Page 160 of As Above, So Below

“And Vaelyn?” The question is a trembling mess as I lower my hands.

“Business as usual it seems,” Eve answers quietly. “Druka’s informants report he’s been shadowing Netharis as expected.”

A disconcerting mixture of joy and disgust takes root in my stomach.

While I’m grateful Netharis hasn’t punished my twin for his involvement in my escape, I knew this would be the case. Netharis would never punish his heir. My lip curls with the thought.

The repercussions of my choices are falling into place, blow after blow. At the same time, I know the game is skewed—tilted in Netharis’ favor. It doesn’t matter what my choices have been, unless they align with his wants, nothing will ever be easy.

“My dagger…” My voice trails off, my mind a thousand miles away.

“I have it.” Eve nods. “Along with your things from the temple.”

Nodding, I sigh. “Thank you.”

Eve purses her lips, huffing a sigh as she shifts to face me, leaning her hip against the banister. “Druka agrees the connection between you and the king is not demonic.”

My brows raise. “Oh?”

If it’s not a demonic channel, what in the nine hells could it be?

She hesitates, as if she doesn’t want to say whatever it is upon her tongue.

“I have a theory, and if I’m right, it’s not my place to tell you what he is,” Eve says softly. “That’s between you, him, and Nektos.”

?????????????

Unlike the doors, the significance of my seat at the dinner table is not lost upon me. I’ve been seated on Ryc’s left at the head of the table. Beside him—the seat typically reserved for the queen. The message hits me all too keenly, as I’m sure it does for the rest of the room.

Arguing about it now would achieve nothing, aside from creatinga spectacle. Instead, I paint a soft, pleasant smile on my face. A practiced smile I’ve worn a multitude of times in the past.

To my relief, Eve is seated on my left, and beside her Lilith. Fenryn is seated on Ryc’s right, beside him Tanila, and beside her the male I assume is her father, Rowen.

As wait staff move around the table, filling our glasses with red wine, Ryc reaches, placing a hand over mine in my lap. I turn, finding him staring at me again.

“I know how this looks.”He sounds apologetic as he shifts his gaze toward the center of the table.“It’s to keep you safe from Rowen. If I present you as claimed, he is less likely to be aggressive.”

“Aggressive?”

Beside me, he nods.“He and Tanila know about your lineage.”

“You told them?”

“No. But I made a choice.”

My eyes narrow. “What do you mean, Ryc?”

“I am glad to see you’ve fully recovered, Vestaris,” a female voice trills with a false kindness across the table.

My eyes swing to its source, Tanila.

She laughs, a musical tinkling sound. “Forgive me, I don’t expect you to remember our hasty introductions. I’m Tanila Grayflame. I triaged your wounds at Ryc’s request a couple nights ago.”

Becauseof courseTanila would have the healing innate.

Which means she’s seen my silver blood.

Well, shit.