7. Adrianna

7

ADRIANNA

C ool air blows over my skin as I frown, exhaustion still clinging to my bones. Opening my eyes isn't easy, but after a few tries, the sun leaking in through my open bedroom window is finally bearable.

Groggily wiping the loose tendrils of hair off my face, I force myself to sit up, glancing at the time with a groan as my alarm starts to go off. I swing my legs over the side of the bed, swiftly turning off the treacherous noise, but the second the silence takes over the room, my mind is flooded with yesterday's events.

A purple glint from my nightstand draws my attention, but instead of reaching for it, I reach for the spot on my neck where the amethyst had pierced my flesh. I had considered putting it back in yesterday to maintain the fucked up charade, but I'm not playing these games any longer. Now that my family is safe, my priority has to be protecting myself, and if that means that Dean Bozzelli learns that I can get out of her hold, then so be it.

Today is going to leave me on edge, more so than usual, but at least I will have access to all of my powers.

The vibrating sound from the top drawer of my nightstand makes me pause before I slowly open it to see the intrusive device inside.

I shouldn't be surprised to see Nora's name flashing across my cell phone screen, but it somehow manages to send a shock through me. I consider the idea of ignoring her call, but the worry that something may be wrong wins, and I'm answering a moment later.

"Addi? Are you there? We're safe. He brought us?—"

"Don't tell me," I blurt, cutting her off, and the sharp intake of breath that comes through the line tells me I've pissed her off.

"What?"

"I can't know, Nora," I murmur, pinching the bridge of my nose as I sense her irritation quickly rising.

"Why?"

"Because I put you in danger, I won't do that again," I state, sitting tall on my bed as I absorb my own words, willing them to become reality.

"That wasn't you, Ad?—"

"Nora." The warning is clear, but so is her frustration.

"Get your head out of your ass, Addi. And whatever pointed look is on your face right now, drop it," she snaps, and I hear my father splutter over his breath in the background.

"Nora."

"What, Dad? She's doing that self-righteous crap she always pulls, and I'm not taking it. It will be no good doing all of this to protect me when I inevitably stop talking to you forever for being a bitch," she threatens, making my eyes widen in surprise as my father remains just as shocked at her straight-talking outburst.

"Nora."

"What? I'm not wrong," she insists, and I sigh.

"I love you, Nora," I breathe, earning a scoff through the line.

"If you loved me, you would hear me."

My head rears back. "I do."

" No . You don't ."

I hear movement through the call, but since we're not video calling, I have no idea what's happening until my father clears his throat.

"Give her time, Addi."

Did she leave? Fuck.

"She's right," I breathe, willing to admit the truth. I'm definitely overprotective of her, forgetting that she does know how to handle herself.

"She always is," my father muses, making me roll my eyes.

I hate that she's that mad at me, but my mind drifts to the fact that it's just my father on the other end of the line right now. "While it's just you, there's something I want to ask."

"You can ask me anything, Addi," he offers softly, thankfully not on the same mission as Nora to tell me where he is.

Taking a deep breath, I swipe my tongue over my bottom lip as the words lodge in my throat. He waits patiently for me, like always, until I can gather enough strength to say it.

"Am I a half-breed?"

Silence greets me for what feels like an eternity until he speaks. "You are Princess Adrianna Reagan."

My lips purse. "I know that, but?—"

"But nothing," he insists, giving me the same treatment I just gave Nora, and that makes me even more mad at myself.

"Dad."

"Addi."

"Don't hide this from me. Please."

My cell phone makes a noise, and I glance at the screen to see the request for a video call. A moment later, my father's face fills the screen, pained eyes and all.

I know it. I know it in every inch of his expression.

"I'm a wolf," I breathe, stirring something in my chest as he offers me a wobbly smile in return.

"I didn't know," he murmurs, glancing away from the screen.

"What?"

" That was the pinnacle of my downfall," he admits, shaking his head as he continues to avoid my stare.

"What was?"

