Iris took a deep breath and turned the handle to cut off the water. Steam curled around her and clung to her skin—a comforting warmth she wasn’t ready to let go of. The heat had only eased her muscles slightly, as the tension from earlier lingered, clinging to every nerve. The thought that she’d have to return to Lilith only made it worse.

  She wanted nothing more than to turn the water back on and let the scalding heat burn away the memories of the past week. But Lilith had told her to hurry, and Iris knew better than to hesitate. There were always consequences for disobedience.

  Just as she reached for a towel, the door handle clicked. Iris froze. The door swung open, and her face flushed hot. She quickly wrapped the towel around herself in an instant. She hadn’t even been in that long.

  “Lilith?”

  Her chest tightened as she watched Lilith enter the room. Did she somehow anger her again? If Lilith were anything like her uncle, she’d find any excuse to put Iris back in her place. Despite that, Iris wasn’t ready to have her whole body exposed under that ice-cold gaze. Hadn’t Lilith embarrassed her enough already? Between the sudden kisses and the constant touching, Iris wasn’t sure how much more she could take.

  Lilith laughed softly, clearly amused by Iris’s flustered state. “Relax. I brought you some clothes.” She set them neatly on the counter. “Get changed and come to my room.”

  Her voice was calm—almost gentle—but there was an unspoken command that made Iris’s stomach twist.

  “I’ll give you three minutes,” Lilith added, already turning toward the door. “If you’re not ready by then, I’m coming back in.”

  The door shut with a quiet click

  Iris exhaled shakily and tightened her towel. She wished she could tell Lilith to knock, to give her even a sliver of privacy—but she knew better. If Lilith cared about boundaries, Iris would already have them.

  She dried off quickly, flinching when the towel brushed against the dark bruise on her stomach. Her breath caught at the sharp sting; a reminder of how easily Lilith’s affection could turn cruel.

  Dropping the towel, she reached for the folded clothes.

  As she went to put on the shirt, a faint scent made her pause—hands tightening on the soft fabric. Roses and smoke. Lilith. As Iris slipped it over her head, she realized that’s why it felt familiar.

  Why would Lilith give her one of her own shirts when Iris’s room was right next door?

  She sighed quietly and pulled on the underwear, trying not to dwell on it. Lilith was becoming harder to understand by the day. Then again, Iris didn’t understand most people. She’d never cared to. But with how things were going, maybe it’d be beneficial to learn at least a little bit about her master.

  She glanced in the mirror. The hem hung low, brushing the tops of her thighs, and the shirt was thankfully loose enough that it didn’t press against the bruise.

  With one last steadying breath, she turned from the mirror and opened the door to Lilith’s room.

  She paused in the doorway.

  Lilith sat on the edge of the bed as she scrolled through her phone. She looked too relaxed. A stark contrast to the anxiety building in Iris’s chest.

  When Iris stepped inside and closed the door, Lilith looked up. A soft smile curved her lips, and if Iris didn’t know better, she could’ve sworn a faint pink touched her cheeks. She stood and crossed the room toward her. The quiet, controlled steps reminded Iris that she was supernatural.

  “Your hair is still soaked,” she murmured, taking a thick lock between her fingers. Beads of water slid over Lilith’s hand and down toward the floor.

  She laughed softly. “I’ll dry it for you. Take a seat on the bed.”

  Releasing the strand, she turned to retrieve a towel.

  Iris didn’t hesitate this time. She moved to the bed and sat carefully on the edge; her hands folded tightly in her lap.

  Lilith returned and knelt behind her on the mattress. The bed dipped under her weight as she began to dry Iris’s hair, working slowly from the ends upward. Iris tensed, holding her breath a moment before forcing a slow, steady exhale. She focused on breathing. One breath, then another. She didn’t want Lilith to know how unsettled she was. The last thing she wanted was to give her the satisfaction.

  Silence settled between them. Too long before Lilith finally spoke.

  “I suppose this is my fault.” She said as she lifted another section of Iris’s thick hair. “I did rush you, after all.”

  Iris kept her gaze ahead of her and didn’t say anything.

  Another quiet moment. Lilith’s motions slowed near the roots—gentle, but contemplative in a way that made Iris’s stomach tighten. Then:

  “Tell me about that boy. Ray.” Her voice was almost casual, like two friends gossiping. “How long have you known him?”

  Iris froze. Why does she want to know about him? Is she going to hurt him?

  “He’s really just a friend.” Her voice was quiet.

  Lilith chuckled softly. “I believe you. I just want to understand your relationship. Hiding things will only make me suspicious.” She slid her arms around Iris’s shoulders and lowered her voice. “Unless he is your boyfriend.”

