Page 79 of Brutal Birthright

“I was calling your name all the way from back at the stairwell.” Brynne slapped her shoulder with a free hand. “I couldn’t find you last night, and I wanted to see if you—” Her friend screeched to a halt.

Mouth hanging open, she flicked her eyes up and down Ri’s figure once and then a giant smile spread across her face.

“Ohhhhhh, fuuuuuck… you had sex last night, didn’t you?!” She whisper-screeched. Pointing at Ri, then quickly clapping her hand over her mouth.

Shit. Think quick. Find a reasonable half-truth. Anything will do.

Grabbing Brynne and tugging her along at a brisk walk towards the training arena, she cursed under her breath.

“Yes. But—”

“Tellmeeverrythingwhatandwhoandwhere.” Her little sprite-sized barnacle vibrated on the spot with glee. And the closer they got to class, the more the sense of panic built inside Ri’s chest. She had to nip this in the bud right now, or else Brynne was going to be up her ass with a million questions for the rest of the day.

“It’s someone from the village.” She blurted out. Fuck. Keep it simple and straightforward. That was the only way to navigate this disaster without shipwrecking herself on the rocks of her own lies. “We met the last time all of us were at the tavern.”

Brynne was nodding eagerly, gobbling up every crumb of information. Fingers dug tightly into Ri’s arm.

“And?”

“And what?”

“I swear to the Spirits, scary girl. Give me something to work with here. I’m suffering through the driest of dry spells even though we’re surrounded by a gourmet feast of hotties.”

Ri closed her eyes and shook her head. Unable to help the wry smile wanting to creep onto her lips at the sound of her friend’s whining protests.

“Just because your pussy has been closed for business lately, doesn’t mean I have to go spilling secrets about who’s treating mine well.”

“It’s not closed, just neglected.” Brynne pouted. “And not for lack of trying either.”

“Look, there are reasons I can’t say anything else. But I promise you’ll be the first to know when I can.”

“So… let’s say we go to the tavern tonight… then maybe you can at least let me guess if he, or she, or they are there?”

Ri rolled her eyes. “Not happening, sorry.”

They crossed through the threshold of the training arena just as Brynne made a series of frustrated noises and pinched Ri on the waist for good measure.

“I’ll find a way to dig those mysteries out of you.” She hissed.

Opening her mouth to reply, her words were cut off by the very man consuming every corner of her mind.

“Something you’d like to share with the rest of the class, Brynne?” He was all stern glares and firmly set jaw. Looking like absolute, mouthwatering perfection.

And completely fucking unruffled.

Whereas Ri thought she might dissolve into a puddle at any moment.

Brynne squeaked something that sounded like a no fucking way, then dragged Ri off towards the far side of the arena to gather up their sparring equipment from the armoury. At least she could busy herself with blades and avoid her cheeks bursting into flames just from the weight of Rowan’s cold stare.

Fuck. How was he so good at this?

Had he done this kind of thing before?

Right then and there, she wished the thought hadn’t occurred to her. Because no, Rowan had not been having illicit affairs with other students in the mere few weeks since the academy first opened its doors. That was just her lust-crazed fated bond being an irrational, jealous little bitch.

Chapter 25

“You look…” Finnic appraised him with an odd expression.

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