33. Adrianna

ADRIANNA

Surprisingly, the food is good and the conversation is entertaining. I don't know what I was expecting, but Flora and Arlo's parents have set me at ease, talking to me as Addi and not trying to pepper me with an inquisition about my heritage.

However, it hasn't stopped the gazes from many others around the room. Their stares penetrate my skin like a weapon, attacking me all at once as I try to keep my shoulders relaxed and my smile plastered in place.

I know the four of them can sense it, too. The tight smiles between my friends' parents and Flora's determination to remain perky and upbeat confirm it, and I've never appreciated them more.

I've learned far too much about my two friends, from their earliest stories to embarrassing blunders; like when Flora decided to cut her own hair as a nine-year-old, resulting in a cropped cut that her mother has pictures of on hand to go along with the memory.

Swirling my glass of water, I take another sip as the music softens and someone taps their finger on a microphone. Turning my attention toward the small platform on the other side of the room, my muscles stiffen at the sight of Dean Bozzelli.

I haven't seen her since she forced this damn gem between my shoulder blades, and the sight of her makes its presence burn stronger against my flesh.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you're all having a wonderful night," she begins, arms out wide as she smiles at the crowd, but I don't miss the fact that she doesn't waste her time looking toward the fae corner of the room.

Her neon choice for the night is a shade of green, so bright some may argue the fact that it's yellow. She wears it with pride, and it suits her. She's as insane as her clothing choice, but who am I to judge?

"Why is that outfit making my eyes bleed?" Arlo murmurs, making me snicker along with Flora.

"It's wonderful to host our first celebration. An important factor in the success of this academy is incorporating traditions that we cherish while embracing the wonder of the future." Her sickly sweet voice makes me want to vomit. "Before we enjoy the opening dance that has blessed so many balls before this one, I just want to take a moment to thank you all for being in attendance this evening, but more than that, trusting that your children are in safe hands."

I scoff.

"There's nothing safe about those hands," Flora mutters, lip curling in distaste, and I can't help but smirk at her remark.

"There is a leader among us, a long-awaited heir to the throne that we will crown, along with a solid council around them. We will bring strength to our kingdom, rise from the flood once more, and be reborn into greatness as the Floodborn Kingdom deserves."

I roll my eyes at her choice of words while others offer her a small round of applause.

"Somebody definitely wrote that for her," Arlo whispers with a chuckle, and I shake my head. We can't underestimate this woman's mind. She may seem foolish, but there's a depth to her that I don't think we've seen the end of yet.

"Please, enjoy a demonstration of the waltz from our fabulous students, have a wondrous evening, and we look forward to seeing more of you in the future."

The applause grows louder as some stand, and I'm most definitely ready for the floor to open right now and swallow me whole so I don't have to do this dance. Before I can even consider an escape, I feel a hand on my shoulder.

I know who it is before I turn and look, and the smolder that greets me is no surprise.

"Brody, do we really have to do this?" I complain, but he's already reaching for my hand and tugging me to my feet.

"You know we do."

I roll my eyes but tamper down my dramatics as he leads me toward the dance floor to join the other students. He doesn't let go of my hand, his grip firm but relaxed, and it spikes my veins. I can practically feel every groove of his fingertips branding me with each second that passes, and for some reason, I don't pull away.

He doesn't stop until we're at the very center of the hardwood dance floor. His hand falls to my back while the other shifts my hand in his, putting us in a perfectly poised position.

"Follow my lead?"

"It's the only way I'm going to survive this thing," I breathe as the music shifts around us.

"One… two… three," he whispers against my ear before he takes off.

All I can do is hold on and hope for the best. He moves with ease, a finesse I can't wrap my head around, as we glide across the floor with everyone else. I catch a glimpse of Flora laughing with Kryll as she makes a misstep. I see Cassian remain stoic and vibrating with irritation as he clumsily leads his partner.

I pause my staring there, turning my full attention back to Brody. Seeing them with other girls, even my friend, does something to my chest, and I don't like it.

"What are you thinking about, Dagger?"

I exhale, stumbling over my own feet, but he keeps us moving effortlessly.

"Nothing."

"That look in your eyes tells me a different story," he muses, suddenly spinning me out and tugging me back in before I can make sense of it all.

"That's not part of the dance," I grumble, making him chuckle.

"Maybe not, but you look hot when I do it."

I roll my eyes at him again, but his carefree warmth is exactly what I need.

"Mr. Orenda. Your father wishes to speak with you."

Brody comes to a halt, his attention steering to the man suddenly at our side. "My father can go fuck himself," he retorts with a scoff as I stand frozen in place.

"He assumed that may be your response. He also advised me to relay a message that can be delivered in private or for everyone to witness. Which would you prefer?" The man seems embarrassed by the words he has to repeat while Brody sighs, dropping his hands from my body.

"I won't be long," he murmurs, and I nod, eager to get the hell off the dance floor, but the second he turns to leave with the guy, another hand lands on my arm.

Whirling around, I startle when I find Kryll. Panic sets in, and I instantly search for Flora. He must sense my concern because he waves me off before pointing to where she's standing with Arlo.

"Dance with me."

Three words.

Simple. Small. Soft.

Yet they're laced with heat, promise, and desire.

Fuck.

Before I can think better of it, my hand slips into his and he pulls me in close. I have to tilt my head back a little further to look at him as he sways us from side to side. The song in the background changes and the waltz everyone is trying to follow drifts into a calmer tune.

"You've garnered quite an audience tonight," he states, peering around me. He slowly spins us, giving me the opportunity to note everyone looking in my direction, and I hum in agreement.

