Page 37 of Brutal Birthright

Quietly, methodically, he instructed her on where to grasp an opponent larger than her. Explaining how to use her low centre of gravity and the size of another being—a would-be attacker—to her advantage. His voice washed over her in a sensual rhythm, leaving her stomach swooping all around before plunging into a swan dive.

“Well, go on then.” His arms remained folded. Legs spread. But he nodded his permission for her to demonstrate what he’d just explained.

She hastily licked her bottom lip. Eyes bouncing all over his frame. Fuck, why did he have to be so overwhelming in his masculinity. So damn lickable. Ri was determined not to look at his face because she was certain her own must be bright pink.

It took everything not to make a sound when she first placed her hands on his body. Her palms felt the searing heat of him through the thin layer of cotton. If she hadn’t been nearly deafened by the thunder of her own pulse in her ears, she was certain his magic crackled around them.

Was he…

She bit her bottom lip. Trying—and failing—not to fixate on the thousands of questions ricocheting around her mind. Did he think of her differently since that night? Was he attracted to her? Had he been left as shaken and unbearably turned on after disappearing from the terrace as she’d been?

Did he fist his cock and imagine her the same way she fantasised about him burying his face in her pussy?

Her cheeks singed.

Every finger trembled.

But Rowan allowed her to continue touching him. Each of her movements felt awkward and tentative at first, then gradually became more decisive with gradual repetition.

All the while, he kept his hands to himself.

She wanted nothing more than to know what it would feel like to have his rough palms all over her.

“Again.” He gestured with a dip of his chin for her to repeat the movement. “I won’t bite.”

Oh, nope. No. She was not going to allow even a fraction of an inch of charming Rowan to invade her senses.

“I think that’s absolute horse shit.” She snorted.

“Good girl. You are capable of learning something, it would seem.” Her brain stalled at the single drop of praise leaving his lips. Followed by the sharp sting of indignation at his taunting words.

She might be learning how to train for battle and warfare, but she was almost certain this witch was going to be the death of her.

Chapter 12

“Hurry up, scary girl. Let’s go!” Brynne’s voice carried across the arena. Evidently, their group of friends were amongst the rest of the class heading to the tavern at the nearby village. Some shit about bonding and getting to know one another, and the little sprite had made it her personal mission to ensure Ri joined them for the evening.

As she neared, they linked arms and followed behind the rest of the group. Saskia dropped back to walk with them, and up ahead, she could see Atticus and Etienne in amongst the small crowd.

Ri didn’t want to glance back, lest she was made to stay behind and complete more laps of the assault course after class. Although something told her Rowan would let her leave unscathed today. There had been something different in his behaviour throughout the course of the training session.

Even if her stupid little fluttering heart wanted to believe in an attraction on his part, what was she hoping for? Ruby had been clear in her aims and dreams for the academy, and she would never do anything to intentionally harm her sister.

So by that logic, ignoring the fan club gathered around Rowan with hearts in their eyes, and instead leaving to grab a drink with her friends was a much better idea.

Sensible.

Practical.

Level-headed.

All the things that Ri had for so long been told she wasn’t.

She could absolutely be that woman—the one who made the logical decision and put her impulsive nature to one side.

“Spirits, I can’t believe you got out of there in one piece today.” Saskia breathed out a laugh once they were in the clear. Wandering along the path towards the forest at the edge of the academy grounds.

“Oh yeah, I totally thought we were going to have to abandon you to the clutches of the assault course again.” Brynne giggled. “How many times…”

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