Page 141 of Amethyst and Iron
As I drew closer, quietly and cautiously, not sure exactly what I was about to walk into, I felt a wave of Cassius’ magic roll over me, and realized I’d accidentally breached the spell.
Their voices filtered toward me.
“You siphoned Celestial magic! The magic of Cornelius Martel. To say that’s a violation of your probationary status would be an absolute understatement, Sylas.”
Sylas had done what?Oh, hell.
“Seems you’re mostly sore about it being such a struggle for you to breach and overpower it earlier.”
“This is not about my ego.”
“So the fact that Cornelius Martel may be stronger than you when you were recently miles beyond him as a True Celestial doesn’t hit a nerve?”
“You are projecting your upset with your currently powerless state onto me.”
“It’s not projecting when you share a similar pain. You’re not powerless, but you are most definitely powered down. And you never talk about it.”
I frowned. Sylas wasn’t just coming at him. The two of them had been good with each other lately, growing closer.
But it was reading as very harsh on Sylas’ end—at least on the surface.
Because it was really him being vulnerable.
He wanted that, he wanted Cassius to talk about it with him. He needed it.
“You are actually lecturingmeon not talking through something profound and painful?Youwill not even discuss your bound state.”
“Ah, so you admit that it is profound and painful for you?”
I grimaced as I felt a pang through the Soul Brand as Sylas’ heavy question—or accusation—hit Cassius deeply.
I watched as he took a moment and shoved a hand through his beautiful white-blond hair, then released a heavy sigh, the weight of which I could feel in my bones.
“Yes. Does that satisfy you? It… hurts me sometimes… to be this way… a lesser version of myself.”
There was a weighty pause in their conversation.
I went to step in, to ensure that Cassius knew that no one saw him that way, that he was stronger in other ways, ways that mattered.
But then I watched as Sylas reached out and rubbed his arm. “You’re not lesser. It’s actually the opposite.”
I smiled to myself.
“How so?” Cassius queried, his brow furrowing. “I do not think—”
“You were so disconnected before. You had the knowledge, but because of that disconnection from the world, from people, you couldn’t apply it in necessary ways. Now you’ve built this family with us, strong relationships and unbreakable connections. And, honestly, would that have happened if you still had your True Celestial abilities which put you too far above everyone—in power and snobby mentality?”
A chuckle actually burst from Cassius. “Snobby mentality?”
“Calling it like it is, babe.”
“Babe.I must indeed have made an impression upon you if you are awarding me that affectionate nickname like you do to Lazriel. It is noDark Beautyas you reserve for Velra, but I will certainly take it.”
“Well, Lazriel also gets referred to as myhot little wolf,so he’s good. To be clear, though, I won’t ever be referring to you asImmortal Hunklike Lazriel has taken to doing.”
Another chuckle from Cassius.
It sent a deep warmth through me, and I could feel his elation at the sense of adoration and comradery Sylas was demonstrating toward him.
