28. Adrianna

ADRIANNA

"Girl, you are seriously collecting these," Flora mutters in disbelief, twirling the rose in her hand. The petals dance with the spin of her fingers, enchanting me with their beauty. "How many do you have now?" she asks, peering over it to meet my gaze.

"Ten."

"Ten!" Her eyes widen as I nod, confirming the number of roses currently filling my vase.

"Aren't any starting to wilt?" Arlo asks from behind her, frowning down at the flower as if its mere existence confuses him.

I cock a brow and he rolls his eyes at me as Flora speaks. "You're keeping them alive," she assesses correctly.

Taking the rose from her hand, I smile and rush back inside to add it to the vase with the others. "They're pretty," I offer in explanation before shutting my bedroom door behind me.

"You're such an earth fae," she remarks, making me roll my eyes as Arlo scoffs.

"She's an everything fae."

Flora turns to him with a stern look on her face as she plants her hands on her hips. "I said you could come if you were quiet. You're not being all that quiet, and actually, she's a royal fae, not an everything fae," she states, and he makes the motion of zipping his mouth shut and tossing away the key.

I bite back the smirk threatening to spread across my face, but neither of them notice as we head downstairs, making it outside without running into anyone. Part of me wishes we did. Part of me wishes an issue would arise so I didn't have to be subjected to the pain I know today will bring.

Shopping.

Not just any shopping, dress shopping.

Kill me now.

Heading straight down the path, we bypass the fountain and head toward the main gate. It feels strange seeing it loom ahead as I make my first official trip off campus. Every other time I've left, it's been at the hands of someone's magic. Walking out like this somehow fills me with more nerves than the alternative.

Guards stand on either side of the wrought-iron gate, glaring at us as we approach.

"We're heading into the City of Harrows. Preparations for the ball," Arlo explains, smiling at them, but all he gets in return are four disgruntled looks.

"And what makes you think we're going to let three little faes come and go as they please?" the closest one remarks, making me glare at him.

"Is there a problem?" I ask, stepping up to Arlo's side, and I notice one of the guards on the other side of the gate shrink back at my appearance.

"No problem at all, your royal… I mean… uh…" He stutters and stumbles over his words, making my cheeks heat with the acknowledgment. I wave him off as quickly as I can and he wastes no time ensuring the gates open.

"She's no royal to me," the first guy grunts, and I pay him no mind. I don't expect anyone to treat me any differently, I just wish the fae weren't treated so terribly to begin with.

"Thank you," I murmur to the helpful guy as I pass, and he nods.

"Anytime."

"What's your name?" I ask, pausing in place with Flora and Arlo right behind me.

"Jeffries."

"Thank you, Jeffries," I repeat, making a mental note to remember his name.

It's another to add to my list of allies, along with Flora and Arlo, which is embarrassingly much shorter than my foe list.

"Do you get that a lot?" Flora asks once we're out of sight, linking her arm through mine, and I shake my head.

"Never. Well, not that I remember anyway," I explain, taking the cobbled walkway down under the arch that leads into the main center of the City of Harrows.

A shiver runs down my spine at its familiarity and I take a deep breath—one, to clear the tension that had started to rise inside me at the first guard's remark and two, to smell the telltale scent of fresh oranges nearby.

There's a hop in my step as we make our way down the narrowed streets before we come to the larger arch that leads into the square itself. It feels like forever ago that I last caught a glimpse of the fountain that takes up the left side of the square, and the merchant's stalls selling fruits and fabrics are exactly where they always are. The reality is, it's been mere weeks.

It's not a lot of time at all, yet it feels like everything has changed since then, or is it just me?

Instinctively, I step away from Flora, wrapping my black cloak around my body protectively as I adjust the hood on my head. It feels too foreign to move around these cobbled streets any other way. If Flora or Arlo find it odd, neither of them say anything about it.

"We should eat first," Arlo states, scratching at his chin as Flora immediately begins shaking her head.

"That will make me bloated when trying on dresses, so eating can come second," she informs him.

