Page 150 of As Above, So Below

Ryc looks at me, questions about Eve lingering behind his eyes. He doesn’t voice them. Instead, he asks, “What can I do for you? I’m sure none of this is easy.”

Tears threaten to appear behind my eyes and I lift my face to stare out the window, blinking rapidly to keep them at bay.

“Promise me you’ll never treat me like a trophy,” I whisper, myvision blurring. “Athingto try and possess.”

“You’re my equal, little demon,” Ryc says quietly, drawing me into him with a gentle arm around my waist. “I do not seek to possess you, but wish to simply share my life with you.”

I welcome the touch, the closeness, and rest my head against his shoulder.

“I will always revere, honor, and encourage you.”

“Why?” My voice is no more than a whisper as I stare at his hand in his lap. My hand reaches out, entwining my fingers into his.

I’m too tired to fight against the things I feel.

“Because together, we are stronger.” His fingers tighten around mine.

It’s an answer that isn’t truly an answer, but I’ll accept it for now. I’m too numb to argue for anything more.

“Cora?” I ask weakly.

“Gone,” Ryc answers into my hair, kissing the top of my head and my tears fall. “I’m sorry.”

Oh gods, Cora.

She didn’t deserve this.

The black ribbon falling from Kassil’s fingers, the look upon her face, the sound of her scream—all of it replays itself in my head and guilt rips through me without mercy.

I’m so, so sorry.

I don’t bother to stifle the short sob and let the tears flow without restraint now, my heart splintering.

“Eve?” I manage through a shuddering breath.

“Attending Cora’s care,” he answers softly.

Another sob seizes my chest.

This is my fault. If I hadn’t… If she didn’t carry my scent… all of the mistakes leading up tothatmoment make themselves as clear and jagged as shards of glass.

How am I to ever face Eve?

Overcome with exhaustion, I separate from Ryc, and curl into the center of the bed. Pulling my knees to my chest, I close my eyes and silently let the tears flow. The bed shifts as Ryc rises, the sound of his footsteps moving around the bed, toward the door.

He’s leaving me to mourn.

Yet I don’t hear the door open, instead the bed shifts again.

Opening my eyes, I glance over my shoulder. Ryc slides into the bed, turning on to his side, as he pulls me into him. Any other day, I’d resist, but today, his warmth is exactly what I need. He wraps an arm around my waist, leaving no room between us, and his furnace-like heat sinks into my sore muscles and bones.

My body moves on instinct, legs entwining with his, my hand seeking his over my waist. It works itself under his, fingers braiding into his, before pulling his hand up to the center of my chest where he pulls me in tighter.

Greedily, I soak up his offered warmth, his presence, his attention,everything. I don’t care about the implications of being entangled in a bed with the Sovereign King. He isn’t the Sovereign King right now.

Right now, he’s just Ryc.

And I’ve never felt safer.