Page 79 of As Above, So Below

With a weak smile, I scoff a small laugh. “You’re not the first to notice.”

Cora meets my gaze. “You’ve been staring at your stew for the past ten minutes.” She flashes a pretty half smile.

Opal, sitting on my right beside Aenwyn, laughs. “Can you blame her? It’s as if this week’s kitchen rotation doesn’t believe salt and pepper exist.”

The others laugh and my eyes bounce to the faces surrounding me.

“Is it bad?” I ask, lifting my spoon to shift the thick stew of vegetables and beef around. “It looks fine enough.”

More laughter.

“Taste it. Experience the fine culinary delight the temple of Celesta has to offer,” Eve encourages playfully.

As their eyes watch my every move, I place a spoonful of the stew in my mouth, only to grimace. The table erupts with laughter, and Eve claps in slow applause. Not only is the stew bland, but after sitting out untouched it’s gone cold. A flavorless congealed substance sits upon my tongue, and it takes an unnecessary amount of willpower to force it down.

“Tell me again how it’s fine,” Eve laughs, her ice blue eyes gleaming with her amusement.

“If you want good stew, you have to go to The Lioness,” Aenwyn says, pushing her own bowl of barely touched stew away from her.

Opal lights up. “They’re hosting a fight tonight. Are any of you going? I thought about it, but I’m not sure I want to wade through the crowd Tarron will draw.”

“I’m not going, but Eve is,” Cora chimes her answer, glancing at Eve as she speaks.

Eve nods. “Yeah, Tarron asked me to come support him while he’s in town.”

“Fight? A sanctioned one?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.

“Yeah.” Eve smiles. “The Lioness hosts matches once a month. This month my friend Tarron is up against some fae from Gersand with a zero loss streak.”

“You should go with Eve. She could use the company,” Cora says, pulling her half empty glass of water closer. “I’ve no interest in the fights, too violent for me. But you’ve been in the temple all week, you haven’t explored much of Ollora.”

“Would watchingmortalsfight even be something you’d want to see?” Eve asks, emphasizing the word with a playful grin.

Laughing, I reply, “I think I would enjoy watching yourpeoplein a match.”

Eve’s brows shoot high in mock surprise and amusement. “Oh, so they’remy peoplenow?”

“Eve, please,” Cora chides, laughing. “She’s trying.”

No, I haven’t tried. Mortals are mortals.

“Well, they’re notherpeople,” Opal quips, drawing my attentionto her. “And I’m sure tonight’s match won’t be near as vicious as anything she’s participated in.”

“I’ve never participated in a sanctioned fight,” I reply, brows creased.

She scoffs her disbelief. “I’ve heard about the Abyssal, the bloodbath that is. I find it hard to believe the daughter of Netharis never participated.”

We’d almost made it through an entire meal without Opal’s tongue. I hope for too much, apparently. At least this time she isn’t taking aim at Cora. I’m more than happy to be her target. I have no qualms about bearing my fangs and cutting her down.

Refusing to back down from her pointed stare, I lean forward onto my elbows. “Prizes don’t get to participate,” I retort coldly.

The table falls silent, and Opal tears her gaze away as she purses her lips. A wicked satisfaction creeps over me. I prefer when her mouth is shut.

“But please, continue to make assumptions about my existence in the hells.” I fold my hands on the table.

“Good gods,” Cora breathes, her concern evident on her face. “If Celesta knew her daughter was used in such a way—”

“She’d do nothing,” I interrupt. Turning to Eve, I say, “Yes. I’d like to go with you tonight.”