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Then I felt Eladehl slide his arm under my legs, the other behind my back. "I'm almost sorry I missed it," he whispered. "I'm also glad you have him to take care of you. Still willing to share him?"
I wrapped my arms around his neck, hanging on while he carried me toward my bath. "Everything I have is yours, Eladehl. Every. Single. Thing. You never need to ask."
"And yet I always will," he promised.
Chapter 29
Eladehl
That Nari's session didn't go according to plan had me nervous about my own. I should've picked a woman. Nari said she wanted to see me with one, so I should've just gone with it, but I couldn't. That part about her possibly being jealous had made up my mind, and now it was too late to do anything about it.
The man I'd signed up with was named Osas. He was a second-year student who was built to be a guardian, with the looks to follow the Path of the Body. In truth, he reminded me of Wraythe, but closer to my size. Well, at least the physical parts of my best friend that I was attracted to. Mentally, they were nothing alike, because Osas was arrogant, domineering, and smug. All traits that would make him easy to forget.
My problem was that I didn't want to seem desperate for attention. In truth, I didn't even want to like him. He was a means to an end: my grade. I already had lovers. This man was merely another step on my Path. Nothing more. And yet, he gave me the impression that he expected me to feel privileged that he'd noticed me. To be awed with his attention.
It was time for him to realize that it went the other way around. I picked out a shimmering silver shirt, paired it with a black ascot and pinstriped pants. On impulse, I left off the vest and found suspenders instead. I was checking my appearance in the mirror when Wraythe walked in behind me. His shadow fell across my reflection, making me turn, and a smile slowly crept across my face.
"Did she see you?" I asked, meaning Nari.
Wraythe casually leaned his shoulder against the door. "Nope. She and Talin went to grab dinner. Just us right now. Why?"
Because my best friend looked amazing. Like Talin, he'd chosen a solid black suit. He wore a simple tie tucked under a silk vest over a crisp black shirt. His coat and slacks matched, looking like they'd been tailored to show off every line of his body. The stark color brought out the green of his eyes and made his hair look just a bit darker.
He looked like someone I would not want to meet in a dark hall, but who I'd jump on if I did. Wraythe oozed menace with every movement, completely unaware of his sex appeal. Knowing he'd be at my back made me feel almost intimidating. Osas thought I should be impressed with his muscles, but he had no idea that I spent every day looking at something better.
"You look perfect," I told him. "Just figured if Nari saw you like that, we'd be late."
He huffed in amusement. "Thanks. You look good too. I like the suspenders. Shows off your pecs."
All I could do was shake my head. "Yousureyou're straight?"
"Positive." But he couldn't stop the smile. "I also live with three people who like men, I'm not blind, and I'm definitely not stupid." He jerked his chin toward me. "You shave?"
"Yep."
"I meant your face, asshole," he teased.
I crossed the room to stand before him. "Smooth as Nari's lips, my friend. Feel that and tell me if I'm wrong."
Surprisingly, he did, dragging his thumb along my jaw and just under my lower lip. Then he nodded. "Nice. Just lemme fix..." And he picked at a section of my hair, encouraging it to lay a little different. "If this guy doesn't get hard at the sight of you, then he's not into men," he assured me.
I patted his chest and chuckled. "What did I do to deserve you?"
"You called the guy picking on me a cunt-fart. I'd never seen anyone's face turn that shade of red before, and knew you were my kind of friend. Now stop putting this off. You're already fashionably late." He lifted a brow. "Did you need me to offer an arm?"
"Fuck off." But I was smiling now, just like he'd intended.
We left my suite side by side, not needing to say anything. His comment made it clear he knew I was nervous about this, but he wouldn't make me say it. Instead, he'd made me feel masculine and attractive so subtly that most people would miss it. It was his way of protecting me, and I loved him more for it.
Eventually, we reached the check-in area. I found the line that led to Oryll, and shuffled forward. When we reached the table, my instructor looked up, glanced across me, and then his gaze shifted over my shoulder to Wraythe. I watched his eyes widen slightly, then the man reached for his stack of cards. "Priest Eladehl, you are with Priest Osas. First hall, second to last room on the end. Here's your map." And he offered a small card.
Wraythe reached over my shoulder to accept it. "Priest," he said, the word serving as both a thank you and a sign that I could carry on.
I saw Oryll swallow as I turned away, and it was the last boost of confidence I needed. My nerves were for the wrong reason, though. I honestly didn't care if this man liked me. He would. That was a given. I was terrified that tonight would change something between the three people I actually cared about.
Because this wasn't just sex. This was Zeal's temptation, and I longed to feel the rush of it.
"If I stand up, lean away from the wall, or suddenly look like I'm paying attention," Wraythe said, "that means you have one second before I stop things. You understand me, Ela?"
