Page 4 of The Fate of Eternity

I tilt my head at him. “The verdict is still out on the reciprocation,” I state, earning a wink from the older man as he nods.

“I definitely like her, Son.” He turns his attention to Raiden, who rolls his eyes at his father.

“I’d rather you didn’t,” he mutters, pulling out the seat beside him. He settles in with Cassian next to him and Kryll nestled between the two of us.

Brody plants his hand on my thigh from the left, injecting me with another layer of confidence as plates of food are placed in front of us. Layers of potatoes are accompanied by steamed vegetables and thin slices of beef. It smells delicious, but I’m too worked up to even consider lifting the fork to my mouth.

My desire to eat quickly went out the window on the wings of the catastrophe that this evening has already been. Looking around the table, I find only the adults digging in, the appeal of eating lost to the rest of us as we await the unknown.

The music dies down when someone taps on a microphone, saving me from the misery of the plate before me, and I look up to find Bozzelli center stage. Her fake smile is plastered across her face, hair styled in tight curls, and eccentric makeup coating her eyelids. If that wasn’t enough, her bright purple dress acts as a beacon in the dimly lit room.

Anticipation lodges my next breath in my throat, her lips parting only tightening the knot. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I want to thank you all for attending such a phenomenal evening tonight, one I feel has been much neededto increase morale among students after some witnessed the severity of the frenzied vampire attacks.” Murmurs ripple throughout the room, whispering their agreements, and it only serves to irritate me more. “I want to thank you all for going through the extra security measures in place this evening to visit us on campus. After another unwelcome visit on-site, we feel it’s necessary to proceed with caution and restrict access on both ends.”

I scoff, unable to hold it in. Her ban is pointless. Cassian managed to get off campus easily enough the other night, and she invited the very man who attacked me to begin with. None of it makes sense. If anything, it feels like another failed attempt at control on her end.

“I can’t believe a single person is capable of spewing so much bullshit in so few sentences,” Brody whispers under his breath, making me grin as I hum in agreement.

“With that in mind, leading a kingdom is no easy feat, and we must be prepared for any situation,” Bozzelli continues, and my stomach twists, knowing her next words before she speaks them since we heard her plan to Kenner earlier. “Tonight feels like the perfect opportunity for a trial.” She throws her hands out wide with glee, earning a few cheers from some members of the crowd, but surprise and concern is what mostly fills the room. “Before we roll into the excitement of what the trial will entail, I think it’s also an excellent time for our students to work on speeches. Addressing the public is another key role in being the heir of the Floodborn Kingdom, and what better way to gather ourselves than in the company of our loved ones?” Grunts of agitation circle the room, making Bozzelli smile manically as she finishes her own speech. “I apologize for the lack of preparation, of course, but we must be honest and realistic, and one thing is for certain: war waits for no one.”

3

ADRIANNA

Speeches? Fuckingspeeches? They’re not really giving us much to prepare for with this. Let’s not forget the fact that I really hate this shit. There’s enough going on in my life right now that I don’t need to add this to the list.

Exhaling, I try to shake my frustrations and focus on one thing at a time. It doesn’t help that I can’t think straight with all the people muttering quietly in the small room we’re cooped up in. Agitation lays heavy on my chest, making it impossible for me to even think about making a damn speech. Not when I know Kenner and most of The Council will be waiting for us the second the trial is over.

“Are you okay?”

I blink up at Kryll, a tight smile gracing my lips as I take another deep breath. I can’t muster the words to deny the fact that I’m hanging on by a thread. Thankfully, the knowing look in his eyes confirms that he’s understanding as best he can.

His fingers lace with mine, providing me with an anchor and grounding me in the madness. I lean into him, letting him feed me with the strength that I desperately need.

Gazing around the room, my eyes settle on the giant notice on the wall.

Speech Requirements

Address the people

Express your beliefs

Promise of victory

Recommendation: Speeches should be made as if entering an unavoidable battle.

I huffat every single expectation. There is such little guidance, and yet they want us to excel. I don’t know why I’m lingering on this fact. I think it’s because this is all out of my control. I’ve got Kryll’s hand in mine to keep me grounded, but otherwise, it feels like I’m floating.

“Are you thinking up a badass speech in that pretty little head of yours, Dagger?” Brody asks, appearing at my other side. His hand instantly finds the small of my back.

“I’m coming up blank,” I admit with a muttered breath. “The lack of preparation is making me spiral,” I add, and he shakes his head.

“No, Addi. The impending carnage that awaits us is what’s wreaking havoc on you; the speech is nothing. Besides, if this was a real-life event, you would address the kingdom on a whim, using mainly your instinct, and you’d have them all eating out of the palm of your hand,” he says with a wink, extracting the last of the air from my lungs.

He’s right.

I think I hate that he’s right.

Damn mage with his pretty eyes.

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