Page 135 of Obsidian and Frost

“Sorry, Cor. Just finishing up something,” Sylas spoke, between licking, nipping, and kissing Lazriel. “I’m sure you can understand,” he said, as he shoved Lazriel onto the top of an empty desk on the edge of the aisle, then stepped between his spread thighs, actually grinding against him right there in class.

Some students looked on with erotic intrigue, but none seemed surprised, which said a great deal. Mostly about Sylas, I was sure, given his reputation as a maverick who strode to the beat of his own drum. Half his trouble without a doubt.

Given that Sylas clearly believed that Cornelius was teaching this class, it made sense that he’d think himself above being reprimanded. Sylas was a key member of Cornelius Martel’s Arcanum Order. Also, it was well known that Cornelius was very public with his affections for his husband, Warlow, hence Sylas’ line,“I’m sure you can understand.”

“Not Cornelius Martel, Sylas,” I spoke.

He stilled, recognizing my voice.

As he pulled from Lazriel and turned, I flinched at the sight of black lipstick marks all over his jaw and throat.

Lazriel didn’t wear lipstick and with me feeling their erotic play with Velra, it was very clearly hers. Fresh lipstick. She’d been all over him just moments ago.

When Lazriel pushed off the desk and turned to me also, I saw he was boasting the same marks.

I couldn’t help it, I flinched.

My stomach roiled and I had to clench my fists to prevent myself from reacting in a more obvious way.

Lazriel’s eyes were wide with surprise as he took me in.

But Sylas… his narrowed and fury burned out at me.

“Take a seat,” I spoke, flicking my magic at the door again. This time with more power than necessary, making it slam with a definitive and rather showy display of might.

The two of them took a few moments to get over their shock at me standing here, and then they settled into the two-seater desk.

Lazriel stared at me curiously, clearly connecting his talk with me days ago to me being on campus now.

Sylas continued to glare at me with seething anger, rapping his fingers sparking with his magic on the desktop, neither the threat nor the message in it lost on me.

Hmm.He was agitated that I’d revealed his sickness to Lazriel.

Well, it didn’t seem to have impacted their relationship if the display just now was anything to go by.Orwhat I’d felt the other morning from Velra’s end where the three of them had come together.

He had to wield control at all times and I’d taken that from him with what I’d done. Just as he’d done to me when he’d sent the wolf hybrid to my door.

I looked away and focused on the task at hand.

Personal matters could not be given attention at this juncture. I had a job to do.

Clearing my throat, I settled in the magical circle and began, “Welcome toRitual Ethics & Celestial Lawfare.I am Professor Ashmoor.”I clasped my hands behind my back. “This class willcover the philosophy of power. When to use it, when to employ restraint, as well as the cost of both. You will benefit from an inside look at Celestial doctrines. We will also explore free will versus duty: ethical decision-making in crisis, and moral paralysis versus necessary intervention.”

I saw students writing away, already immersed.

“The Celestial Plane mistook structure for righteousness. It led to the downfall of that plane and the True Celestials as we once knew them. Its laws no longer protected the innocent. Rituals once bound by oath were later bound by compulsion. They used magic to enforce what will no longer could. In doing so, they sacrificed sanctity for certainty." I shook my head. “Power has the ability to corrupt even those who believe themselves infallible and above such things.” I gestured at the textbook they’d all placed on their desks. “If you’ll turn to Section 3B, we will discuss the Celestial Plane’s transition from will-bound law to magical enforcement—the first step on the road to their decay and enforcement of oppression on their own and this mortal realm. Let us begin withThe Original Four Types of Celestial Beings: Visionaries, Healers, Anchors, Guardians.”

I smiled inwardly as I noticed that I had the attention of the entire class already.

This was clearly a topic they were deeply interested in.

That made sense, given that so much about the Celestial Plane had been either hidden in secrecy. With the Severance and the awful things that had almost come to pass, knowledge was key now. And these students were some of the first to get the chance to become informed.

Hmm.This was going to be much more pleasant and… dare I say it… enjoyable than I’d envisioned.

I threw myself into the lecture, strangely becoming much more evocative with my words and my motions, not just keepingmy hands clasped, and I was rewarded by surging interest and frantic notetaking from my students, many even raising their hands to ask impressively astute questions.

Through it all, I felt Sylas’ fury burning a hole into me, but I compartmentalized it away.