Page 34 of The Kingdom of Ruin

“Trouble? What trouble?” My father’s voice washes over me, mingled with Nora’s, and I feel a sense of calmness I haven’t been able to manage since I got here.

“You’re on speaker and Dad’s here.”

I mean, I gathered that now, but thanks, Nora.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hi, my love. What’s this trouble I hear?”

I wave my hand dismissively, as if he can see. “Nothing crazy, just…origins being origins,” I ramble, not wanting to get into the specifics with him. He has a way of overanalyzing things, which is great when he’s there to help me make sense of it, but that’s not the case now and it will only leave my head spinning in a million different directions.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he offers, and I smile, appreciating his calmer approach.

“I’m tired of living it, talking about it isn’t going to help,” I admit, and he sighs. The sound makes my chest clench. I don’t want to bring him any more stress.

“Take a deep breath, Addi. You were made for this.”

I feel his words deep in my soul, taking root and banishing all of the self-doubt that threatened me earlier.

“I know, but dealing with closed-minded people is harder than I expected,” I admit, wiping a hand down my face.

“It’s going to take time, my love. We knew this, you especially, but you are exactly where you’re supposed to be, being exactly who you are supposed to be. I’m proud of you, Addi. So proud.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Silence dances around us for a beat before he speaks again. “They televised the opening speech from the dean.”

I gulp, and I don’t know why. It shouldn’t be an issue, should it?

“We didn’t see you,” Nora adds, and I scoff.

“That’s because they weren’t focusing on the fae, and you know it.”

“True.” My father’s reply is solemn, slightly defeated, but he quickly clears his throat, dismissing the doubt. “Is the support system for the fae good there?”

“As far as I know,” I answer honestly, recalling my impromptu meetings with Professor Fairbourne. He’s been good. Annoying, and overstepping, but he’s a good support system nonetheless.

A knock at the door startles me and I frown at the offending white wood that stands between me and whoever is on the other side.

“Is that a knock at your door? Do you have friends, Addi? Friends you’re not telling me about?” Nora asks, her voice rising with every word, and I roll my eyes again.

“It’s probably Flora. I should go,” I admit, not wanting to end the call, but also not entirely prepared for my two worlds to collide just yet.

“Fine, but I want better updates than this,” she insists, and I shake my head.

“You weren’t supposed to get any,” I remind her, and she chuckles.

“Deal with it.”

“I love you, Addi,” my father calls out.

“I love her more,” Nora quickly adds, making my heart whole.

“I love you both too much.”

“Oh, and, Addi?” My father’s voice pauses me from ending the call. “Happy birthday, my love.”

“Yeah, happy birthday, big sis. Twenty-one is going to look so good on you.”

---