Page 146 of Obsidian and Frost

I chuckled. “You can take up the space that you actually need.”

“What if I—”

“Accidentally brush up against me when I climb in later?” I slapped my hand to my chest with mock dramatic tension. “Shit, I’ll freak the fuck out, Cassius. I mean, I’ll scream the place down and everything, maybe even blast the room to crap with my magic—Dark Fae and Wraith combined.”

A hearty laugh burst from him.

And it was amazing.

I pounced on the bed and crawled up it, straddling him.

His eyes widened and I saw his uncertainty. Not about me this time, but about the unspoken sexuality of it, his severe inexperience there.

I slapped my hands down either side of his head. “I’m glad you’re here teaching. You know, for the record, and everything.ButI don’t want you here just because you think you need to help me with my… issues. I can’t allow that.”

“I understand what you’re conveying. And, believe me, it’s not the only reason I’m here. As much as I wished to tell myself that initially. Our conversation has altered that and actually allowed me to admit to the real truth.” He sucked in a breath, then told me, “I’m here for you, because I want to be around you, be close to you… to bewithyou.”

“Then I’m all for it.”

He slid his hand into my hair, stroking softly. “Thank you. For reacting so powerfully and benevolently to my mistakes. For helping me to see the true reality here. I’m so sorry it had to come to this. I’m so sorry that I hurt you, Velra.”

“Well, you hurt yourself just as much—if not more. And mistakes are part of learning.” I grinned. “Isn’t that Teaching 101? Something you convey to your students?”

He grinned back. “I suppose it is.”

I sat back on my haunches. “There’s only one thing left to do now to set you—and us—on this better path, isn’t there?”

“Yes. Of course.” I watched as he lifted his hand, then his white magic sparked on it for a moment. He flinched and grunted, then a huge sigh of relief escaped him.

I actually saw the wound on his throat close up a little.

“You’d been using a ton of power when you’re this weakened to hold that muting of our Soul Brand on my end in place?” I asked, incredulous.

He grimaced. “My misguided attempt to protect you when you clearly don’t need it or want it.”

“It’s okay. You’re seeing it now, that’s what matters.”

And that he was finally here and workingwithme.

I choked in the next second as what he’d been holding back from me rushed over me in a sudden burst of sensation.

Pain.

Regret.

Guilt.

Embarrassment at being Fallen.

Worry that he was incapable of acclimating to this new life.

The stress and fear of not being able to aid Ketheron as he’d wanted.

The grief of turning his back on me.

The jealousy of me being with Lazriel and Sylas.

His fury, then ache for what Sylas had done to him earlier.