5. Adrianna

5

ADRIANNA

W ith his arm firmly wrapped around my shoulders, Brody snaps his fingers, adorning me in an oversized t-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts before leading me out of the room. I glance over my shoulder, checking on Cassian, but he waves me off, promising to be right behind me, and I nod.

“How’s the queen this morning?” Brody asks, pulling me from my thoughts as we head toward the kitchen.

“I don’t know how I feel about people calling me that,” I admit, my eyebrows furrowing as I feel a twinge of guilt for saying it out loud.

“That’s what you are, Dagger,” he replies softly, using his nickname for me this time, and it eases some of the pressure on my chest.

“Out there I am, but that’s still going to take some getting used to. I don’t want to be that in here, though,” I explain, speaking my thoughts as soon as I feel them. I can’t even make sense of myself, yet he tugs me in closer to his side, pressing a kiss to my temple.

“Got it. Queen to the kingdom, Addi to us.” It’s a statement, not a question, and it resonates deep in my bones, making me smile.

We enter the kitchen before I have a chance to answer and I startle at how busy it is. Raiden, Kryll, Arlo, Flora, and Beau are all seated around the table. Whatever conversation they were having is halted by my arrival and Flora quirks a brow at me.

“Are we supposed to bow now or something?” she muses, tapping the tip of her finger against her chin. I scoff, my nose scrunching in distaste.

“Please don’t ever do that,” I grumble as Brody leads me to the table. Before I can take a seat, Kryll wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me from Brody’s grasp and into his lap in one swift move.

My cheeks heat at the fact that his brother and my friends are here, but ultimately, when I stare into his eyes, I nestle against his chest.

“Let her eat before you paw at her,” Raiden mumbles, putting a plate of food in front of me as Brody takes the seat beside him.

He looks tired, everyone here does. About as tired as I feel.

I expect an awkwardness to linger in the air, from what, I don’t know, but there’s nothing but a sense of calm as everyone eats, so I get over myself and join them.

Pancakes, bacon, and syrup are just what I needed.

Cassian eventually joins us, making use of the coffee machine in the corner and bringing me a steaming mug before joining the group at the table. When everyone’s done, I sigh, opting to lead the conversation instead of hiding away from it like I want to.

Clearing my throat, I sit tall in Kryll’s lap. “My father said I need an advisor.”

Almost everyone at the table offers me their attempt at a reassuring smile. Everyone except Arlo. He continues to shovel food into his mouth as he nods. Once he’s done, he doesn’t look up from his plate, readying his fork with more bacon as he speaks. “He’s right. You need someone to basically manage your life.” He chews, continuing to nod still before he repeats the motion, pausing long enough to speak once again. “They need to offer you guidance when needed, but mostly keep you informed.” He still hasn’t lifted his head from his food, unfazed by the attention he holds from everyone around the table.

Kryll’s fingers sweep across my thigh before squeezing, and it pulls my gaze his way. I search his eyes, and it’s as if he knows what I’m searching for. He nods and I instantly understand that he knows more than I do.

“What does her day realistically look like, Arlo?” he asks, nodding for me to look back at the fae who scoffs in response.

“Busy with a capital B . It could lean toward the manic side too, but that is yet to be seen. It really depends on how your appointments go and the general state of the kingdom now that there’s a magical homicidal maniac on the loose. Once you’ve appointed an advisor, you must then consider your council and leaders, like Head of Defense, Origins Liaison, Treasurer, Mage Master, and any other roles that you feel are necessary. Then you’re going to need to move.”

“Move?” I blurt, and he finally looks away from his food and meets my confused stare with a casual shrug.

“To the castle.”

My heart about stops in my chest. My throat clogs, making it impossible for me to breathe, and my body stiffens from head to toe.

I know we visited the castle on a field trip with the academy, but my brain hadn’t connected the dots. I guess with everything feeling so rushed yesterday, it’s caught me off guard. It seems I’m not the only one, though. Raiden, Cassian, Brody, and Flora all glance around the table in surprise too.

Sighing, I tuck my hair behind my ear and reach for my mug of coffee, drinking every last drop before I ask the question I know is needed. “This is definitely already manic,” I admit, earning a soft smile from Flora. “Any news on Clementine?” The energy shifts in the room, uncertainty encapsulating us with the reminder of the new threat standing in our way.

“Not yet,” Arlo answers with another shrug, placing his cutlery on his plate as he leans back in his seat. “But it’s still early and no one has been assigned to begin the search,” he adds, and I nod in understanding.

My father was right. Selecting an advisor sets everything else in motion.

“It sounds like you better start appointing,” Raiden murmurs, scrubbing the back of my neck like he agrees with my thoughts.

Kryll’s thumb ghosts over my thigh again and I take the silent strength offered. “And I have to start with an advisor?” I confirm, giving myself a moment to compose myself, and Arlo nods. “Good, because I choose you, Arlo.”