Page 15 of The Fate of Eternity

“You’re awesome, Mamma E. Thank you,” Brody declares, followed by everyone else mumbling their thanks before a comfortable silence drifts over us.

The food is as delicious as Nora promised. From fresh chocolate croissants to strawberry compote french toast. By the time I’m done eating, I’m certain I won’t be able to move for at least an hour. Possibly more.

“So, what happened for you to reach out, Son?” the queen asks once everyone has placed their utensils down, and a server approaches with a carafe of coffee.

I hold my mug to my chest, the freshly brewed cup of Heaven warming my hands as I listen to Kryll explain last night’s events. Despite the emotions I felt when it was all happening, I manage to detach myself from them today, which is a huge leap of progress.

“I’m so sorry you had to deal with that, Addi,” my father murmurs once Kryll gets to the part where Bozzelli sent us to rest. A fact I still can’t quite get over. I’m still expecting anothersurprise move from her. Obviously, it hasn’t come yet, but it’s better to be prepared than caught off guard.

“It’s not your fault, Dad,” I insist. He may have trained me, but it was my idea to attend the academy when the announcement was initially made years ago.

The soft smile he offers doesn’t quite meet his eyes, confirming the fact that he takes the blame despite my insistence. But I’m also aware that the only person who can change his perspective is himself.

“Is there anything else?” he asks a moment later, as if my soul is burning in my eyes, revealing the last fact that Kryll breezed over.

I nod, my throat drying, and remember my earlier thoughts, steeling my spine with confidence when I meet my father’s eyes.

“I unleashed my wolf.” The words hang in the air, expanding between us as my father’s eyes widen in surprise before his chair drags back and he drops to his knees beside me.

“Oh, Addi,” he breathes, unshed tears swimming in his eyes as Nora grips my arm tight. I can’t look at her, though; I don’t know how much she knows. “I’m so proud of you for embracing every piece of yourself,” my father adds, cutting my thoughts short as I gape at him.

I expected pride from him, but the relief that floods my veins at his acceptance leaves me speechless.

“How do you feel?” Nora asks, her voice raspy as I blink, slowly turning to face her.

“I’m not sure, but I’m not sad about it,” I admit, my voice as croaky as hers as she nods, a watery smile consuming her features.

“Does Bozzelli know?” the queen asks, reminding me we’re not alone, and I shake my head. “Good. Keep it that way,” she states, confirming my thoughts.

A foot nudges against mine under the table, and I know without looking that it’s Cassian. A tugging sensation forms in my chest, and I know it’s my wolf reaching for him. I don’t know how, but it’s the truth.

“What do we do now?” Raiden asks, his gaze flicking across everyone at the table.

“You head back and play the game,” Nora blurts, her hold on my arm tightening as she nods, a fierceness washing over her as her nostrils flare with anger. “They don’t get to win. Not now, not ever.” Her stony stare settles on me. “You can’t let this go on. It has to end. Someone set the idea of this academy in motion because we needed a change. I don’t care how hard those assholes try to hold on to the little control they have left, but you fight, Addi. You fight with everything that you are and take what’s rightfully yours.”

I gape at my sister as my heart thunders in my chest. I should scold her for cursing, but damn, if that wasn’t the speech I needed, I don’t know what is. The fire she pumps into my mind is undeniable.

“Well said, Nora,” the queen agrees, making my eyes bug out of my head. There’s so much in such a simple statement, and I don’t want to read into it more than I should, but it’s too late. I know I’m where I’m meant to be. I know the fate of eternity for our kingdom is hanging in the balance, and I know I have a role to play. I’m the heir. I want it. Ineedit. And her agreement with my sister feels like a degree of approval. “I think the five of you deserve a little reprieve before you succumb to the madness that is the Floodborn Kingdom,” the queen offers, a soft smile on her face as she places her hand on top of her son’s. “Spend the day here. Bozzelli and the academy can wait until tomorrow,” she adds, and I nod instantly.

Sometimes, to find your fire, your purpose, you have to take a moment to soak in the embrace of calmness and serenity. It’s afact my father has told me time and time again, but maybe now I truly know what he means.

To be calm and collected, I can’t just reach for those emotions, that state of mind, in a moment of crisis. I need to find it in the peace too.

“Thank you,” I breathe, a sense of contentment fluttering through my chest. Looking between my father and Nora, emotions rise to the surface, threatening to pour out of me. For once, I consider letting my feelings show, but a thought comes to mind when I spy the smallest scar on my father’s neck from where the gem was embedded into his skin.

“If you’re all Aeternus dragons, why did my father say you were extinct?” It’s probably a rude question to ask, but it’s passed my lips before I can think better of it.

“Oh, only Kryll is blessed to be an Aeternus dragon, Adrianna.” I blink at the queen, startled by the fact that she isn’t the same as her son.

“How?” The word is a whisper on my lips as I look at my dragon, a smirk on his lips as he takes me in.

“Because that’s what the fates chose for him,” the queen offers, so matter of factly, and Brody snickers.

“Let’s go,” Kryll states, rising from his seat, and the others rise with him.

I smile at the queen before embracing my father and sister, squeezing tighter than usual before I fall into the safety net that is my men. Kryll leads us toward the staircase as Brody takes two steps ahead, turns, and starts to walk backward.

“So you’re all special, huh?” he says with a wag of his eyebrows, and Kryll snorts.

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