Not just observant, but astute.
I’m starting to understand how Lilith excelled as SovereignQueen of Erus.
“What’s in your boot, Ves?” she asks with a smirk and arched brow.
“My foot,” I answer, knowing damn well that answer isn’t going to satisfy her.
Her flat glare returns. “You lie and we both know it.”
“I’m glad to see you’ve come to understand how most demons function,” I reply with a smile. “I’d like to think I’ve proven I’m not a typical demon.”
Or at least, that’s what the hells have taught me.
Lilith heaves a defeated sigh, sinking into her seat. “I only wanted to celebrate with you. But fine… if youdohave Ryc’s gift. Consider giving it to him today. After these last few weeks, we could all use a bit of joyful news.”
We, as inErus.
Sweeping the book into the nook of her arm as she stands, she offers me a stunning smile.
Confused, I ask, “Are we not having today’s lesson?”
She pushes her chair to the table with her hip. “I have a few things I need to plan and prepare today,” she answers. “Tomorrow will be your most exciting lesson yet. I promise,” she says over her shoulder as she opens the door.
“Lilith—”
The door closes behind her.
And I heave a sigh.
Lilith and Eve rarely agree on anything. And I’m sure if they were here in the same room that would hold true. One of them would argue against giving Ryc his gift with the sole intent of nothing other than being contrary.
The end timesmustbe nigh.
Alone in the study, I pull the box from my boot and set it before me. I think now I understand what Ryc meant when he mentioned presenting my gift in his study wasn’t how he wanted to do things.
Iwantto do this.
The how of the matter may be less than ideal, but I suppose that shouldn’t bear as much weight as the outcome. I wedge the box slightly ajar and release. It snaps shut. The sound of the repeatedmotion drills into my head but quickly becomes white noise.
In a few short months, my entire world has shifted, changed…grown.
I walk among the living. I’m no longer under the crushing thumb of Netharis. I no longer have to deal with the hells.
Well, mostly.
My life is no longer the narrow slip of existence confined to the Tower and reaping in the veil. I don’t have to lose myself in books to escape to other worlds, I can step through the castle doors andstandin it. It’s become a wildly intricate, delicate, interwovenlifefilled with so many things that continue to leave me in awe.
Rycleaves me in awe.
Prying open the box again, it doesn’t snap shut.
Instead, it swings wide, revealing the ring inside. Perched upon a bed of thick, pale moss, the silver shines near blinding—polished to the high heavens. The band, constructed of silver and filigreed ivy leaves, is nearly identical to mine. It’s a touch wider—more proportionate for his hand.
But it’s the hellfire obsidian gem nestled between leaves that catches my attention. Waves of crimson, yellow, and orange wash over the surface, searing across shadow like hellfire itself.
It’s the perfect complimenting contrast to the ring he’s gifted me.
Placing my left hand beside the box, my ribs tighten.
