Page 26 of As Above, So Below

Vaelyn admitting a mistake?

Netharis would never.

“Don’t let Netharis hear you say those words.” A weak smile tilts my lips.

Vaelyn grins, flashing his fangs. “We all know Netharis turns a blind eye to what I do.”

The truth of his words make them no less irritating.

“There’s a meeting tonight. The Layer Lords, Netharis, and I will be present. I’m confidentyouwill be on the topics agenda.”

“Amazing,” I drag the word, unamused. “Am I expected to join?”

“I’m not sure,” he replies with a callous shrug. “Netharis has been tight lipped the last few days. I learned of the meeting this morning when I was advised I needed to be there.”

“I see.”

“Ves,” Vaelyn starts, and he leans forward in his seat, “I don’t know the depth of things between you and Kassil, but I believe he’s not finished with you.”

A knot begins to form in my stomach.

My mind travels to the past, flashes of moments between Kassil and I—few loving, most abusive, all behind closed doors. In public view, especially before Netharis, we were the perfect couple.

A perfect couple in a hellish court with a closet full of dark secrets.

I would still be with him if it weren’t for Druka.

She saved me. And that’s an entire separate mess I wish would have ended differently.

Silence fills the room between us, and whether it’s been a gradual shift or it’s always been this way, Vaelyn and I stand worlds apart. I’ve never felt so distant from him, and a twinge of sadness tightens in my chest.

We’ve always been compared to one another, and I’ve always been second-rate. I lack traits and skills demons value, and I’ve been denied the opportunity to improve with little or no reason given. For centuries it bothered me, but looking at Vaelyn now, seeing what he’s becoming, I don’t want it.

I never truly wanted it. I simply wanted to be accepted.

“Why would Netharis strip you of your status as Death Bringer?” Vaelyn’s question jars me out of my thoughts.

“To punish me for Celesta’s actions,” I say, giving him a cynical smile.

“Celesta?” His expression grows confused.

“Our mother,” the words are heavy with sarcasm, “insists Netharis has kept me from my Fate,” I answer and Vaelyn’s brows raise. “She pulled me into the living realm when I went on a reaping with Ylara—”

“Impossible,” Vaelyn interjects, wildly shaking his head. “Demons can’t—”

“I thought the same. We were lied to.” I hold up a halting hand, keeping my tone even. “Apparently the rules are slightly different forhalf-demons.”

Growing unnaturally still, Vaelyn becomes statuesque in his seat. He stares at me with wide eyes, his throat bobbing as he swallows.

“You can’t listen to her, Ves,” he says with a slow shake of his head. “She is the goddess of deceit. She seeks revenge against Netharis for keeping her bound to the moon.”

“It seems you know more about our mother than I do,” I say and he’s unable to meet my stare. “I’ve only recently come to learn about her history with Netharis.”

I shouldn’t be surprised Vaelyn knows more about our lineage than I assumed. He would have to learn all the secrets of the hells to become a successful ruler. But it stings all the same.

Finally, he speaks. “How did Celesta pull you through the veil?” he asks the question in earnest.

“I don’t know exactly. Whatever she did, however she did it—I stood among the living in amortalbody.”