Page 91 of As Above, So Below

“I’ve sat here silent. It has beenthemsinging all morning.” I throw an arm out toward the docks. “Ridiculously raunchy songs about huge breasts, soft skin, and supple asses.”

Ryc roars with laughter. He wipes at his face with his hand, as if he’s trying to wipe away his grin and failing. “You mean you don’t find it charming?”

“It’s as charming as a headache,” I retort with an arched brow asI watch the sailors below.

“Well, you’ve charmed them, little witch.” He hoists himself upright to sit beside me. “If you’re not careful, you’ll charm the whole of Ollora, including the Sovereign King.”

Oh, I know this game. And for a time in the court of the hells, I was an adept player.

I scoff a laugh, deciding to play along. “If that happens, would I have to see you more often?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Then I shall pass,” I say, trying to smother the smile on my face and failing miserably.

He rests a fist over his heart, mimicking a fatal blow as he slowly falls onto his back. “A siren indeed. Lured to my death after all.” He laughs at the sky.

This banter, this beguiling dance, it feelsgood.Familiar and known. Laughing, I ask, “Shouldn’t you be with Lilith?”

“Shouldn’t you be attending temple duties?” he counters with a smirk.

I open my mouth to speak and close it again, huffing a sigh through my nose. He’s not wrong. I should be helping Cora in the kitchens.

For a moment, the sounds of the North Docks fill the silence between us. Gulls call overhead, sailors load heavy cargo onto pulley systems hoisting them off ship, and various indiscernible voices bellow on occasion.

Ryc bolts upright, springing to his feet.

He offers me a hand. “Let’s go.”

My eyes narrow. “What?”

“I’m going to show you Ollora,” he says with a broad sanguine grin. “It’s one of your interests, is it not?”

I stammer, “It wasn’t an—”

“We’re both shirking our duties today. Let us enjoy the bit of freedom together,” he interjects as I stare at his hand.

Dragging my eyes to his unnecessarily handsome smile, I purse my lips.

“Eve—”

“Is welcome to join us should she find us.”

I lift my hand to his but hesitate, letting it hover.

“Who’s luring who now?” I ask, staring up at his shadowed face.

Laughing, he snatches my hand and pulls me to my feet with ease. “I’m not the siren, little witch.”

As much as I don’t want him to release me, for my own sanity I’m grateful he does. I should not feel like I’ve known this fae for eternity. Is this how it is with mortals? They’re simply open and easy to get to know? No wonder Netharis has little difficulty when offering them contracts.

This game is different. And whether it’s because of him, or this is how it is in the living realm…

Please gods, do not let me regret this.

“You’ll want to raise your hood,” he says, his tone soft. “You draw eyes with little effort.”

He steps close, reaching, and with tender care, lifts the hood of my cloak. He places it over my head, covering my hair as his fingers straighten the way it sets. Frozen, I watch him through my lashes, swallowing hard as his dizzying scent envelops me.