Page 178 of Obsidian and Frost

29

~Lazriel~

Mmm…dinner was served.

I sat at the small four-seater table, Sylas to my left, Velra to my right, and Cassius opposite me.

It was a modest pine thing that he hadn’t had when I’d come here before, so he must have conjured it, along with the high-backed chairs that had hella comfortable white cushions on them.

He hadn’t conjured the food, though. He’d made it with his bare hands, with non-magical effort.

And Sylas had helped.

I could tell the steak was all him. Massive and rare, just the way I liked it, and sprinkled with just the right amount of spices, including a dash of cinnamon, which somehow really worked with the rest.

There was a chicken pot pie that Cassius had made, the delicious scent filling the room. He’d even made a potato soup to go with, which I’d learned tonight was one of his favorites. Kind of like Sylas with his oatmeal. Cassius sipped from a mug of green tea every now and then. He’d made some crispy potato wedges that I loved and topped it with caramelized onions andeven goat cheese, which Velra enjoyed on her flatbread that she had for lunch in the Dining Hall on campus.

She was drinking from a glass of lemonade, while Sylas had his blackcurrant tea. I’d actually gone for the lemonade too, because they’d ruled out alcohol for this dinner, so my favored whiskey was off the menu.

Cassius was dressed really casual tonight, actually even wearing jeans. A fitted charcoal crewneck shirt stretched across his hulking muscular body in a sexy, snug way. He was eating at his pie with one hand, while his other was clasped in Velra’s, as it had been since we’d sat down. She’d clocked his nervousness about this night so she was trying to reassure, calm, and center him all at once.

Knowing how he was in that state of mind, I’d been trying to be discreet about gawking at my bite mark on his wrist. The actual wound had healed, but he hadn’t taken away the scar of my fangs piercing his flesh. It sent a hell of a thrill through me seeing it on him, knowing he’d kept it, but also delighting in the unspoken intention behind it. The offering of it. Him wanting more of that from me.

A kick to my shin under the table from Sylas had me blinking and swinging my head. Guess I’d been staring too long again.

Sylas was dressed down too. I mean, he’d brought his hooded leather coat, but it was hanging up on a hook by the front door. He had that sexy tank on that showed off his defined arms and a pair of black pants that did amazing justice to his ass.

I was in a long-sleeve black tee with it rolled up to my elbows and sporting my gray jeans.

And Velra—shit, she looked fucking stunning. Good enough to eat. She had on a cream wrap top that contrasted beautifully with the black smoky marks of her skin from her Wraith side, and showed off her full, round breasts in all their glory. Her amethyst eyes really popped against the plum mini-skirt thatshe’d paired it with. Her ombre hair was in a half-up, half-down style, all sexy and relaxed.

I briefly flashed my fangs at Sylas, making him chuckle.

Then, of course, he responded to my challenge and started sliding his boot up my calfreallyfucking erotically.

I jerked away, determined to keep myself in check. At least for a little while longer.

Besides, Velra was telling us all about the success and growth of the Crossborn Refuge System that Nyx had shown her during their tour, and she was so excited about it, talking animatedly, her gorgeous eyes even sparkling as she conveyed everything.

“They’re really coming out into the open now,” she said. “So many hybrids, venturing out to be part of the world.”

“CRS has certainly made it much more feasible for them to do so,” Cassius spoke.

“Exactly. It happened at the right time too, so perfectly. When Chimera Circle was destroyed, Crossborn was ready to deal with the fallout, to help, and provide the resources needed.”

Cassius eyed me. “Warlow read your expansion proposal of HICI, yes? When will that roll out?”

“It’s going to start next week,” I said, proudly.

“That quickly?”

“He made it easy and efficient to implement,” Sylas told him. “With the way he structured the proposed rollout of advancing the hybrid-based curriculums via Covens and Academies.”

“Very impressive,” Cassius said, then told me, “You really did the work.”

I lifted a shoulder. “Just following Velra and Nyx’s example—CRS has been a game-changer on several levels.”

“As will your initiative,” Velra assured me, leaning in and kissing my cheek. “Well done, sweets.”