Page 32 of Brutal Birthright

Fuck.

Fuck.

He didn’t need to get anywhere near this—her. But skulking around in the dark on the solstice with any number of drunken idiots leering after her was unacceptable. Not while she was intent on being a walking temptation wrapped up in a costume that left nothing to the imagination.

This was what Ruby would want, after all. Someone to look out for her sister while she was too fucking drunk for her own good.

If only his dick would get that same message.

Like an idiot, he followed behind. Tracing her slightly uneven footsteps in complete silence. Was she humming to herself? The girl had no fucking clue of her surroundings, too lost in the haze of magic and fae wine and Goddess-knows what else her group of friends had indulged in before the night began.

She slowed and hopped up to sit on the marble railing, looking like she was going to tip back over the edge at any moment. But in that same moment, her senses finally picked up on his presence.

The softness he’d witnessed a glimpse of in her face just before immediately hardened to firm edges. Exactly as they’d done when she first saw him that morning at the lake.

Rowan scrubbed a hand over his mouth. Willing his cock to stop jerking to attention at the sight of her breasts threatening to spill out of the top of her dress.

No time like the present to get this shit over with.

“Go inside, Oriana.”

He didn’t give a fuck about decent or polite conversation. If the girl hated him, so be it. At least her safety could be assured, and his blackened conscience could be somewhat appeased for the night.

But instead of saying anything, she sat there studying him with those slightly almond-shaped eyes. Her bare shoulders bathed in moonlight, casting a glowing—almost ethereal appearance. A faerie with her gossamer wings and crystalline glimmers highlighting her features. Those plump lips painted a deep rose colour were parted as she swayed a little on her perch.

This was the last thing he needed right now.

“How surprising. A brute giving commands.” She cocked her head and surveyed him in the shadows. Delicate fingertips dug tight against the edge of the marble to hold herself steady. “I see you’ve dressed as the spawn of a demon tonight. Quite fitting. Well done.”

That mouth of hers…

“Get. Back. Inside.” He gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached.

She laughed. Fucking threw her head back and the throaty, raspy noise went straight to his cock.

Shoving his hands deep into his pockets, he stepped closer. Erasing the distance between them, while his lip curled into a sneer. This little creature had no bloody clue.

“I was here first. You leave.” Her wrist waved a dismissive arc in the air. “This isn’t your training arena to spit commands at me.”

“You can’t be out here—alone—in the dark.” Fuck.

“And why is that exactly? I can’t be alone… or is it that the two of us can’t be seen out here alone?”

She baited him. Putting on a serene smile and testing his every last measure of patience. If this was one of his guards, he’d have no issue demanding their instant compliance.

Batting her long eyelashes at him, she pouted. “Oh, but it was fine to corner me all alone when I was just the sister to the queen, and you felt like you could belittle me with absolutely no qualms about anyone seeing.” The girl tilted her head to one side as she continued on. “But now that I’m your student, you don’t know what to do with me… and the easiest thing for the great Rowan of Nocturne to do is bark orders and attempt to get rid of me.”

He heard the growl leave his own throat without warning. Rumbling through the dark on the gentle night breeze.

“I’ve seen too many little girls like you get broken. When they think they’re invincible and know everything. Just because you’ve been blessed with supernatural blood doesn’t absolve you from the cold blade of death.” He stepped forward again. If she wouldn’t listen, then at least he’d stand over her until she fucking moved.

“You’re just a weak little faerie. No magic. No gifts. Just a talent for gemstones and gold.” He canted his head to one side. Mirroring her movement while keeping his eyes firmly locked on hers behind that crystal mask.

Do not look down. Do not look down. Do not look down.

Her tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip. Wide eyes bouncing all over his face the closer his body drew to her own in the dark.

“Annnnnd, that makes you angry?” She evaded the point, reaching up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and then a wicked gleam flickered in her eyes. “Ohhh… I get it. This isn’t about me disobeying your orders. It’s about you wanting something you can’t have.”

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