Page 102 of The Fate of Eternity

Maybe it’s anti-climatic after everything I’ve been through.

Maybe Raiden was right, and it’s this whole show that I don’t care for.

Maybe it’s the disbelief that I’m truly here.

I don’t know, and there’s no time to consider anything further before Bozzelli’s voice raises.

“I give you, the new heir to the Floordborn Kingdom, Queen Adrianna Reagan.”

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Despite my lungs struggling to work under the pressure of the bright light now aimed my way, I get the overwhelming sense of awareness that a camera is aimed in my direction. Pushing it all back, I step into the ballroom and head for the podium where Bozzelli stands, a shimmering gold crown on a velvet cushion beside her.

It doesn’t seem real. It doesn’t feel real at all.

Panicked, I search for my mates among the madness, letting my heart guide me to where they are, and my breathing eases a fraction at the sight of them. I’m not the only one that’s changed. Each of them are now dressed in similar attire except for Flora and Arlo, who are dressed to impress in ballroom attire. Where did someone even find a tuxedo and floor-length gown?

Raiden smiles at me, pride burning in his eyes, while Brody winks, wagging his eyebrows suggestively. Kryll rakes his teeth over his bottom lip as he takes me in, while Cassian’s top lip curls, but it’s not laced with anger, it’s desire.

Clearing my throat, I do little to nudge the swelling in my throat. I take to the steps leading up to the podium one at a time, trying to give myself a moment to gather myself, but it’s futile. Especially when I see a familiar heart-shaped face and big eyes looking at me.

Nora.

She’s sitting with my father on the other side of the podium, hand in hand as they beam at me with unshed tears in their eyes.

Delirious, I’m drawn away from them as Bozzelli grabs my arm and turns me toward the camera. Nothing is audible over my internal thoughts, the moment passing in a blur as the floorvibrates with stomping and hands clap wildly, but not a single other sound registers.

I feel like I’m suffocating until the weight of the crown settles on my head. The room spins at the victory I can smell in the air, but my stare is unfocused, the ability to digest any of this lost upon me until Bozzelli places her hand on my arm, a hint of concern in her eyes as she speaks.

“Queen Adrianna Reagan, please, a few words for your people,” she encourages, jutting her chin as discreetly as possible for me to face the camera and be the wondrous leader they wish me to be.

I nod, then nod again, struggling to be present and alert until a warmth floods my veins. My gaze tugs to the table that holds my Kryptos to find a knowing look on each of my men. It’s them. I don’t know what they’re doing, but whatever it is, it’s working.

Clearing my throat, I stand tall, plastering a smile on my face. “Thank you so?—”

The clink of metal rings in my ears, vibrating through the air as I spin to my left, my crown toppling to the floor as I watch in horror as Bozzelli’s white suit turns red. Her eyes are wide with shock and disbelief as the garbled sound of steel running through flesh ricochets in my ears.

Her lifeless body slowly crumples to the floor, revealing her attacker in the next breath, and I freeze as my father yells at the top of his lungs.

“Clementine!”

52

ADRIANNA

“You,” I breathe, staring at the woman in front of me before my gaze darts to Bozzelli once again. She just killed her. No care, no concern, no guilt. Just… dead.

The mysterious woman from the cell is as crazy as I recall.

---