Page 31 of Brutal Birthright

“I’m sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.” A witch with long dark hair piled on top of her head, and a simple velvet green dress was clasping a glass of wine. Her winged mask looked like elegant feathers and moss.

“No—I’m ok—Just needed some air was all.” Ri smoothed the front of her dress down. Suddenly aware of how short it was compared to the elegant long gown her companion wore.

“You look absolutely stunning.” She shot a little smile from beneath her mask and gestured to Ri’s wings. “I love the idea of adding the illusion of wings.”

“My friend thought it was a funny play on my name.” Ri shrugged, leaning back against the railing and watched the shadows of the ballroom through the large windows.

“You’re not normally an ancient faerie from folklore, then? Just a regular old student?” The witch giggled. “Don’t worry, I’m not usually a bird or a ball of moss, or whatever it is that my costume was supposed to be. Just a struggling academic trying to learn to get better at spellcasting and runic divination.”

“Ugh. That sounds awful.” Ri groaned and tilted her head back to the sky. “I bet you have to spend your life staring at grimoires and scrawled notes from old crusty spells.”

Another tinkling laugh. “You guessed it. I’m buried up to my eyeballs in dusty texts in the back of the library all day.”

That was Ri’s idea of a nightmare.

At least the herbalism classes she had to endure were mostly practical potion-making to break up the tedium of textbook study. And thank fuck for Brynne being on hand to stop her from setting the bastards on fire when she lost her temper with them.

“Honestly, I’m just out here because I was looking for someone, but I don’t think they want me to find them.” The witch shook her head with a rueful smile.

“Honestly? I think I’m doing the opposite. Trying to avoid someone who doesn’t even know I’m looking for them.” Ri couldn’t help but laugh. Who was she kidding. It wasn’t a handsy vampire she was trying to avoid, but a tattooed muscular witch. Or maybe it was that she wanted to see him, but at the same time, didn’t want to see him? Or perhaps it was the fae wine talking, and she really should just put herself to bed before she made any truly regrettable life choices tonight.

“You’re training for the elites, then?”

Ri blinked, her mind a little hazy. “Yeah, I’m in the programme to join the Astrals… I mean, if I make it, that is.” She added hastily.

“Something tells me you’ve got what it takes.” Her companion glanced up at the windows and her brows lifted. “You know what, I’ve just seen my someone… I’ll leave you to enjoy the rest of your solstice night. Might see you around if you ever venture into the library one day, fighter girl.”

With a quick wave, the witch moved off along the terrace towards the wide glass doors. Ri spun around, her buzz still going strong, and began to wander a little deeper into the shadows. She didn’t feel ready to follow the other girl and return back inside just yet, and the quiet hum of the beat to the music and the cicadas on the warm breeze had her body feeling somehow softer. More relaxed than before.

She followed the railing along to where a small alcove formed. It disappeared around a corner from the main terrace on a curve, and was a secluded space decorated with potted jasmine. The moonlight cast a pale glow over the marble, fireflies danced in slow circles in time to the music, and her dress glinted in an effect that combined to make everything look like a fairytale come to life.

Ri hopped up to sit on the railing, gripping the edge beneath both hands and swung her bare legs and ridiculous heels in time to the music. She should probably get back soon. If Brynne and Saskia hadn’t already fallen into bed with someone—or multiple someones—they would probably be wondering where she was.

It just felt nice to be out here. Added to that fact, the lull of the warmth on her skin felt too good to pass up. She could stay here a little longer.

Only her momentary glimpse at a little seclusion was shattered in an instant. Ri sucked in a hasty breath as she sensed the looming presence.

A dark figure appeared around the corner. His face was hidden by the depth of shadows shrouding his form, but there was no mistaking who it was.

She recognised him immediately.

He was here, after all.

Chapter 10

The night had practically turned into an orgy.

With far too much shit going down in dark corners, Rowan’s teeth were even more on edge than normal.

He’d lost sight of the girl after she’d ducked off into the crowd, but at least she’d ditched the vampire trying to shove his dick against her every two seconds.

Something told Rowan he really shouldn’t go out onto that terrace. But an instinct he’d learned never to doubt propelled him to move. Circling the edge of the crowd, he made his way through one of the sets of large glass doors.

It was quiet out here under the pale glow of the solstice moon. Most students who ventured outside had probably disappeared into the gardens to get their cock sucked in the bushes.

Maybe he’d keep watch on things from out here on the terrace for a while longer. At least the intense noise of the crowd was more muffled and…

A glint of silver caught the corner of his eye. Disappearing around the darkened corner at the end of the railing.

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