Page 93 of As Above, So Below

“He’s the Captain of the Royal Guard,” he clarifies with a small smile. “It looks like he has Lilith with him.”

“So much for ditching duty,” I laugh weakly, wrapping my fingers around the mug.

“She’s not looking for me.” He shakes his head, raising his mug of coffee to his lips.

“How can you be sure?” I scoff a laugh. “Are you not her personal guard?”

He sips his drink before returning it to the table. “I am responsible for her, yes,” he muses. “But she’s just as safe with Cyran as she would be with me.”

“The Captain doesn’t look as entertained by the duty as you.” I arch a brow as I watch Lilith and her chaotic energy set the fae’s face into a scowl.

“That’s just Cyran,” Ryc laughs. “Though, I will warn you, he tends to follow the Sovereign King. He must be in the area.”

I freeze, the mug stopping mid-way between the table and my lips.

My little illusion of living carefree in Ollora shatters and reality crashes into me. Fear-induced clarity sweeps through me and I lower the mug. I’ll never have mornings like this. Not while there’s a Sovereign King, not while Netharis hunts me.

I shouldn’t be here.

I’ve entertained this dream for long enough.

Pushing my mug away with trembling hands, my shadows swirl up around me.

“Ves—”

His voice falls away as my shadows vanish, leaving me and my thundering heart standing alone in my quarters within the Moon Temple.

?????????????

Days later, I open my quarters door.

A young human man with bright blue eyes and sandy blond hair greets me with a smile. He wears black temple robes, but I’ve never seen this man before now.

Confused, I glance down the hall and find it empty.

“Vestaris?” he asks.

He’s holding a dark wooden box.

I shoot him a weary glare.

“Yes.”

Pushing the box in my direction, he says, “This arrived in this morning’s post for you.”

He drops the box into my hands, and it nearly slips through my grasp—it’s significantly heavier than it appears. Curling it in my arms and clutching it to my chest, the man turns and leaves without further conversation. Confusion growing, I watch him for a moment before retreating into my quarters, nudging the door closed with a foot.

I haven’t left the temple in days.

Not since the morning with Ryc.

I haven’t heard from him in that time either. Thankfully.

He’s proven a distraction. And even if he is deemed worthy enough to protect Lilith, I can’t afford distractions. Not right now.

He moves too closely within the circle of the Sovereign King, and playing with him is playing with hellfire. One small mistake and everything,everythingturns to ash.

Carrying the box across the room, I set it upon my bed.