Page 134 of As Above, So Below

I want more ofhim, forever.

As Ryc finally lifts his head, darkness swallows me whole.

The last of the walls guarding my foolish little heart gives way and shatters.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

My eyes flutteropen, and my breathing stops.

As unfamiliar surroundings come into focus, my muscles tighten.

I’m tucked into a bed in a bedroom that isn’t mine, enveloped in Ryc’s scent. This is not the white marbled, white furniture filled room I’ve claimed for the last two weeks.

No.

This is a finely decorated room featuring a polished four-post bed, black blankets, and a series of floor-to-ceiling windows. The early morning sun spills into the room through the drawn sheer white curtains.

The events of last night crash into my mind like a tidal wave and I bury my face in my hands. The caustic sting of shame spreads faster than I can brace myself. The things I did, what I said—none of it would have been as horrifying had they not been honest reflections of my innermost thoughts.

I’ve exposed myself to Ryc in a way that can’t be hidden again.

A slight shift in movement beside me snaps my attention to my left. It’s Ryc, sleeping peacefully on his stomach. His arms buried under his pillow, his face angled toward me, his hair a dark mess.

I will never not find him beautiful.

Letting my eyes linger longer than I should, he shifts, his hair sliding to the side, revealing more of his back.

My eyes widen.

There, upon his skin, an identical strand of Malbolge runes run along his spine. Watching him sign, seeing the demon mark on my skin, even the unexpected opening of the channel—all hadreaffirmed the knowledge Ryc is bound to me. But seeing the demon mark on his pristine skin, it rattles me in a way I cannot explain.

This is impossible.

We’re impossible.

I need to leave. I need to return to the temple.

Yet like all the times I’ve stolen a few moments to stare in awe at the night sky, I find myself staring in awe at Ryc. A smile curls on his face and my breath hitches in my throat. His arm snakes out from beneath his pillow and draws me closer by my waist with little effort. I lay frozen, heart thundering. My chest heaving with shallow breaths.

His eyes open.

Bright molten gold.

“Good morning, little demon.”

Light take me.

The way he says the words—his soft, sleep-laden voice. I’m seeing a version of this fae not many get to see. And yet here he is, with me. It’s too intimate, too familiar. And it threatens to reignite the desire I’d felt last night.

“How are you feeling?” He rolls onto his side, propping his head up with a hand.

The ability to speak in common tongue has left me and I stammer. His genuine concern for my well-being is unexpected. Or is it because I’m too easily swayed by pretty eyes set in a handsome face?

He chuckles, as if he could read my thoughts.

Lifting the arm he left draped over my waist, he sweeps away my silver hair. “Well, it seems I was able to get the venom out of your system.” He flashes me a lazy smile. “You can thank me by not throwing yourself at vamps in the future.”

Indignation and irritation spike in my chest. “I didn’t seek them out,” I retort heatedly and he laughs.