7. Adrianna

7

ADRIANNA

H is words leave me frozen in place as he leaves, taking a piece of my heart with him. My soul too, if I consider the fated mates element of our connection and how deeply rooted it is in my bones. I could sense his strain the moment I looked at him, and it took me nearly the entire time to come to terms with it.

I had already known who I would assign to the roles the first time Arlo mentioned them. Roles for everyone but him, my wolf. Our wolf. It took all of that time to let reality sink in and the selfishness in my veins to wash out. I can’t keep him to myself, no matter how much I want to, especially not when the pack needs him during this critical transition of power. Just like me with my role.

How could I ask him to give it all up for me when I couldn’t do the same?

“Now that the tension has dissipated, what shall we discuss first?” Raiden asks, my gaze darting to his as he gives me a pointed look.

“Don’t,” I warn, fighting the urge to scrub at my chest just like Cassian had done a moment earlier.

“What? You’re not the only one sensing it,” he pushes, and I shake my head at him.

“It’s okay, Dagger,” Brody says, alleviating the tension threatening to consume the room. “You’re doing the right thing. So is he. This is new to everyone, but you can bet your sweet ass we’ll figure it out. Always,” he promises, easing the ache just a little.

Nodding, I drop down into Cassian’s now-empty seat, feeling the loss of him even more as Arlo clears his throat. I use the moment to shake off the stress before turning to face him.

I can sense the uncertainty in his eyes as he peers at me, but I nod, encouraging him to continue with whatever is going through his mind. It doesn’t matter what’s going on with me. I’m the queen of the Floodborn Kingdom, my own problems can’t precede that.

Arlo laces his fingers together, leaning on the table as he looks around at everyone. “Maybe the first order of business should be to officially acknowledge whether or not the roles are accepted,” he states, and Raiden scoffs.

“We have a choice?”

“Technically? No, but?—”

“We wouldn’t decline anyway,” Kryll states firmly, eyes locked on me, and I smile.

“For good measure, let her hear it,” Arlo pushes, and they all murmur their agreement to their roles without making a big deal out of it, thankfully.

“Great. What’s next on the docket?” I ask, trying to focus on the task at hand instead of my own concerns.

Arlo turns his attention to Beau. “I think we should all get dressed and Beau needs to leave.”

“Why?” I blurt, frowning at him as Beau starts to stand like this isn’t his home.

“Because he hasn’t been appointed,” Arlo offers with a simple shrug, like it explains everything, and I shake my head.

“What other roles are there?” I push, catching sight of Beau shaking his head from the corner of my eye. I can sense the words coming before he even parts his lips and raise my hand to block him out as I remain focused on Arlo.

“You want me here?” he asks, ignoring the signal to shut up, and I sigh.

“Yes.”

“Raiden is the Head of Defense, but it would be ideal if you had someone specifically in charge of commanding the soldiers too,” Arlo offers, and I nod, liking that role for the man already.

He may not have helped the first time I came across frenzied vampires, but he did the time after, and I trust in him to do the right thing. A family member of Kryll’s, especially after meeting his mother too, and his willingness to let us stay here only confirms his intentions are good.

“Do you accept?” I ask, glancing at the man in question.

“What about Cassian?” he asks, catching me by surprise, but I hide behind a tapered smile as I softly shake my head.

“Cassian has far too much going on already to even contemplate dealing with all of this too. Once everything calms down on his end, we can readdress the situation. But for you, do you accept the role or not?”

He stands tall, nodding in understanding before he speaks. “It would be my honor.”

His gaze leaves mine as a subtle look passes between the brothers, a wave of pride floating over the room before Kryll snickers. “Great, now sit your ass down.”

“Why wasn’t this part taught in any of the classes?” Brody asks, scrubbing at the back of his neck, and I can’t help but nod in agreement. I haven’t been appointed Queen for a whole twenty-four hours yet and I’ve asked myself that question more times than I care to admit. I’m not even sure which part he means because it all feels scrambled to me already.

“Maybe they hadn’t gotten to it yet,” Kryll murmurs, glancing at his brother for guidance since he was a professor at the academy.

If it’s an answer he’s seeking, all he receives is a shrug. “My focus was to prepare you all for combat and possible wars between any and all entities, this stuff was not in my purview,” he explains as Arlo clears his throat.

“So, the first topics in the first meeting called are required to focus on the kingdom’s economy, safety, allies, enemies, and your plans for relocation,” he advises, and a warmth spreads in my chest. The kind that only forms to confirm that I've made the right decision.

Flora grins with pride, staring at Arlo in wonder, and I have to bite back a smirk of my own. If he says this is the conversation we need to have, then we’ll have it because I trust his words and his ability in this role, just as I do everyone else in theirs.

“So, the economy,” I start, drowning in the silence that follows as we each stare at one another. Arlo included.