"That's dramatic," he grumbles, tucking his hands into his pockets.

"It's the truth," I add, hating to admit it because the thought of food instead of shopping sounds far superior.

Flora leads the way, approaching a cute boutique, and I follow after her. My eyes widen when I take in the space. It's nowhere near as small as it appears to be from the outside. There are rows and rows of dresses spaciously laid out for us to search through—so much so that I don't even know where to begin.

"May I help you, ladies?" the assistant asks, smiling softly at us.

Pointed ears.

She's a fae.

My shoulders sag and the worry that weighed heavily on me eases. I feel like that's all I do anymore; ease one weight to replace it with another. It's exhausting.

"I think I know what I'm looking for, but my friend here looks like she might bolt," Flora muses, winking at me.

I give her a fake, harsh look before turning to the assistant. "She's correct," I admit, and the assistant's smile grows wider.

"I can help with that," she insists, turning toward the far right corner of the room, waving for me to follow after her. Her brown hair swishes from side to side with every step, her walk confident and strong for a fae.

I like her already.

I didn't know there was such a thing as too many choices, but here I am, staring at them as I move through the store.

"Head on in there," she states, waving for me to step into a large changing room with a huge mirror on the wall. Once I'm positioned where she wants me, I turn to her and she nods. "Now, what are your three favorite colors? Actually, two, I already know you're going to say black."

I gape at her, speechless, but there's no denying that she's right.

Clearing my throat, I consider her question. "Yellow and deep purple."

"Nice choices; the yellow would work perfectly with your complexion, too. Do you have any preference on sleeve and skirt length?" she adds, tilting her head at me.

"Long skirt, the sleeves are open," I reply instantly, and she darts back into the main area without another word. The long skirt will make it harder to move around, but it will allow me to conceal my weapons. I hope it's not necessary, but with my luck so far, I'd rather be safe than sorry. At least my arms aren't likely to be as restricted, so I can defend myself.

I shake my head. Slightly irritated that my thoughts go straight to protection mode, but it's ingrained into me at this point.

"Okay, I have a long black option with long sleeves and no back, a deep purple choice with a long skirt and a strapless, sweetheart neckline, or a yellow spaghetti-strap bodice dress with a long layered skirt. Try them on, see what you think, and we'll go from there, alright?"

My eyes widen with everything she rattles off, but I nod along all the same. She hangs them to my right before closing the curtain for me to try them on. Gulping, my gaze rakes over each of them as I try to decide where to begin.

Opting to simply go from left to right, I start with the black option, shaking off my cloak and piling my clothes on the chair by the mirror. It's made of silk, the material unbelievably soft against my skin, but I'm not overly fond of the neckline sitting across my shoulders, and the long sleeves feel a little restricting.

Hanging it back up, I turn my attention to the purple option. It's noticeably heavier than the black one, and the skirt is puffy with tulle and so many layers. The neckline is cute, though, but it's not going to serve its purpose for me.

I turn my attention to the yellow option, the layered tulle lighter and floaty. Stepping into the skirt, I pull it over my hips, where the bodice sits snugly against my torso. I secure the fastening the best I can at my back before adjusting the thin straps on my shoulders.

It's perfect.

It's not too heavy, there are no additional restrictions in comparison to the others, and the color really does suit my complexion.

"How's it going in there?" the assistant asks, and I realize I'm smiling at myself in the mirror.

"The yellow one. I'm going for the yellow one," I declare, my smile spreading wider across my cheeks.

"Perfect, leave the others in there and bring the yellow dress to the front when you're ready," she replies before I hear her talking with Flora.

Quickly changing, I drape my black cloak around my shoulders once I'm done. Dress in hand, I pull back the curtain and head toward where Flora is already waiting.

"Have you found one?" I ask, and she beams from ear to ear.

"I did. Have you?" She nods at the dress in my hand and I nod.

"What have you gone for?"

"It's a surprise."

I raise my eyebrows at her, but the joy on her face tells me all I need to know. "Surprises are good," I breathe, and she bounces on the balls of her feet.

"Right?"

