Page 116 of The Reign of Blood

He nods slowly. “You think?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose.Fucker.“I know.”

“How? Tell me.”

I wet my lips, searching my mind for the right words to explain any of this, but I fall short, just like I have since the moment I showed up here. “It doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t have come,” I decide, taking a step back, but he’s at my side in the next moment.

“Kryll, right now, I’m just Beau, not Professor Tora, not a member of the academy. I’m just your brother. Something is bothering you. Let me help.”

Some of the weight straining my shoulders shifts as I look up at him. “I know she’s the one, I can feel it inside of me, and my creature doesn’t wreak havoc on me in the same way as it usually would,” I ramble, sure I’m not making any sense.

“You’re serious,” he murmurs, eyes wide in surprise, and I nod.

“Deadly.”

“I’m here for you, brother. Whatever you need. Condoms, or?—”

“Shut up, Beau,” I snap, shoving at him, and he chuckles as he lifts his hands in surrender.

“What? That’s a brotherly thing to do.”

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

“So, are you going to tell me who it is?” he asks; at the exact same time, a bubble of laughter echoes from behind me and my head whips around to find Addi heading toward us with Flora and Arlo. “It’s the princess.”

I spin back to him, my heart racing in my chest as his jaw falls slack. “Fuck. Of course, it is,” he mutters under his breath, making my spine stiffen.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing,” he replies quickly, waving me off, but he must sense that it does nothing to quell the concern burning through my limbs because he takes a step closer, planting his hand on my shoulder as he sighs. “Your heart knows what your heart knows, brother. Or the heart of your creature does, and we both know it will never be wrong. I just hope it doesn’t lead you into the depths of somewhere you can’t return from.”

43

ADRIANNA

Istayed the night at Cassian’s. I stayed thefuckingnight. He also kept true to his promise this morning, and my thighs are still relishing the most delicious ache. Scurrying back to my room this morning, I was mortified doing the walk of shame, but thankfully I didn’t bump into anyone.

The embarrassment stayed with me, though, and I couldn’t face showing up for breakfast this morning in fear of how anyone would react if it was brought up. So, I snacked on a cereal bar from Flora and decided to head straight to my first class.

As I step across the combat field with Flora and Arlo, I can feel eyes on me. With one glance, I spot Kryll and his brother, Professor Tora, with their gazes zoned in on me.

I raise an eyebrow at him as we near, but he shakes his head subtly before turning away with a soft smile on his lip.

“What was that about?” Flora asks, smirking at me when I fail to give her my innocent look.

“I have no idea,” I admit with a shrug, moving to join the other students who begin to gather.

“Well, just so you know, I have managed to get my hands on some moisturizing face masks, nail polish, and fluffy slippersocks for Friday night,” she explains, changing the subject, and I stare at her like she’s just grown a second head.

“I think I should have had a warning before I signed up for this,” I muse, and she waves me off.

“I did warn you, but I’ll take your place,” Arlo offers, a longing look in his eyes as he stares at Flora, but she quickly shuts him down.

“Nope. Girls only.”

He takes a step closer to her. “Does that mean you’re going to talk about me?” Amusement ghosts over his lips as his eyes darken just a little.

“Why would we talk about you?” she asks, planting a hand on her hip as she gives him a pointed look.

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