Page 12 of Rituals & Rivalry

I don’t dare look her way. “A woman. Not a girl.”

Val doesn’t mean any harm, I know, but it’s my duty as his older brother to remind him to respect women. I take it very seriously, and he does too, nodding and muttering an apology.

“Her name is Aurora,” I add. “She’s… friendly.”

At least, I think she’ll be nice to my brothers. She doesn’t seem to have the best view of me, for reasons I can’t understand. I’ve always been bad at first impressions, except in this case, our first meeting was better. It was the second that didn’t go as planned.

“She looks nice,” Val says, playing innocent.

“She’s not for you.” I cut my brother with a glare, and he lifts his hands in surrender.

Jealousy erupts in my stomach, twisting and turning until I’m sick. Can’t remember the last time I’ve felt like that, and it isn’t exactly comfortable. Then again, I think anyone would feel that way in the circumstances. Aurora and I aren’t together, and we never will be. That doesn’t mean I want to think about her with my brother.

My handsome, charming, younger brother. If she had to choose between the two of us, the choice would be obvious⁠—

Val chuckles. “I wasn’t going to do anything.”

“Good.” I shake my head. “She’s Jewel’s new project, I think. Probably best to keep our distance from the competition.”

“Oh… I see.” Auggie grimaces.

“Did Jewel give up on you?” Val nods. “About time.”

He’s joking… just joking…

“Be nice,” August says in the soft voice she often uses.

I have a feeling Valentino said what she was thinking.

“No, she’s still my mentor,” I snap. “But Aurora and I will… train together, I imagine.”

There’s only one leadership position. One of us will have to win in the end, and the other will lose.

Despite every unimaginable way I’ve messed up already, in life and in our first meeting, I won’t let it be me.

“Good luck,” Auggie says sincerely.

“He’s going to need it,” Val mutters, his attention already drifting.

As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. Aurora has spirit, and I imagine she’ll be a formidable foe.

Will Jewel really give up on me? Just yesterday, I couldn’t have imagined it, but it’s hard to say now. I thought I was getting close to redemption, but maybe I’ll never be good enough in her eyes.

Chapter 4

Aurora

AURORA

Do I want to be some head witch’s new pet? No. Do I want to get under Sterling’s skin? I mean, as if a few minutes ago, yes—because he’s rude. He was so much ruder than the man I remember, and just like that, he’s become another guy I’ve painted in starlight and pretended he isn’t full of shit.

Spending three years apart means I had way too much time to daydream about what it would’ve been like to see him again, and none of my fantasies ended with him looking at me like he was three seconds from telling me to leave his little town.

Trust me, I would go if I could.

Turns out, Sterling isn’t all that great. My memories were definitely better than reality.

Sure, he may be the only person who’s made me come—sex is fun, but even with a partner, I’m used to taking matters into my own hands—but that doesn’t mean he’s good. Being good at giving head doesn’t mean he’s kind. He’s annoying, standoffish, totally devoid of charisma, and⁠—