Page 64 of Obsidian and Frost

He tensed, then pushed up into a sitting position. “Actually, it’s something our delectableWraithqueenandDark Beautymight be able to help me with. Another reason why I pursuedher. Barely.” He gave me a look. “Because I was trying not to upset you or trigger your territorial instincts.”

“Do what you need to there. Velra feeling useful could actually help her a lot. Sometimes all she sees is her damage, but she’s so much more than that.” I sighed. “Maybe you can help her to see otherwise, because I sure as fuck can’t, apparently.”

“It’s more complicated than that. You did well. Really well. And there’s no way she can’t know that.”

A heavy silence fell between us as I let his words roll over me and actually acknowledge the truth to them.

And then he announced, “You should talk with Cassius.”

I jolted. “Me? The worst person possible, who he may or may not be pissed at for pursuing the woman he rejected like the little bitch-ass former angel that he is now?”

“Well, I wouldn’t approach him with that attitude.”

“Sylas, I’m serious.”

“As am I. He’s Soul Branded to her.”

“Don’t fucking remind me,” I gritted out. I hated hearing about that shit.

“Hear me out. They are connected. Not much is known about the nature of that sort of bond as it’s hidden from those on the mortal plane. However, Cassius came to me to ask about you. Why and how? He must have felt a shift in her. If my theory is correct then he may be able to register a great deal more, including when she is on the verge of losing control of her abilities—and voila there is now a safeguard for her, for the very thing that keeps her afraid of getting too close, the very thing that had her running from you when she wanted anything but.”

I stilled. “Fuck me.”

“With pleasure.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “Can you not go more than a couple of minutes without making some filthy comment?”

“Not when you’re lying naked in my bed and I already spent all night keeping physical distance between us because I was concerned you’d be unsettled if you woke up with me wrapped around you.”

“I… I wouldn’t have been… unsettled.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Oh, shit. You look far too pleased with yourself.”

“I am, babe. But I’m also pleased for you. What you did last night, what we did together, what you allowed to happen, it was—”

“A fucking revelation?”

His eyes shone. “Yes. Definitely.” He shifted closer, regarding me curiously. “How do you feel in the light of day? Beyond not beingunsettledat the prospect of waking up with me close to you?”

“Relief.”

He nodded, getting it so well, the understanding in his eyes saying it all.

“Unwound… if that makes sense.”

“It does.”

I shoved my hand through my hair. “Last night was a hell of a mind-fuck with both you and Velra.” I eyed him as he watched me curiously and in a restrained way—especially for him. “Thank you… for intervening with those vamps and for… for turning the night around for me… and… helping me… let go.”

Ah, shit.I was struggling to get my words out. The vulnerability in it… I didn’t like it.

But it needed to be said.

And, honestly, after what he’d done for me, he deserved to hear it.

“You don’t need to thank me. It was my pleasure as much as yours.” He smiled kindly. “And not just the sexual aspect—for the record.”