my body is the sweat that clings to my brow. We’ve been out here for hours, too many hours, sifting through the remains of the rubble, but thanks to my wolf abilities, I’m not out of breath, I’m not down on my knees with exhaustion, and I’m not straining under the weight of the materials.

Raiden, Janie, and Kryll are with me, taking Commander North’s orders without a single complaint as we try to help heal their exposed wounds.

The silence that clings to the village is eery, but the sense of community that strengthens them is something else entirely. They’re synchronized. Piling the remains of destroyed homes and buildings together so they can see what they’re working with when it comes to rebuilding their homes and workplaces.

Placing a large stone with the rest, I take a step back, planting my hands on my hips as I assess how much we’ve actually done here today as the sun slowly sets in the distance.

“I’ve got to hand it to you, Queen Adrianna, you’ve been of far more use than I expected.”

I blink up at the commander, noting the hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, and I give him a pointed look. “I’m going to take that as a compliment because that’s definitely how you meant it,” I retort, unable to keep the whisper of a smile off my face. “But can we take a moment to imagine how much quicker this entire process would be if you let me use my magic?”

It’s the one-hundredth time I’ve mentioned it, and it earns me another eye roll.

“I’m sure we would be much further along, Your Highness, but if I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times: this haven is for humans. We had to build it with our own hands the first time, it should be done our way this time.”

“If you say so,” I reply, just as I have done every other time, and he sighs.

“Truly, though, you’re covered in filth, you didn’t stop when the rain came, and every single person who arrived with you has offered the same resources. I didn’t care for a new monarch being appointed, but right now, I’m slightly pleased it’s you.” He nods, solidifying his words as I stare into his eyes.

“Only slightly? We really do need to work on your compliments,” I insist, and he barks out a laugh. He opens his mouth to speak, but a soldier appears at his side, one dressed in sandstone threads and no helmet. One of his soldiers.

“Sir, food has been prepared.”

“Thank you, Milton.” The soldier saunters off as North turns back to me. “With dusk upon us, it’s time to call it a night. Please, I have ensured there are enough supplies to thank you and your people,” he offers, waving for me to follow after him.

“Did someone say food? Because if I don’t eat soon, my wolf is going to eat me,” Janie grumbles, making me chuckle as everyone finishes off their tasks before we head toward the town hall.

“Hey, Princess,” Kryll breathes, appearing at my side and tossing his arm around my shoulders. I lean into his side, sighing with relief that we’ve made it through the day, when another hand finds the small of my back. Peering to my right, I find it’s Raiden walking side by side with us.

“You should be impressed with yourself today, Adrianna,” he states, not shifting his gaze my way as we continue toward the town hall. To be honest, I’m not sure how the building is still standing. There are large chunks missing from many of the walls, but the main foundations remain intact enough for it to survive.

“Why’s that?” I ask when he doesn’t offer any further explanation, and he shrugs.

“Because you came here, aided them where they needed instead of where you wanted, and we’ve made a difference. I also understand your offer to use your magic, but once again you rise above the rest of us and accept the decline like the queen you are, understanding their needs as a town. You make me proud every day, Troublemaker, but today you blew yourself out of the water.” He finally turns to me, offering a wink, and my cheeks heat. Hopefully the dusk settling on the horizon hides the telling pink hue as I bask in his compliment.

His words warm me to my core.

“I can sweet talk her too, you know,” Kryll grumbles, squeezing my arm, and I snicker when I see his brows gathered in concern. “I thought all of those things too, he just beat me to saying it.”

“You sound like Brody when you say shit like that,” Raiden comments, and it’s impossible to hide my grin as Kryll glares at my vampire.

“Queenie, I don’t know how you handle all of this testosterone, but it’s exhausting from where I’m standing,” Janie states, and the commander nods in agreement from two steps ahead.

Thankfully, we reach the town hall doors and the scent of food hits our senses causing everything else to fade away. Once inside, Commander North leads the way, trudging down a narrow corridor, away from the hustle and bustle, and comes to a stop outside a solid wooden door. He opens it and waves everyone inside, and the moment I step in I’m greeted by the familiar smile that belongs to my mage.

“Fuck, finally, Dagger. I’ve missed you so fucking much,” he hollers, leaping from his seat and darting across the room in a flash.

“I don’t sound like that,” Kryll grumbles, recalling Raiden’s comment from earlier, but I don’t get a chance to respond as I’m lifted off my feet and twirled in the air. “I don’t act like that either,” he adds under his breath, but my wolf senses still give me the pleasure of hearing his grumble.

