Page 66 of The Fate of Eternity

32

KRYLL

Isee it the moment her light dims and her body becomes heavy. Curling her farther under my wing, I don’t dare shift back until Brody has us on safe ground. Not that I think something like safe ground exists anymore, but we need to be as far away from The Council as possible.

Today is… fucked. Well and truly fucked.

I don’t know how we got here, but ever since we stepped through the academy gates, it’s been nothing but carnage. We’ve been drawn to it. We’ve been drawn towardher. Right now, in this very moment, as we flee from yet another relentless danger, it all makes sense.

My soul is complete, even more so than when my dragon claimed her for his own. It’s euphoric, tingling down my spine, through every nerve ending as the magic connects and claims me all at once. It leaves me breathless, yet disappointed because the stark reality is: their magic worked. They fated us together, a fact I can’t truly wrap my head around yet. The mention of their magic taints the magic curling through my body, claiming me like a brand. I want it written all over me. I want it etched into the ink that already stretches across my skin.

She is mine, and I am hers.

Nothing and no one is ever going to change that. I will fight for her, accepting any order or command required to hold her on the pedestal she deserves. Adrianna Reagan has spent enough time hiding due to the actions of others. Now, as our connection grows stronger with every passing breath, I know it is my duty to help her get where she belongs.

On the throne.

Our surroundings settle, pulling me from my thoughts as I stare down at Addi’s sleeping form. Only when I see the others take a deep breath and relax a little do I shift, managing to keepmyprincess in my grasp as my wings disappear and my scales return to flesh.

“Why the fuck have you brought us back here?” Cassian snarls, standing toe-to-toe with Brody, who doesn’t back down under the intense glare-off.

“Where else are we supposed to go right now? The compound? That’s ano. Raiden’s house, or mine for that matter? Definitely not. You saw our parents back there,” he grinds out, pointing his thumb over his shoulder. “Sure, the clouds with all the dragons and shit would be protective, but I didn’t want to risk Addi because of the damn moon that hurt her last time.” His chest heaves with every breath as his shoulders stiffen. “So, tell me Cass, where else was I supposed to fucking go?”

The echo of everyone’s panted breaths is all that can be heard as his words hang heavy in the air. Glancing at our surroundings, I quickly understand Cassian’s concern.

We’re at the gates of the academy.

Where all this began.

But Brody’s right. Where else are we supposed to go? I don’t want to risk Addi in the Dragon Kingdom again. Not after last time. It’s too soon.

“Addi isn’t safe here,” Cassian finally grunts, stepping back with a hint of defeat in his movement as Flora immediately appears at his side, placing a hand on his arm.

“I mean this in the most polite way possible, but that woman isn’t safe anywhere. I guess that’s what comes with being the heir of the kingdom. Danger seeks her out no matter what she does or where she goes. At least here we’re in familiar territory, and she’s got all of us to help.” Her soothing words calm the storm threatening in my muscles, easing the tension creeping up my spine, but it doesn’t have the same effect on Cassian.

“Why are you helping? I thought the fae ran from danger.”

Flora steps back, surprise etched across her features as she folds her arms over her chest. It’s not a surprise that Arlo appears at her side a moment later, his jaw ticking with irritation as he glares at Cassian.

“Watch yourself. You don’t get to speak about being a fae when you have no clue,” he bites, blindly searching for Flora’s hand behind him. “The only person Flora ever has to explain herself to is herself. Well, probably Addi as well because that’s important to her, but you can mind your tone and take your pent-up stress out on someone else.Anyoneelse, but not her.” He cocks a brow at the growly wolf who simply waves him off with a grunt.

Any other circumstances, and I would pat the fucker on the back for standing up for her best friend, but right now, my priority is helping the unconscious woman in my arms.

“This whole thing is great and all, but should we actually focus on getting somewhere a little more protected?”

Cassian stares at me with narrowed eyes, as if I asked a question in a different language. “You want to go back in there?”

I shrug, but Raiden answers before I get a chance. “Brody is right. Flora too. But don’t get used to it,” he adds, wagging a finger at both of them as he moves to my side. He strokes a fingerdown the side of Addi’s face with a sigh. “Nowhere is safe, but if I had to take a guess, this is where we’re most likely to have the upper hand.”

“You mean like when the soldiers just showed up on the other side of those gates and took her? Fucking took her, and there was nothing anyone could do,” Cassian snaps back, nostrils flaring as his hands ball into fists at his sides.

“That’s only because she offered herself up,” I murmur, voicing the words swirling in my head.

“Whatever. If this all goes to shit, I’m not taking the fucking fall for it,” Cassian grunts, storming toward the wrought-iron gates without a backward glance.

“Grumpy much?” Brody muses, trailing behind him, and I shake my head.

We can’t weaken ourselves from the inside. That will only leave us vulnerable to people who wish us harm, and that’s the last thing we need. We have to stand together now more than ever.

---