3. Addi

THREE

Her voice instantly sets me on edge, offering no kind of warmth or excitement to be here. Not that it's the approach she was going for, but still. We're hopefully here for the long haul, building for the new future they're insisting on, but what do I know?

A lot more than they think you do.

"Thank you for gathering here this morning. It brings me great pleasure to welcome you through the academy's gates with open arms." She pauses, lifting her arms in a fake half hug that looks awkward as hell before she drops them back down to her sides. "There is much for us to learn about one another, much for us to learn about our past that we don't want to repeat, and much to embrace about where we hope the future will take us."

"As long as you're a vampire, she means," Arlo whispers under his breath, making my teeth sink into my bottom lip to stop the smile from spreading. Flora, on the other hand, swats him in the stomach, her cheeks reddening once again. At least I'm not the only one coming to the same assessment of the woman before us.

"My name is Mildred Bozzelli. You may call me Dean Bozzelli. After much consideration among The Council, I have been appointed as the dean of Heir Academy, and it's my utmost certainty that I will ensure everyone remains focused and dedicated to the cause we are undertaking." She smiles proudly, reveling in the title she's earned herself, and I feel the nervous energy around me increase. "But, less about me and more about all of our fine attendees today. Don't you agree?"

Cheers echo around us, and when I peer over my shoulder, I find the wolves, mages, and shifters joining in with the vampires, while the fae and humans remain a little more stoic.

"Firstly, I believe we should start at the beginning. As many know, Floodborn Kingdom rose from the seas many years ago, led by many, but most recently, King August Reagan." My chest aches as disgruntled mumbles spread among the crowd. "He was the last of the fae to lead us and the remnants of his rule still echo around us." Her face is full of sympathy, but her words remain just as quick and sharp. "After all of the mistakes, The Council was formed, uniting the origins of our kingdom. Now, however, the time has come for us to find our new leader, one forged in stone by hard work and determination, fortified with the will to lead all of our people. No matter the cost, here at the academy, we will find the one who will lead us and unite us all, for the sake of our kingdom."

Her gaze glances dismissively over the fae and humans again. She offers the wolves, shifters, and mages an extra moment, but she lingers on the vampires. It's clear who she believes should rule.

Part of me wonders why the rest of us are even here, but then my heart skips a beat, reminding me exactly why I am here. There's a lot to prove.

There hasn't been a queen in over five hundred years, and the thought of a fae retaking the throne won't come easy to many in the kingdom. I'm here to prove them all wrong.

"Our aim is to find the new heir among you. There will be trials, tests, and moments where we will push you beyond your limits; all to determine who that is. It won't be easy, but if the past has taught us anything, it's that we must not succumb to kindness that can linger in our hearts. This kingdom deserves a dedicated leader whose strength and cut-throat loyalty can do what's best for the people above all else, someone ruthless enough to do what needs to be done for the best interest of Floodborn."

Another round of cheers fills the air, and this time, it includes a few humans and some of the fae around me. I jab my hands into the pockets of my cloak, clenching them into fists in anger.

Paper brushes against my knuckles, making me frown, and I pull out a small folded sheet. With my gaze locked on Bozzelli's, I meticulously unfold it until there's nothing left to do before I peer down. My eyes skim the scratchy words scrawled across it. My heart instantly aches, but the warmth that blossoms in my chest almost floors me.

Quickly glancing at Bozzelli again, I'm relieved to see I've gone unnoticed as I refold the paper and return it to my pocket.

"In a few moments, registration will begin for everyone and we'll filter you all onto the official grounds of the academy. Once in there, you will have the remainder of today to get comfortable, but everything begins tomorrow. Not everyone will make it. Not everyone will want to. But coming here today confirms your trust in The Council and your loyalty to the Floodborn Kingdom. I can't wait to embark on this journey with you."

"Why does she look so bloodthirsty when she says that?" Arlo whispers, nudging Flora with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

I school my features, pretending as though I don't hear him as I watch six additions join Bozzelli on the podium. They stand shoulder to shoulder, three on either side of the dean, before she begins to point them out.

