Chapter Twenty-Four #2
Eve’s face pinches with confusion as she turns to me. “He didn’t read the contract?”
“No.”
“Nektos’ nightgown, I’m not going to tell Artemise.” She straightens herself, folding a leg under her. “That’s on you.”
“I’m not telling her anything.” I stand from the bed and move to add more wood to the fire. “My business is my own, and she’s made it clear Celesta only wants to keep me around in an attempt to use me to break her contract with Netharis.”
Eve’s eyes light up with realization. “The ritual during the eclipse.” She heaves a hefty sigh. “What kind of mess has Nektos woven for you, Ves?”
The fire pops and crackles as I set a small split log on the embers. Sparks float upward, carried by the heat. Lowering myself to sit on the floor, I warm my hands.
“I don’t have an answer for you, Eve,” I say softly. “I’ve been told by two gods I’m Fated, but I haven’t been told what my Fate entails aside from being able to alter the realms.”
“Alter the realms?” she repeats incredulously. “Who are you, Ves?”
A small smile curls my lips. “A broad question with many answers.” I use Ryc’s words from last night. “I’m still learning who I am, Eve. I’ve never been outside of Netharis’ control, I don’t know who I am yet.”
“Yet,” she repeats with a huff. “And his engagement ending? You can’t tell me it’s all coincidence,” Eve says and I peer over my shoulder at her.
“I can’t answer that either. But I made sure the contract includes a clause rendering him unable to use me to ascend the High Throne,” I answer, smiling.
“He cannot force me to marry him or any other Sovereign King. Doing so will result in his death. If he wants the High Throne, he needs to find a different winged fae.”
“And how long does the contract remain in place?” Eve asks, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Until death.” I shrug and her eyes bulge. “Or until I deem fit.”
Eve laughs in disbelief. “So death, then. Does he know that?” she asks, the pitch of her tone swinging wildly.
My laughter is dry, as dry as the burning log upon the fire. “He would, had he taken the time to read the contract.”
“Good fucking gods, Ves.” Eve rubs her temples with her hands. “Do you have to sow chaos everywhere you go?”
My laughter continues.
“No really.” The tone of her voice is laced with heavy concern. “If King Alaryc dies trying to protect you, it will leave Erus without a ruler. He is the last of the Witherhorn line. The other Sovereign Kings will go to war to claim Erus.”
Once again, I’m reminded of my mistake in neglecting The Royal Fae Families of Eldoterra. Knowing wouldn’t have changed anything though. This still would have been the outcome. I would have still offered him.
In the hells, indulgences were far and few between.
Here, they’re everywhere.
And Ryc is an indulgence, an urge I’m fighting not to placate.
“And what happens when Artemise or Celesta finds out?” Eve’s question prompts me to huff.
One hurdle at a time.
“Let me contend with Kassil before I consider them,” I answer.
A knock sounds on the door seconds before opening, revealing the broad smile of Lilith as she steps into the room. Her eyes volley between Eve and I as she swings the door wide, her eyes dancing with excitement.
“Lilith,” Eve laughs hesitantly. “You would show up right now.”
“Of course!” she says gleefully, flashing Eve a perfect grin.
She’s not wearing her temple robes this time. In place of the dark blue council robes I’ve seen her wear, she’s wearing a figure-hugging gown of forest green silk, much like the day in the Twilight Mire.
“Royal business and all,” she says playfully, stepping forward as a stream of fae staff garbed in black line into the room.
It’s then I realize I’ve left Ryc’s cloak strewn near the foot of the bed. I’d fallen asleep wearing it, because I’m a gods damned idiot. It’s too late now to try and hide it. If Ryc hasn’t told her, his cloak will.
As my room floods with bodies, all carrying various sized boxes wrapped in black, my heart begins to race. They set the boxes on the small table, filling it, on the floor around it, and on the windowsill. Each making sure to leave them in an orderly arrangement.
“What is this?” I demand, standing and pulling my blanket tightly around my shoulders as I watch the last of the staff leave. I don’t need Lilith seeing my demon mark.
Lilith bounces with excitement as she claps her hands.
“A thank you, and an invitation.” She throws a hand out in my direction, an envelope between her thumb and forefinger.
“Does Artemise know you’re here?” I ask, eyes wide.