“You’re sitting with me,” Brody says, carrying me around the long table and planting me in the seat beside his before joining me.

Arlo and Flora are also seated around the table ready to eat. They’ve been tucked away in here for most of the day, organizing affairs and dealing with matters that can’t be handled with manual labor and brute force.

My main advisor murmurs with Commander North for a moment before they shake hands, and the human mutters his thanks. It seems like we’ve all managed to leave an impression today. Hopefully now, we can get a good night’s rest and go at it again tomorrow.

Plates are carried in, distracting me from everything and everyone else around the table as my sights narrow in on the heap of mashed potatoes, vegetable gratin, and chicken breast. I was expecting the equivalent of cardboard cut out food, rations or something, but this is perfection.

I don’t wait a single moment before I tuck in, and I’m not the only one. The room falls silent as everyone refuels themselves after a long and straining day.

“Queen Adrianna, I should probably have that checked before you eat,” Arlo states as I chew the food in my mouth. I give him a pointed look as I swallow the goodness before I respond.

“It’s a bit late for that, don’t you think?”

“Maybe just to be sure?” It’s a question, laced with doubt, but I simply take another forkful and chomp down on it.

He rolls his eyes at my dramatics, but it’s the chuckle from Commander North that garners my attention.

“If it’s any reassurance, the food isn’t poisoned,” he muses, and I grin, nodding my thanks as I continue to eat. “I can have my men organize some kind of accommodation for you this evening if?—”

“That won’t be necessary, Commander. The kingdom’s soldiers have been setting up camp all evening for us. We also have spare accommodations for any of your men that are without shelter,” Arlo interjects, and the commander's eyes widen in surprise.

“Thank you.” The two words hang heavy in the room, the gratitude palpable. “Truly, every single one of you, I thank you, and your soldiers. The help you have offered today is endless, the support unwavering, and the humor amusing,” he adds, smirking at my men. “We shall never be able to thank you enough for your assistance here today, except to offer our services to you and the crown whenever it is needed.”

His words speak volumes, rendering me speechless as I simply nod at him.

“Thank you,” Raiden says, bracing his elbows on the table. “We didn’t come here with intentions of expecting repayment, but your belief in our queen and offer of support strengthens our defense, so thank you for that.” The Commander practically preens under Raiden’s words, and I shake my head in disbelief. I don’t know where my vampire has been finding these strong words, compliments, and power, but it suits him. “Are we going to discuss that you’re not actually in control of the village, though? Mayor Phillips leaves a lot to be desired,” he adds, and I grin. There’s my vampire.

Brody chokes on his food, trying not to laugh, and Arlo wipes a hand down his face, hoping to hide the amusement that dances across his features, but it’s undeniable. Especially when the rest of the table breaks out into a chuckle.

“The mayor is simply that: title. He was actually born into the role, so most don’t pay him any mind,” North explains with a heavy sigh. “It’s my job to protect the village. I take it seriously, and everyone respects that. He can busy himself with whatever he does. As long as the village survives this attack and any other that may come our way, I don’t care. Now, I think it’s time we rest,” he states, nodding before murmuring his goodbyes and exiting the room without a backward glance.

“Did I hit a nerve?” Raiden asks, placing his cutlery on his empty plate, and I shake my head.

“No, I get the sense he’s quite matter of fact most of the time,” I murmur, commenting on the commander like I know him, when it’s far from the truth.

“Well, shall we take him up on his offer and find our tents?” Arlo asks, earning a round of agreements as we all leave the table.

Quietly, we stalk down the hallway and make our way back outside into the night air. With the moon to guide us, we make our way to the edge of town where the soldiers have been setting up, and my steps falter when the “tents” come into view.

“I think they’re a bit bigger than a damn tent, Arlo,” I blurt, gaping up at the large white structures.

“They’re more like a castle of sheets if you ask me,” Janie adds.

“I bet you could fit a full-sized bed or five in one of those,” Flora says with a giggle, and Arlo clears his throat.

“There are four in each, actually,” he clarifies, making her amusement spread to the rest of us.

“This is awesome. Thanks, Arlo,” Brody says, patting him on the shoulder. “Which one is mine?”

Arlo lifts his hand, ready to point it out, when a panicked holler rings through the air.

“Royal Advisor, we have some urgent news.” Arlo spins on the spot and I follow his line of sight to where a soldier runs toward us. “There’s been a sighting of the threat. Another village is under attack.”