Page 94 of The Hunt of Night

“Hey,” I rasp, and Kryll appears beside him a moment later.

“August?” He calls my father’s name in confusion, but his sights are set on me. “Princess.” I’ve never heard a word filled with so much relief in my whole life. I have so much I want to say to him, but I can’t seem to move my damn tongue. “What are you doing on the floor? Let’s get you up,” he insists, cutting the distance between us before he slowly lifts me back onto the bed.

“Addi,” my father murmurs, walking around to the other side of the bed.

“Dad,” I croak, relieved to be in his presence. I might not have wanted to come here, but now that I have, it’s the best place in the world.

“Are you okay?”

“I’ve been better,” I admit.

He nods in understanding. “It’s good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too. Especially Nora,” I add, waving my hand in her direction as tears clog my eyes again. “You did this?” I ask, turning my attention to Kryll, who scrubs at the back of his neck nervously as he nods. “Thank you.”

It’s not enough. It willneverbe enough, but it’s all I’ve got right now.

“Don’t give the drama queen any more attention than she’s already been getting. Her ego won’t withstand much more,” my father muses, earning a gasp and a chuckle from Nora, who sits at the foot of my bed.

“How have you been?” I ask, enjoying the smile lines outlining his eyes as he grins at me.

“Good. Really good.”

“He has a lady friend,” Nora blurts, amusement dancing in her eyes.

“A lady friend?” I push, surprise clear in my voice.

“I do not,” he insists as Kryll nods eagerly.

“She makes him blush,” Nora whisper-shouts, and I scoff, watching my father blush at the mention.

“Where have you brought my family, Kryll?” I ask, giving him a pointed look, but he sees the humor and winks.

I’ve never felt a moment like this before.

So full of love, happiness, and…hope.

“There’s something different about Dad, too,” Nora states, pointing a finger at him, and the man in question turns slowly.

“Your stone…it’s gone.”

“Stone?” My father says with a smirk, shrugging as he turns back to me, and my eyes narrow.

“Don’t play dumb. You said that stone was locked in unless a…” My gaze widens as I turn back to Kryll, whose sheepish look only grows as a pink hue colors his cheeks.

“You’re not just a dragon. You’re an Aeternus dragon.”

38

ADRIANNA

Kryll all but fled from the room, his blush almost crimson as he made his excuses and left. With my dad and sister beside me, I fell back into a deep slumber. It was calm, serene, and everything anyone could wish for. My usual torments of the night Nora was harmed turn into fleeting moments of joy, watching her spin in circles and run through the tall flowers in the meadow.

It’s a different life—one we’ll never get back, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a chance for a similar, maybe even better one in the future.

That’s my goal, my aim, my promise. To myself and to those I love.

Waking again, I find myself alone. When I try to move from the bed, it’s much easier this time. With my feet planted firmly on the floor, I take in my attire. An off-white silk gown falls to my feet, spaghetti straps holding it in place. It’s the softest thing I think I’ve ever worn, and it’s for bed.

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