Page 36 of The Fate of Eternity

“Daily,” he adds, easing the remaining tension that lingers as I release his hand.

“You’re welcome,” I tease, but the look he gives me is filled with awe.

“You’re incredible, Addi.”

My cheeks heat under his intense stare and compliment. “I’m not, but I am resilient,” I reply, looking anywhere but at him, and to my luck, Pearl finally appears.

Her eyes widen the moment she takes me in. “Do I want to know?”

“Probably not,” I admit, and she offers me a tight smile.

“I thought it was Raiden with you. I can get you something else if you don’t?—”

“That looks amazing, thank you,” Cassian interjects, taking the closest plate from Pearl’s grasp as she sets the other one before me.

“Thank you,” I add, and she nods, but the tightness doesn’t leave her face. “What’s going on?”

She twists her lips nervously for a moment before she sighs. “Have you seen the media coverage?”

“Media coverage?” I ask, looking as confused as I feel.

“I thought as much. I’ll leave it here for some light reading while you eat,” she offers before sauntering off without a backward glance.

“What was that about?”

I shrug at Cassian’s question as Pearl places the papers on the edge of the table, and disappears again. Suddenly, my hunger isn’t as important anymore. But before I can get my hands on the tempting sheets, Cassian nudges my plate, silently insisting that I eat.

It takes all of my strength not to give in to the paper, but I manage to resist the urge and eat, as if a part of me knows I’m going to need the fortitude once I’ve read those words. I dig in, eating every morsel until there’s nothing left. My fork has barely touched the plate before I reach for the paper.

Dread settles heavily in my gut as I scan the words, reading them three times before I can muster the strength to put them down.

“Care to share, or shall I read it too?” Cassian asks as I try to wrap my head around the situation.

“The media is aware that the campus is on lockdown and has shared it with the kingdom. That’s fine, I guess, but it seems my speech about The Council has led to a bit of an uproar. Apparently, there’s incriminating evidence against the council, which has the people rising up.”

“Addi, that’s amazing.”

I shake my head at Cassian’s delight. “They’re hailing me a leader while some are calling me a liar. The kingdom is divided, people are up in arms, innocents are dying in the chaos, and the frenzied vampires are worse than ever.”

He tilts his head, staring at me for what feels like forever before he speaks. “Your speech has caused quite a stir, Addi, but wasn’t it supposed to?” My breath lodges in my throat as he gives me a knowing look. “If people are fighting in your name, that’s their decision. That’s something the heir of the kingdom would receive.”

Fuck.

I blink and blink again, lost to his words, as I try to make sense of it all.

“I don’t want people to die on my behalf, Cassian.”

“I know. Good people never do. But this should prove to you that you’re fighting for the right thing.” Wow. ”You look concerned.”

“I’ve caused a mess.”

“No, you caused change.”

His words linger, trying to give me strength as I attempt to wrap my head around it.

“I don’t know if that sounds positive or not,” I admit, and he shrugs, tucking into the steak in front of him with a sense of calmness I could only wish for.

“Positive or not, you’re making waves in the kingdom, but they’re not for you. They’re for the people, and that’s being noticed.”

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