"On the end to my left, you have Professor Alyx Sorrow. She will be leading the mages. Followed by Professor Landon Fairbourne, who will guide the fae." Her nose turns up slightly as she says it, but if anyone notices it, they don't bother to say a word. "With Professor Garrick Knight beside me, who will assist the shifters." They each wave at their introduction before Bozzelli lifts her other arm, indicating the three remaining professors beside her. "Professor Harrison Amos, to my right, will be here for the humans. Beside him is Professor Connor Whitlock. He will be commanding the wolves. While Professor Maxima Holloway will escort the vampires the best she can."

I repeat their names a few times in my head as I stare at their faces, committing them to memory. Once over, I wouldn't have remembered a single name she just said, but with my father's guidance, I now understand the importance of remembering names and faces. Both to leave a good and lasting impression on them, while also remembering who may or may not betray you in the future.

The latter is more likely than I care to admit.

"As you are already in your groups, I will have each professor call out the origins before they guide you inside. They will go through the timetables, attire, accommodation, and dining details that will pertain to you for the next two years. Unless we find our heir before that time, of course," she adds, twitching with excitement. I'm certain she's going to bounce out of her shoes at any given moment, but before I can see if that's likely to happen, Professor Alyx Sorrow calls out the mages.

She waves them forward as she steps down from the podium, leading them through the stone archway to the left. They follow her wordlessly and I take a moment to really absorb what's happening right now.

There's no going back, no alternatives. We're going to walk under that archway and either die at the hands of Heir Academy, lick our wounds when the heir is declared, or bask in triumph as the crown to the kingdom is placed upon our heads.

I turn in the direction of Floodborn Castle, but it's obscured by the academy so I picture it from memory instead.

"Are you nervous? I can't really sense it from you like I can everyone else." It takes me a second to realize Flora is asking me.

Shrugging, I shake my head. "Nervousness isn't something I really struggle with." Not in the way everybody else here does. "You can sense that?" I query, and she nods shyly, her hair covering her face for a split second before Arlo elbows her.

"Flora is the best fae with mind magic I've ever met," he insists, revealing that familiar pink tint to her cheeks again.

"He's overhyping me," she mutters, fidgeting with her fingers, but I store the tidbit of information away. Knowing the strengths of those around you only makes you stronger yourself. Just as the weaknesses that grasp you, if not balanced perfectly, could find you dead.

"You know I'm not," Arlo retorts, and I offer her a smile, which seems to help her relax again.

"Fae. Follow me." Professor Landon Fairbourne's voice booms around us, carrying more strength than you would expect, given the fae around me, and I immediately like it.

This man could be an asshole for all I care, but carrying himself the way he is only impresses me. Hopefully, he will find a backbone in some of those around us. I can sense Arlo is already open to saying what he thinks, and Flora can handle him just fine, but I get the feeling she doesn't use that same level of strength with others.

I keep to the back of the group, Flora by my side, with Arlo flanking her. I try to assess him out of the corner of my eye now that I have a moment, but it's not so easy with Flora between us.

He's clearly over six feet, that's for certain. I'm standing strong at five-foot-seven inches, and he towers over both of us. His messy brown hair makes his blue eyes seem brighter, twinkling with mischief, and although he seems slim, the set of his shoulders and power in his stride tells me there's more to him than meets the eye. He catches me looking, throwing a wink my way, and I quickly turn to follow the professor once again.

He probably thinks I'm interested now. I'm definitely not. Besides, I can sense the air of affection between him and Flora. Nonetheless, I'm focused on my mission. There's no time for distraction.

I'm pulled from my thoughts as we take in the cobbled walkway. The academy building itself comes into view, but we walk around it. The pathway forks off from a central fountain in six different directions. One for each origin.

Fae.

Humans.

Mages.

Shifters.

Vampires.

Wolves.

"Form a line, registration is about to begin."