Page 54 of The Reign of Blood

“That’s not what I heard,” he states, throwing my own words back at me.

My lips part, no response ready, when Brody appears to my left.

“I’m here; give me back my girl.”

“I’m not your girl,” I retort, wagging a finger at him, and he rolls his eyes.

“If you say so.”

“Idosay so.” This guy is insufferable.

“Okay then, if we’re being politically correct, you’reourgirl.”

“I’m no one’s girl,” I bite out, taking a step back from Kryll as my hands ball into fists at my sides.

“You sound like a shifter,” he states as Brody continues to stare at me with desire dancing in his baby blues.

“Is that a bad thing?” I ask, flicking my gaze between the two of them. I don’t even know why the words left my lips. I don’t care, but they’re out there now.

“Maybe, maybe not,” Kryll whispers, confusion glazing over his eyes as he takes a step back, running a hand through his red hair. Without another word, he turns and darts toward Delia.

“Don’t worry, Dagger, he’s coming around. He’s just going to need a little time.”

I frown, glancing at Brody. “Coming around to what?”

“You. Him. Us.”

22

ADRIANNA

Imarch up the stairs of the fae building with a small sense of relief clinging to me. Flora and Arlo are a step behind me, but they leave me to my thoughts as they murmur among themselves. I don’t know how, but I’ve made it to the end of the day with no further issues. Voicing it out loud is off limits, though. It would only jinx my chances of the evening going in the same direction.

That’s just how my luck works at the minute it seems, and I’m not about to put the odds against me any more than they already are.

My mind lingers on the dance class this morning. As much as I don’t want to admit it, it’s been the highlight of my day. Kryll seemed… off. I don’t know if that’s exactly the right word to describe him, but it’s the best I’ve got right now. There seems to be something going on with him, but I don’t know him well enough to make that full assessment.

Brody, on the other hand, is back to full form. Flirty winks, biting at his bottom lip as he stares at me, mingling with the occasional brush of his hand against my thigh or arm has me strung tighter than I care to admit.

“Is that a rose?” Flora asks, pulling me from my thoughts as we reach our floor. Looking down the hall to where she’s pointing, there’s a stunning red rose resting against my door.

“Another one,” I murmur, the sight of it warming my chest, but I quickly try to rid myself of the sensation.

“Another?” Flora asks, eyebrows raised in question.

“I’ve had a few.”

“A few?”

“Is there a parrot in here?” Arlo blurts, leaning against Flora’s door with a grin on his face.

With a pointed look, she whacks him in the chest.

“Shush you.”

He holds his hands up in surrender, but the amusement doesn’t leave his features.

Peering back at the rose, I sigh.

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