35. Adrianna

35

ADRIANNA

K ryll lies with his head against my stomach, stroking gentle circles over my skin as I lean against the headboard. Post-orgasm bliss is my new favorite place to be. Every five seconds, I lift my hands to my ears, double-checking they're real, but I haven't built up the courage to go and look in the bathroom mirror yet.

A part of me wonders if I'll even recognize myself, but I think what has me rooted to the spot more is the impending expectation to bawl my eyes out. Again.

As if sensing my thoughts, hunger gets the better of me, but before I have a chance to verbalize it, my stomach does the complaining for me. Mortification heats my cheeks as Kryll stares up at me with a knowing grin.

"I need to feed my princess," he states, pushing off me as he stands at the side of the bed with his hand extended for me to take.

"You don't," I grumble, lacing my fingers with his before he tugs me to my feet.

"I do, but I think you've put it off long enough. Why don't you take a minute in the bathroom? I'll go and see what there is to eat," he offers, pulling me into his warm embrace.

I both love and hate that he knows what I'm thinking. I love it because it makes me feel connected to him on a higher level, but I hate it because that also lets him call me out on my shit.

He's right. I have been putting it off, but we don't need to both know that.

"Fine, I'll meet you out there," I grumble, squirming in his arms as he squeezes at my sides and presses a kiss to my temple, earning a soft giggle from me despite my attempts at being grumpy.

He leaves without a backward glance, sadly, dressed once again, giving me the moment I need as I slowly approach the attached bathroom. Taking a deep breath, I run my hands over my t-shirt, which has definitely seen better days. Using it as my excuse, I use my magic to clean myself up, right to the top of my head, where I fix my crown braid into place.

When there's nothing left for me to do, I bite the bullet and step over the threshold. As if sensing my nerves, a colossal mirror faces me, making it impossible for me to hide from my reflection.

My feet are carrying me toward the vanity that stands before it, my brain awash with disbelief as I stare at myself. Thankfully, a light switches on as I walk halfway into the room, making it easier to see among the all-black aesthetic that consumes the space.

The decor is long forgotten as I twist my face from side to side, taking myself in as warmth rattles in my chest.

This is me.

This has always been me.

Now, my symbol has been restored.

I feel complete, in a way nothing else could make me feel. I feel like I'm glowing. I feel like I've won, even though there's still so much uncertainty in my life. The restoration sprinkles me with each spark as my belief grows.

To be here, with my men, my friends, and my ears, it's special. All I need is my family and I can never want for anything else in my life.

That's my reality.

I was chasing a dream: to be the heir of the kingdom that failed my father. Even though it's still a dream, it's not what I've been hunting for all this time. It's this. To be where I am at this moment, knowing there are people out there willing to stand at my side, so much so that it's impossible not to trust them while they choose to trust me too.

I belong.

It's not a place I've been searching for, not a physical one, at least. It's the feeling I get when contentment washes over me—a rare but distinct feeling nonetheless.

Running my fingers over my ears one last time, I roll my shoulders back and head for the hallway. I have no idea where I'm going, acutely aware that I did, in fact, arrive here completely passed out, but as I follow the murmured voices, I wander into the kitchen where everyone is sitting.

Flora is the first to notice me. She jumps up from her seat, where she is curled up beside Arlo, and storms toward me with purpose. She darts through the air, almost knocking me off my feet as she holds me in a deathly tight grip.

"I don't know whether to kiss you or kill you," she squeals, earning a huff from Cassian, who leans against the fridge with his arms folded over his chest. She waves him off with an eye roll, making it abundantly clear that this isn't the first time he's been an ass to her, but she continues to ignore him as her giddiness pauses for a beat, her eyes finding my ears before they grow watery. She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip, shaking her head as she tries to contain her emotions.

"I'd like to see you try," I rasp, trying not to make a big deal about it.

"You shouldn't have done that," she says, grabbing my arms as she gives me a pointed look, which I match with one of my own.