  Her arms tightened as her hot breath grazed Iris’s ear. “And if he is, it’s only a matter of time before I find out. So, you may as well tell me now.”

  Iris let out a small, defeated sigh. Lilith wasn’t going to let this go, and she didn’t want to make more of a target.

  “It’s not like that,” she said quietly. “He’s… more like a brother.”

  That seemed to satisfy her. Lilith loosened her grip and returned to drying Iris’s hair in slow, methodical strokes.

  “We met after my mom died,” Iris added, voice quiet. “Outside the hospital. He was there visiting his grandpa. Turns out we went to the same school… and we ended up getting close. I guess we bonded over our grief.”

  Lilith’s hands paused for just a second—gentle, but thoughtful in a way that made Iris’s skin prickle.

  “And you don’t have any feelings for this ‘Friend’ of yours?” Lilith asked as she effortlessly tossed the towel into a hamper across the room without looking.

  Iris shook her head. “I love him, but. . . like I said, he’s more like a brother.” She hesitated before adding, “Besides that, he’s into guys, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

  She regretted the words instantly.

  They weren’t dating. She owed Lilith nothing. And yet—why did she feel guilty for making Lilith think she might be interested in someone else? How did Lilith make her feel like a cheating girlfriend without even trying?

  But the air shifted. The slight hostility around Lilith had softened. The calmness around Lilith suddenly felt real, not just an act. Iris wasn’t sure if she was just imagining the change.

  Lilith smiled, soft and almost relieved, and crawled up toward the head of the bed. Ridiculous, she told herself. Jealousy was beneath her. Especially over something so trivial. She must have just been upset over the thought of Iris keeping stuff from her. Still… the tension in her chest eased. She refused to dwell on it longer.

  “Come lie with me, pet.” She said, patting the spot next to her.

  Iris shifted onto her knees and crawled to the other side of the bed, lying stiffly near the edge to keep space between them.

  Lilith sighed. Iris had an irritating talent for provoking her without trying.

  She scooted closer and hooked an arm around Iris’s waist.

  “Careful, pet,” she murmured, “or I might start thinking you’re trying to avoid me again.”

  Iris tensed. “I’m just…not used to being this close to people,” she admitted quietly. It wasn’t a lie. The only person she felt safe being this close to her was Ray. She definitely couldn’t admit that to Lilith. Not after how she reacted to their relationship on the roof. Lilith could easily choose that she didn’t believe that Iris’s feelings for Ray were innocent.

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  Lilith’s arms tightened around Iris, pulling her close until they were face to face.

  “Well,” she said softly, “I like keeping my things close. So it’d be smart to get used to it.”

  Her body relaxed as Iris’s stiffened further. “Maybe you could just move into my room. Then I’d actually get some time with you.” She half-joked as she rested her chin on Iris’s head.

  “I won’t avoid you anymore…” Iris whispered. The truth was, she didn’t have the option to avoid her. Her body still ached from being thrown onto concrete earlier, and she knew Lilith could do far worse. Stronger than Uncle Mark. Smarter. And unlike him, Lilith wouldn’t ignore the people in Iris’s life. Iris was certain that if Lilith wanted to use Ray against her… she would.

  “Good girl.” Lilith pressed a kiss to the top of Iris’s head. “Maybe you can be more affectionate at school to make up for the last week.”

  Iris closed her eyes, trying to relax, but Lilith’s grip was firm—possessive in a way that sent a cold shiver down her spine.

  “You can do that, can’t you?”

  A question with only one correct answer.

  Iris nodded.

  Lilith smiled against her hair.

  “Good, I’ll hold you to it.”

  Iris squirmed slightly but didn’t attempt to break free from Lilith’s grasp.

  Lilith closed her eyes as she grew more relaxed. Having Iris in her arms felt… right. Her hold loosened to something almost tender.

  Silence settled between them. Not uncomfortable like earlier. Just quiet. Heavy but calm. Lilith’s breathing was slow and steady against Iris. The warmth of her arms seemed to seep into Iris’s sore muscles, causing some of the tension she had been holding to seep out. Even the sweet smell of roses started to feel gentler, less suffocating.

  Iris felt her eyelids grow heavier. She forced them open… once, twice… but exhaustion dragged them shut each time. The day had worn her thin—pain, fear, the constant pressure of Lilith’s presence. All of it pressed down on her, soft and suffocating.

  She let her eyes fall closed. Just for a minute.

  Darkness washed over her before she could fight it.

  . . .

  A gentle brush on her cheek pulled her back.

