Page 93 of The Fate of Eternity

“Fuck, we need to get her the fuck out of here. Now,” he grunts, and Brody gives him a pointed look.

“What did I say about?—”

“Now isn’t the time for an I told you so, asshole,” Kryll interjects, glaring at my mage with irritation before turning his intense stare toward Raiden. “Get her inside. We’ll be right behind you.”

My vampire doesn’t need to be told twice. He’s tugging me in the next breath, making me connect to my wolf speed as we weave our way through the crowd. He doesn’t relent until the sound of the academy building door slams shut behind us.

“What’s going on?” I ask, completely aware he doesn’t have the answer as we edge away from the door. I tug my hand from his, planting my hands on my hips as I think, when a voice answers me.

“The academy has been stormed. The people have had enough.”

I turn in surprise to see Bozzelli standing with a small gathering of students that haven’t left and a few professors too.Beau is among them, his eyes searching mine, but a moment later, Kryll fires into the building with Brody hot on his tail and the concern vanishes from his stare.

“What do they want? They were chanting about freedom,” I state, trying to calm my breathing that refuses to come through any slower than short, sharp pants.

Bozzelli laces her fingers together, a tight smile on her lips. “An heir must be declared,” she says, earning a gasp from the gathered students as my pulse thrums in my ears.

“By who?” I ask, disbelief etched into the two small words as I try to process the fact that everything’s coming to an end already. The time has come, the journey is reaching its peak, and there’s nothing we can do now but watch it unravel.

“By the people.”

46

ADRIANNA

The ballroom that changed my life looks nothing like it did that night. All of the glitz and glamor is gone. There are no tables, no centerpieces, no sophisticated touches or silk drapes. It’s all gone. All that remains is a small platform.

I’ve seen Bozzelli stand up there before, giving one of her ridiculous speeches, but this time, my future hangs in the balance. Her lime-green pantsuit is perfectly pleated down the front, her blazer buttoned up, with just a peek of her white silk blouse underneath.

Her hair is twisted back into a demure chignon and her make up is minimal, allowing her outfit to steal all the attention. I watch her lips move as she speaks into the camera, addressing the kingdom as though they are in the room with us, but my pulse hasn’t quieted. My gaze tracks her lips, trying to take in what she’s saying over the internal noise.

She looks beyond professional, like the academy isn’t crumbling around her, the kingdom along with it. We may have had our ups and downs, but watching her now, there are things I could learn from her. Especially if a miracle were to happen and I am given the opportunity to lead our kingdom to greatness.

I watch as she explains what is to come. The people want The Council gone, and she has the ability to offer that to them. I’m sure The Council still has plans in place, plans we must prepare for, but for now, my focus is on her lips as she lists off the remaining students on campus for the public to choose from.

Hearing my name on her lips sends a shiver down my spine. Even if I can only lip read it, it’s enough.

I take a deep breath, willing my pulse to calm down so I can hear anything from her speech, but it’s only when she’s closing out her address to the nation that I can finally acknowledge any of it.

“It has been an honor to serve the Floodborn Kingdom in such a manner. I thank you dearly for allowing me such a profound opportunity, and I hope to serve you closure in these final moments. Ballots are opening across the kingdom and you have until sundown to add your contribution. Come morning, as the sun rises, its light will harken a new dawn, it will dismiss the final dusk under the control of The Council and begin a new era for us all as the heir will take their place on the throne.”

She nods and a moment later, the camera is shut off. Her shoulders sag and she takes a moment to compose herself again before she turns her attention to the remaining students. I stand in the fray, Raiden to my left, Brody to my right, and Kryll behind me.

“Thank you for fighting for our kingdom. Thank you for offering yourselves selflessly for the greater good. It may not be the night to bask in glory since we’re going to be holed up in here, but it’s important we keep you protected during this time. Beds will be set up in the far corner of the room and dinner will be served as soon as possible. Get comfortable, rest, the kingdom will need you at your best come morning,” Bozzelli directs, her words resonating deep in my veins as I nod inagreement, but she’s already turned away, murmuring quietly with Beau as they dismiss us.

“Any luck with Cassian?” I ask, glancing at Brody, who has tried to reach out to him a few times, but he shakes his head.

“Not yet.”

Fuck.

We can’t leave to get him now either. I hate us being separated like this. I just hope he’s okay and The Council doesn’t focus their attention toward the compound.

“Let’s eat, keep ourselves alert, and I’m sure we’ll hear from him soon,” Kryll offers, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as he guides me to where a few dining tables have been set up.

The smell of food drifts in the air, beckoning us closer as I nod my agreement. “Fine, but the last time we chose to eat to stay alert, something went wrong,” I mutter, dropping down into the seat with a heavy sigh as Brody wags his finger at me.

“See? I told you.”

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