Page 66 of The Court of Truth

ADRIANNA

For the first time in my existence, I come to a stop without nausea churning in my gut. My arms are tightly locked around Raiden’s neck, and it takes me a few moments to bring myself to release my hold, but I don’t feel the urge to keel over and spew my guts out.

Success.

Raiden grins down at me, a rare sight, one I want to capture and cherish forever. But it doesn’t linger long enough for me to think more about it as he moves us again. It’s only a few steps this time, no speed necessary, before the telltale chime rings out and my heart clenches with excitement and relief.

“I hope this is okay,” he breathes as I turn, taking in the familiar surroundings of Pearl’s.

As if sensing her name in my thoughts, the woman appears, her smile spreading wide as she takes us in before she eliminates the distance between us.

“Take your booth. I’ll lock up,” she orders, but I don’t take a step, noting that it’s empty here. I don’t normally arrive close to lunchtime; it’s usually much darker outside before I dare come here, but I’ve never seen it empty.

“Lock up?” I repeat, watching as she flips the sign in the door to ‘closed’ before the click of the lock securing in place echoes through the space.

“I haven’t seen you in forever, Addi. The last time I did, you weren’t the kingdom’s queen. If I let people in now, you won’t get a moment’s peace, and I’m aware of the mess going on right now—the media isn’t exactly being quiet about it—and you deserve a few moments of peace.”

“Thank you,” I breathe. The words don’t feel worthy of the efforts she’s willing to go to for me, but they make a smile curl her lips, so I nod, heading toward our booth before she tosses another demand my way.

Raiden falls into his seat across from me, the tension at his shoulders easing with every breath. I don’t think I’m the only one who needed this, but I opt to keep that fact to myself. I feel like there’s so much to say, but I don’t have any words. For the first time in over a week, my mind has been quiet, and I bask in the relief it offers me.

The silence stretches between us, and even when Pearl drops two sodas off at our table, she doesn’t break the peaceful silence with words. Soft music plays in the background. Pearl has turned it down, so it’s barely more than a hum, and I’m not sure what it is, but that doesn’t stop me from tapping my foot to the bass.

It’s only when steaks are placed in front of us that we focus on the present. I break the silence to murmur my thanks, Raiden right behind me, but for the first time, Pearl doesn’t saunter off with a wave.

No.

She adds a seat to the end of the table, and that’s when I notice there’s another table setting.

One for her.

“What?” she asks, grabbing her utensils to cut into her steak, and I grin.

“Nothing,” I quickly answer, following suit, and my heart does something weird in my chest as I bask in the moment.

It’s one I never imagined happening and not one I specifically expected, but having her sit with us sparks an undeniable response from me. So here I am… enjoying myself with the vampire who hated me so viciously and a woman who played such a big part in piecing us together.

Who would have thought it?

Not me.

Especially not as I sit here with the weight of a kingdom on my shoulders.

As if sensing the bubbling emotions floating through me, Pearl grins. “My two favorite customers are in with not another soul in sight. It’s about time I’m able to take a moment to enjoy your company. Besides, the media looks like they’re giving you one hell of a time.” Mention of the media has my muscles tensing, but Pearl doesn’t look up from her plate to see. Raiden’s leg extends under the table, pressing against mine in comfort as she continues. “Plus, someone needs to keep you humble now that you’re a queen.”

I snicker. “I’m quite sure all the drama surrounding Clementine and her threats is keeping me as humble as possible.”

Her eyes meet mine, disappointment and concern flickering through her gaze as she peers at me. “There’s no denying the fact that you've got your hands full.”

I smile softly, nodding at her words as Raiden clears his throat. “The entire reason we’re here today is because this is one of the few places in the kingdom she has right now where she won’t be treated differently for being queen.”

Pearl’s smile spreads from ear to ear as she sits tall in her seat. “My door is always open to you,bothof you. Now, are we going to sit here and pretend you’re not the queen of Floodborn Kingdom or would you like some advice?”

I blink at her, letting her words settle in my gut as I consider her offer. The idea of pretending I’m not queen for thirty minutes is enticing, but that’s not my reality, and I’m slightly intrigued by what advice she may have to offer.

“I’m the queen whether we pretend or not,” I muse, and she nods in understanding.

“Okay, it’s not going to sound like advice at first, but if you’re committed to listening, you have to give me a chance, okay?” She almost seems nervous, but I nod all the same. Clearing her throat, she glances at Raiden for just a second before settling her eyes back on me. “I knew you were Adrianna Reagan the very first time you walked through those doors.” She points behind her, but I don’t look away, my chest tightening as I stare wide-eyed in shock.

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