average human’s Reviews > The Gods Binding: The Valorian Veil Book 2 > Status Update

“We’ve got a lot to think about, do, and come to terms with. What’s the easiest thing to knock off our plate?”
That’s very simple and it’ll put her mind at ease a little not having to make any choices.
My body pivots toward Creed and Riven. “I’d like to formally tell the two of you, Kyzen and I are in a relationship with Thayla. One that will grow intimately. We are her boyfriends.”
“What?” they shout as Thayla scolds, “Amick.”
“Yes?”
“What are you doing? We haven’t discussed this yet and I wanted to be the one to tell them.”
“Wait a fucking minute. This is real? They, the two of them, are your boyfriends now? Since fucking when?”
“No. It’s—”
“No?” Kyzen and I ask, which causes the other two to start spouting more questions.
Thayla covers her ears with her hands and pinches her eyes shut. I seal my lips and stare at her as she regulates her breathing.
“Stop talking.”
My low voice travels through the whole house. Even the crackling of the non-heat-producing, pointless fireplace falls quiet. I wait until she lowers her hands before I speak again.
“Did I say something that upset you?”
Her eyes are as soft, tired almost, as the sigh that falls from her lips.
“It’s not what you said, Amick. It was how. You and Kyzen just brought this up to me, and we’ve had one thing after another come up ever since. We haven’t had time to think, much less talk about this proposed relationship. I also wanted to be the one to talk to Riven and Creed about it. Alone. I can’t accept this relationship if they’re not okay with it.”
“For now, let’s put this to the side—”
Riven waves Kyzen off as he cuts in. “So you’re saying if I tell you right now I’m not okay with them being your boyfriends, you’ll end this relationship before it truly begins?”
“Can you not say boyfriends like that? Matter of fact, can we not use that term at all? It’s…weird and doesn’t fit us.”
“What would you have me call them then? Life givers, soul harbors, pillow partners? Any of those work?”
“Riven—”
“Don’t fucking Riven me, Kyzen.”
“Stop. This is why I wanted to have private conversations first.” Thayla holds her hands up between them and shakes her head. Her shoulders slump and defeat washes through every one of her features as she turns to Riven fully.
“Yes. If you tell me right now you’re not okay with this, then it stops before it starts. I don’t want to hurt you, Creed, or them.”
“Hurt me,” he barks out in a laugh, then scans her from head to toe before moving his gaze to Kyzen. When his eyes land on me, my blood rushes through my body.
Her words were firm and clear despite the disappointment I sensed. She’s not going to do anything that jeopardizes the foundation of our Valtrue. Which I appreciate, but I want a relationship with her more than I care about pleasing or displeasing my brother.
I’m well aware of Riven’s and my rocky relationship, but I’d never do anything to hurt him purposefully. Sometimes the words we say to one another come across differently than we mean, but our eyes, usually, never lie to one another.
I, against my better judgment, let him see that denying me this will hurt us no matter what. If he makes this decision out of spite or for the thrill of causing a commotion for me, I’m not going to forgive or forget it.
He leans down close to her, cupping her ear and his mouth so I can’t hear his words or read his lips.
When he pulls away, I observe the coloring of her face and the way she rubs her fingers together by her sides. She doesn’t move her focus from him the entire time she thinks, so she misses how Kyzen’s hands are shaking in his pockets and Creed’s shifting from side to side.
“I never said that,” she whispers.
He hums as he takes a step back from her and bows dramatically. “Do as you please, little burden. You have my blessing.”
Her body deflates as he disappears through a starshoot and Creed’s grunt draws her exhausted attention.
There’re no words shared between the two of them, just stares before Creed marches to his room.
I conclude that’s his blessing as well.
“One less thing off your plate, as you put it.”
She cuts her eyes at me and I tilt my head at the frown marring her face. She doesn’t seem all that excited for someone with two boyfriends. Or whatever it is she’s going to deem we’re called.
“I’m going to take a nap. Alone.”
I watch in confusion as she heads to her room and tells Kyzen “not now” when he attempts to stop her. The glare he shoots my way deepens my puzzlement.
“I’m missing something.”
“Yeah, yeah, you are, man,” he agrees as he grips my shoulder. “You remember your whole spiel about how my role in this relationship is to make up for your shortcomings?”
“Obviously.”
“Well, that would’ve been the perfect time to implement that. That was a conversation that needed to be handled delicately, not bluntly.”
“I saw no reason to push it off and have her sit in a state of confusion. This is one thing she doesn’t have to worry about now.”
“I get that, but did you not notice the freak-out she had when she found out our truth? She’s scared, confused, and needed time to think about everything. Did you miss that completely?”
“No, I saw every second of it. Why would that change anything in any sort of way? I would’ve been more concerned if she didn’t have that reaction. Are you concerned she views us differently now?”
“Well…yeah, a little.”
“Then that’s your own insecurity you need to work on. Just because everyone else who knows who we truly are holds a level of fear toward us, doesn’t mean she’s going to. I’ve learned Thayla as intimately as I possibly can apart from physical intimacy. Many decisions she makes are calculated, and fear usually stands in her way only momentarily.
“It’s her survival instinct to think like her life is in danger before she thinks clearly. She’ll come right back around once the excitement has worn off. She was already exhibiting her normal behavior by defending me. As soon as she calms down completely, she’ll already know where we stand and that won’t be an issue any longer for her.”
He stares at me as though he both understands but is also confused. I’m not sure what’s there to still be confused about.
Yes, she had a moment of panic when she found out who we are. As I said, that was expected, but she gathered herself rather quickly. Given everything going on, she bounced back faster than I thought she would.
If she had run, or verbally, possibly physically, reacted negatively, then what I’m saying would be different. She didn’t do any of that. Therefore, any fear that she may not feel the same way she did about us is null in my mind.
“I see what you’re saying, but it also wasn’t just her feelings we needed to consider.”
“You’re referring to Creed and Riven, and the way I look at it is, if they want their feelings spared, then they should do a better job considering hers when they say and do things. Regardless, it worked out for the best.”
He grumbles something incoherent before releasing me. “Next time you want to bring up a big relationship discussion, how about you run it by me first so we can do it together? Sound good?”
“If you believe that’ll strengthen our relationship, then fine.”
He too leaves me standing in the living room. The entire time he walks to his door, he mumbles beneath his breath. What’s done is done now, so there’s no point wasting time pondering over it.
It’s quite simple. I have a girlfriend.
Kyzen has the same girlfriend.
Our job now is to take care of her in all aspects. Emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Physically is my top priority right now.
And I don’t mean sexual…yet. I’ll meet those needs as well.
Right now, there’s no better time to start figuring out a way to keep Mysenta out of my father’s clutches.

