Page 112 of As Above, So Below

“None.” Our gazes meet. “Lilith played her role well. I assumed he was her guard. Please spare me your ire, I assure you, my self-loathing is sharper.”

Eve draws in a deep breath, nodding.

“Okay. Okay, we can still salvage this,” Eve says with a confidence I don’t share.

“I don’t think we can,” I say, smiling weakly. “There’s more.”

Setting her knife down on the table, Eve rubs her brow.

“I’m not sure I can handle more, Ves.”

Fair.

I don’t want to handle it either.

Instead, I say, “He is the mortal who saw me through the veil centuries ago. I’ve dreamt of him countless times. I’m drawn to him for reasons I can’t explain or understand.”

Eve begins to cough, nearly choking on her apple. She reaches for her water and takes a hefty drink, clearing her throat afterward.

“Good evening, ladies,” Lilith’s twinkling voice greets as she seats herself beside Eve.

My jaw clenches as my fingers tighten around my glass of water. Instinctively, my thumb runs over the silver band around my little finger, ensuring it’s still securely in place.

“I hope you don’t mind if I join you,” she says, smiling. “I’m looking to find Ves.” She adjusts her dark blue robes.

If she’s here and in her robes, Artemise must have called another council meeting. I imagineIwas the reason for that.

“You’re welcome to do as you please, Lilith,” Eve says, her tone unamused as she finishes the last of her water.

“Have you seen her?” she asks in a casual tone, glancing about the garden. “I heard she had quite the afternoon.”

Eve scoffs, turning her attention to her apple. “Artemise has her currently.” The lie rolls so smoothly off Eve’s tongue, even I feel inclined to believe her.

“Ah, yes,” Lilith laughs, nodding. “Artemise will want to keep her under lock and key. But it’s pointless to do so.”

My brows furrow, but I keep myself focused on the glass in my hands. I turn it, feeling the drag of the glass against the stone. The surface of the water ripples with the motion.

“I imagine it will be difficult for her to leave the temple now,” Lilith continues in chipper tones. “But I’m confident she’ll find a way.”

“Cut the shit, Lilith,” Eve snaps, her ice blue eyes fierce. “What do you want with Ves?”

Lilith’s eyes widen as does her smile.

She lifts her glass to her lips before saying, “The Sovereign King appreciates everything you’ve done for her. He admires your dedication to her as her guard. Her safety is important.”

Eve laughs, a dark, bitter sound. “Yes, because his interest in Ves is purely out of the kindness of his heart,” Eve counters with a curled lip and Lilith’s dark brows rise.

“I think in due time, you’ll come to understand the exact nature of his interest in her,” Lilith counters with a shining smile, her tone playful.

“Strange, I don’t see him here.” Eve glances around. “He sends you in his stead.”

Lilith laughs.

“You think he hasn’t tried?” She lowers her glass, an amused gleam in her eyes. “He’s appealed to Artemise several times to arrange a meeting over the last week. Artemise has declined all his requests.”

My breath hitches in my chest.

Ryc has tried to meet with me?