Chapter 42 Annalise
Chapter forty-two
Annalise
Inever would have imagined a military event could be so spectacular, but I suppose that’s what happens when this is the most prestigious academy, military or not, across the kingdom, and the parents open their pockets like money grows as fast as dragons fly.
“May I have your attention, please?” The young, charismatic MC interrupts over the microphone, “The ceremony will begin in ten minutes. I ask you all to please fill your glasses and make your way to your tables before we begin.”
Not wanting to distract from the story James is telling, I push back my chair and lean toward Aiden, whispering to tell him I’m running to the restroom and will be right back.
Gods know I don’t want to risk getting up during the ceremony, not with the spotlights sweeping the room for each recruit as they walk to the stage for their track to be announced.
With every step I take away from the atrium and down the long, empty hallway, I realize just how loud it had been in there—voices stacked on top of each other, everyone shouting to be heard over the next table.
I’m still adjusting to the quiet when I round a corner and slam into a solid body dressed in a perfectly tailored suit.
“Oh, sorry. Are you—” the voice cuts off at the same time realization strikes me.
Lucas.
“What have I told you about watching where you’re going, boy?”
Shit. Shit. Double Shit.
Lucas’s dad. My dad's good friend.
“Well, well,” Mr. Mercer says, a slow smile slicing across his face. “If it isn’t Little Criminal Corvin.”
There is no point in trying to argue my innocence, not when he was the prosecutor in charge of Matt’s and my cases. The man blatantly ignored every piece of evidence that would have proven all I had endured, including photos Matt had taken of my injuries over the last thirteen years.
I try to steady my voice, knowing full well Mr. Mercer could fund this entire event on his own with the money he’s made as the most ruthless attorney. “If you’d excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
Lucas steps out of my way, but his dad doesn’t budge.
When I try to step around him, his hand clamps on my arm with a ferocity rivaling my father’s. Pain sparks up my bicep, hot and immediate.
“He misses you, you know,” he says.
A lie. Or worse—something he actually believes. My father only misses the parts of me he could break. The parts he could use. The parts that paid his bills while he drank away every penny he earned, but he was good at playing the loving father in public when it suited him.
“Excuse me—” I try again, tugging my arm back, but his grip tightens, the pressure sharp enough that I know, without question, I’m walking out of here with a bruise.
His other hand comes up toward my chin, intent on forcing my gaze up to him, as if I owe him the dignity of eye contact.
This time, instinct wins. I jerk back before he can touch me. His expression curdles with irritation, disgust twisting the edges of his mouth. “You’d think after I kept you and your little friend out of prison, you’d learn to show a little gratitude.”
My stomach drops. The walls feel like they are distorting, the music, the laughter I had just been a part of now feels miles away, and my pulse pounds like a drum. It’s like the world kept spinning and left me here, pinned under the weight of these men and all I thought I escaped.
His grip tightens again.
“I…need…to go,” I force out, each word choked between shallow breaths.
Lucas leans against the wall, watching like this is his favorite form of entertainment. “Always so helpless,” he mutters.
Something in me snaps. I spent far too long being helpless, but I refuse to be a scared little girl anymore.
Not for my father.
Not for Mr. Mercer.
And sure as fuck not for Lucas.
I twist my arm, not hard, not violently, but just the right angle, slipping out from under Mr. Mercer’s hand the way I learned in Combat Class. His fingers try to regain their hold, but as soon as my arm is free, I run as fast as I can in these four-inch heels.
I can hear their voices behind me, but I am too focused on making it to the bathroom to pay them any mind.
Shoving through the door, my hands shake so hard the metal latch rattles as I lock it behind me.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been gone, but I know I need to get back out to Aiden and my friends. Gods only know what Aiden thinks is taking me so long.
I snort to myself, imagining all the creative stories Matt would be coming up with if he were at the table right now—some of which would have me throttling him, I’m sure.
Letting the made-up scenarios play through my mind to calm myself, I take care of my business, and by the time I’m washing my hands and checking my makeup is still in place, my heart rate is only slightly elevated.
I expect the ceremony to be in full swing when I get back, but the last people standing are just making their way to their seats. To my surprise, Josh and his Aunt and Uncle who raised him, have taken up seats at the table right next to ours.
“Cutting it a little close, aren’t you?” he teases when he stands to hug me.
