Page 112 of Brutal Birthright

Did Rowan know? Had he been privy to such a horrid truth all along and done nothing to help her?

“Ahhh… you are a smart girl, aren’t you?” Her captor drummed her fingernails on the side of her onyx throne. Looking at her now, Ri recognised the crown sat atop her head was the same one smeared in blood that she’d seen in those memories. Only this was not the throne room or hall she’d witnessed in the scenes Fiadh had shown her. This was somewhere entirely different. And Ri had no idea where she might be.

Or even what realm they might be in.

Something slithered down her spine with the knowledge that she was most likely on the other side of whatever that portal was.

How the fuck would she ever hope to return… or be found?

There must have been no hiding her thoughts, as Fiadh began to laugh as she studied her through piercing blue eyes.

Eyes that resembled Rowan’s.

Fuck, now that she knew it, there was so much she could see in this witch that resembled the other Nocturne siblings. Only this woman had an aura about her that was menacing in a way that was awe-inspiring and terrifying in equal measure. Her siblings might be powerful in their own right, but this witch possessed a power that far outreached any of their magic combined.

“I’m sorry to say, you’re just a pawn in the middle of a game that has been two centuries in the making, Oriana.” Fiadh crossed her legs and rested her chin on the palm of one hand. “But I would say it won’t be long before your vengeful knight makes his appearance.”

Ri shook her head. No. She didn’t want him anywhere near this woman. He might be skilled in battle, but against this kind of dark magic? His swords and powers were no match for her.

“He won’t bother. I’m just a student at the academy. You might as well just be done with me because no one will come looking for me.”

Even as she spoke the words, the flash of mirth on Fiadh’s face told the entire story. She knew just how important Ri was… maybe not to Rowan in the way he was important to her, but certainly to the likes of the queen.

“Oh, don’t worry about your precious Rowan. It isn’t him I’m after either, but he is going to deliver me exactly who I do want in exchange.”

Ri’s head pounded. This was too much. She wanted to scream and fight and defend not only herself but those she loved with all her heart. Yet, here in this place, her magic was impotent. When she pushed to reach for the power that usually hummed inside her, it wasn’t there.

A plummeting sensation in the pit of her stomach made her realise immediately that this place was indeed somewhere vastly different from the realms in which they inhabited back at home. A place where a primordial kind of power took everything and turned it on its head.

If there was any hope, it wasn’t going to come in the form of magical abilities. It was going to come through grit and determination to fight her way out of here.

But there was no sight of a weapon of any kind, and of course, she’d had all her own removed from her body, she realised with that sinking feeling growing heavier.

“So what am I? Some sort of bargain or exchange?” Ri winced as she tried to shift her hands behind her back, only to feel sharp barbs of magic dig into her wrists, followed by a wet, warm trickle of blood running down her palm.

“That you are. I’m truly sorry it had to involve you and the other students at the academy, but there was no other way.”

Ri stiffened. No other way? This bitch had murdered innocents just to get close to her.

“You murdered my friend. Others from the academy.”

“War is rarely won without loss of innocent lives. I should know.” Her bright eyes flashed startlingly cold.

“Then what is it you want? Take me instead.” Ri gritted her teeth.

Fiadh rose from her throne and crossed the short space between them. Pausing in front of Ri and tilting her chin up with a finger. As she gazed down with glacial indifference in her features, she pursed her lips for a moment.

“It is quite simple, really. All I want in exchange for you, pretty, pretty Oriana, is to possess the soul of the creature who did this to me.” Her features darkened into a mask of fury as something passed over her like a violent sweep of power.

“I want Brigid of Nocturne.”

Ri blinked heavily. How could Brigid of Nocturne—her own sister—be the one to cause all of this? She didn’t understand.

“But…” Ri faltered.

“Brigid will come to me.” Fiadh gripped a tighter hold on her chin. Forcing her head to remain tilted back to meet her gaze. “That sister of mine knew this day was coming. Has known everything all along. And now she is going to pay for the consequences of her actions.”

“It wasn’t her fault—”

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