3. Adrianna

3

ADRIANNA

I can't process what it is I'm feeling, my emotions myriad to the point of pain. My head. My chest. My heart. It seems life isn't done throwing sucker punches my way just yet. Now even my father is a victim of the damn council.

It makes me angrier. At least when it was me, I had a fake semblance of control over the situation, but now that it's him…the impossibility of his solution only leaves me helpless and spiraling.

I shake my head in disbelief. "A non-existent dragon can't be our only option."

My father's brows furrow deeper, unwavering pain settling deep into his eyes. "I wish it wasn't the case, Addi, but it seems every gem I banished as king has somehow found itself in the hands of the unsavory."

Unsavory isn't the word I would use.

"I refuse," I state, unwilling to give up without even trying.

My father's eyes find mine as Nora remains quiet, fingers laced together in her lap. "Addi, I would love to stay and continue this conversation with you, but our safety, especially yours, is the greatest priority. We must leave," he breathes, defeat thick in his voice as the weight of his words rings true in my mind.

Fuck.

I want to stomp my feet, raise my fists in the air, and throw the world's greatest tantrum that has ever existed. It's not fair. It's not right. It's against everything in the entire kingdom that I believe in, but that means nothing to those who still seem intent on controlling us all.

Sighing, my shoulders sag. "You're right."

I despise the taste of the words on my tongue, but they're true whether I like it or not.

There's so much I need to think about and process, but none of that can happen until my father and Nora are safe. I just need to figure out how the hell to make that happen because the veil they've hidden behind is no longer worth the magic it uses. It couldn't be fueled anyway, not with my father branded with the aquamarine gem of fucking death.

The sound of someone clearing their throat pulls me from my head, and I glance over my shoulder to find Raiden rocking on his heels.

"I can?—"

"You can shut the fuck up. Or better yet, just leave," I snap, interrupting whatever shit is about to spew from his mouth. I'll deal with him soon enough, but right now, he's just an unnecessary distraction.

"Addi," my father murmurs, the telling tone of his voice making my spine stiffen.

"Don't," I warn, but he tilts his head, giving me his look of wisdom, ignoring the caution from my lips.

"I think we should consider whatever he's offering," my father explains, arms falling relaxed at his sides as he acts calm and collected. Always calm and collected.

"It seems nothing he offers comes without a price. I'm good," I grumble, taking a step away from the vampire in question.

"Addi."

"Dad," I retort, eyes narrowed on him as he mirrors my stance.

"Addi."

"Dad," I repeat, knowing exactly where this is going as my teeth grind together.

"Princess Adrianna," he pushes, spiking the adrenaline in my veins.

"King August Reagan."

We're at a standstill. Ramrod straight spines, bunched muscles in our necks, with our hands balled into fists at our sides.

"What am I missing?" Raiden asks, igniting more irritation in my bones.

"This is what they do when they switch off the personal side," Nora explains, like we're not standing in front of them, aware of what's being said.

"What does that mean?" The curiosity in his voice annoys me more.

"It means he's making her see you through the eyes of a leader, without bias and prejudice. Whatever you have done to make her mad is taking her a lot to see past right now."

"So, you mean he's trying to get her to assess me without the rage vibrating from her?"

"You can see that?" Nora asks, her impressed tone only making me more agitated.

"Uh-huh."

"Well, yeah, that pretty much sums it up," Nora explains, as if she's offering a secret piece of me. We'll be having words about this eventually, but once again, his distraction isn't what I need right now.

Turning to face him, it's impossible to keep the glare from my face.

"That look doesn't seem to be working in my favor," he states, assessing me with a raised eyebrow.

"You're learning quick. You've got this, Fangs," Nora says with a beaming smile, like we're not in a crisis.

"Your sister called me that once," he replies, eyes narrowing while Nora snickers.

"Only once? That's embarrassing." His eyebrow rises farther. "What? It's a good nickname," she offers, like that's enough explanation.

"I have a name; a nickname isn't required," Raiden grumbles, and a knot in my stomach untangles at the amusement passing between the pair of them.

"Whatever you say, Fangs," Nora sings, turning to me with a ridiculous wink.

Brody breaks out into a full laugh, drawing my attention his way, but in the process, I notice Kryll frowning slightly and his gaze is aimed at my father.

This is all too much for me.

As if sensing my thoughts, Cassian grunts. "Are we getting a fucking move on, or are we going to remain where we all know it isn't safe?"

I hate that I agree with him. It gets under my skin even more than when he's being an asshole.

"I'll transport us," Brody offers, clearing his throat as he moves closer to my family. I flinch when he touches Nora and my father, uncertain of his intentions, but when his soft gaze turns my way, I relax a little.

Placing my hand on Nora's shoulder, I instantly feel a hand on my back. I turn, ready to give Raiden a piece of my mind, but it's not him I find; it's Kryll. He offers me a tight smile, one I focus on as the world shifts around us, and a moment later, worn tracks stand beneath my feet as trees blow in the distance.

The fresh air dances over my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. It's bliss. The earthy scent in the air has the ability to ground me, allowing me a moment of reprieve from the torrid panic battling inside of me.

My eyes fall closed as I take a few deep breaths, rolling my shoulders out with each exhale, and when I blink them open again, I feel a little stronger. I'm in no shape to move mountains right now, and I definitely still need to pass the fuck out, but I can focus more, at least.

That is until my eyes settle on my surroundings and everything becomes washed in a red haze. He brought us to the edge of the Heir Academy campus. Is he for real?

"Why the hell would you bring us here?" I bite, turning my attention to a startled Brody, whose eyes continue to widen the more he takes me in.

"I—"

"It's okay," Kryll interjects, waving a hand in front of me as he steps between Brody and me. "I can take them somewhere safe," he adds, the cords in his neck tightening ever so slightly as he stares deep into my eyes.

"There is nowhere safe," I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose as my eyes fall to half-mast.

"Do you trust me?" he asks, using his thumb and index finger to tilt my chin up just enough that I'm forced to drop my hand from my nose and look at him.

I hesitate. I know he wants me to say yes, and I know even I want to be able to utter that single word, but it's still a hard thing to offer someone. Trust. Such a simple word yet so powerful in what it stands for, especially when it comes to my family.

"The fact that you didn't immediately say no gives me hope," he muses, his thumb stroking over my cheek as the corner of his mouth tips up. "I promise you, I would never put them at risk."

"I don't know that," I admit, my gut twisting as my hands clench at my sides.

"You know it in your heart." His words are nothing more than a whisper in the wind, yet they flutter around my stomach, sending a sharp gasp to burst from my lips. My heart races, my soul dances, and my breath catches as I try to find some kind of response. "Let me take them to safety. Trust me." It's a plea. The sincerity in his voice is like a gentle vice, coaxing my heart to calm down.

"You're asking me to trust you with everything that matters to me." My pulse rings in my ears as I sense everyone's eyes aimed in our direction, but I can't pay them any attention as I search deep into his irises, looking for something for me to cling to.

"And I would never risk a single hair on either of their heads knowing that fact. Trust me, Princess. No harm will come to them, I swear it."

His eyes soften, his touch delicate and his breath light against my lips.

It feels as if the ground shifts beneath my feet, the world altering around me without anyone's magic actually transporting me anywhere. That's because I'm not moving, but my soul is.

Taking a deep breath, I place my hand over his, leaning into his touch as I inhale the most determined deep breath I've ever taken.

"I trust you, Kryll. Do it. Take them somewhere safe."