“Me? I’ve been here for an hour,” I chide, “and anyway, I’m not the one walking the stage tonight, am I?”
“Oh, sweetie! I got so excited when Josh told me you would be here tonight!” Josh’s Aunt hugs me like we’re long-lost family, rather than the acquaintances we are from seeing each other at events since Josh and I became friends.
Her smile is contagious, though, so I hug her back with all the enthusiasm she’s giving me.
“It’s so good to see you, too, Mrs. Michaels! ”
Mr. Michaels, Mike Michaels to be exact, steps in for a hug next, his far more reserved version of affection almost comical after his wife’s, as she gently scolds me for not calling her Susan.
I hadn’t noticed Aiden standing and moving behind me until Mr. Michaels reaches past me to shake his hand and introduce himself.
Mrs. Michaels gives my arm a little squeeze, and I hide my flinch, the tenderness from Mr. Mercer grabbing the same spot, albeit in a polar opposite manner, just minutes ago.
“He is CUTE! Where did you find him, and please tell me you’re keeping him.” She tries to whisper, but the music cuts off as the MC takes the stage, and her whisper over the loud crowd is now almost a shout. She blushes, but owns her statement, and I can’t help but giggle.
“Aiden Wells, ma’am. It’s nice to meet you,” he says, shaking her hand. “And she is more than stuck with me now,” he tells her with a wink that would have women fawning over him were we in any other company.
“If everyone would please take their seats,” the MC announces, and we do as we’re told with the promise of talking again after the ceremony.
Aiden leans over and kisses me, “Everything ok, Sweetheart? You looked a little flushed when you came back?”
Is there anything this damn man doesn’t notice? “I’m here with you, everything’s great,” I say with a quick peck to his cheek.
I can tell he’s trying to read me, and I don’t miss the quiet ‘hmm’ he makes, but he doesn’t push any further.
I already know Aiden and Antonio will be announced with false tracks tonight since they are both Ghost Walkers, but the pride showing on Antonio’s family’s faces when he is announced as Vanguard breaks my heart just a fraction.
He will have to lie to them all for the rest of their lives, and with how close they all seem, it couldn’t have been an easy decision for him to make to break family tradition.
Mrs. Michaels cries as Josh walks to the stage under his spotlight.
And as I smile to myself at her reaction, I realize that unlike the rest of the families here, this isn’t something she ever expected.
Just a few weeks ago, Josh was fighting on the frontline, as he has been for the past two years, and now, he’s walking the stage of the most prestigious academy.
Not only is he walking, but he is the only known person to have bonded a dragon outside of the academy since its inception.
When it’s his turn to talk, Josh thanks his family for their support, like everyone else before him has, and Mrs. Michaels' tears go from a steady stream to a waterfall.
We sip our wine and force out golf claps for every recruit's track announcement, and that’s when it hits me—six months from now, I’ll be sitting here for my own track night.
And unless Aiden can make it back from wherever he’s stationed, I’ll be tagging along with Matt and whoever he brings along as his date for the night.
On second thought, maybe Sasha’s family will just adopt me.
“Aiden Wells,” the MC calls, and I shouldn’t be surprised when he gives me a kiss under the spotlight before starting past Josh’s table toward the stage.
My eyes snag on Josh’s Aunt’s, and my smile only grows as she smiles and fans herself back at me.
“Aiden Wells marked high in all four tracks and sits in the top five of every class he is still taking,” the MC continues, “His instructors describe him as focused, relentless, and unshakably composed under pressure. Tonight, he stands before us as one of the most versatile recruits of this year’s cohort. ”
A soft ripple of impressed murmurs moves through the crowd, and I’m sure my surprise shows on my face. I knew he was one of the top of his class in Dragon Riding, but I haven’t seen or heard about his performances in any class other than Ghost Walking.
“Aiden Wells,” the MC says again, “As of this moment, you are a Dragon Rider!” Another round of clapping fills the room before his voice cuts back in, “Is there anyone you would like to recognize tonight?”
“Yes, thank you. I’d like to thank my parents, who unfortunately could not be here tonight, my friends, and my incredible fiancée.” I know he can’t see me with all of the stage lights, but his beaming smile is directed straight at me.
No. He. Did. Not.
I hear one of my friends choking on their drink, another laughing, and Mrs. Michaels lets out a shrill “Eeeee!”