“It’s none of your concern.”
My brows crease.
That’sEve.
The caustic bite in her tone isn’t one I’ve heard often.
A quick, covert peek over the banister reveals Eve and Lilith standing on the other side of the foyer, near the main entry. It’s hard to see most contextual details from here—such as the expression on Lilith’s face—but Eve…
Sheradiatesfury.
Standing with her back to me, a hand perched on her hip, the other pointing fingers at Lilith, she continues to speak in low, hissing tones. Eve has at least six inches of height on me, and half that on Lilith, but right now she appears totowerover the Sovereign Queen Emeritus.
“Eve, it’s just—I know today’s—”
Lilith’s face turns to the right, as if she can feel my eyes upon her, and with expedited haste, I drop below the cover of the stone banister. I don’tthinkshe saw me, but… As I crouch on the top step holding my breath, waiting to hear Lilith call my name and expose the eavesdropper, a pair of silver clad-boots appear beside me.
“Gods damn it, Cyran,” I whisper fiercely, punching at the top of his armored foot. “Do not be seen!”
“What are you doing, Lady Ves?” he asks rather flatly.
Wide-eyed with the terror of being noticed, I lift my face, placing a finger against my lips. I point in the direction of Lilith and Eve and—
“Stop!” Eve snaps the command in a sharp shout and I freeze, every muscle in my body taking on an arctic grip.
Cyran’s attention snaps toward the main entry doors, his jaw and fists setting tight.
“Where was your concern months ago?” The question carries bitter hostility.
“Eve, it would be the right thing to do,” Lilith argues, calling outthe words. “It’s how we honor our de—”
“I’m not Ves!” Eve shouts, her voice sounding closer to the door than it had moments ago. “You don’t get to come into my life and tell me how to honortradition.”
“That’s not—I didn’t—” Lilith sighs in defeat. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah,you are,” Eve says coldly.
Light brightens the features on Cyran’s face as I stare up at him, and a cool breeze sweeps through, sending a slight shiver along my arms. The light lessens and the breeze dies before the chill can settle into my skin.
Eve’s left.
Through the main doors.
And instead of rising, I remain crouched, contending with my concern.
Tension between the two fae is nothing new—their perspectives tend to clash on nearly everything. Eve is too pragmatic for Lilith’s carefree and aloof nature. At the same time, Lilith is too tradition bound and Eve smites most expectations.
But whatever this is, it doesn’t feel like a simple disagreement.
This feels personal.
“Are you alright, Lady Lilith?” Cyran calls over the banister.
“Yes, Cyran, thank you,” she grants, her usual musical voice lacking its typical song. “I overstepped, I see that now.”
“You can stand now, Lady Ves,” Cyran says, peering down at me.
“Ves?” Lilith’s surprise and confusion is clear.
