Page 138 of As Above, So Below

At the mention of my name, I tear my eyes away from the Captain to stare at the mug wrapped in my fingers. Beside me, Eve tenses, her grip growing tighter and I’m sure she’s going to leave bruises.

She leans in close. “Ves, did you forget a few details about last night?” she whispers so quietly I have to strain to hear her.

I purse my lips, unable to meet her stare.

I don’t look at her. I can’t.

I don’t dare take my eyes away from my mug.

“He’s a minor detail,” I say, my voice feeble.

“Oh, I’m not judging,” Eve says and I can hear the smirk in her tone. “Except that I am.”

She stands from her seat, pulling me with her, linking her arm through mine. The Captain of the Guard takes notice.

“Lady Vestaris,” he greets me with a tight bow and my eyes widen.

And just like that all eyes in the garden that had been so intently fixed upon Artemise and Cyran now land upon me. Because of course he knows who I am.

“I’ve been assigned to accompany you during your remaining time in the temple,” he says, straightening himself and my eyes race to Artemise.

“I have already given her a guard, Captain. Your services are not needed,” she says, piercing me with her angry stare before turning to Cyran. “None of this is needed.”

“Cyran remains,” Ryc’s voice sweeps through the gardens and all heads swivel. “You’re not defying a set decree, are you High Priestess?”

Muted shock rises, gasps, hushed whispers. People leap to their feet, bowing as he passes and my breath hitches in my chest. Lacking a cloak, I’m given full view of the Sovereign King. He moves with the expected grace all fae seem to possess, holdingmy stare as he draws closer.

As I lower the shadowed ward stymieing our channel, he senses it, arching a brow.

“What are you doing?”I send the thought through.

He smirks as he stops beside Cyran.“I much prefer you in anything other than these temple robes, little demon. They are an injustice to you.”

My cheeks and tips of my ears heat.

I don’t think I can manage beingboundto the fae for the rest of his life. At least, not without losing my own damn mind.

“Sovereign King.” Artemise sweeps into an elegant, practiced bow.

“High Priestess,” Ryc returns the greeting but does not bow.

“You waste your resources sending guard to protect what Celesta has already protected.” Artemise clings to her futile argument, sighing with exasperation.

“I would argue Celesta would be honored I take the safety of her daughter seriously,” Ryc counters in even tones. A strange contrast to the playful, dulcet tones he’d just used with me.

Artemise stammers.

“Now that that’s settled, the temple council has arrived for the meeting you’ve requested.” Ryc flashes a handsome smile, as if he takes delight in getting under Artemise’s skin.

Artemise shoots me a glare over her shoulder, her lips vanishing as she presses them into a tight line.

“Of course,” she relents with a bow of her head as she turns to Ryc. “I would like to have a word with the council before we begin.”

“Anything you need, High Priestess.” Ryc nods once, and while it sounds like a genuine notion of support, the tension between the two doesn’t dissipate.

Artemise peers past Ryc, and Opal rises from one of the tables a short distance away. Without another word, both Artemise and Opal vanish through the sanctum doors.

“Be careful around her.”I catch Ryc’s eyes.“Opal is an emotion siphon.”