Page 6 of The Fate of Eternity

The staredown she gives me is enough to challenge the mightiest of warriors, and as much as I try to prevent it, I relent under her intensity.

“You’re right,” I mutter with a sigh of defeat. Admitting the truth usually tastes sour on my tongue, but in this instance, I rather like it.

“I know I am. Any guesses what the trial may be?” she asks, moving on to the impending topic like I didn’t just reveal a vulnerability to her in the form of my Kryptos.

“No, but the thought of them using it as a tactic to…” My words trail off, unable to express the reality of overhearing what Bozzelli and Kenner were whispering about earlier.

“It’s fucked up, Adrianna,” Raiden murmurs from my side, running his fingers over my neck. “Very fucked up,” he adds, driving the fact home, and all I can do is nod in agreement.

“I’m more confused about why Kenner—” I stop myself before I start running my mouth and someone hears me. Raiden senses the shift and squeezes my shoulder.

“I know.”

Flora steps around me so she’s facing us both, shaking her head in disbelief. “If I thought this place was fucked up before…”

Once again, words fail to describe the circumstances. It doesn’t matter because in the next moment, Fairbourne is back at the door, calling the remaining students to follow him, and the three of our names are obviously in the mix.

My heart races, and my pulse thunders in my ears as we follow him down the hallway and back toward the ballroom. I find Brody, Kryll, and Cassian first, their presence, along with Raiden’s, helping to calm me, but just behind them, I spy the flashing cameras of the media.

The lights are blinding, distracting me so much that I almost don’t hear Bozzelli call out my name. Raiden squeezes my hand, but I don’t pull my stare from the woman in question. I manage the smallest clench back before I head toward where she waits at the top of the podium.

With every step I take, clarity settles over me, taking root in my bones and calming the storm that’s been brewing inside of me. Bozzelli addresses the crowd, but I don’t hear it; with my mindset, I’m completely focused.

I don’t know what anyone has said before me, and it doesn’t matter either way, but I have an audience, an audience that derives from more than just the academy and the council. I didn’t offer the media a single word earlier, but I won’t make that mistake twice.

She takes a step aside, waving toward the microphone with a smug grin on her face, one I return before I turn to face the audience.

I don’t clear my throat, I don’t try to wet my dry lips, and I don’t let a single ounce of uncertainty show. Instead, I stand tall, prideful, and ready.

“Good evening, people of Floodborn Kingdom. It is with great sadness that I address the terror in our land. It has rooted its way into our core and wreaked havoc for long enough. We must now take action. Threats have gone unheard, wicked promises whispered in the shadow of night, and as a united kingdom, we won’t stand for it anymore. We’ve been under attack from their poisonous actions for long enough.”

Perfect pause.

“Now, The Council must pay.”

Murmurs dance in the air from the crowd and media as their cameras continue to go off. I’m on a roll now, and there’s no turning back.

“Powerful gems that were once banished from our kingdom are now being used to control some of our own citizens. I’m sure the flash of amethyst on my neck at the last ball didn’t go unnoticed. Above all of that, they are taking matters into their own hands to orchestrate the bonding of fated mates.”

Gasps ring in the air and I can feel Bozzelli’s gaze burning into my skin from beside me, but I keep going.

“Against the will of those involved and against the true foundation of freedom that our kingdom yearns for. The time forThe Council has passed, along with their ability to make selfless decisions for our people.”

What did the noticeboard say?

Address the people.

Express your beliefs.

And Promise for victory.

Steeling my spine, I believe in every word, cementing them into my heart as I breathe them out loud. “With all that I am, I will not stop fighting for my people. Not just fae, but wolves, vampires, shifters, humans, and mages alike. We are one. We will find strength in uniting together, and we will fight as one to right the wrongs of the past.”

4

ADRIANNA

“Get her off that stage. Now.”

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