Page 98 of As Above, So Below

With any luck, his answer could give me insight into what I could offer in exchange for his service, his protection.

“Time with you.”

I blink, the air evaporating from my lungs. Not the answer I expected.

I expected a lie.

Iwould have lied.

Heshould have lied.

“I realize this isn’t ideal for either of us,” he says after an extended pause. “Things are… complicated.”

Heaving a sigh, I swallow hard. “You have no idea,” I manage with a sardonic laugh.

Ryc stops, placing a hand over mine. “You see, little witch, it’sgetting harder to stay away from you.” His fingers entwine with mine, and my heart leaps into my very dry throat.

He lifts my hand, cupping it against his cheek, and I freeze, barely breathing. His touch on the back of my hand sears my skin as my palm rests against the face I’ve yet to fully see. The gesture races right into my stupid little heart, and my feet move without thought, without hesitation, closing the distance between us.

“It’s you,” he says softly, drawing me closer by my waist.

His hand slides over the small of my back, the heat of his palm through my shirt is enough to set me on fire. My entirebeingis drawn to him in a way I don’t understand.

It feelsimpossibleto understand.

He smirks, as if he can hear my thoughts. “Like I said, complicated.”

“What kind of faerie magic is this?” I ask, breathy, staring up at the shadowed face peering down at me.

His full lips curl into a sanguine smile. “No magic, I can assure you.” He lowers my hand, brushing his lips against my palm, tracing them down to the sensitive skin of my inner wrist.

The sensation leaves me languid, every sense zeroing in on his lips, prompting my thoughts to spiral in search of delight. All logic leaves me, replaced with scorching desire. As if he knows exactly what he’s done to me, he grins, as he releases my hand and his arm vanishes from around my waist.

“Your guard watches,” he says softly.

Shifting his face to his right, I follow his gaze. Eve leans against one of the buildings near the edge of the crowd. Arms crossed over her chest, she stares openly in our direction. Briefly, our eyes met and she arches a dark brow.

“I’m needed at the castle soon,” Ryc says, and I tear my eyes away from Eve. “There are things we should discuss in private. Meet with me tonight?”

Forcing myself to step back, to reclaim some space and sanity, I nod. A feeble gesture, my voice lost. He flashes me a handsome smile.

“Then I shall find you,” he says and, with a departing glance, begins toward Eve.

He gives her a small nod as he passes, one she doesn’t return. Instead her eyes remain fixed on me as he vanishes into the crowd.

I imagine Eve has thoughts.

And I imagine I’m about to hear them.

The stern look on her face says it all as she pulls herself from the wall.

“You good?” she asks, her tone firm. “When you said hunt a fae, I thought demons were supposed to be the seducers, not the seduced.” She drags her eyes over me, arching a brow as she smirks.

She’s not wrong.

But Ryc… Gods, all logic goes out the window when he draws near. And it’s getting worse each time we see one another. None of it makes sense.

Meeting her ice blue stare, I shake my head. It’s the only thing I can do as I struggle to find my voice.