"I wouldn't have done anything else," I answer honestly, and her shoulders slump before she drags me in for another hug.

"Can you at least share her for ten seconds so I can have a hug too?" Raiden grumbles, appearing beside her, and she giggles, stepping out of his way so he can swoop me up off the floor.

"Hi, Raiden," I whisper against his ear as he swirls me around, peppering kisses over my skin before I'm placed back on my feet.

"Hey, Troublemaker," he answers, offering me a wink before he's shoved aside and replaced by Cassian.

The grumpy wolf pins me to his chest, breathing me in, and I feel his chest loosen and his body relax with every beat that passes. He doesn't offer me any words, just a stroke of his thumb over my cheek as he assesses me. With a nod, he steps back, making room for Brody to fill the now-empty space.

An infectious smirk plays on his lips, making my own pop as a reminder of his interruption earlier plays in my mind. He kisses me softly, just as wordless as Cassian, before he steps back again.

My gaze turns back to Flora. "What happened, Flora?"

She understands exactly what I mean and points for me to take a seat at the dining table. I follow after her as Kryll places a plate of food down in front of me, and I murmur my thanks.

Margherita pizza for the win.

I take my first slice as she sighs, getting comfortable in her chair before she speaks. "It happened in the night," she admits, lacing her fingers together nervously in her lap until Arlo moves to the seat beside her and intertwines them with his own. When it seems like it's too much for her, Arlo clears his throat.

"They stormed her room in the middle of the night. You would think the fact that I was there would have helped, but I was incapable of doing anything against them. The human origin professor came in, so we didn't realize what was going on until we found ourselves captive."

Fuckers.

"Did they?—"

Flora shakes her head, waving me off before I can finish speaking. "They didn't do anything to us. They didn't even bother to bind us or anything. The only fae they're worried about magically is you, which worked in our favor eventually, right?"

"Why didn't you attack them straight away so you weren't taken prisoner?" Cassian asks, making me glare at him.

"What the hell is up with you?" I blurt, clearly sensing some animosity from him, and he shrugs.

"No, it's okay, Addi. He's only asking because he cares about you, and I get it. That's why I stayed, and it's exactly why I didn't put up a fight. They were going to get you there regardless of whether I stayed or not, so I wanted to be of use when the time came, even if the chances were slim," Flora states with a shrug as Arlo pulls her into his side.

"Don't make me warn you again," he states sharply, eyes fixed on Cassian, who ignores him.

Whatever this is, it needs fixing.

"I'm sorry any of this happened to you, Flora," I breathe, the truth flowing from my lips as she shakes her head at me.

"Don't you dare apologize. None of this is your fault."

She squeezes my hand in comfort, drawing a smile to my lips as a door swinging open echoes from down the hall. Kryll is the first to move, skidding to a halt by the door as his brother walks in.

His eyes take us all in, assessing us individually until his gaze settles on mine. "I'm glad you're awake."

"Me too," I retort before he turns his attention to his brother.

"We've got a situation."

My spine stiffens at his statement, locking me in place as everyone else waits with bated breath too. Kryll curses under his breath, rubbing at the back of his neck. His gaze flickers to me for a brief moment before seeking out Beau again.

"Ah, shit. She hasn't been awake all that long. We haven't told her about that yet," he states cryptically, and if I thought my spine was stiff before, that was nothing in comparison to now.

"Told me what?"

All eyes turn to me, and Kryll's face shows a hint of guilt as he braces for impact, but the flourish of someone else entering the room pulls my attention away from him.

I know who it is immediately from the lilac outfit she's wearing, but the crinkling of her eyes and pursed lips give her away too. She plants her hands on her hips, her eyes drilling into mine before she speaks.

"Then the pleasure of telling her is mine." Her shoulders stiffen as if she needs a moment to say the words too, and I start to think the worst. My father? Nora? Fuck. It's on the tip of my tongue to tell her to get the fuck on with it when she finally does. "Vallie isn't dead, but she needs to be."