Page 47 of Brutal Birthright

“You alright there, blade-slinger?”

Just peachy. Definitely not thinking about how to get away with fucking a student in secret.

“No nicknames.” He grunted.

“I’ve been thinking about the symbols found on the bodies,” Finnic ignored him and propped a hip on the edge of the table. “Lukah–my fated mate–he’s working with the vampire coven to transfer their texts and library here. I wonder if that might be something he could look into or keep an eye out for any similar kinds of markings?”

That wasn’t the worst idea. They were no closer to identifying the strange symbols found on the bodies discovered in the woods before the academy opened. And his bloody sister was still refusing to make an appearance. Of all the times she might have been useful to them, it could be almost guaranteed that Brigid of Nocturne would be absent just when they needed her.

And of course, the meddlesome little witch would appear at the most inconvenient of times, too. Rowan shifted in his seat. With her knowing about all eventualities, there was no hope of keeping his thoughts about Oriana hidden, considering his younger sister’s gifts as a powerful Seer.

Thank fuck for her vows of non-intervention. Despite knowing-all and seeing-all, she was sworn to the Goddesses to never interfere in the outcome of fate. At least he wouldn’t have to threaten her at knife-point to keep his secrets.

“I’ll have my brother get you a copy of the symbols recorded. Chances are there might be nothing observed or noted down anywhere, but it's worth a try.” Rowan unfolded himself from the seat and shoved a hand through his hair. “Get out of here. Go home. You’re seeing enough of my ugly face at the armoury as it is.”

The fae grinned at him. “Looks like you could take your own advice, blade-slinger.”

“Yeah, yeah—I’ll still bust your ass in the arena tomorrow, and you know it.”

Finnic let out a hearty laugh. “Don’t count on it. I’ve got some new blades for you to test out for me, hot off the forge.”

Shit, was this kid growing on him? Rowan waved him off with another grunt. Watching him pass through the doorway and head off through the maze of corridors. Up here in the far wing of the academy, the building overlooked the manicured gardens. At one time, this had been the royal residence. Now Ruby and Niall chose to live in their own private sanctuary outside the fae dominion and had given over the sprawling assortment of palace buildings to be used in the running of Astracadia.

Further along, the far wing housed the student’s accommodations—Trelithia.

Something stirred inside Rowan, knowing that Oriana was in there somewhere amongst the myriad of rooms and gathered students.

How it wasn’t all that long ago that they first encountered one another right here inside these very walls. The night Ruby sacrificed herself to end the blood curse of her royal lineage. He’d watched her slay the woman who cursed her sister without so much as a moment’s hesitation.

Little did he know the girl with fire in her eyes, an acidic tongue, and white-hot vengeance coursing through her veins would become so ingrained in his life.

The thought of heading back to his own empty rooms was about as appealing as a cold bowl of slop. So instead, he made for the direction of Ruby’s study located here at the academy, knowing that wherever the queen might be, his brother would be right by her side. And if he was going to hand over the symbols to Finnic’s mate to keep an eye out, then he begrudgingly needed to find the prick who currently held the information.

Rowan only hoped he wouldn’t walk in on something that he really didn’t want to see.

Those two could barely keep their hands off each other.

As he rounded the end of the echoing hallway, lined with opulent fabrics and walls of ornate gilded mirrors, the vast staircase lay just up ahead. The academy was silent at this time of evening, with only a few lanterns glowing from the landing to cast a golden shimmer through the halls.

He’d just started to move up to the next floor when out of the corner of his awareness, he saw movement on the steps the next floor down—a flash of familiar dark hair. But there was something different about the girl tonight. Rowan’s brow creased as he tracked her hunched body language, clutching books to her chest and hurrying down the flight of stairs.

Within a second he’d portaled the distance between them—magic that under ordinary circumstances shouldn’t be used for such a small thing. But fuck the supposed rules of magic right now.

The girl pulled up short. Eyes wide and brimming with hot, angry tears.

Fuck.

He folded his arms, blocking her path. Their heights evenly matched for once where she perched on the steps and he stood on the landing below.

“Oriana.”

“Fuck off.”

Well, there was no dampening her fighting spirit.

“You’re upset.”

“Well, don’t you win the prize for outstanding observational skills. Get out of my way, brute.”

---