3. Adrianna

3

ADRIANNA

S peeches? Fucking speeches ? They're not really giving us much to prepare for with this. Let's not forget the fact that I really hate this shit. There's enough going on in my life right now that I don't need to add this to the list.

Exhaling, I try to shake my frustrations and focus on one thing at a time. It doesn't help that I can't think straight with all the people muttering quietly in the small room we're cooped up in. Agitation lays heavy on my chest, making it impossible for me to even think about making a damn speech. Not when I know Kenner and most of The Council will be waiting for us the second the trial is over.

"Are you okay?"

I blink up at Kryll, a tight smile gracing my lips as I take another deep breath. I can't muster the words to deny the fact that I'm hanging on by a thread. Thankfully, the knowing look in his eyes confirms that he's understanding as best he can.

His fingers lace with mine, providing me with an anchor and grounding me in the madness. I lean into him, letting him feed me with the strength that I desperately need.

Gazing around the room, my eyes settle on the giant notice on the wall.

Speech Requirements

Address the people

Express your beliefs

Promise of victory

Recommendation: Speeches should be made as if entering an unavoidable battle.

I huff at every single expectation. There is such little guidance, and yet they want us to excel. I don't know why I'm lingering on this fact. I think it's because this is all out of my control. I've got Kryll's hand in mine to keep me grounded, but otherwise, it feels like I'm floating.

"Are you thinking up a badass speech in that pretty little head of yours, Dagger?" Brody asks, appearing at my other side. His hand instantly finds the small of my back.

"I'm coming up blank," I admit with a muttered breath. "The lack of preparation is making me spiral," I add, and he shakes his head.

"No, Addi. The impending carnage that awaits us is what's wreaking havoc on you; the speech is nothing. Besides, if this was a real-life event, you would address the kingdom on a whim, using mainly your instinct, and you'd have them all eating out of the palm of your hand," he says with a wink, extracting the last of the air from my lungs.

He's right.

I think I hate that he's right.

Damn mage with his pretty eyes.

Taking a deep breath again, it seems to take root this time, and the tension bunching my muscles together eases just an inch.

"You have the gift of the gab," I reply, a real smile tilting the corner of my mouth. "I thought you would be all over this like a pro."

Brody smirks at me, the knowing glint in his eyes like always. "Please, of course I am. It's grumpy assholes one and two over there who should be concerned," he states, pointing at Cassian and Raiden.

Cassian glares back at Brody from his spot a few steps ahead of us, while Raiden turns to give him his full attention.

"I'm a vampire. I know how to lead a crowd." He stands taller, fixing the sleeves of his suit jacket even though there's nothing wrong with them.

"Sure you do," Brody retorts with too much humor for my vampire, who rolls his eyes in response.

Their bickering should be a distraction, but among the chaos, it feels more comfortable, calming my breaths and easing my racing heart.

A moment later, the door opens in the far corner of the room and Professor Fairbourne fills the space. He doesn't cast his gaze in my direction. Instead, he reads out a list of names, causing a slight panic among the students. My breath stutters when the final name he calls is Kryll.

My fingers tighten around his as he offers me a soft and reassuring smile. Wordlessly, he leans closer, staring deep into my eyes before he eliminates the distance between us and crushes his lips to mine. It's too short but oh-so-sweet, and then he's gone.

I press the pads of my fingertips to my mouth, eager to recall his touch, but the remnants of his lips against mine are dimmed when the door closes behind the named students.

"Well, this just got real," Flora muses, filling the empty spot where Kryll had stood a moment ago, and I nod. "What are you going to say?" she asks, and I stare at her, trying to find the right answer, but I still come up empty.

"I don't know," I admit again. I'm trying, I'm really fucking trying, but it's not easy. My brain is processing words, but none of them are sticking.

"Are you okay?" she asks, concern crinkling the corners of her eyes.

"I'm good."

"You can say if you're not, you know," she murmurs, squeezing my arm in comfort, and I try to smile at her.

"I know."

I also know that the possibility others may overhear my vulnerability exists in this room of diverse origins, and I'd rather not reveal that if I can help it.

A shadow casts over me, drawing my attention forward, where I find Cassian looming over me. Brody's hand draws circles on the small of my back while Raiden watches from a step away, and the attention from all of them threatens to leave me breathless.

"Cassian?" I question when he doesn't initially speak.

He stares at me, like really stares, slipping deep into my eyes and searching my damn soul. For what, I don't know, but it's consuming nonetheless. Inching closer, he presses his lips against my ear, his words barely more than a whisper.

"You are hands down the most stunning wolf I have ever seen in my life." I shiver against him, his words heating my veins, and I'm almost certain I can feel my wolf inside of me. I can't explain it. It's euphoric and amazing, leaving goosebumps along my skin. "You're also my mate, Alpha. My. Mate. I won't let anything happen to you." He leans back, his gaze still consuming mine as I gape at him in wonder.

