Page 166 of As Above, So Below

Stepping into the night, a gentle breeze sweeps over my face, a welcome balm over my flame-heated cheeks. I lift my chin skyward. The silver light of the moon hangs above in silent greeting.

I scoff.

She would be the only creature that hates Netharis more than I.

Mortals may not be able to stand against Netharis… but a goddess can.

Approaching the banister, my gaze remains fixed on the night sky. The part of the living realm I quickly fell in love with during my earliest years as a Death Bringer. Seeing it, or even recalling it, had always brought me some semblance of comfort throughout my existence—

I no longer feel it.

Instead, I feel foolish and naive for ever believing I could do more, see more,bemore.

“I understood your silence in the hells, but I do not understand your silence now,” I speak, my voice low, staring at the moon.

Praying.

I’m praying to my mother.

I will beg her for help if that’s what it will take.

Silence.

Gods don’t answer the prayers of mortals.

If I fail in killing Netharis, let her claim her revenge against him.

I hope they destroy one another.

Reaching up, my fingers tighten around the pendant that hangs over my heart. With a swift tug, the chain snaps as I crush the silver in my hand. The moonstone shatters, turning into a pearly dust. Launching the necklace into the beyond, I can’t be bothered to watch where it lands.

With any luck, it’ll land in the damn river.

“Little demon…”

Whirling, Ryc leans against the door. His shirt and jacket from earlier missing, his chiseled chest exposed. His hair is a tousled mess, as if he’s been pacing and tearing his hands through it. With his arms crossed over his chest, he watches my every movement with bright gold eyes.

Committing my likeness to memory, I realize. A goodbye without having to say goodbye. Can he tell I’m doing the same?

“You need to let me go,” I say. Unable to meet his gaze any longer, I stare at my bare feet.

“I will not.” His voice is firm.

“If I return now, no one will die,” I argue weakly.

It’s not the stance I want to take, but it’s the only one left to me.

“No one other than you,” he says, approaching. “Is that what you want? To return?”

“Of course not,” I laugh bitterly. “But it doesn’t matter what I want—”

“What you want will always matter,” his warm hands cup my face, lifting it to peer at me. “Nothing will ever matter as much as you. The stars can fall from the sky, the sun fade, and the realms collapse. None of it will matter as long as you’re by my side.”

I scoff, pulling my face away, ignoring my rapidly beating heart.

“I see the demonic channel has addled your mind.”

He smirks. “What we have isn’t a demonic channel, little demon.”