41. Adrianna

41

ADRIANNA

K ryll cups my cheek, the awareness that our moment is over, our space away from reality brought to a sudden halt, hangs in the air around us.

"Do you want me to fly us down or?—"

"No flying for you, asshole. There's a high chance of an audience awaiting your arrival," Beau interjects, forcing a sad and irritated smile to my dragon's face as he nods in understanding.

I desperately want to run back inside the palace and find my family. The goodbye didn't sting as much as it usually does, but seeing Nora with a new lease on life makes my heart clench with joy. I want to witness it all with her, and I will once I'm done with all this bullshit. When I'm done winning back my crown.

Without a word, the world shifts around us, and a moment later, we're standing in Beau's office. A heavy weight settles on my shoulders at the change, but the knowledge that I'll see my men soon makes it all worthwhile.

My men.

I scoff at myself. Those words in my mind feel bizarre, and I'm still on the verge of denying them, but something tells me I don't have a choice.

"Let's go, lovebirds," Professor Tora states, waving for us to follow him, and it's insane how swiftly his name shifted in my thoughts with our arrival. His walls are up, his softer side buried away as we head out into the hallway, following him through the corridors until we step outside.

The moment we do, a gathered crowd halts our tracks, and all of their eyes turn our way.

He wasn't wrong about the audience.

"Excellent, the ethereal prince and princess have joined us." Bozzelli's voice cuts through the air, tightening my chest with the way she says it.

Instead of giving her a piece of my mind and worsening whatever is about to come our way, I squeeze Kryll's hand tight, my knuckles whitening as we join the crowd. Movement catches my attention, but a blink later, Raiden, Cassian, and Brody surround us.

I exhale, unaware of the breath that was lodged in my throat, but with their close proximity, I feel stronger. Which is insane because it's awkward as fuck with everyone staring at us.

"Now that everyone is present, it's important I share the latest news with you," Bozzelli states, running her hands over her pastel lilac suit jacket. "The decision has been made to lockdown the academy."

My eyes widen as gasps and protests ring out around us.

"Is it because of this bitch?" Vallie growls, finger pointed in my direction from where she stands on the other side of the crowd.

"I wish it was," Bozzelli grunts with a sneer. "I wish it was because some were off fighting frenzied vampires or because they were traveling to the land of dragons, but alas, it's because it seems we have had some unwanted guests on campus. The lockdown is in place to protect you, not discipline you." Her teeth are clenched for every word, her anger and despair aimed right at me, and I take it.

"This is because of my mother and Kenner," I mutter, and Kryll nods.

"Yeah."

"No one can go in or out until the lockdown is lifted. To make up for that, a ball has been organized for next weekend as we have had some frantic parents who aren't too happy with the situation. It also falls perfectly before your next trial. That is all. Have a wonderful day in class."

She saunters off without a backward glance as four mage professors stand in a circle, chanting under their breath as a flicker of magic dances in the sky. All too quickly, they're on their way too, leaving us to stare at the magic that now invisibly seals us in.

Frantic parents? What the fuck is this? We're here to be the future leaders of our kingdom, it's not a daycare.

"Stupid bitch," a girl grunts as she walks past, but instead of lowering myself to her level and pummeling her in the face with my fist, I tamp down my rage and pretend she doesn't exist. I have bigger things to deal with than an upset girl on campus.

"Please let me go and trip her at least," Brody murmurs under his breath, and I grin.

"I'm good."

"Yeah, you are," he breathes, cupping my cheek as he draws my stare to his. "I missed you, Dagger, but I'm glad you're okay." He pulls me in tight, tugging my hand from Kryll's as he wraps me in a warm embrace. I hug him back, basking in his warmth as he places a kiss on my temple.

Before I can speak a word back to him, Raiden tugs me from his arms, enveloping me in his own. He holds me close, resting his face where my neck meets my shoulder as he breathes me in. "Fuck, Adrianna," he murmurs before raking his teeth across my flesh. A shiver runs down my spine, and I remember Brody's mention of his need for blood. My body tenses, reliving the pain from Vallie, but it wouldn't be like that with Raiden. That's what Brody said. No poison makes a difference.

My lips part, ready to ask him about it, when I'm yanked from his grasp too. Cassian grips my chin, his gaze raking over me as a growl vibrates low and quiet from the back of his throat. All I can do is gape at him until he descends, kissing me with a ferocity I wasn't prepared for.

I match his need, but he pulls away too quickly.

"When you've all stopped being assholes, I would like to see my friend," Flora hollers, making Cassian roll his eyes, but to my surprise, he takes a step back so we can embrace.

"I'm so glad you're okay," she whispers against my ear, and I smile.

"You too. I can't believe you helped with the vampires."

"It was nothing," she insists as she takes a step back, and I shake my head.

"No, it was everything. I'm sorry I'm only just saying it now," I insist, and she preens under the praise.

"Where's my hug too?" Arlo asks, but before I can take a step toward him, Raiden's at his side.

"No."

"What?" Arlo questions, rearing back in surprise as Brody wags a finger at him.

"Nope."

"But—"

"No fucking way," Cassian snarls, folding his arms over his chest.

"Addi," Arlo persists, looking at me with wide eyes, but it's Flora that interjects.

"She likes them when they're grizzly, Arlo. You have no chance," she says with a snicker, linking her arm through mine as she starts to tug me along.

"I didn't really want one anyway," he grumbles, and Kryll steps toward him.

"I'll give you one, buddy," he offers, hugging him tighter than necessary.

"Yeah, thanks," Arlo splutters, rushing out of Kryll's hold the moment he has a chance.

"Are you ready for class?" Flora asks, taking me in that direction as the others follow.

"Class? Hell yeah. That sounds so normal," I muse, eager to get lost in it all.

"You mean boring," Arlo retorts, and I scoff.

"No, normalcy is exactly what I need," I reconfirm, and Brody's hand comes down on my shoulder.

"Whatever you say, Princess."

"Do not," I warn, giving him a pointed look, but his grin widens.

"I can't help it, Princess ."

"You're annoying," I grumble, rolling my eyes at his bullshit, but his hold tightens, forcing me to look at him.

"And you're my fucking Dagger."