Page 123 of As Above, So Below

She scans over the invite. “What is that?” Her eyes dart from thepaper in her hands to the one I hold as I straighten myself.

Turning it over, I read the seven words written in a breathtaking script and realize yet another failing of the contract I’ve offered Ryc. Between my fingers, in bold black ink, lies the intentions of the Sovereign King of Erus.

Now, you have my attention, little demon.

I didn’t add a clause againstfae courtship.

Fuck.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Shoving the slipof paper into my robe pocket for the hundredth time, I sigh. Seven simple words promise to turn my entire life upside down. He has to be teasing me—it has to be a joke. Whatever it is between Ryc and I, it’s growing rapidly out of control.

And the worst part of it all is I’m tempted to let it.

With another sigh, I lift a handful of clean carrots to the counter on my right, setting them into a linen-lined basket. Emptying the sink of carrots, I take the basket on the left filled to the brim with more ready to be cleaned and dump them into the cool water.

Using a soft bristled brush, I scrub each carrot, one at a time before dropping it into the next sink to be rinsed. I agreed to help Cora with her tasks today, and this week she’s on kitchen rotation.

Appearing beside me, she grabs the basket of washed carrots with a smile on her face. She hoists the basket against her hip, and I offer her a quick, small smile in return.

“You sure you don’t mind?” she asks, watching as I scrub.

“I can’t sit idle while you work,” I answer honestly. “It doesn’t feel right, and I need the distraction.”

“I’m not sure I’d call washing carrots a distraction, but as long as you don’t mind,” Cora says with a bright laugh.

Granted, it’s not an ideal distraction, but it is keeping me busy.

She remains beside me, leaning back against the edge of the sink. “You’ve been quiet today. More so than usual.” She turns her face to look at the others in the kitchen busying themselves as they prepare the day’s lunch.

“I’ve a fair bit on my mind.” Again, I give her the truth along witha soft smile. “Forgive me.”

Cora’s brows shoot high. “No need to apologize, Ves,” she says, meeting my gaze. “I just don’t want you to feel obligated to help.”

Tossing a couple more carrots into the rinsing sink, I laugh. “I don’t feel obligated to help.” I pause, smirking, “But I do feel obligated to remind you the carrots aren’t going to peel themselves before lunch.”

Laughing, Cora hauls herself over to the center island counter, setting the basket down. Reaching into her pockets, she rummages around, searching for something. She pulls the sleeves back on her robes to glance at her wrists before huffing a tired sigh.

“You don’t happen to have an extra hair ribbon, do you?” she asks.

“I might,” I answer, pulling my hands out of the water and dropping the scrub brush.

Drying them quickly on the nearby dish towel, I reach into the pocket devoid of Ryc’s note and withdraw a thin, black silk ribbon. One I’ve used several times to pull my hair out of my face. Handing it to her, she deftly gathers her chestnut brown hair into a messy bun and secures it with the ribbon.

Smiling, she resumes peeling.

“Thank you,” she says with genuine gratitude. “My hair was going to be the death of me. This is the third time I’ve misplaced my ribbon today. I’ll give this back once I’m done peeling.”

Giving her a shrug and shaking my head, I say, “How about you return it to me when you find yours.”

She lights up. “I can do that.” She nods once.

Returning my hands to the cold water, I suppress a shiver—and I’m reminded of the cooler breeze last night standing with Ryc on the rooftops. The way he’d thrown his cloak over me, such a small gesture of kindness that’s burned itself into my mind.

“Do you realize I can feel when you think of me,”Ryc’s voice rings as clearly as if he were standing next to me.

The cleaning brush in my hands clatters into the basin as my hands fly to the ledge of the sink. Bracing myself, my entire body tenses, joints and muscles locking. The force in my grip causes my knuckles to turn white.