Page 23 of Brutal Birthright

What if that someone was cruel? Malevolent? Abusive?

Even worse, what happened to those who wound up rejected by the very mate they had been fated to be with?

The Goddesses could be equally as cold as they could be kind. Ri had seen enough of that spiteful manifestation of their power in her years alive to last a lifetime.

And while her mind spun in circles, tormented by the thought of fate and kisses and being mated to another, still out of the corner of her eye, she could see Rowan and Vanya together. What the fuck could they be talking about for this long? At that moment he glanced over towards their group, and she immediately dropped her eyes.

Screw him.

“Is that a yes, scary girl?”

Ri turned back to Etienne and fluttered her eyelashes.

Being horny and angry was going to get her into so much trouble.

“Sounds like fun… but are you sure you want to risk getting close to a fae? Wouldn’t want you to risk revealing all your weaknesses now, would we.”

He chuckled and cocked his head. Daring her with silent questioning.

“Maybe I should just let you taste my blood right here and now and be done with it?”

“You sure you want all your friends to see the look on your face when you orgasm on the spot, pretty thing?”

“Oh shit, no thanks, scary girl.” Brynne giggled, dragging her away and trying to throw her body in front of Ri like a floral shield. “None of us need to be scarred by that image.”

“Well then, how about a kiss, and we get it over and done with?” Ri challenged. Fuck. So fucking reckless.

“Let me take you to the ball, and then perhaps I’ll let you push me into a dark corner and have your wicked way. Even better if it’s at knifepoint.” He reached over with his free hand and fingered the tip of one of the gold blades secured in her thigh holster.

Ri liked this vampire. Well, she liked him enough to harmlessly flirt in a platonic kind of way. Who wouldn’t enjoy appreciating that flawless cheekbone structure up close? But all it was between them was words.

Certainly not heat.

No thundering pulse of desire.

Unlike her wayward thoughts about the muscular tattooed witch she couldn’t seem to shake, no matter how hard she tried. Especially at nights when she found herself alone. Soaking in the bathtub and running her hands across her body, imagining it was his calloused palms.

He’d be rough, but tender. Sliding a hot, possessive grip over her sex. Gripping tight and with clear intent to let her know just what he wanted. What he would take.

Fuck. She hated every second of yearning for him, but was drawn again and again into fantasies of Rowan. Imagining the way his molten sapphire eyes would rake over her with burning intent. Hearing his commands as he fucked her senseless. Ri had been wound so tight the night before that each orgasm had rolled through her body over and over while her fingers frantically worked her clit in quick circles. Panting into the darkness of her room, she heard his deep voice right in her ear. Everything about him exuded heat and carnality and raw power in her mind’s eye.

Ri had moaned softly, while biting her lip in a futile attempt to try and keep quiet. When she imagined the thick length of him sliding in deep, waves of pleasure crashed through her body, time and time again. Picturing Rowan as he fucked her relentlessly. In her wild imaginings he gave her no choice but to submit to his control.

There was no question in her mind that he would be dominant and wickedly all consuming.

And the needy, wanting part of her got off on that.

But instead, here she sat, being surveyed by a vampire.

Was Etienne a cocky prick who exuded confidence like it was as natural as breathing?

Sure.

But there was nothing more to this flirtation for her than an appreciation of a handsome face and a charming manner.

Did she actually want to say yes to the vampire? Or was this her impulsive side that she so often regretted listening to in the cold light of the following day? A tiny part of her brain leaping in and making decisions for her in the heat of the moment, the kind that invariably left an awful taste in her mouth afterwards.

As if the answer danced over to her on the breeze, she saw Rowan start walking their way. Striding towards the training arena in an arc that would bring him close to where they all sprawled on the grass together.

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