Page 74 of Finding Closure

Yup, I was done. People would—things had gotten much better, but there would always still be jerks.

“Invitations were sent out weeks ago and the list confirmed,” I told her firmly with a hostile smile. “There’s limited seating, and people were carefully selected for the honor of seeing the first Queen of Faerie be crowned.”

“Oh, of course, but someone always cancels last-minute and—”

“Not for this,” I cut in, giving her a look to shut up already. “And as I said, the list was carefully considered.” I glanced around and met her gaze again. “And people who make scenes without manners weren’t considered. Enjoy the graduation.”

She gasped as I walked off.

Really? She was shocked I said something?

I was shocked I’d had to deal with that crap.

I was about to head out into the hallway with the others to put on my cap and gown and get into line when I heard something completely out of line. I used my magic to silence the man and went right over to him. “Since you are apparently a jealouschildand cannot attend an event with any sort of manners, you will besilentfor it. Or leave.”

I gave him a look of disgust—and the people he was with—before walking off. When someone with him muttered that I was too full of myself, I silenced them as well.

Fuck them. Seriously.

“I missed what was said,” Ara muttered, not wanting to know for the gossip but so she could warn people if needed.

“Shit about Izzy being the valedictorian and how the standards of Artemis have fallen since he attended if a woman could actually take the top spot, much less a witch,” I grumbled. “That doesn’t even make sense. If the standards fell—which they have—it’s easier for everyone. Including who he is here to see graduate.”

“Seriously, we should just silence them all,” she sighed.

“Tell the Guardians to do just that,” I told her firmly. “They talk out their ass or look like they’re going to start a problem—silence them until they walk out of the auditorium. I’m so over this crap.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” she chuckled darkly. She told the other Guardians in the radios they were wearing and the amusement around the auditorium shot up about tenfold.

Izzy met me near the entrance of the auditorium and took in my mood. She made kissy faces at me until I cracked and then pinned my cap on me after I slid on my gown. She was all ready to go as well and looked gorgeous.

“Speech ready?” I checked, glad when she nodded and seemed relaxed. “Short and sweet?”

“You know me well,” she chuckled. “Most of these people won’t listen to anything I have to say anyways since I’m a witch or woman or from a class-climbing family—any of it. I’m basically thanking people and wishing everyone luck. Let’s get to the party.” She hurried on when I shot her a worried look. “I meant the food and relaxing. I’m over this as well. I need a drink.”

“A bottle of wine or two,” I drawled.

“Even better.”

I kissed her cheek and wished her luck before she hurried off to get in her position. Mine was easy. I was last.

And the guy who was in front of me was less than thrilled he had to be near me. Not in a mean way, but he didn’t want the attention or people staring the whole time to make him nervous.

Yeah, I felt the same.

“Before we begin, I think some people are unsure of the event they have attended,” Neldor said from the auditorium, using magic to make his voice carry.

Allof the students graduating turned and looked at me likewhat the fuck?

Yeah, I didn’t have an answer.

“This is a graduation ceremony from Artemis University,” he continued. “It is not a meet and greet with our leader or a fan event where she will be speaking with people and signing autographs. If you’re confused on that and have never attended a graduation before, I’m sorry you’re ignorant, but please behave accordingly.

“If a Guardian has used magic to silence you, you clearly did not know how to behave like an appropriate adult and were quieted from disturbing the other attendees so we weren’t forced to remove you. If you do not wish to be silenced or removed, please behave like well-mannered adults and focus on the actual event and graduates who have worked hard. Thank you.”

I sighed, heavily. And all of the graduates were looking at me as if waiting for something. “Look, I would have loved to have skipped too. I hate huge public events, but the amount ofshitI would have had to deal with for months after for not attending is—this isn’t my fault.”

That seemed to be enough and most of them turned around and focused on what was to come.

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