51. Adrianna

51

ADRIANNA

M y fingers tingle, all the way to the tips. My heart is pumping blood so intensely through my body I can literally feel my veins thrumming, and for the first time ever, it has nothing to do with my magic.

Beau took over reaching out to the dragon kingdom while I was whisked off into Bozzelli's office. I haven't moved an inch since I came in here, but the same can't be said for the rest of the people here. I've never been dressed and preened before, but these women are professionals it seems.

Gone are the gray academy-issued clothes and cloak. In their place is a fitted gray combat outfit that hugs my body. There are discreet pockets everywhere, fitted with daggers, and a pair of knee-high boots laced to the top, screaming bad bitch vibes.

My hair has been twisted and tugged in every direction, weaved with braids in a half up, half down style, while my makeup is minimal, save for a dark brown lip and even darker streaks covering my cheeks and forehead. I don't know what I expected them to do when I came in here, but this wasn't it.

I would have guessed a ballgown dress over this, but as I stare at the length of myself in the mirror, I can't help but feel a sense of my father in my reflection. I recall a similar outfit from my younger years, only, he was always dressed in black with the odd touch of gold or silver here and there, but this feels more like me.

"Just open the door and let me see her, then I'll back off." The snap comes from the other side of the door and I know it's Raiden. I'm not sure who he's getting irate with, but a few moments later, the door opens and Bozzelli appears in the door frame.

"I feel like you need a crown for dealing with this man, never mind the damn kingdom," she grumbles, shaking her head as she steps inside. "Feast your eyes, then take your seat," she snaps, the humor gone when she turns back to Raiden, but he doesn't seem to notice. His gaze is set on me, raking up and down the length of me three times for good measure before he finally locks eyes with me.

"Fuck me sideways, Troublemaker. That's sinful. Wait until the others get a glimpse of this. Brody is going to stain his fucking pants again." Bozzelli grumbles under her breath, rambling about foolish vampires, but she doesn't immediately kick him out of the room. "Are you okay?" he asks, his voice taking a more serious tone, and I nod.

"Everything feels a little surreal, but I'm okay," I admit, and he eliminates the distance between us a moment later.

With my face nestled between his hands, he looks deep into my eyes as he speaks. "This is all a show, Adrianna, but you know that. I know this may not be your favorite part, but it's necessary for the grandeur of the moment. You've got this, you've got all of it. I know that. And you will too once it's all said and done. Alright?"

I nod, taking comfort from his words as he presses the smallest kiss to my lips before Bozzelli sighs heavily, reminding us of her presence.

"That's enough. Get out. We're already running behind," she snaps, and to my surprise, Raiden stomps out of the room without argument. "And you," she adds, whirling her attention to me. A softness exudes from her, lodging my next breath in my throat as I blink at her. "Thank you for not discarding me because of my terrible mistakes. Learning from you has given me a new perspective, and I can't wait for the academy to learn from you too."

I shake my head, a scoff bursting past my lips. "Learning? From me? I don't think so."

She gives me a knowing look before sauntering toward the door. "Come, it's time."

Muttering my thanks to the women packing away their belongings after working their magic on me, I rush to catch up to her. The second we reach the end of the hallway, she lifts her finger, silently ordering me to wait.

I watch from the limited view that I've got as the energy fills the ballroom, but I can't shake a strange sensation that weighs heavy on my chest.

There hasn't been a moment to think, to feel, to do anything other than prepare, but I can't be completely sure what I would have been preparing for anyway. I know my name is going to be called, and there's no going back from that. My life is about to change forever, and there's a part of it that doesn't feel right.

Maybe it's anti-climatic after everything I've been through.

Maybe Raiden was right, and it's this whole show that I don't care for.

Maybe it's the disbelief that I'm truly here.

I don't know, and there's no time to consider anything further before Bozzelli's voice raises.

"I give you, the new heir to the Floordborn Kingdom, Queen Adrianna Reagan."

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Despite my lungs struggling to work under the pressure of the bright light now aimed my way, I get the overwhelming sense of awareness that a camera is aimed in my direction. Pushing it all back, I step into the ballroom and head for the podium where Bozzelli stands, a shimmering gold crown on a velvet cushion beside her.

It doesn't seem real. It doesn't feel real at all.

Panicked, I search for my mates among the madness, letting my heart guide me to where they are, and my breathing eases a fraction at the sight of them. I'm not the only one that's changed. Each of them are now dressed in similar attire except for Flora and Arlo, who are dressed to impress in ballroom attire. Where did someone even find a tuxedo and floor-length gown?

Raiden smiles at me, pride burning in his eyes, while Brody winks, wagging his eyebrows suggestively. Kryll rakes his teeth over his bottom lip as he takes me in, while Cassian's top lip curls, but it's not laced with anger, it's desire.

Clearing my throat, I do little to nudge the swelling in my throat. I take to the steps leading up to the podium one at a time, trying to give myself a moment to gather myself, but it's futile. Especially when I see a familiar heart-shaped face and big eyes looking at me.

Nora.

She's sitting with my father on the other side of the podium, hand in hand as they beam at me with unshed tears in their eyes.

Delirious, I'm drawn away from them as Bozzelli grabs my arm and turns me toward the camera. Nothing is audible over my internal thoughts, the moment passing in a blur as the floor vibrates with stomping and hands clap wildly, but not a single other sound registers.

I feel like I'm suffocating until the weight of the crown settles on my head. The room spins at the victory I can smell in the air, but my stare is unfocused, the ability to digest any of this lost upon me until Bozzelli places her hand on my arm, a hint of concern in her eyes as she speaks.

"Queen Adrianna Reagan, please, a few words for your people," she encourages, jutting her chin as discreetly as possible for me to face the camera and be the wondrous leader they wish me to be.

I nod, then nod again, struggling to be present and alert until a warmth floods my veins. My gaze tugs to the table that holds my Kryptos to find a knowing look on each of my men. It's them. I don't know what they're doing, but whatever it is, it's working.

Clearing my throat, I stand tall, plastering a smile on my face. "Thank you so?—"

The clink of metal rings in my ears, vibrating through the air as I spin to my left, my crown toppling to the floor as I watch in horror as Bozzelli's white suit turns red. Her eyes are wide with shock and disbelief as the garbled sound of steel running through flesh ricochets in my ears.

Her lifeless body slowly crumples to the floor, revealing her attacker in the next breath, and I freeze as my father yells at the top of his lungs.

"Clementine!"