Artemise would not let Lilith march through the temple with a fleet of royal staff behind her. Especially if Lilith tells her she’s here to see me. A hand flies to my forehead at the thought of Artemise knowing I’ve established a relationship with the royal family despite her warnings.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” Lilith answers in mischievous tones. “Surely, I wouldn’t wait for Artemise to leave the temple grounds while she meets with the rest of the council.” She shakes her head and her eyes gleam.
No, that’s exactly what she did.
I sigh again.
“Why she would meet with the other members and not invite me raises a few questions if you ask me,” she continues, arching a brow. “But who am I to question the whisperings of Celesta?”
What would Artemise have to say to the other council members she couldn’t or wouldn’t say to Lilith? And what purpose would it serve to keep Celesta’s words from her unless Artemise doesn’t want Lilith to tell Ryc?
Is no one honest?
About anything?
Is every living creature in this realm a varying shade of demonic? Do the behaviors of mortals and demons stem from the same selfish vein? I’m inclined to believe so.
Eve reaches, snatching the envelope from Lilith. She turns it over in her hands.
“Is this your handwriting?” she asks, laughing. “I should have figured you’d be all well-bred and have such perfect script.”
Lilith laughs. “You flatter me, Eve. But that’s Ryc’s writing.”
“Of fucking course it is,” Eve mutters as she passes the envelope to me.
Lilith closes the door behind the last of the exiting staff as I stare at the elegant handwriting on the front of the envelope. He’d written my name, my full name, in black ink. It’s foolish and stupid to get caught up in such detail, but my heart didn’t care about the concerns of my mind.
“It’s an invitation for you and Eve to attend tonight’s gathering,” Lilith speaks as I slip my finger underneath the wax seal, prising it open, but I do not unfold it. I’m not ready to read it yet. “It’s not a large affair. Ryc likes to keep things intimate.”
My mind travels to the female on horseback beside Ryc. What was her name? Will she be there? Will I be expected to simper and smile and cling to Ryc’s arm? Too many memories of the hells’ court surface and I suppress a shudder.
“Why did the engagement end?” I ask, meeting Lilith’s stare.
Clearing her throat, she blinks a few times. Processing my bluntness.
“Things have surfaced that even fae royal families cannot contest. Tanila has never held legitimate grounds to lay claim to Ryc.” Her answer skirts around the truth of the matter in a very fae-like manner. “Ryc is Fated to have his equal stand beside him. Tanila is not his equal.”
That’s her name. Tanila.
I understand the implication of her words.
“I am not Ryc’s equal,” I counter firmly and her smile grows.
“I never said you were, Ves,” her laughter tinkles like the light rain on the windows. “But I’ll make sure to let Ryc know your thoughts.”
I stammer, heat stinging my cheeks. “Lilith—”
“You’ll find everything you need for tonight there.
” She stands from the bed and begins toward the door with an ambiguous gesture toward the packages.
“Attire, shoes, jewelry—enough for both of you, as you’re both expected tonight.
Ves cannot be without her guard after all.
I can also send over Oraphia, your dedicated attendant. ”
“Attendant?” Eve scoffs a laugh.
“No,” I insist. “All of this is unnecessary.”
Her brows raise. “That couldn’t be further from the truth,” she returns. “You’re about to emerge into Erus society. All eyes will be on you.”
Before I’m able to argue, Lilith sweeps from the room, the crimson of her hair and green of her silk swirling behind her. The door closes and my heart lodges itself into my throat. It threatens to suffocate me, as I stare wide-eyed after her.
But it’s too late. She’s gone.
No. No. No.
I will absolutely not be emerging into Erus society.
Regret floods my chest as my lungs seize, launching the sensation of strangulation further. I gasp against it, a desperate attempt to try and breathe—to feed myself air, as I realize my mistake. The terms of our contract do not require him to remain quiet about our connection.
I should have known better. I should have anticipated this.
And because I haven’t, it’s going to be the hells’ court all over again.
Before I crush the invitation in my hands and throw it into the fire, I unfold it. A tiny slip of parchment glides to the floor, landing face down on the marble near my feet. Swooping down to snatch the fallen piece, I hand the invitation to Eve.
She scans over the invite. “What is that?” Her eyes dart from the paper in her hands to the one I hold as I straighten myself.
Turning it over, I read the seven words written in a breathtaking script and realize yet another failing of the contract I’ve offered Ryc. Between my fingers, in bold black ink, lies the intentions of the Sovereign King of Erus.
Now, you have my attention, little demon.
I didn’t add a clause against fae courtship.
Fuck.