Page 5 of The Court of Truth

My nose scrunches as my gaze narrows on him. “How do you know that?”

He shrugs, dipping his gaze back to the water bottle, but I caught the glint in his eye. I’m not sure exactly what it was, but I’m determined to find out. “What am I missing?”

Arlo’s lips part as he finds my gaze again, but whatever bullshit he’s about to feed me falls away quickly as he sighs. “Fine. I knew she was important from the very first day here when Flora wouldn’t back away. It’s like we were drawn to her. My suspicions were confirmed when she was revealed to be Princess Adrianna Reagan. But by then my research had already begun,” he offers, giving me more while still remaining cryptic.

“Research?” Beau prods, needing him to say more just as much as I do, and Arlo nods.

“Yeah, like what would happen when she was appointed to the throne.” He says it casually, but that’s a big ass statement.

“You knew she would be appointed to the throne?” I question, shaking my head in disbelief as he quirks a brow at me.

“Have you seen her?”

Seen her? I’ve fucked her. Shit, I love her.

“That makes sense, but why research?” I blurt instead, tamping my thoughts down.

He offers another shrug. “To be of use, I guess. Fae haven’t had a good reputation in the past few years and I wanted to understand what use I could be when the time came.”

I see the truth in his eyes. He’s not as loyal to Addi as we are, Cassian, Brody, Raiden, and me, but he’s just as loyal to Flora. He’ll do whatever she needs, and if that includes supporting Addi, he will.

Leaning back in my seat, I fold my arms over my chest. “Solid plan. What did you come up with?”

“A shit ton of unnecessary knowledge and no clear plan,” he says with a scoff, chugging at his water like he wishes it was stronger, while I continue to assess him.

“That might not be true,” I murmur, more to myself than anyone else, but before Arlo can say anything, Raiden enters the room.

“She’s asleep. What’s this I hear about knowledge?” he asks, joining us at the table. Brody is likely still with her, and I think Cassian darted off to do whatever wolf shit he needed to do, but we can pass on any information Arlo may have.

“It’s not so much knowledge, but the next steps are supposed to be Addi appointing her advisors, followed by relocating to the castle. Residency in proximity to the throne only signifies her powers now. Once she’s addressed the kingdom again, she will then need to organize tours of the villages, towns, and cities to garner a connection with the people.”

Fuck.

That all sounds like too much and he hasn’t even mentioned the threat that is Clementine and her sidekick Fairbourne. That fucker couldn’t even look Addi in the eyes as he left with that bitch, nevermind glancing in her father’s direction.

He committed betrayal at the highest level, treason, even, and there’s no coming back from that.

“All while Clementine remains on the loose,” Raiden bites, voicing my thoughts, and I take the moment to stand. I’m not going to feel better sitting here. I need to be closer to my woman.

“That’s a problem for tomorrow. If we want to help her, we need to rest too,” I murmur, heading for the door without a backward glance. I’m at our door in a flash, peeking through the gap as I watch her sleep. As I enter the darkened space, the moonlight filtering through the window, Brody places a finger to his lips, telling me to be quiet. Like I need reminding, but I don’t say a word.

Instead, I watch as her chest rises and falls softly with every breath, her blonde hair fanned out over the pillows as I make a silent vow.

From now until forever, I will keep the queen of the Floodborn Kingdom safe. Not for their benefit, but for mine. With all of my heart, I will give myself to the woman who completes me. Time and time again. Until I take my last breath.

4

ADRIANNA

Fleeting dreams of a crown and a throne danced through my mind all night, like a dandelion seed floating wistfully through a meadow. Wishful, alluring, peaceful. Everything I thought this moment in my life would be. But just like reality, my dreams were tainted with nightmares.

Not with the things that go bump in the night.

No.

My nightmares were filled with family members I didn’t know existed and death. Lots and lots of death.

They threaten to wake me once again, a glint of sunlight burning the back of my eyelids, beckoning me to the land of the living, but it’s the whispered kisses over my skin that stir me past the point of no return.

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