Page 152 of Obsidian and Frost

“As for you helping me with my sickness, I’ve been waiting on your trust in me to be solidified, remember?”

“Well, considered itsolidified.”

“Yes?”

“Yes,” she said, linking her arms around my neck and holding me to her so intimately, so easily.

“Even with the fact that you felt the need to spell me with a Nexus Band?”

She tensed, her gaze dropping to my hand and the ring itself.

“It’s just a precaution,” she told me, gesturing at her watch, a sleek black band with an opalescent face. It was known as a Watch of Warding. Warlow Boyd had fashioned it for her. It didn’t tell time, but instead functioned as an early-warning system to detect if anyone within her bloodline was near—especially her brother, Sorin Tenebris. Sometimes it was visible, other times she had it glamored, likely depending on her mood any given day.

“Just a precaution, hmm? Because Lazriel seems to think it’s your version of a mark of possession over me.”

She flinched and pulled away.

“Relax. I enjoy that much more than the idea of it being a leash.”

“A leash?” she gasped. “No. Never. I wouldn’t… I just need to know that you’re safe.”

I chuckled and wrapped her up in my arms. “All right. I will keep it on me for your peace of mind.Anddefinitely to satisfy your intense possessiveness over me. Just like Lazriel with the bracelet you made for him that tracks his wellness as well.”

“Intense possessiveness is a bit of an exaggeration.”

“Dark Beauty, it’s an understatement.”

She pulled away again and started for the door. “I’m gonna go. I need to… I mean… you should rest up. Keep an eye on Lazriel to make sure he doesn’t jolt awake with another burst of energy from the Immortal blood in his system.”

“Oh, absolutely. You’d better head out, no question about it.”

She threw open the door, her cheeks burning. “Exactly. I have to,” she said, fighting to save face.

I chuckled. There was no saving her now. Lazriel and I had her pegged and she knew it.

“So… bye, then.”

“Bye. Our sexy, insanely possessive love.”

“Oh, God,” she breathed in mortification.

And then she bolted through the door and disappeared down the corridor.

It turned out Lazriel had been correct—there was levity to be found even in the direst of circumstances.

Because of the company.

Because there wasus.

It certainly altered things.

Fuck, it changed everything.

25

~Cassius~

This wasn’t how I’d intended to spend my night.