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"What are you doing here?" I hissed.
Talin, who was sitting on that side, gave me a confused look. "It's orientation?"
"Not you," I told him.
He turned, following my gaze, and then slowly looked back. "Who are you talking to?"
"Zeal?" Eladehl asked.
"Yeah."
The god in question chuckled. "I'll sum up the lecture for you. He's going to talk about how physical touch can be a temptation, encourage you to experiment with your fellow Priests of the Body, and remind you that you can't cause or become pregnant. You're welcome for that, by the way. Figured it might get inconvenient."
"Kinda ruins your descendant plans," I whispered, hoping he could hear.
Talin just looked at me, twisting slightly as if we were having a conversation. "Hey, can you still see him?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Figured the rest of the class will think you're crazy if they see you talking to a wall."
I glanced at him, finding his beautiful blue eyes waiting. "But you don't?"
"He doesn't," Zeal said.
Just as Talin chuckled. "Nope. And we all need to talk when this is over."
"Because I mostly fixed the rings," Zeal said. "They probably realized it this morning, although I need you to test them."
"Test?" I hissed.
Zeal gave me a look as if I was disappointing him. "Erections, my shadowed girl."
The name caught my attention. "Why do you call me that? Is there something I need to know?"
The God of Temptation suddenly sobered. "Those who look upon gods," he said, "are rarely assumed to be sane. You will be doubted. You will be persecuted. This is why I asked before I put you on the Path, but I've waited so long for you, Nariana. Watching the lectures, invisible among the students who claim to believe me? Did you know that once, all priests of my temple could see me? Not anymore. I'm hoping you can change that."
"How?" I glanced at Talin to make sure I wasn't talking to a wall.
Zeal held up a finger. "Tell the priest you were asking your guardian how he felt about that. When he asks what, respond with the art of bondage."
I turned toward the front of the class and saw dozens of eyes watching me. "I was just asking my guardian what he felt about that. I mean, we're still getting to know each other."
"And whatthatwere you asking about, Priestess?" the larger priest asked.
"The art of bondage, Priest Ghale." I hoped that adding his name would prove that I'd paid attention.
Instead, he looked at Talin. "And howdoyou feel about it?"
Talin smiled. "I believe my ward's partner enjoys it. I think she and I will need a way to communicate when a line is crossed."
"Andthat," Ghale told the rest of the class, "is an appropriate answer. He did not interject his own emotions into his desire's duty. Now, Priestess, why did you think his opinion was important?"
Yeah, I knew this game. "Because I do not want my guardian to threaten my partner, making his guardian threaten mine, and probably destroying most of the living room in the process, Priest Ghale. Like I said, I'm still getting to know him, and so far, he's been a little twitchy about protecting me."
"What's your name, Priestess?" Ghale asked.
"Nariana."
