Page 20 of Brutal Birthright

Oh, this was just fucking great. How long had they been standing there? How much of that conversation did they hear?

Ruby gave her man a withering look and waved the brothers off like they were a pair of giant, muscular flies. “Like I was saying, there’s plenty of opportunity for you, Ri. Find yourself a hot date for the solstice ball coming up. You can get dressed up, look gorgeous, and scratch that itch.”

She willed the ground to swallow her whole.

Continuing in a flurry of activity, Ruby was muttering something at Niall while snapping her fingers impatiently. Truth be told, Ri couldn’t focus on anything being said in the space around her. She was far too occupied with the considerable effort it took not to burst into flames of embarrassment.

The entire situation was made even worse by the fact Rowan silently judged her from where he stood. Like he always damn well seemed to. Ri felt it in every goosebump raised on the back of her neck.

Suddenly, an ornate golden key on a chain was thrust into her hands. Ruby was right there, talking a mile a minute. Something about being a keyholder and having the power to portal directly here to the Soterian Realm whenever she wanted if she used this enchanted item.

One that was unmistakably drenched in Nocturne magic.

Her fingers flexed around the palm-sized golden key adorned with runes and flourishes carved into the metal. Weighing its heavy density in her palm, she studied it quietly. This key was the type of artefact that reeked of power, the kind that belied its small and rather innocuous appearance.

As she stared down at it, Ruby’s chatter began to sink in.

This key represented freedom in the palm of her hand.

A way to be able to come and go across realms as she pleased. Travelling out of the fae dominion using a type of magic her kind simply didn’t have the ability to wield. Fae were unable to portal like witches or myst like vampires. They usually had to rely on the magic of others if they required that kind of thing.

Excitement bubbled in her chest at the potential opportunities this might give her. All the places she could explore. How she would so easily be able to slip away from the academy whenever she liked, without having to say a word to anyone.

But faster than she could start planning her first adventure, or properly study the fine carvings and filigree patterning on the key, it was snatched out of her fingers. A blur of a tattooed forearm was all she saw as the item was promptly taken away.

“No.” The gravel in that familiar bark sent her stomach into a swan dive. Far too close and brushing the fine hairs against the side of her cheek with the force of his command.

Ri whirled around. Threats and murder on the tip of her tongue. Fuck this. She was not going to be treated like a youngling. Only, before her words could form, her traitor of a sister hauled her backwards. Dragging her towards the far end of the cabin, and wrestled Ri like she was a spitting cobra.

Oh, she was spitting alright.

Before her stood the two brothers, once again staring each other down and seemingly arguing. Niall gestured between the key now wrapped in Rowan’s giant fist and jabbed a finger in the direction of where Ri was being hauled off to.

At least one of the Nocturnes was on her side, it would seem.

“Ri.” Her sister cautioned. Keeping her voice low.

“Fuck him. He thinks I can’t be trusted.” Her fingers itched to manifest a blade from thin air and hurl it towards his jugular. She wouldn’t miss, even from this distance.

Ruby grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a squeeze. Forcing her to meet her eyes.

“I probably rushed into that in the heat of the moment, Ri. I’m sorry. I was just excited to see you, and that was stupid of me to try giving that to you without consulting him first. I trust Rowan’s judgement, and I think he’s just looking out for you.”

“Oh, no. Don’t you fucking dare take his side, Ru-Ru.” She fought against her sister’s hold. Jabbing a finger against her chest. “It’s demeaning and controlling as fuck.”

Swivelling her gaze between Ri and the Nocturne brothers, Ruby twisted her lips as if calculating her words.

“Rowan is a complicated creature. He doesn’t speak about feelings or thoughts or emotions. But he will show you his intentions through actions.” Ruby guided her by the arm closer to the doorway at the far end of the room. Any further and they’d be outside, in the shade of the waterfall that enclosed half of the cabin and hid it from the world. “He’s most likely showing you exactly what he’d do to protect you… just like he would a little sister.”

Ri’s chest flushed.

An indignant sound caught in her throat.

Sweet fucking Stars, did he see her as a sister? A youngling?

Her cheeks heated.

She most certainly did not have dreams about this man that were anything less than seeing him as a tree she wanted to climb.

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