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"But can't we just tell one of the other priests?"
"And then what?" Eladehl asked. "He'll say she's upset because he turned her down after she offered to suck him off for a top score."
"But I know who would believe her," Wraythe said. "C'mon, Nari. You're supposed to talk to your mentor anyway, and I think this is going to be today's lesson. I'm kinda curious what Jamik has to say about it, and if he's got any advice for me."
"I'll come too," Anver offered.
Eladehl and Wraythe both pinned him with cold stares. "No," Wraythe said. "You need to help Tishlie. Nari doesn't need protection, remember? Well, it seems Tishlie clearly does. If that asshole had asked her instead? Can you imagine how that would've gone? So maybe you should explain a few things to her, hm?"
"Wraythe," Anver begged. "It's not like that."
"It'sexactlylike that. You hated that Nariana didn't simper, so you found someone who would. Deal with it. There's a price, right?"
Anver took a step toward the giant of a boy. "I was just leaving you three alone because you're always sotied up."
"Stop," I said, pressing my hands to my head. "You're both right. It's also done. Anver was there when I needed him, so cut him some slack, Wraythe. You can't protect everyone, and I don't need it." Then I looked at Anver. "And you can't expect us to read your mind."
"I didn't..." he tried.
But I was done with all of this. I'd been so excited to learn about the other gods, and in just a few minutes, I'd come to dread it. Throwing my hands up in disgust at their bickering, I turned back for our temple and started walking. Oddly, it was Eladehl who followed me first.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm just worried about you."
"I'm worried about me too," I agreed. "I can't fail this class."
"We'll figure it out," he assured me.
I scoffed. "Eladehl, you can't help me this time. I mean, I'm glad you're willing to listen, but you can't make him give me a good grade. You can't really stand up for me since everyone knows we're close."
"No," he hissed, grabbing my arm to make me stop. "We're partners, Nariana. You and I? We are going to stick together no matter what. And if that means I'm going down with you, then down I go. You get that? Because you and I? We protect each other. Every day since we met, you've been there for me, and now it's my turn. If this means I have to get restricted for breaking a few rules, then you just watch me break them. I'd much prefer to follow Obligation than have thatbastardforce you to do something you haven't agreed to."
I heard every single word he said, and then all the ones he didn't. The rage on his amazingly beautiful face spoke volumes, and all of it was honest. The raw emotion pouring out of him slammed right into my chest, and there was only one way I could think of to deal with it.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him as hard as I could. "I love you, Eladehl. You're my best friend, and I love you so much for that."
Air rushed from his lungs when he heard me. "I love you too, Nariana. So, so much. Forever, ok? No matter where we end up, I amnevergoing to let you go."
"Zeal will have to tear us apart," I agreed.
Chapter 21
Nariana
Somewhere along the way back to the Temple of Temptation, Anver had given up. Eladehl, Wraythe, and I didn't stop until we were in Amerlee's office, though. The Priestess looked up as we poured through the door, closed the book she had before her, and set it all aside. We had her undivided attention.
"This looks important," she said.
"Priest Lavin just tried to intimidate Nari to do things with him," Eladehl snarled.
She lifted a god-lace-covered hand. "Start at the beginning. Skip the unimportant parts, and leave your anger behind for a moment. Rage distorts your thinking, and it's a very tricky slope, young man."
Because she was looking at him, I kept my mouth shut. Eladehl dropped his head to his chest and took a deep breath, composing himself. When he looked back up, he was almost as graceful as my mentor.
"Today was the first day of our internships at the Temple of All Gods. The three of us chose Intuition together. Priest Lavin is our instructor. The lesson today was all about the history of the gods and each one's place in society. When we were finally done, the class left, but Priest Lavin called Nari back, saying Wraythe and I could go on."
"But we didn't," Wraythe said, picking up the story. "At first, it was because we didn't want her to walk back alone, but before we made it outside, I saw the man caressing her arm. Nariana looked tense, not like she was interested, and his touches were..." He glanced over at me. "Too intimate."
Amerlee flicked her eyes to me, knowing this was my part of the story. "He said he wanted to see my lace, because it's 'more extensive than most acolytes.' When he started tracing the lines without looking, it felt creepy. I thought maybe I was being too sensitive, but then he asked to examine the rest of my body. When I told him I had no other marks because I'm still a student, he mentioned scars and birthmarks, even the pattern of hair growth."
