Page 18 of The Court of Truth

I can’t decide if I had started with the worst or not, but either way, I’m here now. Exhausted and hungry, I’m ready to eat and wash away the day so I’m fresh and ready for the news the others bring in.

As much as I would love to pass out, there’s still much to do. Even if it’s not my role to do them, I still feel the strain of the tasks. Nora was right, I’m a control freak, through and through.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt, but it’s about Clementine,” Flora states, appearing at the door. She peers through the small gap, tucking a loose tendril of red hair behind her ear, and I wave her into the room.

The energy shifts with her arrival, more so because of the news she seems to have, but I’m more than happy to take the distraction.

“Communications are suggesting that she’s been sighted up north, but no confirmation, just rumors at this point. Raiden has combed through the entire city, and he’s doing a final sweep now. She’s definitely not here.”

Fuck.

She’s still on the loose and I’ve been heretalkingall day. Handling this newfound responsibility will take more than I initially surmised, but it seems nothing could have truly prepared me for what it takes to run a whole kingdom and unite people who have spent the last decade competing for power.

“Thank you,” I answer, digesting the information, but she shakes her head.

“No, thank you, Addi. Honestly, it may not be good news, but it’s progress. You’ve given me a purpose, a way to help my best friend and the kingdom all at once. It means everything, and I won’t let you down,” she promises, and I smile.

My father was right; everyone I chose for my council is as dedicated to our kingdom as I am.

“I know you won’t. That’s exactly why I trusted you with this role, Flora. Now, I’ve spent the afternoon kissing origin ass and placating inflated egos. I think it’s time to catch me up on all the important things I missed, you know, so I don’t lose my mind.”

12

ADRIANNA

It’s been three hours and I’m… lonely. Being lonely does nothing for the fact that I feel so lost in my own skin. I don’t understand how to push through this when everyone else is out doing their part. I’m done wallowing, though. Or I’m fucking trying to be. I’m motivated, determined even, but damn I don’t know where to start.

In these moments, when there’s nothing tangible for me to lead, I feel the worst. Adrenaline courses through my veins with no outlet and I don’t know how to shake it off.

Leaning against the doorframe that leads into the kitchen, I get an eerie sense of just how grand the castle is, and how small I actually am. I wipe a hand down my face, trying to rid my bones of the tension and exhaustion that weighs on me like a wet blanket, but it does little to help.

I catch sight of the intricate paneling to my right, and a flashback from when we attended the castle on a field trip comes to mind. The professor was discussing hidden secrets when all eyes had turned to me for an answer, and to my surprise, I gave them one.

My feet are carrying me toward the wall before I even realize it and I crouch down, recalling the heat that ran through my body in that moment. The same feeling flares to life once again. Pressing my palm against the wood, a small gasp parts my lips when the creak of a latch unlocking echoes in my ears.

Last time I did this, we all just stared at the magnificence of the secret passage before continuing on the rest of the tour, but now, as I crouch here alone, I pull the small door open the rest of the way.

Darkness engulfs the narrow steps that lead somewhere I don’t remember and a shiver runs up my spine.

Do I stay or do I explore?

Am I being ridiculous and finding something else to treat as my distraction while everyone else works tirelessly to figure out our next steps with Clementine? Definitely. Is that going to stop me from venturing into the unknown? Definitely not.

Running my hand over the brickwork on the other side of the secret hatch, a chill passes over my body, but it doesn’t stand a chance against the flame of excitement burning deep in my gut. Before I can second guess myself, I connect with my fire magic, summoning a ball of flames in my hand to help light the way.

I shuffle into the unknown, palm outstretched, and manage to light a few meters around me. Even still, all I see is the staircase leading down, down, down. Taking the first few steps cautiously, I panic when the door creaks behind me, shutting without any help, and I gulp.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

It’s too late to backtrack now. If anything, the creepy mysterious vibes only intrigue me more.

Following the narrow, curling stairs, I continue down, the world growing quieter, the staircase getting darker, and my heartbeat thundering louder. As the steps curl tighter and the air gets thicker, I consider turning back, but among the worn stone around the next bend is a sliver of hope.

An arched brown door towers above me, with a shimmering brass handle illuminated by the fire still burning in my palm. It’s cool to the touch, but when I turn it, there’s no resistance and the heavy door creaks open.

Steeling my spine and drawing in a deep breath, I run my tongue over my bottom lip as I edge the door open. What awaits me on the other side is so far from expectation, so different from the wonder that had consumed me only moments before, so much more mysterious than just dark and dingy.

There’s no torture dungeon, no mounds of gold or hidden treasure, but I feel the thrum of my magic shoot to the surface. Not just any magic, my protective magic. I don’t bother with my fire, retracting the flame as my entire body glows softly in the small space.

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