Page 13 of The Reign of Blood

A rose.

A single blood-red rose.

I frown down at it for what feels like an eternity before I peer down the hallway. There’s no one there, just the flower. Wetting my lips, I crouch down and loosely hold the stem. When nothing jumps out, I take a step back and close my bedroom door.

Admiring its beauty, I also can’t help but stare at its prettiness, but still… nothing happens. Why would someone leave it there?Whowould even leave it there?

I don’t need to be worrying about this on top of everything else.

Placing it on my desk, I head back for the door, my initial intent still set on getting out. I rush out into the hallway and let the door fall shut behind me before hurrying down the stairs.

Arlo is sprawled across the communal sofa, fast asleep, but there’s no Flora in sight, so I step outside and take a deep breath. As I exhale, I focus on relieving all of my stress along with it.

While I’m out here, I need to think about everything that’s happened and attempt to process it all. Once I step back inside, I will focus on my plan. Just like my emotions in the shower, I can’t allow myself to be weighed down by all of this. Not when there’s so much at stake. I have a legacy to uphold, a crown to win, and a kingdom’s future to solidify.

Tilting my head up to the sun, I let the rays warm me from head to toe, and my eyelids fall to half-mast as I let the weight of the world fall from my shoulders.

With my mind made up, I start toward the main fountain that connects all of the origin pathways, stretching out my muscles as I go because once I get there, I’m sprinting until my lungs burn and my body can’t take it anymore.

Determination and adrenaline come to life inside me, adding an extra bounce to my step as my focus sharpens. Which is everything I want and need until I stumble, head still tilted and gaze not set straight ahead, falling into the arms of a mage. Not just any mage.Themage.

Brody.

7

ADRIANNA

His fingers wrap around my upper arm, denying me the embarrassing fall that was likely coming. It would have been mortifying, but at least it would have put some space between us. Deep-blue inquisitive eyes search mine as we stare at one another before I come to my senses and try to take a step back.

His eyes narrow, but his hold relents, and I take a larger-than-necessary step back.

“Hey, I was hoping to find you,” he breathes, tipping the corner of his mouth up, and I shake my head.

“I can’t say the same,” I mutter, not waiting around as I start down the path away from the fae building. I sense him hot on my tail, and as he goes to grab my arm again, I turn my deathly glare his way.

“Hey,” he protests, lifting his hand away quickly, raising it in surrender. It takes a few moments for calmness to settle back over me and for the anger burning in my eyes to dissolve.

I’m acutely aware that he’s not technically the target of my pent-up emotions, but he has a connection to it all and that seems to be enough to put him in the line of fire. “Go away, Brody.”

He pouts like a toddler preparing for an almighty tantrum. “But I come in peace.”

In peace? He doesn’t know the meaning of the word. Why is he even out here?

Wait…

“Was the rose from you?” I blurt, folding my arms over my chest as I narrow my eyes at him.

His head rears back, his brows knitting together as he subtly shakes his head. “Rose?”

It definitely wasn’t him. He’d be boasting about it if it was.

“Nevermind,” I grumble, turning away from him before setting off on my run.

Despite his close proximity and my desire to put distance between us, I keep to a jogging pace, not wanting to injure myself when I don’t know what awaits me behind any turn. Between the up-and-coming challenges from the academy and whatever else Kenner may throw my way, I need to be alert. Losing my shit over some guy being near me while I’m out for a run is a waste of stress and energy. Especially if he’s not actually causing me any harm.

Which he isn’t…yet.

Deep down, I know I’m not really surprised when he falls into step with me. His footsteps are in sync with mine as we keep pace, our arms moving at our sides, but to my shock, his mouth remains shut.

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