“You returned to Ryc after all,” Rowen says, letting his eyes slide to Lilith. “He didn’t lie.”
He? Ryc?
Ryc wouldn’t tellRowenI’ve returned. Not when we’ve kept ourselves hidden for months now.
Confusion pinches my brows.
Lilith’s typical dazzling smile falters as she turns her gaze to me. The look on her face carries a note of regret and apology.
“And you’re not the goddess of death,” Rowen adds in quiet surprise.
Goddess of death?
Why would I—dread seeps into my veins as his logic becomes clear.
Rowen believesIreplaced Netharis.
Which means theHigh Councilbelieves I’m the goddess of death.
From his perspective, ascending as the goddess of death makes too much sense. I delivered on my promise. I killed my father. Rowen’s contract bursting into hellfire would be more than enough evidence of my success. No truedemonwould turn down the opportunity to claim the power of agod.
Only I did.
“No,” I finally find my breathy voice as I hold the stare of the Sovereign King. “I’m not.”
His eyes narrow.
Ryc, Fenryn, Cyran and another guard—one of Fenryn’sjudging by the gilded armor—appear beyond Lilith, shortening the length of the foyer with a quickened pace.
“How many Sovereign Kings lurk in Ollora tonight?” I ask Eve in a low whisper.
Her eyes slide to mine over her shoulder. “Too many,” she whispers as she turns her gaze forward. She shifts her weight, curling a hand around the bandolier of daggers strapped across her chest.
Too many, but she’ll fight them all.
A First General on the battlefield without question.
Rowen approaches in a few steps and Eve tenses under my touch.
“Thank you,” Rowen says, his voice low. “For returning to him.” There’s surprising warmth in his tone.
“Thank Gaia,” I return, meeting his warmth with ice.
Surprise streaks through his deep brown eyes before he tosses a glance over his shoulder. “Alaryc, I wondered how you staved off the consuming madness. I suspected, but…” He pauses, turning back to me to hold my stare. “These are things we should discuss in private.”
Ryc steps in beside Rowen.
“I’d like to have a word with Ves alone first,” Ryc says coolly, giving Rowen a rather glacial look.
“Of course,” Rowen deigns with a slight nod.
Turning, Rowen retreats, joining Fenryn and Lilith.
“How’d you think this was gonna go?” Fenryn asks Rowen in rather patronizing tones.
Before I can hear a response, Ryc gestures, ushering us into the study we came close to escaping. Cyran follows, closing the door behind him. The moment the latch catches, Ryc folds his arms across his chest. Both Eve and Cyran linger silently near the door as I meander into the center of the room.
“I hoped to catch youbeforeRowen,” Ryc’s firm voice breaks the silence.
