Iris woke slowly.

  Warmth surrounded her. The soft thumping of a heartbeat echoed in her ears.

  She stiffened.

  It wasn’t her heartbeat. Her eyes opened fully, and she found herself lying with her head on Lilith’s chest. Lilith’s arm was draped loosely around her. Iris lay frozen, listening to Lilith’s soft even breaths. She was asleep.

  Iris slowly turned her head to look up at Lilith, heart pounding.

  She didn’t remember moving closer to her. But then again, she didn’t remember much after entering the limo. Only fragments lingered. Lilith’s hands on her, rough, holding her down, kissing her. She squeezed her eyes shut. It’s probably better if she doesn’t remember what happened next.

  But how did she end up in Lilith’s bed? Did they do something last night?

  She lifts the blanket slightly to see that she is clothed; a soft nightgown she didn’t remember changing into hangs loosely on her body. No doubt Lilith’s. Then she remembers more fragments. Lilith’s hands, gentler than before, a blanket being drawn up around her, the light going out. And then…a voice. Low. Soft.

  Sorry.

  Did she imagine that? Lilith apologizing seemed nearly impossible. Yet she held her now with gentle arms. Protective, not possessive. This unsettled Iris. Lilith, who always does what she pleases, apologizes to her.

  Iris shifted, trying to move away without stirring Lilith. When Lilith shifted slightly, she froze. She swallowed; it felt impossible to escape without her noticing. Even if it were possible, it could lead to more trouble, and that was the last thing Iris wanted. She had decided it’d be best to stay on Lilith’s good side for a while.

  She thought back to Elion. Maybe, in the future, she can get in contact with him. Get some help. He seemed kind. Maybe he’d protect her if she told him what had happened last night.

  No…She didn’t suppose he cared. She knew better than to think his interest was in her and not in getting to Lilith. But if helping him get to Lilith ended up being beneficial to Iris, she’d be willing to take a risk and trust him.

  Iris lay still, contemplating what she should do.

  Lilith stirred.

  Iris froze, her breath catching in her throat. She forced her eyes shut, pretending she had never woken up.

  Lilith’s arms tightened slightly, not forcefully, almost like it was instinct. Her chest rose beneath Iris, fingers curling faintly around the fabric at her waist, as if she were just registering her presence and deciding not to let go.

  Lilith’s eyes opened.

  For a moment, she didn’t move. She looked down at Iris, eyelids half-opened, heavy with sleep. Then she relaxed, a soft sigh escaping her lips. Her body relaxed, and a small smile found its way onto her lips.

  “I know you’re awake, Iris,” Lilith murmured, voice low and drowsy.

  Iris opened her eyes and looked up at her as Lilith gave her a gentle squeeze.

  “You moved closer.” She said, sounding pleased and a bit relieved.

  Iris looked away. “I don’t remember doing that.”

  She had thought Lilith had pulled her closer in the night.

  Lilith didn’t comment. Her arms loosened, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she shifted, giving Iris space. An invitation for Iris to move away.

  Iris hesitated, not sure if it was a test.

  “You were clinging to me in your sleep,” Lilith said quietly, “and shaking.”

  Iris stiffened. She hadn’t realized.

  “I didn’t want to wake you,” Lilith added after a pause, sort of like she was trying to explain herself. “You were sleeping better like this.”

  She almost sounded apologetic.

  Iris wasn’t sure how to respond to that. She pushed herself up carefully, letting Lilith’s arms fall away. To her surprise, Lilith didn’t protest, didn’t pull her back like she would’ve the morning before.

  Silence settled between them.

  The air was heavy, and Lilith watched her like she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. This time, the tension seemed to affect Lilith as much as Iris. She looked uncomfortable.

  Good. Iris thought. Let her squirm for once.

  Iris’s phone chimed on the nightstand. She reached for it, grateful for the distraction as the screen lit with a message notification.

  Ray.

  Iris didn’t bother hiding the message from Lilith as she read. She even kept her phone tilted so she could read it if she felt the need to.

  It was safer this way. She didn’t need more negative attention on Ray

  You okay? I haven’t heard from you in a couple of days.

  Her chest tightened.

  She realized how much she had been neglecting him. After Friday. The beating…Lilith’s jealousy. She’d been afraid to reach out.

  Lilith watched her from the bed, gaze sharp despite her calm posture. Iris could feel her eyes on her skin as her fingers hovered over the keypad.

  She wasn’t sure how she should reply.