“It looks like I’ve got my first task at hand then,” Kryll offers, and I nod, holding back the sigh that threatens to escape my lips. Yet another thing we haven’t been taught, and a swirling in my gut tells me it has nothing to do with the fact that the professors just hadn’t gotten around to it yet. I’m leaning far more toward the fact that The Council ensured the curriculum was lacking because they truly didn’t believe someone would come into power.

Fuckers.

“Please, that would be great,” I agree, nodding at my dragon.

“We’re going to want detailed reports on how businesses stand, not just in the City of Harrows but in all of the towns that make up the Floodborn Kingdom. Along with focusing on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services that meets the needs of not just us, but the people themselves,” Arlo explains, and Kryll nods.

“Once we’re done here, I’ll dive in.”

“Perfect, start at The Council’s office. I’m sure the most up-to-date documents are there. I hope at least,” Arlo rambles, and my stomach clenches at the thought of one of my men stepping into that damn place. Even though most of them are dead now, at our hands no less, I still don’t get the best vibe from it.

“I can come with you,” Beau adds, easing the tension growing in my chest without realizing. “I can figure out the situation with the soldiers and confirm information with Raiden from there.”

“On the topic of soldiers, do we know where we’re at with safety?” Arlo asks, directing us through the meeting, and I shake my head.

Raiden, however, leans forward in his seat. “We know The Council seemed to control both the good and bad parts of the kingdom. We know the frenzied vampires were controlled by the damn vampires, so there has to be a way for me to get to the bottom of that. We need to communicate with the soldiers, assess how reliable they are or if their allegiance remains with The Council, and on top of all that, we need to figure out what we’re going to do with that witch, Clementine,” he grunts, lacing his fingers together on the table.

“Yes to all of that,” I blurt, impressed that he’s seeing everything from all angles and considering problems in advance of them actually happening. How non-vampire of him.

“That sounds like an excellent plan because we need to gather a strong understanding of who our allies and enemies are. Not just personally, but for the kingdom as well. I think it’s safe to say that our enemies remain as Clementine, her henchman, Fairbourne, Orenda, who’s locked up in the cellar at the old council building, and whoever controls the frenzied vampires,” he reels off, making me gulp at the ever-growing list of shit that doesn’t work in our favor.

“And our allies?” Brody questions, not acknowledging the mention of his father’s name on the enemies list, but I see the flash of pain in his eyes before he blinks it away. He’s been at odds with his father for a long time, but it can’t make it any easier to know he’s against us and everything we stand for. Especially not on this scale.

“Our allies are…” Flora tries to respond, but glances around the table, coming up blank.

Kryll clears his throat, drawing my pleading gaze to his as I will him to give me someone. “My mother will always be an ally, but she won’t impede upon Floodborn Kingdom’s affairs. We also have to remember that Addi’s father is now with us, and his wisdom will be paramount.”

I nod, eager to understand what his comment about his mother means, but now isn’t the time to get distracted, so I pocket the question for another time.

“We also have the people,” Brody points out. “We have to remember they voted for you. They see what we see and they believe you can make a difference to the kingdom. They may not come with a title of stature, but they come in numbers. I will also begin discussing further details with the mages once we’re done. I don’t know how some will feel with me taking my father’s role, but I know there are allies among them.”

I nod vigorously, his words sending strength through my bones as he reminds me why I’m here, and it’s exactly what I needed.

“Anything else?” Raiden asks, tilting his head at Arlo, who nods in response.

“The final details we must discuss are regarding the plans for relocation.”

My bones stiffen at the reminder and I can sense cautious eyes looking my way. My gut twists at the absence of Cassian more than ever as I remember who was there to support me when I was last at the castle, drowning in memories I hadn't recalled for so long.

Clearing my throat, I sit tall in my seat and jut my chin out, basking in the confidence I wish was true. “What are the usual plans for relocating?” I ask, completely committed to getting it over and done with now. Arlo smiles, but it wobbles at the end, confirming there’s something I’m still missing. “What?”

“Who do you want to relocate with you?” he asks, and I frown. That’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be.

“Everyone,” I confirm, glancing around the table. “Everyone here at least. My father and Nora too. The palace is huge, and if we can have the inner circle all stationed together I think it will make a huge difference. Not just to our mentality but to our ability to provide the strength our kingdom needs.”

“Is that okay with everyone?” Arlo asks, eyes roaming over everyone at the table. They all nod, Beau and Flora included. It’s more than silently assumed that I won’t separate from the guys now, but seeing three of them agree warms my heart and fills me with another wave of strength I didn’t know I needed.

Trying not to dwell on the fact that Cassian isn’t here to nod along with them, I turn my attention back to Arlo. “Anything else we need to discuss or are we relocating this afternoon?” I ask, pushing back from the table and rising to my feet.

I probably should have changed like he originally mentioned, but I was too focused on the task. Now, as I stand in an oversized tee that isn’t mine with only a pair of boxers underneath, I understand my error. I can’t be this casual when we move, I have to be present and mindful of my role and what that looks like. Clothing and all.

“We can relocate this afternoon, just as soon as you’ve addressed the kingdom.”