  “Iris,” Lilith whispered voice low and warm. “Wake up.”

  Iris groaned and shifted. Where…? Her eyes opened sluggishly. The blurry room sharpened—and her heart quickened, hammering against her ribs as she realized where she’d been lying.

  Wrapped in Lilith’s arms.

  Head on her chest.

  Her own arm draped around Lilith’s waist as if this was where she belonged.

  “I…I fell asleep?” Iris choked, horrified. How could she let herself fall asleep?

  Lilith smiled softly, thumb tracing the line of Iris’s jaw with a gentle, unsettling familiarity.

  “Mhm. You were out for a few hours.”

  Her gaze didn’t waver from Iris’s face.

  “You looked peaceful. I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”

  A chill went down Iris’s spine. Had she been watching her this whole time?

  Iris rolled onto her back, breaking out of Lilith’s arms. Her heart was still racing.

  Lilith sat up slowly, tucking a strand of hair behind Iris’s ear.

  “You were exhausted,” she said gently. “I’m glad you were able to rest.”

  There was something unreadable in her expression, a subtle softness that didn’t belong to a creature like her. The sincerity was so realistic that it almost fooled Iris. But she’d be stupid to let her guard down.

  She leaned down and kissed Iris’s forehead softly.

  “Now that you're up, we should go out for dinner.” She smiled. “Somewhere near campus, so I can show you off. Also, I have something to talk to you about.”

  Iris swallowed. Lilith’s tone, her touch, her tenderness—it all felt wrong. Too intimate. Too real.

  Why bother pretending when they were alone?

  Lilith always seemed eager to let Iris know her place. So why was she pretending like Iris was more than just a way to pass the time? A pet to entertain her.

  Lilith was already up and moving before Iris had time to gather her thoughts, leading Iris to her room. She smiled and hummed as she rummaged through Iris’s closet, deciding what Iris would wear, how her hair should look, and whether to bother with makeup. Iris let herself be guided through the process; she put on the tight dress Lilith picked out, sat when she was told, and moved in the direction Lilith requested her to. Her body was on autopilot, her mind still buzzing with the uncomfortable knowledge that she had slept in Lilith’s arms. She had let herself be vulnerable. And what’s worse is that Lilith had watched her and seemed to enjoy every second.

  Before she knew it, Iris was being led into a restaurant that sat on the corner of a narrow street near campus. Warm gold evening light streamed through tall windows, mixing with candlelight flickering in crystal holders.

  They were seated in velvet chairs almost immediately after entering. The next second, they were ordering drinks. Iris intervened before Lilith could choose wine for her to order an old-fashioned, a familiar drink to ground her. Hopefully, it’d be strong enough to kill some of her nerves.

  This was the sort of place Iris had only seen on tv.

  Fancy. Expensive. Too quiet. Nothing like Uncle's restaurant. Nothing like any restaurant she had been to. It felt like it didn’t belong this close to the campus. Soft music drifted through the room, glasses clinked softly, and even the conversations were hushed.

  Iris clasped her hands together tightly. Despite her attire being appropriate, she felt painfully out of place.

  Lilith, however, fit into this environment flawlessly.

  She carried herself like she owned the place. No, more like the entire room existed because she was in it. Her supernatural elegance drew several looks, and Iris, despite herself, kept looking too. Lilith’s voice was smooth and controlled as she ordered in perfect French. It was almost hypnotizing hearing the foreign language being spoken with such elegance, like an incantation of some sort.

  When the waiter left, Lilith’s eyes returned to Iris. Intent. Pinning.

  Iris forced her gaze to the crystal glass in her hands, praying the dark liquid might soothe something inside her.

  Lilith didn’t speak right away. She let the silence stretch between them as she sipped her wine and watched Iris shift awkwardly in her chair.

  It was obvious her pet felt out of place. Lilith smiled softly. Iris didn’t know how beautiful she was. She didn’t notice the envious glances or the few lustful ones. Lilith told herself she preferred it this way—it made Iris easier to control.

  And that was all it was, she insisted to herself. Control.

  Not affection. Not fondness. Just control.

  Iris took another generous drink from her glass. Lilith sighed. At this rate, she’d be drunk before the end of dinner.

  Better bring it up now.

  “So,” she said lightly, “about what I mentioned earlier.”.

  Iris reluctantly met Lilith’s gaze.

  “There’s a gathering tomorrow evening,” Lilith said, swirling her wine. “A party of sorts. More of a political meeting disguised as a party. Important people will be there.” A faint smile tugged at her lips. Iris already knew where this was going. “I’d like you there.”