I'm not sure if she's going to explode with excitement, but the store assistant appears, taking the dress from my grasp before anything insane happens.

She boxes the dress, layers of tissue paper and all, before sliding it into a bag and offering me the straps. Before I take it from her grasp, I offer her my money, but she shakes her head.

"Ah, this has already been paid for," she admits, cheeks pink.

"It has? By who?" I ask in confusion. If it's Flora, I'm going to tell her there's no way in hell I'm accepting that.

The assistant clears her throat, avoiding my gaze. "The owner."

"Why would the owner do that?" I rear back in surprise, glancing around as if they were going to appear out of nowhere with an explanation.

"Because… long live the kingdom of the fae."

My cheeks heat as I stare at her, my jaw slack as I fail to find anything to say.

"Say thank you, Addi," Flora murmurs beside me, pulling me from my blank mind, and I nod.

"Thank you," I breathe, and the assistant grins, winking at Flora and me in quick succession.

"Always. Friends of the kingdom are friends of ours."

Taking the bag, I follow Flora toward the door, but I'm not aware of anything as my mind swirls with disbelief.

"Now, can we eat?" Arlo asks, bringing me back to the present as we step outside. I adjust my hood around my face again, shielding myself from bystanders.

"Yes," I answer immediately, my stomach grumbling at the thought of food.

"Where shall we go?" Flora asks, spinning on the spot as if a place will just pop up for us.

Nipping at my bottom lip, an idea comes to mind. "I know a quiet spot not far from here. It's not the prettiest of places, but the food is amazing," I offer, and Arlo claps his hands together excitedly.

"Lead the way, oh wise one," he insists, shooing me along.

I chuckle along with Flora as we take off through the narrow passageways again.

It only takes a few minutes until the familiar sign hangs in front of us.

"You weren't lying, Addi. It's not the prettiest," Arlo muses, frowning up at the place while Flora waves him off.

Heading inside, the familiar scent of garlic fills the air, making my stomach grumble again. "If I knew I'd been serving royalty all this time, I would have upped my prices," Pearl states, stepping toward me with a grin teasing the corner of her mouth.

"No, you wouldn't have, but I bet you would have had me washing the dishes," I retort, making her head fall back as she laughs all the way from her belly.

"That's my girl. Same as always?" she offers, waving for me to choose where I want to sit. "Oh, you're not alone," she adds, eyebrows raised in surprise at the sight of Flora and Arlo moving with me.

"They'll want to look at the menu," I answer, trying to remain calm about this entire conversation. I've spent years slipping in here alone. A time or two with my father and sister, but that's always been rare. Anyone else other than those two people would startle anyone who knows me.

"I'll get the menus; you get comfortable," Pearl answers as I take my favorite spot in the far left of the restaurant. From here, I can see the entire room without anyone really being able to see me.

"Do you come here a lot?" Flora asks, and I shake my head.

"Not really."

"But enough to know that woman and not need to order because she knows what you're going to get?" she retorts, giving me a pointed look.

"I'm a creature of habit. Stick around long enough and you'll see my choice of food doesn't sway all that much," I admit, and Arlo grins.

"That's true. Your breakfast of choice most days is scrambled eggs and bacon."

"It's a good choice," I insist with a shrug, and Flora snickers.

"On one hand, you're a complete mystery; on the other, you're simple and predictable."

"How's that for keeping you on your toes?" I retort with a grin, and she shakes her head at me.

"Here are the menus for you to take a look at," Pearl states, placing the worn leather before Arlo and Flora, who murmur their thanks. "Addi," she adds, turning to me. "I have a call for you."

"A call for me?" I repeat, confusion dancing through my veins.

She nods, pointing toward where the phone stands beside the coffee machine. Panicked, it takes everything in me to keep my steps measured and calm as I approach it like an explosion about to go off.

Bringing the device to my ear, I take a deep breath. "Hello?"

"Do you go everywhere without your cell phone?"

I look around, eyes wide with fear. "Where are you?" I rasp, chest tightening.

"Come find me."