Page 90 of As Above, So Below

They work through the fog and threat of rain overhead, shouting, laughing, some whistling as they go about their tasks. A few sing, lyrics to a rather bawdy sounding song about women waiting in taverns with mountainous breasts and supple asses, their baritone voices ringing out with little care.

The street below streams with people stopping for fresh fish and seafood offered at the spattering of stalls lining the street. And Ihave to say, I’m not fond of the scent of what Cora has called ‘fruits of the sea’. How mortalseatsomething with such an off-putting smell is beyond me.

I slipped out of the temple before sunrise, hoping to watch the sunrise in the east, over the city. Had the sky not been darkened with clouds, seeing such a thing would have been magnificent with the looming castle and temple nestled near the city center.

Instead, I’ve spent the last few hours lingering here, watching these mortals. By now Eve is likely looking for me, or on her way here having read the note I left for her on my bed.

I know I’m not supposed to slip out without taking at least Eve with me. But she’s spent so much time with me since my arrival, I worry about it impacting her relationship with Cora. That’s a drama I don’t want or need.

In the corner of my eye, a figure sits down beside me, stretching their legs out, crossing them at the ankle.

“I’d hoped you’d take the morning to spend time with Cora,” I laugh. Glancing left, my laughter dies abruptly and I sit up. “Ryc?”

“Good morning, little witch.” He shoots me a grin from under his black hood as he leans back against the pitch of the roof, tucking his arms under his head. His hood drapes across most of his face, leaving only the tip of his nose to his jaw exposed. “I can see why you’d come here. It’s surprisingly tranquil.”

Why in the nine hells would this fae seek me out?

I scoff a laugh, shaking my head. “You can’t be serious.”

His smile becomes a tight-lipped smirk. “I only jest with friends, you’ll find.”

“We are not friends, Ryc,” I laugh, shaking my head. I’m reminded of the night at The Lioness.

The grin he gives me edges on wicked. “An oversight. One you should seriously consider correcting.”

“An oversight?” My laughter becomes incredulous. Truly this fae has the confidence of an archdemon. Perhaps even Netharis himself. “And if I’ve no interest in correcting said oversight?”

He rolls onto his side, propping his head up with a fist. “Are you telling me there isn’t interest?”

“Oh, there’s interest in many things,” I counter, laughing drylyas I lean back on my hands. “Seeing all of Ollora, reading, rainy days, birds—those things make the list. A fae with the confidence of a demon does not.”

A bold-faced lie.

I’m utterly intrigued by this fae.

All ofthisbetween us feels natural, easy, and welcome. I don’t understand it. I should be wary sitting up here with this unknown male, but I’ve never felt more at ease—it has to be some kind of fae magic.

He laughs, his lips quirking with amusement. “I suppose I’ve been accused of worse.”

“Yes, like stalking,” I counter, unable to keep the smile from my face.

Without missing a beat he says, “You drew me here.” My eyes race to his shrouded face, and my heart begins to beat a little faster. “I was out enjoying a morning walk when I happened to overhear some sailors. They’re convinced a siren watches them from the rooftops.”

“A siren?” I ask, my voice flat as I look out over the docks.

“Yes, a beautiful creature with a luring voice that preys upon them.” His impish reply is almost patronizing.

“I know what a siren is.” I shoot a scathing glare in his direction and he chuckles.

“Let me guess, you know a few?” His head tilts to the side.

I’m going to shove this fae off this roof.

“No.” I blink a few times with the strange assumption, my nose wrinkling.

He flashes another smile. “Doing my due diligence as a sworn protector of Erus, I investigated and found you. The siren.”

I can’t help but laugh at his absurdity.