Page 158 of As Above, So Below

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Fenryn says in more serious tones, the smile he flashes prompts me to smile in return.

Lilith links her arm through mine as she walks up beside me. “Forgive us Sovereign Kings, but I cannot allow you to bore Ves to death with politics. Or scare her with stories of your impish behaviors.”

Leaving no time for a response, Lilith turns, pulling me awayfrom Ryc. She leads me through a door to the right of the fireplace, out onto a balcony that overlooks a garden similar to that of the temple, but significantly smaller.

“Take all the time you want,” she says quietly. “Let me know if you need anything, Ves. We’re all here for you. For Eve, too.”

I open my mouth to speak, but she withdraws her arm from mine and nudges me forward. She retreats into the castle, closing the door behind her without another word.

Confused, I turn and find Eve standing at the far end of the balcony, looking over the garden.

“Eve,” I breathe, rushing toward her.

She turns in time for me to throw myself at her, slinging my arms around her neck. Catching me, she stumbles back a step, bracing herself against the railing. She wraps her arms tight about my waist, and she buries her face beside mine.

“I’m so glad you’re alright,” she breathes, clutching me.

All the emotions I’d tucked away during the bath pour out of the darkness upon hearing Eve’s voice. The feeble mask I’d built falls, and I bare myself to her.

“I’m so sorry.” My voice breaks and tears fall, likely ruining Oraphia’s work on my face, but I don’t care. “I tried—I tried to get to her, I tried to stop him—”

Eve’s chest heaves and she crushes herself against me.

She continues to tremble, fighting against the sobs that begin to rake through her. After a moment, she sucks in a deep breath, an attempt to collect herself.

Her mask is as fragile as mine.

Pulling back, she clasps her hands on my shoulders, locking onto my stare.

“I can’t,” she manages softly, silver tears rimming her eyes. “Not right now. I need to focus on anything but her, for my own sanity.”

Wide-eyed, I stare at her through my tears.

My jaw tightens as I nod weakly, forcing myself to shove all the messiness that had tumbled free into a small little box to be set beside a dozen others. I can understand, respect even, her desire to not process things right now.

Gods know I’ve done the same.

Get through the mess, the demands, the requirements first,thencontend with yourself.

“Look at you.” She smiles meagerly, sniffling. “This isn’t the Ves I know.” She looks me over from head to toe.

Scoffing a laugh, I reply, “She looks like the Ves I’ve long forgotten.”

She reaches, gently wiping away a tear from my chin.

“You don’t look like the Eve I know.” I give her a weak smile.

“A fine pair of strangers we’ve become,” She halfheartedly teases.

With a chuckle and a downward glance at her own attire, she releases a sigh. I feel the tired sadness of the sound in my bones.

“Artemise removed me from temple service,” she says. “You find me as the most recent hire of the Sovereign King. You’re looking at your own personal guard.”

My eyes shoot wide.

“What?”

“Artemise dismissed me following the attack.” She releases me and tears her gaze from mine to turn, facing the garden.