Page 17 of Brutal Birthright

Which garnered the professor an admonishing look and a growl from the back of the unbelievably gorgeous vampire’s throat.

Seeming content to ignore her mate’s surly mood, she proceeded to bounce around the room, directing them towards which chapter they would be working from in their textbook. Followed by instructions on how to harvest and prepare herbs properly.

Ri sighed with relief when Brynne took charge of the necessary reading of instructions for the both of them. Leaving her free to pulverise the freshly cut herbs–putting every ounce of frustration behind the act of pummelling the ingredients–and begin making the paste for whatever healing potion this would eventually become.

Something about being suitable for administering to poisoned flesh wounds.

“Now we know why the queen only appointed mated staff members. I’d do either of them. They’re both insanely gorgeous.” A hushed voice floated along the bench from where a group of other students were working.

Of course. The blonde curls bobbing around as she held court at her end of the table belonged to none other than Vanya. This bitch just couldn’t seem to keep her mouth shut.

Brynne looked up and scoffed. “It must be nearly a full moon. That girl is a horny mess.”

There was no way to stifle the snort of laughter that burst out. Ri felt the eyes of several other students glance her way before returning to their work.

“... the only reason she’s been placed so high in training after one session is because her sister is the queen.”

Oh, fuck no. Ri’s head snapped up, and she honed in on where Vanya was whispering with a group of other students. But there was no mistaking the way they each tried to surreptitiously look over at her.

This bitch had better hope she didn’t get paired up with Ri for sparring. She was in no mood to fight fair or go easy on the shifter. Claws could come out for all she cared, but Vanya would be the one to lose. Of that, Ri had no doubt.

“Ignore her.” Brynne nudged one hip to bump against her own. “She’s just jealous.”

Well, after how unsettling this day had been so far, Ri would relish any opportunity to draw some blood.

Only the Goddesses seemed to be laughing at her expense, because in the next moment, she felt the presence of the vampiress beside her. Cocking her head to one side and casting her brilliant green eyes over Ri for a long moment.

“Oriana?”

“That’s me.” Her neck prickled with the sensation of the entire room staring at her.

“You’re excused from the rest of this morning’s class. The queen needs to see you.”

Oh, great.

Of all the times her fucking sister could demand her presence, this was it?

Sniggering from down the far end of the workbench accompanied her as she packed up her books and made to leave. With every step towards the large glass doorway, she fought the urge to fire an arrow right between each of their eyes.

Filled with murderous thoughts and cursing Ruby beneath her breath, she flung through the doorway, only to find herself bumping straight into an imposing frame. The force of knocking into him sent her things sailing to the floor, and the air whooshed out her lungs.

Her next sucked-in breath was filled with the all-too-familiar scent of sandalwood.

Ri immediately ducked down to gather up her books. But from the way her body reacted as if on cue, she already knew exactly who blocked her exit. Heavy-set black boots loomed only inches from her scattered belongings. Looking up, she was met with a stern glare and stony jaw.

She wasn’t supposed to desire this man with eyes like liquid sapphire.

Rowan.

Chapter 6

Something in his jaw ticked.

The heavy weight of Rowan’s stare made her toes curl.

“Get the fuck up off the floor. Your sister needs to see you.”

“Well, screw you too. Brute.” She hissed. Tucking the books against her chest, she stood up and spun away. Determined to put an ocean of distance between herself and the all-consuming presence of this man. All she needed to do was head along the pathway through the rolling grounds. A familiar path she’d walked a thousand times before. One that would take her far from this man and safely to Ruby’s study housed inside the academy.

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