"So it seems."

"I don't know whether it's how beautiful you look in this dress or the amethyst you're displaying so carefree," he offers, threatening to turn my cheeks pink at his compliment, and I shake my head.

"I thought it might have something to do with the fact that I'm Satan's spawn."

He grins, a snicker falling from his lips as he peers down at me. "It could be that too. Or the fact that you're wearing combat boots with such a sweet dress," he adds, and I grin.

"Damn. I thought it was the outline of the daggers underneath all this tulle," I muse, watching his gaze shoot to my thighs, eyes darkening as he slowly raises them to meet mine, staring at me intently.

"Fuck. You're something else," he breathes, lifting a palm to my face. His hand is huge against my cheek, and I shiver at the way his thumb coasts over my skin.

The room falls still as he inches closer, and closer, and closer until there's nothing but a millimeter between us. We search deep into each other's eyes, for what, I'm not entirely sure, but a split second later, we must find it because we move in sync, eliminating the remaining distance between us.

Soft, full lips claim mine as I rise up on my tiptoes, palms pressed against his chest as I lose myself in his warm embrace.

My eyelids fall closed, separating me from everything around me apart from him. Goosebumps ghost over my skin as desire dances through my veins.

All too quickly, he retreats, his eyes almost black when I blink my lids open to see him.

"That was some of the most magical shit I've ever experienced in my life."

I chuckle at his proclamation, stepping in closer as a wave of dizziness washes over me. The kind that comes with euphoria.

"This is the bitch causing a stir, Daddy. I want her gone. And I want her gone now." The shrill sound of Vallie's voice interrupts our moment, making my blood boil even more than usual when I'm in her presence.

I turn to find her standing beside a man who is practically the male version of her. Same nose, same eyes, same chin. They've even got the same shade of hair, which doesn't feel like the most natural of colors, but that's irrelevant when they're both glaring at me with a fierceness that doesn't fill me with a sense of joy.

"So it's true. The Addi Reed causing issues for my daughter is none other than the Adrianna Reagan, former princess and heir," he declares, speaking loud enough over the music that the other students still dancing around us stop to watch the drama unfold.

Reluctantly, I step out of Kryll's embrace, turning to face the pair of them head-on as I sigh. "I'm quite sure your daughter causes her own issues."

His eyes narrow as Vallie clings to his arm, shaking him for good measure. "Daddy, she's trying to steal Raiden away from me. The deal promised?—"

He waves his daughter off, keeping his eyes narrowed on mine. It's hilarious that he's even entertaining her with this bullshit right now when I was literally just kissing another guy. I've kissed Raiden for sure, and despite my sound mind, I'd do it again. I know it, but that's beside the point.

"That's enough, Vallie. The agreement with the Holloways still stands," he promises, patting his daughter's hand on his arm. I don't know what they're talking about, but I can't deny that I care. Kryll inches closer behind me, letting me know he's there, while I can't help but wonder where the vampire in question is. "None of this will end well for you, Miss Reagan," he adds, the promise just as clear as the threat as he jabs a finger in my direction.

"I'm not sure what you're referring to, sir," I bite out, trying to keep my composure instead of taking a swing at this man's smug face.

"A fae is never going to take that throne again. And as a member of The Council, I'll make sure of it," he snarls, his composed demeanor quickly disappearing. He quickly reaches for the cigar tucked into his blazer pocket, lighting the end like a seasoned pro as I smile at him.

"We should never say never, but enjoy your evening."

"I'm not done talking to you," he snaps, stumbling a step forward and revealing the liquor that clearly runs through his veins right now. I'm not getting involved with anyone in this state, especially not a man who wields his perceived superiority like a weapon. Not when he still holds some power on The Council. The consequences aren't worth it.

Pushing my shoulders back, I keep my smile intact. "I'm done talking to you. Your games are as childish as your daughter's and it's growing tiresome. There are more pressing matters in this kingdom to attend to other than if your daughter gets the man she longs for. Vampires are in a frenzied state, uncontainable and destructive, but instead of warning the people of our kingdom, the media fixates on me. A great distraction for you, I'm sure, but that is most definitely something you should have under control, especially as a vampire. But what would I know? I'm just a failed fae heir."

"You can't speak to my father like that!" Vallie yells, making sure we have everyone's attention now. Keeping myself calm and collected is getting old.

"I can, and I just did. One day, you're going to learn this world doesn't revolve around you and your needs. One day, the kingdom will need you in a greater capacity than what you are capable of offering in that moment, and you will fail, without a shadow of a doubt, and I will watch you fall, because we all know that you wouldn't take a fae's hand to help you rise again. Or would you? If the alternative was death?"

My pulse thunders in my ears as I take a step back, watching them both gape at me as I spin for the exit. I startle when I realize Kryll isn't alone anymore. Brody and Cassian are with him too, but still no vampire. Surely, if ever there was a reason for him to make an appearance, it would be the drama which, yet again, revolves around him.

Maybe then he could explain this so-called deal to me so I can politely put as much distance between us as possible.

I make it out into the hallway without interruption, my shoulders sagging with relief as the noise dissipates.

"That was the hottest shit I've ever seen in my life," Brody declares, draping his arm over my shoulder and drawing me to a stop.

"I'm sure it was because you need to get out more," Cassian grunts, peering at me through hooded eyes. I can't sense what's going on in his head, and it's clear there's no chance he's going to freely share.

"Do you want to leave?" Kryll suddenly asks, and I nod profusely.

He offers out his hand, palm faced up ready for mine, and before I can change my mind, I take it.