Page 101 of The Fate of Eternity

Shifters.

Mages.

Fae.

Humans.

I don’t recognize ninety percent of the people around me, but it can’t be denied where their loyalty lies, and it makes my heart sore.

“May I?”

Brody appears on my right, reaching for my hand as he smiles softly. I try to return one of my own, but I’m so overwhelmed, I have no idea what face I’m pulling. He must take it as confirmation, though, because he’s moving in the next moment.

“Father!” Brody hollers from the podium, leaving Bozzelli blinking at him in a picture of surprise and confusion. “Let me be the wise one to advise you that you are truly outnumbered. Not only within these walls, but throughout the entire kingdom. These are the consequences of playing God. It looks like your fate has now been decided.”

Orenda’s face appears among the crowd, but his attempts to step closer to his son fail with every try, making his cheeks burn red with anger. “Son, I?—”

“The new leader of our kingdom requests the removal of this man. Lock that fucker in the dungeons. I’ll deal with him later,” Brody snarls, rage vibrating from him like I’ve never seen before. Clearing his throat, he waves a dismissive hand in his father’s direction as mages restrain him and the soldiers, chanting their magic quietly as the rest of us look on in surprise. “Sorry about that, gang. Let’s get back to the beauty that is our new heir, shall we?”

Bozzelli nudges him aside as he continues to wag his eyebrows at me, but when she clears her throat, she draws my attention to her. The look in her eyes startles me as pride fills the space between us. “It gives me great pleasure to say it, Adrianna. Bring the family home, it’s time.”

51

ADRIANNA

My fingers tingle, all the way to the tips. My heart is pumping blood so intensely through my body I can literally feel my veins thrumming, and for the first time ever, it has nothing to do with my magic.

Beau took over reaching out to the dragon kingdom while I was whisked off into Bozzelli’s office. I haven’t moved an inch since I came in here, but the same can’t be said for the rest of the people here. I’ve never been dressed and preened before, but these women are professionals it seems.

Gone are the gray academy-issued clothes and cloak. In their place is a fitted gray combat outfit that hugs my body. There are discreet pockets everywhere, fitted with daggers, and a pair of knee-high boots laced to the top, screaming bad bitch vibes.

My hair has been twisted and tugged in every direction, weaved with braids in a half up, half down style, while my makeup is minimal, save for a dark brown lip and even darker streaks covering my cheeks and forehead. I don’t know what I expected them to do when I came in here, but this wasn’t it.

I would have guessed a ballgown dress over this, but as I stare at the length of myself in the mirror, I can’t help but feel asense of my father in my reflection. I recall a similar outfit from my younger years, only, he was always dressed in black with the odd touch of gold or silver here and there, but this feels more like me.

“Just open the door and let me see her, then I’ll back off.” The snap comes from the other side of the door and I know it’s Raiden. I’m not sure who he’s getting irate with, but a few moments later, the door opens and Bozzelli appears in the door frame.

“I feel like you need a crown for dealing with this man, never mind the damn kingdom,” she grumbles, shaking her head as she steps inside. “Feast your eyes, then take your seat,” she snaps, the humor gone when she turns back to Raiden, but he doesn’t seem to notice. His gaze is set on me, raking up and down the length of me three times for good measure before he finally locks eyes with me.

“Fuck me sideways, Troublemaker. That’s sinful. Wait until the others get a glimpse of this. Brody is going to stain his fucking pants again.” Bozzelli grumbles under her breath, rambling about foolish vampires, but she doesn’t immediately kick him out of the room. “Are you okay?” he asks, his voice taking a more serious tone, and I nod.

“Everything feels a little surreal, but I’m okay,” I admit, and he eliminates the distance between us a moment later.

With my face nestled between his hands, he looks deep into my eyes as he speaks. “This is all a show, Adrianna, but you know that. I know this may not be your favorite part, but it’s necessary for the grandeur of the moment. You’ve got this, you’ve got all of it. I know that. And you will too once it’s all said and done. Alright?”

I nod, taking comfort from his words as he presses the smallest kiss to my lips before Bozzelli sighs heavily, reminding us of her presence.

“That’s enough. Get out. We’re already running behind,” she snaps, and to my surprise, Raiden stomps out of the room without argument. “And you,” she adds, whirling her attention to me. A softness exudes from her, lodging my next breath in my throat as I blink at her. “Thank you for not discarding me because of my terrible mistakes. Learning from you has given me a new perspective, and I can’t wait for the academy to learn from you too.”

I shake my head, a scoff bursting past my lips. “Learning? From me? I don’t think so.”

She gives me a knowing look before sauntering toward the door. “Come, it’s time.”

Muttering my thanks to the women packing away their belongings after working their magic on me, I rush to catch up to her. The second we reach the end of the hallway, she lifts her finger, silently ordering me to wait.

I watch from the limited view that I’ve got as the energy fills the ballroom, but I can’t shake a strange sensation that weighs heavy on my chest.

There hasn’t been a moment to think, to feel, to do anything other than prepare, but I can’t be completely sure what I would have been preparing for anyway. I know my name is going to be called, and there’s no going back from that. My life is about to change forever, and there’s a part of it that doesn’t feel right.

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