39. Adrianna

39

ADRIANNA

M y limbs ache in the best possible way as I stretch out, starfishing across the sheets that are still warm beside me. Turning with a huff, it quickly seeps into a sigh as I pull the covers tighter against me.

"Princess Adrianna."

"Ah," I yelp, eyes widening as I blink at the man standing beside the bed.

I've never seen him before. He's dressed in what I can only describe as a black dinner suit, with a bow tie fitted perfectly over his shirt and the tail of his blazer hanging low beneath his knees. His silver peppered hair is swept back off his face, and his beady blue eyes feel intrusive as he peers down his long nose at me.

Holding the sheets even tighter, I clear my throat. "Addi is just fine," I rattle, and his lips purse. I can't quite decipher the look on his face, but it's something between irritation and disappointment, so either way isn't looking good for me.

"Princess, your presence is expected for breakfast," he states, ignoring my request, but I let it slide since I'm in no position to argue with this guy, with only the thin sheet shielding me from him.

"Of course," I murmur, rubbing my lips together nervously as I try to find the right thing to say to excuse him without being too rude.

Anywhere else, and I would be as blunt as ever, but this isn't just anywhere; it is Kryll's home.

"Gerald, do we really need to be so formal?" Kryll grumbles, suddenly waltzing into the room. He doesn't look at the man beside the bed, though; his attention is locked on his cell phone.

A fucking cell phone in a place like this. It shouldn't exist.

"Always, Prince Kryll."

I balk, sitting upright as I tug the sheets tighter around my chest. "Wait, prince?" The words barely make it past my lips from the lump lodged in my throat.

Kryll's gaze snaps to mine as he presses his lips together, and I sense the sheepish look in his eyes immediately. "Hi," he breathes, taking a step toward me with his lips tipping up in a small smile.

"Hi…prince?" The word feels strange on my tongue, but what concerns me more is that he doesn't correct me, just like he didn't correct Gerald.

He rubs the back of his neck nervously as his cheeks turn pink. "I guess you're not the only one with a royal secret."

What the fuck?

"You're…a prince?" I say the words slowly, hoping to make them make sense in my brain, but I'm coming up short.

"You're freaking out," he states with a nod as Gerald continues to flick his gaze between the two of us.

"Of course I'm freaking out. Why did he call me princess?" I point an accusing finger at Gerald, who doesn't falter under my narrowed eyes, and Kryll rubs his lips together, another wave of nerves drifting from him. "Kryll," his name is on my tongue, and I can't decide if it's a warning or a plea, but he sighs, almost defeated, as he turns to Gerald.

"We'll be down in a few minutes. Please insist my mother starts without us. We won't be long," he murmurs, waving the man off, and he exits the room without a backward glance as Kryll walks around to my side of the bed.

He doesn't meet my gaze until his fingers are laced with mine, and I'm certain he can feel my racing pulse.

"Do you want to have this conversation now, or?—"

"Now seems like the most suitable time, Kryll," I interject, jaw growing tight with anticipation as he nods in understanding.

Clearing his throat, his gaze softens on mine as he breathes out the next words so softly, I barely hear them. "Because you are a princess."

My heart gallops in my chest as I shake my head. "Why do I get the sense you're not referring to me being the fae princess, the wise offspring of King August Reagan," I mutter, a tremble running through my body as he nods.

"Because you are our princess."

He says it like it's as simple as that, like five little words form a complete explanation of the situation I've woken up to. All I've done since I arrived here is sleep and take Kryll's virginity, but…

"Is this because…" My words trail off. I have balls and willpower, but I'm not saying the V -word out loud right now in case Gerald or anyone else can hear us. My gaze shoots to the door, confirming it's shut, but it doesn't ease the stress building inside of me.

He nods, scrubbing at his jaw. "My mother is the ethereal queen of dragons."

"Which makes you…"

"Prince Kryll of the dragons, at your service." His grin spreads, pride shining in his eyes as he gives me the peace sign, and I can't help but roll my eyes at him. Those are some Brody level dramatics right there.

"How charming," I muse, earning a wink.

"It's a little embarrassing," he admits, his cheeks brightening with a pink hue again.

"It's still leaving me wondering why he referred to me as a princess because of you."

"Yeah, about that."

My fingers flex around his when he glances away, and only when his dark pools settle on mine do I speak.

"About that…" I encourage him with a soft tone, and it seems to ease whatever concern he's struggling with.

"My dragon chose you."

The memory of his eyes last night just before he found his release flashes in my mind and I shiver, unsure whether I want to see that happen again so soon or not.

"Which means…"

"It chose you."

"Spell it out, Kryll. Get crayons and construction paper if you need to," I insist with a pointed look, and he grins despite the glare.

"I told you. You are mine."

My eyes widen. "I didn't know that meant I was signing up for…that," I admit, and he nods, bringing my hand to his lips to press feather-light kisses against my knuckles.

"Honestly, me neither. Na?ve, I know, and I'm sorry, but I?—"

"There's no reason at all for you to apologize," I interrupt, unsure where the words are coming from, and I think it surprises him too.

"There isn't?"

"No," I breathe, releasing a shuddering breath as I seemingly accept this new damn title in my life like it's nothing.

"Good," he whispers, leaning close to press his lips against mine, and I melt under his touch. "Now that you've said that…"

"What did you do?" I rear back, eyebrows raised and ready for whatever he's about to say. Not more. There can't be any more to this. "Kryll!" I call out, a definite warning this time, and a moment later, he pulls a cell phone from his pocket. Not just any cell phone. Mine.

"I got your number from Nora and added you to a group chat with the guys."

Frowning, I glance down at the screen, and my mouth widens in a mixture of shock and horror. "Eighty seven notifications. What the fuck is going on?"

Not just notifications, specifically text messages, all from one goddamn group chat. I already can't handle it. Before I can throw my cell phone back at him and hide from it, he's off the bed, releasing my hand and charging toward the bedroom door.

"I'll meet you downstairs," he hollers, making me scowl.

"No freaking way. You'll get back here and explain this," I retort, waving my cell phone in the air, but he ignores me.

"See you soon." The teasing smirk on his lips has my teeth sinking into my bottom lip as I bite back my own grin. This isn't funny. Not even a little bit.

"Kryll," I call out just before he closes the door behind him, and he pauses, fitting just his head through the gap that remains.

"Yeah?"

I shake my head in disbelief. "You're insane."

"But I'm yours," he replies with a wink, and I sigh, the rising tension easing from my limbs as I stare at him.

"You're mine."

"And the others?" he asks, and I know immediately that he's referring to Cassian, Raiden, and Brody. The four of them together form my Kryptos. Admitting it won't help me, but denying it hasn't helped either. So for the first time ever, I relent, throwing caution to the wind as I nod.

"All mine too."