  Iris’s stomach twisted. “I…I’m not good with social situations.”

  “You’ll be fine, I’ll be with you.” Lilith reached across the table, placing a hand over Iris’s. “Besides, I’m not asking you to attend. I’m telling you that you will be there.”

  Iris opened her mouth to protest, but Lilith’s look shut her down instantly. Instead, she raised her glass to her lips, finishing the rest of her drink in one go before asking for another.

  Lilith signaled the waiter. “Of course, darling. Drink as much as you’d like.”

  A short silence followed until Iris’s second drink arrived. She took a small sip before speaking.

  “This party…will I be attending as your girlfriend or…” She shifted awkwardly; she hated both options, but the latter felt worse.

  Lilith chuckled softly. “You’ll be attending as my pet, of course. There won’t be many humans there. Except for the servants.”

  Iris nodded and focused her gaze out the window; she didn’t need to dwell more on the situation.

  “That being said,” Lilith continued, “it could be dangerous, so plan on sticking close to me.”

  Thankfully, the waiter arrived with their meals, ending the conversation.

  As they ate, Lilith eased into casual conversation—comments about the food, the weather, the people around them. Iris stayed quiet and had to resist flinching each time Lilith’s hand brushed hers. She didn’t know whether to find Lilith’s softness comforting or suffocating.

  The meal continued quietly. Iris finished her second drink and ordered a third. Lilith watched her thoughtfully as she lifted the glass to her lips. The alcohol was hitting her, but not enough to calm her nerves. She was still aware of Lilith’s eyes burning holes in her skin. Though the quiet, casual conversation almost made Iris believe that the rest of the meal would be peaceful.

  That’s when Lilith chose to strike again.

  “You know…” Lilith began, voice smooth as honey. “You look so peaceful when you sleep.”

  Iris choked on her drink. “W…What?”

  Lilith smiled, delighted by the reaction. “You look almost like an angel.” She took a slow drink of her wine. “I couldn’t help but watch you.”

  Heat crawled up Iris’s neck. Her grip tightened on the glass. The idea of Lilith watching her sleep made her skin crawl.

  “It was sweet…Almost domestic.” Her eyes glimmered with amusement. “Why can’t you be that affectionate when you’re awake?”

  Iris looked around to see if anyone was listening. Her chest felt tight. This was the perfect moment for Lilith to embarrass her. Public. Intimate. Impossible to escape.

  “You kept nuzzling me, too.” Lilith’s grin widened, teasingly. Almost fond.

  “W…What?” Iris hissed under her breath, mortified. “I...I didn’t.”

  Lilith leaned closer, her hand sliding over Iris’s knee beneath the table. Suddenly, the restaurant felt too small, too warm, too close.

  “You did.” Lilith leaned in, voice lowered like she was telling a secret. “And you looked so defenseless. Like a kitten.

  Something flickered across Lilith’s expression, a softness that didn’t belong there. A flicker of affection. Misplaced. Dangerous.

  She smoothed it away almost instantly, but Iris had seen enough to be terrified. She didn’t want to read into it. She couldn’t. Whatever Lilith was thinking… Iris wasn’t ready to know.

  Iris kept her gaze down, wishing she could sink into her chair and disappear. Her stomach churned, the alcohol turning sharp instead of soothing.

  Iris swallowed hard and lifted her glass to her lips again just as Lilith’s bright, cheerful laugh cut through the tension.

  “I’m just teasing you, darling.”

  She said it lightly, but something in her voice sounded strained. Like she was trying to convince herself it was only a joke. Lilith withdrew her hand. “How about some dessert?”

  Iris didn’t respond; she just finished her third drink quickly. Lilith didn’t seem to care either way. The question had been more of a statement.

  Cake and dessert cocktails arrived soon after. Thanks to the last drink, Iris’s mind finally blurred at the edges—enough to dull Lilith’s unsettling comments, though not enough to erase them.

  The rest of dinner passed in fragments: soft music, candlelight, Lilith’s laughter, the way people looked at them. Looked at Lilith. Looked at her.

  When they finally returned home, Iris excused herself immediately, slipping into her room before Lilith could say anything else. She didn’t even bother changing. She collapsed onto her bed, eyes squeezing shut as the room spun gently around her.

  Tomorrow she’d have to face Lilith again.

  And on top of that, the party—the idea of walking into a room full of inhuman beings as a deity’s pet—pressed down on her chest like a weight.

  Iris curled up under the blanket, gripping it weakly.

  She wished she never had to leave this soft bed. She wanted to cling to the floating numbness the alcohol gave her.

  But as her eyelids grew heavy, she knew morning would come far too soon.