"I didn't think you would," I muse, tingles running through me, and he nods.

"Yeah, now the impulse is worse." His jaw ticks as he strokes his thumb over my cheek.

Before another word can be spoken between us, the door opens again, Fairbourne stepping back into the room as he starts calling out names. Panic clings to me once again when Cassian, Brody, and Arlo are called out.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Cassian's grip on my chin tightens a fraction before his lips capture mine in a searing touch that reignites the ghost of Kryll's kiss earlier. I pout the moment he takes a step back, tearing his lips from mine as Brody shifts his hand from my back to my waist and pulls me in close. Smothering my pout, it wanes under the swipe of his tongue as he delves into my mouth like a starved man.

Just as quickly as he obliterates me, he takes an unwanted step back before following the others through the door.

"Girl, you are so done for," Flora says with a snicker, pulling me from my longing thoughts as I turn to face her with a raised eyebrow.

"What?"

She matches my stance, cocking her brow at me as she nods toward the closed door. I sense Raiden move toward my right, his presence sending tingles down my spine as I try to focus on my friend.

The staredown she gives me is enough to challenge the mightiest of warriors, and as much as I try to prevent it, I relent under her intensity.

"You're right," I mutter with a sigh of defeat. Admitting the truth usually tastes sour on my tongue, but in this instance, I rather like it.

"I know I am. Any guesses what the trial may be?" she asks, moving on to the impending topic like I didn't just reveal a vulnerability to her in the form of my Kryptos.

"No, but the thought of them using it as a tactic to…" My words trail off, unable to express the reality of overhearing what Bozzelli and Kenner were whispering about earlier.

"It's fucked up, Adrianna," Raiden murmurs from my side, running his fingers over my neck. "Very fucked up," he adds, driving the fact home, and all I can do is nod in agreement.

"I'm more confused about why Kenner—" I stop myself before I start running my mouth and someone hears me. Raiden senses the shift and squeezes my shoulder.

"I know."

Flora steps around me so she's facing us both, shaking her head in disbelief. "If I thought this place was fucked up before…"

Once again, words fail to describe the circumstances. It doesn't matter because in the next moment, Fairbourne is back at the door, calling the remaining students to follow him, and the three of our names are obviously in the mix.

My heart races, and my pulse thunders in my ears as we follow him down the hallway and back toward the ballroom. I find Brody, Kryll, and Cassian first, their presence, along with Raiden's, helping to calm me, but just behind them, I spy the flashing cameras of the media.

The lights are blinding, distracting me so much that I almost don't hear Bozzelli call out my name. Raiden squeezes my hand, but I don't pull my stare from the woman in question. I manage the smallest clench back before I head toward where she waits at the top of the podium.

With every step I take, clarity settles over me, taking root in my bones and calming the storm that's been brewing inside of me. Bozzelli addresses the crowd, but I don't hear it; with my mindset, I'm completely focused.

I don't know what anyone has said before me, and it doesn't matter either way, but I have an audience, an audience that derives from more than just the academy and the council. I didn't offer the media a single word earlier, but I won't make that mistake twice.

She takes a step aside, waving toward the microphone with a smug grin on her face, one I return before I turn to face the audience.

I don't clear my throat, I don't try to wet my dry lips, and I don't let a single ounce of uncertainty show. Instead, I stand tall, prideful, and ready.

"Good evening, people of Floodborn Kingdom. It is with great sadness that I address the terror in our land. It has rooted its way into our core and wreaked havoc for long enough. We must now take action. Threats have gone unheard, wicked promises whispered in the shadow of night, and as a united kingdom, we won't stand for it anymore. We've been under attack from their poisonous actions for long enough."

Perfect pause.

"Now, The Council must pay."

Murmurs dance in the air from the crowd and media as their cameras continue to go off. I'm on a roll now, and there's no turning back.

"Powerful gems that were once banished from our kingdom are now being used to control some of our own citizens. I'm sure the flash of amethyst on my neck at the last ball didn't go unnoticed. Above all of that, they are taking matters into their own hands to orchestrate the bonding of fated mates."

Gasps ring in the air and I can feel Bozzelli's gaze burning into my skin from beside me, but I keep going.

"Against the will of those involved and against the true foundation of freedom that our kingdom yearns for. The time for The Council has passed, along with their ability to make selfless decisions for our people."

What did the noticeboard say?

Address the people.

Express your beliefs.

And Promise for victory.

Steeling my spine, I believe in every word, cementing them into my heart as I breathe them out loud. "With all that I am, I will not stop fighting for my people. Not just fae, but wolves, vampires, shifters, humans, and mages alike. We are one. We will find strength in uniting together, and we will fight as one to right the wrongs of the past."