Page 175 of As Above, So Below

What in the nine hells is wrong with these fae?

Truly, they are the demons of the living realm.

No better than squabbling imps, the lot of them.

As he rubs the back of his head, his eyes dart to mine, and his brows raise. The smile on his face grows wide in delight.

“Nektos’ nightgown, you do look just like her,” the fae laughs, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Blood smears across his chin and hand, and he ungraciously spits blood onto the floor, continuing to laugh.

Ryc storms into the hall, seeing me immediately.

“Ves.” His eyes widen.

I open my mouth to speak, and incoherent sounds spill forth.

How do I explain lurking in the hallway?

Nothing comes to mind and nonsense continues to come out.

The battered fae stands, adjusting his shirt, running his hands through his orange hair—as if that would restore his now disheveled appearance. The cut near the corner of his eye and on his lower lip fade, leaving only the stains of blood on his pale skin.

“Darin Everbreeze, Sovereign King of Aeros,” the male introduces himself with a lopsided grin.

“Vestaris Moonshadow,” I breathe, finally able to form words, staring at him with wide eyes.

Darin turns to Ryc. “Are you done? Can we have a civilized conversation with potentially opposing views now?”

Ryc scoffs, shooting Darin a scathing glare.

“Give me a minute,” he says firmly, moving toward me.

Darin returns to the room, vanishing from sight.

“Ryc, what are you doing?” I sweep toward him, searching his face for injury.

Clasping my hands in his, he lowers them.

“I’m fine,” he says softly, his smile gentle.

And truthfully, he is fine—no blood, no cuts, no swelling, no bruising.

It’s as if the other fae never touched him.

“I need you to put up a mental ward and not lower it until we’re alone.” The stare he gives me warns me not to argue, and I do as he instructs.

He flashes a particularly handsome smile, revealing his fangs. Too quickly I’m reminded of last night. His mouth, those teeth, his hands against my skin—I’m unable to keep the thought from sending a languid series of shivers down my spine.

“Starting to trust me, I see,” he teases in a way that doesn’t help matters.

I scoff a laugh and shake my head.

“You need to protect your thoughts, your mind,” he murmurs, barely audible to my ears. “Else I’ll be inclined to tear out a fine pair of eyes.”

Fenryn appears beside Ryc. “Darin has informed the others that Ves is here,” he says in low tones, clapping a hand on Ryc’s shoulder. “They wish to speak with her, Eloric especially.”

Pursing his lips, Ryc nods.