Page 71 of Broken Obsession

“That’s correct. Nyoka is in this wave of Black Harts. He and Ares are quite close. I’m surprised you haven’t met him already.”

Considering Ares hadn’t allowed Eden out of his room all night and morning, he wasn’t.

“So, does that mean you were a Black Hart yourself, once upon a time?” Eden asked.

“I was.”

“…Yet you fear Ares.”

Her expression contorted, judgment clear. “I’m not sure I’m following your confusion. The gods—”

He laughed before he could stop himself. “He isn’t a god.”

“He’s the closest thing to one you or I will ever get to,” she stated. “Look, a word of advice? Believe whatever you’d like,” she held his gaze, “offcampus. When you’re here, be wise. The God of Creation and the God of Reality aren’t like the rest of us. They’ve seen things, experienced things, we couldn’t even fathom.”

Who was the God of Reality?

“Even the other founders know better than to cross them. Our families all maintain a respectable distance. The current batch of Black Harts are the only ones who can get close without risk, and my aunt fears for Nyoka’s safety all the time.” Celeste straightened in her seat when the door opened, expression turning blank in a flash.

Ares of course noticed, pausing in the doorway with his hand resting on the gilded knob. “You were talking about me.”

“Not at all,” she lied breezily, but it was only so convincing. “I was merely explaining to Mr. Baldur what to expect as a professor here.”

“Anything you’re unhappy with?” Ares stepped up to Eden’s side.

He shook his head. “No, it all sounds like what I expected.”

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but just as it seemed he was going to call him out for his bluff, he shrugged. “All right. If we’re done here, I’m going to tour him around campus.”

“His office has already been prepared,” Celeste replied. “Classes begin tomorrow.”

“That isn’t exactly a lot of time to go over the syllabus,” Eden pointed out. They were really making him jump in headfirst.

“This is Sacrum Cor,” she reminded. “Students who attend here pay a large sum and expect a certain level of professionalism. I’ve already gotten several calls from angry parents because the class has been on hold for nearly two weeks. Since Ares has faith in you, I’m sure you can handle things from here, Mr. Baldur.”

“Careful,” Ares quipped, though he didn’t seem annoyed. Instead, the corner of his mouth lifted. “Eden likes a challenge.”

“Perfect.” She stood and bowed her head. “If there’s nothing else?”

“We’ll get out of your hair,” he reassured, taking Eden’s hand and leading him from the office despite his protests. Once out in the hall, he didn’t let go, keeping a strong hold on him as they headed toward the exit of the building and out into the bright sunlight.

The chill was brutal, a sharp contrast to the warmth inside, and Eden gave a full-body shiver.

“I told you to dress appropriately.” Ares finally let him go, but only long enough to shake off his thick peacoat. He draped it over Eden’s shoulders and then linked their fingers, rolling his eyes when Eden tugged his hand free.

“Not here,” he said.

“You aren’t seriously suggesting I’m not allowed to touch you on campus,” Ares drawled. “Does that include Castle Black?”

Students rushed to and from buildings, taking the sidewalks as quickly as possible without risking slipping on some of the icier paths. A few of them had already noticed Ares and were risking stolen glances, but for the most part, they went ignored.

Still.

“I’m new here,” Eden explained, “and I’m a professor. I need them to respect me. It’s already going to be hard enough, considering my work with Astral Realms. We aren’t dating. There’s no reason for you to hold my hand ever. And I don’t need you doing stuff like this.” He tried to remove the coat, but Ares slapped his palms over his shoulders, keeping it on.

“I’ll agree to a few days. Let you settle in and meet your students. But that’s the most I can promise, Paradise.”

He glared and stuck his foot down. “This isn’t a negotiation, Lucifer. I don’t know what you think is going on here, but you’ve been acting strange ever since last night. We had sex. That’s all. It happens. It doesn’t have to mean anything.”