48. Adrianna

48

ADRIANNA

" G et everybody inside. I don't think we need to anticipate another attack, but they're safer within those walls than out here," I command, nodding at Beau, who opens the doors without a single word.

It feels strange. I've got the weight of a battle resting on my shoulders, but no physical exhaustion. It's all mental. The protective light that blossoms through me is turning me from an act first, think later kind of girl, to a protective woman, and there's something poetic about it that warms my soul. Or maybe that's the magic.

Standing by the open doors, I wave everyone inside, gaining a whispered thank you from a few of the civilians as they pass. I simply give off a soft smile as my gaze darts through the night air in search of my men.

It's Brody I find first, sauntering toward me with an appreciative grin on his lips. He doesn't speak as he moves to stand beside me, his fingers ghosting along the back of mine, silently offering me his support as he urges everyone inside with me.

A flash of fur tears my gaze from the woman who's walking by, and I sag with relief when I see my vampire at his side, which can only mean one thing; it's Cassian. The tug inside of me confirms it. We were already fated together before any magic happened, so I'd be able to spot him anywhere, but Raiden would only walk so openly with one wolf. Two if you include me.

Cassian dips his head, remaining in his wolf form as he passes, while Raiden offers me a tight smile. He looks exhausted, haggard almost, as the corners of his eyes droop.

"Are you okay?" The concern is clear in my voice as I reach out a hand, and he sways just out of reach. His eyes glaze over as he tries to nod, but I see right through him. I can sense the bullshit about to spew from his lips, but so must Brody because in the next breath he's sidled up beside him.

"Don't worry, Dagger. I'll get him checked over. You wait for our dragon, yeah?" He winks before turning his eyes to Beau on the other side of the doors. "You keep an eye on her." He doesn't wait for a response, guiding Raiden inside as Beau simply shakes his head at him.

As the tail end of civilians gives way to a trail of wolves, it's clear Cassian didn't come alone. I'm not sure if this is his entire pack, but it seems like they go on for days, until a lone man brings up the back of the line.

Kryll.

Gone are his wings and dragon features, and in his place walks an exhausted man, whose face lights up when his gaze latches onto mine.

"Hey, Princess," he breathes, pulling me into his side and pressing a kiss to the side of my temple. I lean into him, stealing some of his strength as I sigh.

"Hey." I should offer him more, but that's all I've apparently got, not that he seems to mind as he quietly guides me inside, letting Beau lock the door after us.

My calmness doesn't last long as we follow everyone into the dining hall to find the other students growing agitated with the growing numbers now taking refuge in here.

"This is not our responsibility. These people need to return home, there's no space for them here!" a girl shouts, exasperation lacing her tone, and I'm not at all surprised to find that she's a vampire with a red cloak draped around her shoulders. She's wagging her fingers at everyone as she stands on the dining table, growing more frustrated as she goes unheard. But I heard her, and she's about to know it.

"Do we have a problem here?" I ask, slipping from beside Kryll as I step toward her. It takes her a split second to find me among the crowd, and her gaze only tightens as she takes me in.

"This is all your fault. Everyone needs to leave. You included," she bites, and I scoff, shaking my head at her in disbelief.

"Who are you?"

"Josie," she snaps, her eyes twitching with rage at the fact that I have no clue who she is, which only pleases me more.

"Why are you here, Josie?" I ask calmly, remembering my father's words instead of leading with the rage I want to.

"What?"

Great. This is going to take longer than anticipated. "Why. Are. You. Here. Josie?"

"You're not making sense," she retorts, waving her hands around as she garners a crowd, a trick it seems vampires are all too good at.

"Why are you at the academy, Josie?" I repeat, offering more specifics this time, and she huffs.

"To become the heir."

"And what is the role of the heir once appointed?" I ask, folding my arms over my chest as I take her in with a cock of my brow.

She falters, shrugging her shoulders as her sneer deepens. "It's the heir's job to rule the kingdom," she splutters, the exact answer I was expecting to pass her lips.

"And you don't think ruling the kingdom includes taking care of its people?"

"Yes, but?—"

"Don't you think it is imperative to protect our kingdom? To stand against any threats and offer a calm and safe environment at every opportunity? That's what our people have been without for long enough. And now, after another attack from frenzied vampires, which are controlled by The Council, you want to send them out into the darkness where it isn't safe? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's not what leadership looks like," I finish, giving her a pointed look before I turn away.

I can already tell she has no dignified answer for me, so I'm not waiting for one. I expect to walk into Kryll or one of my other Kryptos, but instead, I find a camera in my face instead.

"Could you repeat your thoughts for the public, Princess Adrianna?" The cameraman asks, and I stare at him with wide eyes. My surprise is clear, it clings to me from head to toe as I attempt to swallow past the lump forming in my throat.

"Thank you for the offer, but the importance of that conversation was heard by the person intended. It doesn't need to be repeated for entertainment purposes," I decline politely while internally glaring at the asshole. I hadn't considered he would still be here after Bozzelli addressed the kingdom, and now I feel foolish for forgetting.

"Are you sure? Not even if it earns you more votes?" he pushes, making my eyebrows crinkle.

"This isn't a game. This is real life. We should be alert. I'm not about to throw some campaign out to the kingdom, luring citizens to believe in me when there are dangers and threats attempting to cause harm to them. That's my priority. Now, if you'll excuse me." I walk off before he can yell anything else at me, and I somehow manage to keep the tight smile intact as I find Kryll among the crowd.

"Have I mentioned how hot you are when you're all authoritative?" he asks, slinking an arm around my shoulder as I roll my eyes at him.

"Actually, I don't think you have," I retort, leaning into him as he points to where Brody is waving us over.

"Well, add it to the list," he breathes as we reach my mage.

"He's asking for you," he states, pointing over his shoulder, and my spine stiffens.

"Is Raiden okay?"

Brody bites back a smile as he points down the hallway. "We have everyone who needs treatment set up in Beau's office. Raiden, however, is in his mother's office. Go find out for yourself, or do you need me to show you?" he asks as a sensation tingles in my gut, and it makes a real smile touch the corner of my mouth.

"No need. I can sense him tugging at our connection."