Page 139 of As Above, So Below

He nods once.

Closing the space between us, Ryc offers me his arm. “Walk with me?” he asks, his voice low.

Eve releases me and steps aside.

I hesitate. The weighted stares of the others in the garden press upon my skin.

“Let them stare, little demon,” he says softly, “but don’t let them stand between us.”

Drawing in a deep breath, I take his arm. I may not have emerged into Erus society last night, but I’m sure as the hells doing it right now. This is going to spread like hellfire through the temple, through the city.

As we move farther into the garden, toward the northern doors, Eve and Cyran fall in behind us.

“I know Artemise has called me to meet with her and the council because of the upcoming eclipse.” He places a hand over mine and my heart begins to race.

We’ve walked like this before. This should be nothing.

But then, he wasn’t the Sovereign King—or at least, he wasn’t the Sovereign King to me.

“Celesta has declared me her chosen and wants to use me in a ritual during the eclipse,” I say, keeping my voice low.

His brows crease. “Another ritual requiring approval?” he asks, mostly to himself. He stops, turning to me. “Is there anything Artemise has told you about the nature of this ritual? I don’t expect her to be forthcoming about it when I speak to her. She wasn’t regarding the ritual during Celesta’s ascension.”

He means the sacrificial ritual.

Did Artemise lie to him about that?

And if so, is she lying to me about this?

“I don’t know the exact nature of the ritual, but Artemise and Celesta believe I’m key in breaking Celesta’s contract with Netharis. Artemise insists Celesta seeks to help return me to my Fate.”

“Does she?” His jaw tightens.

In a swift motion, Ryc cups my face and presses a kiss to my brow, leaving me stunned at the ease of the gesture.

“Raise your mental wards, little demon,” he encourages quietly. “Or I’ll be too distracted to do what I need to.”’

I almost laugh.

I’m the distraction?

Releasing me, he turns to Cyran.

“I will remain with her, Your Majesty,” Cyran says with a firm nod.

“Thank you, Cyran,” Ryc grants with a small smile.

In a bright flash, Ryc vanishes.

“I warned you fae courting is a hassle,” Eve sighs, stepping in beside me. “And somehow you’ve agreed to court one of the most powerful fae in Eldoterra.”

Reality comes crashing into me, toppling down on my head.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

If he wereanyone other than the Sovereign King, none of this would be an issue. But the fact of the matter remains, heisthe Sovereign King. And becoming involved with him carries a whole world of implications and risks. Things I’m not sure I want to learn to navigate or deal with.

A demon-bound Sovereign King no less.