"I was blinded by love." His eyes latch onto mine for a beat before he hangs his head.

"You're going to have to explain it a little straighter, Dad," I mutter, and he thankfully settles his eyes on me again.

"For a long time, it was declared that the royal bloodline would sign into an arranged marriage, forging fated mates to lead the kingdom with an almighty strength. It worked too, until me, because I fell in love with your mother." He looks away from the camera, but there's a wistful glint in his eyes. "She was shy, with a huge heart and pointed ears," he explains, making my chest tighten. "We were married quickly, the fated mates link connecting us together. It didn't take long for you to make your appearance," he muses, turning back to me.

"You're welcome. Imagine if you'd had all of Nora's sass first? I would never have existed," I tease, attempting to lighten the pain and darkness overwhelming him. The corner of his mouth tips up just enough to acknowledge my words, but it doesn't have the desired effect.

"It's only now, when I look back, that I can see that she became distant. Disappearing for long periods of time…I didn't know until that fateful night."

My hand lifts to touch my ears instinctively. "How?"

"Kenner came knocking," he breathes, and I lose his eye contact again.

"What for?" That's what I've never understood all this time, but now, it's slowly piecing together.

"He came for the power he felt he deserved after his plan had come to fruition."

"His plan?"

"To plant a Kenner wolf in the castle." His eyes pinch as he looks back at me. "She shifted before my eyes." I gape in surprise as a ghost of a smile touches his lips. "She was beautiful, but it was clear she wasn't mine. Not my Queen. Not anymore, maybe never at all. There was something different."

"Dad," I rasp, my chest aching at his pain.

"I asked her to come with me." He shakes his head. "I begged her."

"Dad," I whisper, choking on the truth.

"I had been aware there was a traitor in my inner circle, but the moment I realized it was her, I didn't care anymore. We had to leave, and I was too blinded by my love for her and our family to see the kingdom crumbling around me. It was too late."

"And she didn't want to," I confirm, and he sags. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be, Addi. You never did anything but be you, just as I wished. But to answer your question, you are a half-breed, even though I despise that terminology. You are half fae, half wolf, and I've never been more proud." His words warm my aching heart, but there's still more to understand.

"Why haven't I ever?—"

He offers me a soft smile. "Honestly, I don't know. I kept waiting, but nothing happened. Your mother always told me that it would come when you were ready, but I'm not sure if they did something to stop it from happening," he admits, making my spine stiffen.

I'm fed up with people doing things to my body without my consent.

A knock comes from my bedroom door, making my father clear his throat. "Go, focus on you. I've got us covered here. I'll see if I can find anything out for you."

"Thank you." I smile, despite the pain glistening in my eyes.

"I love you, Addi."

"I love you too."

The screen falls dark a breath later as another knock comes from my door.

Flora has no patience.

Connecting with my magic, I effortlessly change into my uniform, shoes and all, while shifting my hair into a tight braid. By the time I reach the door, I'm ready for the day. Even if it's only physically. Mentally, I'm not ready for anything.

I swing the door open, lips parted, ready to comment on her lack of patience, when I'm stalled in place.

There isn't one person.

There are four.

And none of them are Flora.

Brody.

Cassian.

Raiden.

Kryll.

Fuck this.

I'm not dealing with their shit before breakfast. Not today.

A breeze flutters over my body, reminding me my bedroom window is still wide open, and I decide to use it to my advantage.

Slamming my bedroom door shut behind me, I turn and run for the opening. The sensation of freefalling takes my breath as I hurtle toward the ground, but before I accidentally hurt myself, I connect with the wind around me and soften my fall. Landing safely on my feet, I straighten my cloak, glancing back at the fae building with a grin on my lips. I flick my wrist, channeling my magic to shut my bedroom window before I take off toward the academy.

Excitement tingles along my skin at escaping them, but it doesn't last long as the fountain has barely come into view when I'm stopped in my tracks.

"Adrianna Reagan. My office. Now."