  She couldn’t tell him the truth. She wasn’t okay.

  She wanted to tell him. About Friday… about last night. She wanted him to comfort her, to hold her and tell her everything will be alright. She needed her friend now more than ever.

  Instead, she kept the message simple. A believable lie.

  I’ve just been busy with the new job, sorry.

  A pause. Then—

  I promise I’ll try to find time to see you soon.

  “That boy,” Lilith said, breaking the silence. “I’d like to meet him.”

  Iris froze.

  Her eyes locked on the three dots flashing as Ray typed his response.

  “I…why?” Her grip tightened around her phone. “I thought you weren’t interested in him.”

  “I’m not.” Lilith sat up, sheets sliding down and pooling in her lap. “But he’s important to you.”

  Iris felt her stomach sink.

  “You should invite him for dinner.”

  Her phone slipped from her fingers, landing on the bed as Ray’s reply came through with a soft chime, the screen black now..

  “What?” The suggestion caught her off guard, making her words come out sharp. “Why would you…”

  Her mind raced. What was Lilith thinking?

  “You were upset last night.” Lilith paused, then added quietly, “Having him here will… comfort you.”

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  Iris’s unease deepened

  Ray in this house. Near Lilith. Seeing how she lived now/

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Iris said carefully.

  Lilith tilted her head. “Why not?”

  Iris hesitated.

  She didn’t want Ray anywhere near this place. Didn’t want Lilith to know anymore about him, to see how close they were.

  Besides that, what would she even tell Ray?

  Surprise, I’ve been living with a goddess? A supernatural being?

  He’d think she was losing her mind.

  And if he didn’t think that, he’d start asking questions. He knew how to pry answers out of her.

  He’d learn that she sold herself to Lilith, whether he believes it's supernatural or she’s just some rich lady who took an interest in Iris.

  Ray wouldn’t accept this arrangement. He’d try to take her away.

  If that happened, Lilith would lose her temper again. Iris wasn’t confident she could protect Ray if that anger was turned towards him.

  And if he did…

  Lilith would lose her temper again.

  Iris swallowed hard, her grip tightening around her phone.

  She wasn’t sure she could protect him if that anger turned toward him

  “I haven’t told him about you,” Iris said quickly. “I mean…of course I haven't told him about the deal. About what you are. I just told him I got a new job. I don’t know how to explain this…Explain us living together.”

  Lilith smiled then, soft and somewhat kind.

  “Is that all you’re worried about, doll?”

  She wrapped her arms gently around Iris’s waist, leaving space for her to pull away. Iris didn’t think it smart to do so.

  “Tell him what you tell the rest of the world,” Lilith murmured. “Tell him I’m your girlfriend.”

  A pause.

  “Or your sugar daddy, if that’s easier.”

  Iris heard a trace of amusement in her voice. She was only half joking

  Iris bit her lip, dread settling deep in her stomach.

  This wasn’t Lilith being cruel or calculating, she realized.

  Iris would’ve expected that. She would have understood it.

  Preferred it, even.

  Lilith was trying to make things right. This wasn’t enough but Lilith was trying nonetheless.

  Gentle arms tightened around Iris, meant to comfort. It felt unreal. Lilith being careful. Being kind. Not reminding Iris who she belonged to. .

  The option to refuse was there…yet it felt impossibly far away. Although Lilith didn’t press, Iris felt her eyes as they bore down on her.

  “What do you say, doll?” Lilith asked softly, lips near her ear. “I’ll stay out of your way. I’ll let you two catch up.”

  Iris’s shoulders slumped.

  Another moment of silence. Weighing her options.

  “...I’ll invite him,” she said at last, knowing there was no other option.

  Iris wasn’t willing to lose Ray. And Lilith wasn’t willing to give up Iris. There was no world where she could keep both of them separate forever.

  Lilith smiled and pressed a kiss to Iris’s cheek.

  “Good. Let’s get dressed and have breakfast,” she said lightly. “You should explain things to your friend before he comes over. We don’t want to give him too much of a shock.”

  Iris didn’t respond.

  She just stared down at the black screen of her phone, Ray’s unanswered message waiting for her. The phone felt heavy now. Opening the message felt like a bad omen.

  Across the room, Lilith moved as if nothing had happened the night before.

  In her mind, everything was fine and normal.

  Iris exhaled slowly and placed the phone on the nightstand.

  She needed to gather herself before she called him.

  Breakfast first.

  Then she’d invite him.

