50. Adrianna

50

ADRIANNA

R aiden pulls me from the desk, carrying me toward the door as I try to straighten my clothes while Flora laughs at the state of us. My heart feels like it's about to burst out of my chest. It's beating so hard that when Raiden places my feet back on the floor, I sway, struggling to stand.

"Adrianna?" His eyes narrow on mine as I shake my head, and Flora laughs even louder.

"He thinks you're dickmatized by his weiner," she snickers, and I hide my face in his neck, holding back my own amusement, and it surprisingly helps to ground me.

"If she was dickmatized, she wouldn't be standing, Flora," he muses, and I lift my head just in time to see him wink at her. "I think our girl here is suddenly worried over what happens when we step in there," he explains, confirming my internal struggles in one sentence, and I groan.

Pushing off him, I stand tall, running my hands over my clothes, blindly pulling at an invisible thread until Flora grasps my hand. "You can stand here and fret all you like, or you can march your ass in there and be who you should have been this entire time." She cocks her hip, giving me a pointed stare.

"But what if that's not what comes next?" I murmur, internally beating myself up over the fact that I had come to an understanding in my head that being the heir didn't matter anymore.

Clearly, that was a lie.

It matters. I may have realized I don't need it, but I still want it.

"Are you guys coming or what?" Brody hollers from the end of the hallway, his eyebrows bunched together in confusion as he assesses us, and Raiden groans, linking his fingers with mine before he tugs me along.

"I could have been coming. I could have been having a great time, but you fuckers are intent on spoiling my fun," he grumbles, earning another burst of laughter from Flora.

The calmness they create lifts the weight off my shoulders just enough for me to reenter the dining hall. Bozzelli is up on the podium, smile in place and a camera set in front of her. A small gathering of students are at the front, with the survivors from outside filling the rest of the space around them, but it's the two men to the right of the podium, speaking with Beau, that have my attention.

My hand slips from Raiden's, and he doesn't try to stop me as I hurry through the sea of people. Cassian spots me first, his brows furrowing as he takes me in, but the tension shakes from his limbs as I reach his side. His arm is around my shoulders a moment after, tugging me into his side as he breathes me in.

"Alpha," he murmurs, nuzzling his nose at my neck, and I bite back a sigh, acutely aware that my soul really does feel much more content now that we're all together again.

"I heard I owe you a thank you for saving my vampire's life," I muse, grinning up at him as he looks over my shoulder.

"I didn't do anything," he retorts, waving me off, but I see the smirk on his lips as Raiden, Flora, and Brody join us. He's not going to let Raiden live it down. That's clear.

"Are we all okay?" I ask, needing to verbally check in even though I can already feel it in my gut.

"We're ready for the future to begin," Arlo states, sauntering toward us with an extra pep in his step. I look at Flora, wondering what's going on with him, but the look on her face is as surprised as mine.

I turn back to Arlo, intrigued enough to ask, but the sound of the tapping on the microphone cuts through the air, drawing everyone's attention to Bozzelli on the stage.

"That's my cue," Beau states, and Kryll catches his arm before he can leave.

"Do you know?"

Beau stares deep into his brother's eyes, not a single word passing between them before Kryll relents, releasing his arm, and he's gone.

What was that?

"Thank you so much to everyone who has kindly shown their patience as we make our way through these new and challenging times. I'm sure we can all agree that we're determined to create a better future for not just ourselves, but the generations to follow. That doesn't come with strength, we have to find that deep within ourselves, and it should be noted that it shines in each and every one of you right now. To our citizens who trusted in this unknowing process with us, and our students, willing to put their lives on the line to save our kingdom." Her eyes travel across the entire room, connecting with every single person. It's slightly amusing that her outfit has changed and she's now dressed in white. Some might consider it the tamest color she's ever worn, but the way it shines so bright leaves me questioning the fact. "In a few moments we are going to go live before the entire kingdom, courtesy of the media camera here, but I felt it was only right to take a moment and introduce the new heir to all of us here first."

Murmured agreements zip through the air as Cassian pulls me tighter against his side.

"Ready?" he asks, but I can't fathom a response, my sights set on Bozzelli as her bright red lips spread into a smile.

"It is with great honor and privilege that I announce the new heir of the Floodborn Kingdom, Miss Adrianna Reagan."

Cheers erupt from the civilians, the noise dulled by the thunder of my pulse ringing in my ears as hands pat at me from all angles. But I can't look away from Bozzelli, my body going into complete shock, leaving me frozen in place.

"Comments made from voters noted her heroic actions, her determination, her love for the kingdom, and her resilience to leave no one behind." Bozzelli finds me among the crowd, grinning from ear to ear as she waves me closer. "Please, give a round of applause for our new heir."

Lips press at my temple before I'm nudged forward, but I don't make it two steps before a roar of rage echoes from the other side of the ballroom.

"If you think The Council will be replaced by some adolescent embarrassment, then you're rudely mistaken."

Snapping my gaze toward the source, I blink as I take in Brody's father surrounded by two dozen soldiers. Before I can even compose a response, I'm swarmed. Layer after layer of citizens and students place themselves between Orenda and me, the barrier growing with every beat that passes until I don't have a clear view of the man in question.

Wolves.

Vampires.

Shifters.

Mages.

Fae.

Humans.

I don't recognize ninety percent of the people around me, but it can't be denied where their loyalty lies, and it makes my heart sore.

"May I?"

Brody appears on my right, reaching for my hand as he smiles softly. I try to return one of my own, but I'm so overwhelmed, I have no idea what face I'm pulling. He must take it as confirmation, though, because he's moving in the next moment.

"Father!" Brody hollers from the podium, leaving Bozzelli blinking at him in a picture of surprise and confusion. "Let me be the wise one to advise you that you are truly outnumbered. Not only within these walls, but throughout the entire kingdom. These are the consequences of playing God. It looks like your fate has now been decided."

Orenda's face appears among the crowd, but his attempts to step closer to his son fail with every try, making his cheeks burn red with anger. "Son, I?—"

"The new leader of our kingdom requests the removal of this man. Lock that fucker in the dungeons. I'll deal with him later," Brody snarls, rage vibrating from him like I've never seen before. Clearing his throat, he waves a dismissive hand in his father's direction as mages restrain him and the soldiers, chanting their magic quietly as the rest of us look on in surprise. "Sorry about that, gang. Let's get back to the beauty that is our new heir, shall we?"

Bozzelli nudges him aside as he continues to wag his eyebrows at me, but when she clears her throat, she draws my attention to her. The look in her eyes startles me as pride fills the space between us. "It gives me great pleasure to say it, Adrianna. Bring the family home, it's time."