Page 5 of The Hunt of Night

I shake my head in disbelief. “A non-existent dragon can’t be our only option.”

My father’s brows furrow deeper, unwavering pain settling deep into his eyes. “I wish it wasn’t the case, Addi, but it seems every gem I banished as king has somehow found itself in the hands of the unsavory.”

Unsavory isn’t the word I would use.

“I refuse,” I state, unwilling to give up without even trying.

My father’s eyes find mine as Nora remains quiet, fingers laced together in her lap. “Addi, I would love to stay and continue this conversation with you, but our safety, especially yours, is the greatest priority. We must leave,” he breathes,defeat thick in his voice as the weight of his words rings true in my mind.

Fuck.

I want to stomp my feet, raise my fists in the air, and throw the world’s greatest tantrum that has ever existed. It’s not fair. It’s not right. It’s against everything in the entire kingdom that I believe in, but that means nothing to those who still seem intent on controlling us all.

Sighing, my shoulders sag. “You’re right.”

I despise the taste of the words on my tongue, but they’re true whether I like it or not.

There’s so much I need to think about and process, but none of that can happen until my father and Nora are safe. I just need to figure out how the hell to make that happen because the veil they’ve hidden behind is no longer worth the magic it uses. It couldn’t be fueled anyway, not with my father branded with the aquamarine gem of fucking death.

The sound of someone clearing their throat pulls me from my head, and I glance over my shoulder to find Raiden rocking on his heels.

“I can?—”

“You can shut the fuck up. Or better yet, just leave,” I snap, interrupting whatever shit is about to spew from his mouth. I’ll deal with him soon enough, but right now, he’s just an unnecessary distraction.

“Addi,” my father murmurs, the telling tone of his voice making my spine stiffen.

“Don’t,” I warn, but he tilts his head, giving me his look of wisdom, ignoring the caution from my lips.

“I think we should consider whatever he’s offering,” my father explains, arms falling relaxed at his sides as he acts calm and collected. Always calm and collected.

“It seems nothing he offers comes without a price. I’m good,” I grumble, taking a step away from the vampire in question.

“Addi.”

“Dad,” I retort, eyes narrowed on him as he mirrors my stance.

“Addi.”

“Dad,” I repeat, knowing exactly where this is going as my teeth grind together.

“Princess Adrianna,” he pushes, spiking the adrenaline in my veins.

“King August Reagan.”

We’re at a standstill. Ramrod straight spines, bunched muscles in our necks, with our hands balled into fists at our sides.

“What am I missing?” Raiden asks, igniting more irritation in my bones.

“This is what they do when they switch off the personal side,” Nora explains, like we’re not standing in front of them, aware of what’s being said.

“What does that mean?” The curiosity in his voice annoys me more.

“It means he’s making her see you through the eyes of a leader, without bias and prejudice. Whatever you have done to make her mad is taking her a lot to see past right now.”

“So, you mean he’s trying to get her to assess me without the rage vibrating from her?”

“You can see that?” Nora asks, her impressed tone only making me more agitated.

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