Page 67 of The Court of Truth

“You knew?” I breathe, and she nods.

“What you don’t know is the fact that your father would bring you in here once a week when you were small. Twice if you all were celebrating something. You look the same now as you did then.”

“And how’s that?” I rasp, my words barely audible in my own ears.

“Proud, strong, and determined.”

I run my tongue over my bottom lip, confusion fogging my thoughts as she reaches a hand out to mine, but I take it back, denying the touch. Hurt blossoms in her eyes, but she plasters a smile on her lips in an attempt to cover it.

“Why didn’t you ever say anything?” I ask, feeling Raiden’s leg against mine more than ever.

Pearl shrugs. “I didn’t realize that you didn’t remember at first. Then I saw the way you would hide, from everyone and everything, and it began to make sense. I made a promise to myself that day. I always had a fond and respectful appreciation for your father, no matter what the media said at that time. He was a good man, an honorable man, and no amount of foul words from the media coverage would change that opinion.”

“I can’t figure out why you’re saying all of this now,” Raiden interjects, and she turns her sad smile his way.

“Now with you, Raiden, things are entirely different.”

“What do you mean?” he asks, brows furrowing as he discards his cutlery to fold his arms over his chest defensively.

“I knew your mother and father. I knew how terrible they were. Yet you came in here a different person. With Addi, it was natural to remember the small girl that would come here and the fact that she came from a good home. With you, I had to see past your home to find the decent vampire inside.”

I snicker, breaking the moment and easing the tension as I shake my head.

“If you say something mean about me being a decent vampire,” Raiden warns, giving me a pointed look, and I cover my mouth in a bid to suppress my laugh, but I fail miserably.

“You two are perfect for each other. The balance you didn’t know you needed. But to get to my point, what I’m saying is, the media will paint whatever picture they like. I’ve seen their incessant hounding about how you’re going to handle the current situation, and let me tell you, as a citizen of this city, of this kingdom, I can see how foolish it would be to tell them anything. I can also see that some impulsive hag of a princess thinks she can saunter in here and claim things that aren’t hers, but I’m sure you’ll handle that too when the time comes. All this to say: don’t be who the media wants you to be, don’t be whoever the hell this Clementine thinks she can make you be. Just be you. Being yourself has gotten you this far, Addi, queen or not.”

Just be you.

Queen or not.

My heart races, adrenaline coursing through me as I nod.

She’s right. She’s fucking right.

And it’s about time I did something about it.

38

ADRIANNA

“Thank you so much for gathering on such short notice,” I begin, completely ignoring the fact that they’ve been camping outside of the damn castle for almost two days. “I appreciate that many of you have questions about where we stand as a kingdom, and what I’m doing as queen to take the necessary steps and measures to protect us from any further attacks.”

I let my words marinate as the cameras flash. It takes everything in me not to repeatedly blink at the bright lights going off, while my wolf senses hear every murmur and whisper among them. It would be tolerable if the words were positive, but they’re the complete opposite.

Great.

“It is a difficult time for me to be so open with everyone. We’re under attack, under threat, and as much as I wish to be open and honest with the entire kingdom, it’s not possible at this time, considering the matters at hand.”Smile, Addi. Don’t forget to smile.I plaster the most sincere smile I can muster on my face, when a member of the media team shouts before I can continue speaking.

“We deserve to know how you plan on protecting us.”

Fucker.

“I understand that feeling. The need to fully comprehend what’s happening around you so you don’t feel out of control, but the reality is, if I give you those answers, I also place them in the wrong hands. If I want any chance at protecting this kingdom, then the last thing I should be doing is standing here and telling you every detail. The threat coming from Clementine is clear, and to such an extent that I have stepped back from the tour, which has thankfully resulted in no further attacks. But for how long? We’re trying to play this disappointing game as safely as possible. My priority is to have no more casualties. With that in mind, I will be freezing any calls for a speech until further notice. Being hounded by the media is as threatening as Clementine’s words painted on those walls in Glacier Lake. You chose me to rule, and that’s what I will do. Me. Not Clementine, not the media, me. I believe you voted for me because of my love for the kingdom, my determination to treat everyone equally, and my desire to have a better future. That hasn’t changed. For the foreseeable future, that is where my attention falls. Please be safe, be vigilant, and please have hope. Thank you.”

The media comes alive when I step away from the podium without a backward glance. Kryll and Raiden leave their posts on either side of the small platform to head back through the castle gates with me.

It feels exhilarating to have my voice again. I feel more like myself than I have since I was appointed as queen.

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