Page 61 of The Reign of Blood

“Fuck, Brody. Fuck.”

Doubling down, with the feel of her release dripping between us, I tumble over the jagged edge with her. My vision darkens, my orgasm ripping through my body as I fall forward, rugged thrusts prolonging the taste of ecstasy between us.

Holy fucking shit.

Perspiration clings to us as we try to catch our breaths, and one thing is for certain.

I thought being a fuckboy was fun, but learning every inch of her body is even better.

24

ADRIANNA

Two days. It’s been two days, and I can still feel the remnants of Brody between my thighs.

Fuck.

That’s not what I’d gone over there for—not even a little bit—it just happened, just like the last time and just like every time Cassian has claimed me. So much for not focusing on them and giving all of my attention to being the next heir.

It seems I’m a liar when it comes to them, and I can’t even blame them for everything. I’m just as accountable.

My mind is consumed with it all as I sit here staring at the eight roses that now fill my handmade vase, and I can’t help but wonder who they’re coming from. Shaking my head, I rise from my bed and try to put it to the back of my mind. It doesn’t matter, really; it means nothing, all of it. Brody, Cassian, Raiden, Kryll, and mystery rose guy. I have to be focused on the future, even though I keep trying and failing.

Perseverance is my best friend; I hope I’ll eventually reach the end goal. My spine tingles and I’m certain I won’t be able to avoid them like I intend.

Stepping toward my window, I plant my hands on the ledge as I peer out at the world. I can see a few groups of peopleheading toward the main academy building for dinner, and I’ll be joining them in a few minutes when I head over with Flora.

My guard is still up, anticipation clinging to me, but no one has tried to attack me in the past few days. Which feels like a positive, even though the wide berth I continue to get is noticeable. I like it, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s the opposite of what I need, especially if I want to be the new heir to the kingdom.

If I want to lead, I need to show the students on campus, as well as the rest of the kingdom, that I can. It’s going to take them a minute to warm up to that, if at all, but regardless, I’m here to prove that mistakes can be made and recovery can be a reality at the hands of the fae. I’m here to earn their trust because that’s what is vital when it really boils down to the core.

Glancing at the time, I slip my boots on before reaching for my cloak. The plan is to eat, then head back to Flora’s for some girl time. Which is the code word for watchingThe Officeagain, but sans Arlo, whom I’ve learned spends the entire time speaking the words over the show because he’s watched it so many times.

Checking myself in the mirror, I pat a few loose curls down and tighten the pins holding my hair in place. Ready for food, I’ve taken a single step toward the door when my cell phone vibrates. My eyebrows rise as I glance around the room. Has Nora got a visual on me or something? It seems every time I take a step toward the door lately, the damn thing goes off.

I slide my nightstand drawer open, expecting to see her name flashing across the screen, but to my surprise, it’s my father.

“Hey, is everything okay?” I ask, more panicked with him on the other end of the cell phone than if it was Nora.

“Everything’s fine, Addi. How is everything there?” he asks, concern etched into every syllable.

“Okay,” I answer, taking a seat at the foot of my bed as the initial anxiety subsides.

“Just okay?” he asks, and it feels like the gem at my back burns more, reminding me it’s there.

“Nothing else has really happened since Bozzelli gave me the kiss of amethyst,” I admit, hearing him sigh through the line. Not at me, but with disappointment at the situation. I’ve heard it many times, enough to decipher between the two. When the former king of the kingdom is trying to teach you everything at such a young age, you get a lot of heavy sighs of exasperation, and the one he just let loose definitely wasn’t it.

“That’s what I’m calling for. I’m sorry, it would have been sooner, but I didn’t want Nora to be here,” he explains, making my eyebrows pinch.

“Why? Where is she?”

It’s a stupid question, really. All either of us ever does is protect her, even if itisagainst her will.

“I just don’t want her to worry more over you than she already is, and she’s in the meadow with Talia. I can see her from the top window, don’t worry,” he adds, and I exhale slowly.

Talia is the girl from the neighboring farm and Josh’s younger sister. The stupid guy Nora often likes to remind me of. They’ve always been friendly, playing while I trained, so I know she’s in good company.

“I guess that makes sense,” I reply, relating to not wanting her to worry, and he flusters through the line.

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