  For the first time, she found herself hoping he’d be in the hospital again

  After breakfast, Iris wanted nothing more than to retreat to her room and be alone.

  Lilith had other plans.

  She suggested some quality time together. Iris noticed a hidden meaning behind it. As if she were reluctant to let Iris out of her sight

  Iris chose not to argue.

  She curled into the corner of the couch, legs tucked beneath her, while Lilith settled into a large armchair with a book.

  “Will your friend be joining us tonight?” Lilith asked, flipping open her book.

  Iris shifted, feeling her phone heavy in her pocket.

  Ray's last message still unopened.

  “I was planning on calling him…” She said quietly. “I have a lot to explain.”

  She still didn’t know what she would say.

  Lilith didn’t press further, but the reminder was enough for her to feel the pressure.

  With a quiet sigh, she pulled her phone from her pocket.

  Better to get it over with.

  The screen lit up

  Ray's message opened immediately.

  I hope so. Its been soooooo long. You haven't even called me.

  Iris read the message as her thumb hovered over the call button

  She hesitated.

  Maybe she shouldn’t call

  Maybe she could tell Lilith he was busy.

  She glanced in her direction. Her eyes remained fixed on her book, calm, uninterested..

  Iris had a feeling that Lilith would know if she didn’t follow her orders. Even if they weren’t explicit orders.

  Iris exhaled before finally pressing call

  It rang once.

  Twice.

  “Iris?” Ray’s voice came through, warm and familiar, a hint of relief like he’d been waiting for her call. “Hey…I’ve missed you. Has your job been keeping you busy.”

  Her throat tightened.

  “A little…”

  She closed her eyes briefly.

  “I’ve also had to catch up on schoolwork…You know how my uncle is.”

  Not technically a lie…Not the whole truth. She could do this.

  There was a moment of silence.

  “I know…” His voice was quiet now, concerned. “Did he hurt you?”

  Guilt twists in her stomach.

  “You disappeared. I’ve been worried sick.”

  “I know,” she said softly “And I’m sorry…I really am. He didn’t hurt me.”

  Her gaze dropped, fixed firmly on the floor. She didn’t dare look at Lilith, who was most certainly listening to every word.

  There was a faint rustle on the other end, like he was shifting the phone. Iris imagined him leaning forward, elbows on his knees. He often did that when they spoke of something serious.

  “Did something happen?” He asked. “You sound…off.”

  Her fingers tightened around her phone. Once again, she had the urge to tell him everything.

  The deal. The bruises. The way Lilith had touched her. She was used to hiding things…just not from him.

  “I just…” she swallowed. “A lot has happened.”

  Ray didn’t push right away. He never did..

  “Can I see you?” He asked after a moment. “Even just for a little bit….I’m not in the hospital so I can come to you.”

  Another pang of guilt shot through her stomach.

  He wasn’t in the hospital.

  That meant that he would come, no matter how much she willed him not to.

  Her gaze flicked toward Lilith again.

  Although she kept her eyes on her book, she knew she had heard everything,

  “Actually…” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “thats why I called…Would you like to come over for dinner tonight?”

  She had to force the words out of her mouth.

  “Dinner?” He echoed in surprise. “At your place.”

  “Yeah,” She swallowed. “I thought it’d be nice.”

  She’d be lying if she said she didn’t want to see him despite the circumstances.

  “But you don’t have a kitchen.” He said. “I mean, I’d love to come anyway.”

  “About that…” Iris hesitated. “I moved out.”

  “You moved?! Where?”

  She forced herself to continue

  “You met someone?” he said, a grin clear in his voice. “Iris, that’s great. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t mean to keep it from you,” she said quickly. “It just… happened.”

  “I’ll send you the address. See you at five?”

  “I’ll be there.

  Her chest tightened.

  She almost told him not to come. To stay far away.

  But she wanted to be selfish.

  She knew that seeing him was selfish.

  She swallowed her words anyway, even though she knew that staying in his life had always been selfish of her.

  And still…she wanted him near.

  “Hey… Iris.”

  Ray said after a moment of silence.

  “Yeah?”

  “I missed you.”

  Her vision blurred.

  “I missed you too,” she said softly, only now realizing how much it had hurt to stay away.

  With that, the line went dead.

  Iris lowered the phone slowly, her chest tight with a mix of relief and dread.

  Ray was coming.

  And she could only hope that she wouldn’t be putting him in danger.

  Because she wasn’t sure she could protect him from this.