11%

I told him I couldn’t take any more information or big news and that I was taking a nap. He insisted I introduce him to the guys right then so they could get familiar with him. I said no, nap first.
He wasn’t happy with that answer.
A scream rips out of me when small but sharp pricks poke into my ass cheek. My legs get tangled in my blanket, so I can’t kick out, and I get lost underneath the pillow.
A loud, soothing hoot has my scream dying down and a growl replacing it. Once my mind and heart realize I’m not under attack, my arms fall limply beside me for a second before I calmly roll myself over.
“Careful. You almost squashed me.”
He flaps his wings to hover above me, then takes it upon himself to land right on my chest. He cocks his head to the side as those all-seeing eyes bore into my blinking ones.
“You wouldn’t get squished if you didn’t stab me in the ass with your claws and weren’t in my room without my permission. How did you even get in here and why are the curtains open?”
“The Goddess of Illusions’ power can’t keep me out, Thayla girl. I go wherever I please. Mostly. I opened the curtains a moment ago. The setting sun will help you wake up.”
“A moment ago? How long have you been in here?”
“Since I woke you the last time. I figured if the nuzzling didn’t work, I needed to be a little more forceful.”
“I’m sorry, are you saying I didn’t dream that something was rubbing my face?”
“I don’t know what you dreamed, but yes, I did rub my feathers down your face.”
I sit all the way up, forcing him to hop off my chest and onto my bed. My eyes narrow on him.
“What were you doing that whole time?”
“Watching you waste the day away.”
My feet kick out of the tangled blanket, and I sling my legs over the side of the bed with a huff. I spin back around to face him with my hands on my hips. He continues to cock his cute little head at me like he doesn’t know what to do with me.
I don’t know what to do with him when he’s in a form small enough he could sit in my palm.
“This relationship is moving far too fast for me. You can’t come into my room however and whenever you please, then stab me to wake me up.”
“You’ll simply have to catch up. You normal beings take far too long to accept things. It’ll be easier for you if you just pretend like you’ve known me your whole life so we can skip over all this pestering.”
Normal beings…I’m so far from that.
I stare at my ceiling, then stomp across my room to my bathroom. I don’t spare a glance at the disheveled state I’m in or at the new bruises decorating my body as I strip my clothes off.
That wasn’t a good, comforting nap.
It was one of those where you sweat in your sleep and feel even more tired when you wake up. The last thing I am is rested and ready to introduce my Valtrue to my meddling, no-boundaries Vedarya.
“There shouldn’t be boundaries between us. That causes disruption to our dynamic. I promise to always be honest with you whenever I can be, and I’ll never guide you in the wrong direction. If we start placing boundaries and I stop meddling, I’ll never be able to help you and your Valtrue properly.”
“Oh my Valories, I forgot you can read my freaking thoughts.”
“Unlike Seismet, I can’t read thoughts on command. Only when they’re directed at me or loud enough. Which they were a moment ago, might I add.”
You’ve got to be kidding me.
I gasp as the piercing cold water has every nerve in my body coming to life. I allow it to stay cold long enough to wake me up and rinse the sweat from my skin.
Once the calming flow of water and rhythmic washing of my hair gets my thoughts moving a little too fast, I focus back on the Vedarya, who I know is sticking his little claws all over my bed.
“So is this how it will be for you, Seismet, and me?”
“If you’re referring to our closeness, then yes. Seismet and I will try to remember this is all new to you and it may be difficult for you to trust and believe us instantly. We need you to remember, though, we are beings created for a purpose. We spend our lives waiting and yearning for our purpose to show. Seismet even more so as Veilatara only have one connection their entire lives. He’s been waiting many years for one strong enough for him. Whereas I’ve had multiple, but all are incredibly important to me and my survival in life.”
Sadness sweeps through me at his words. Here I am, his Vedae, getting annoyed that he entered my room and woke me up, when he’s so happy and grateful to be here with me. He has no one to turn to.
Well, aside from Seismet and the other Veilatara, but still. He doesn’t have his kind anymore.
Ugh, and Seismet…I didn’t realize Veilatara only get one Godly Companion in their long lifetimes.
Poor ancient creature got stuck with me.
“I’m sorry, V, if I’ve come across as ungrateful for these honors. That wasn’t my intention at all. I’m just…overwhelmed.”
“Not only overwhelmed, but life has taught you not to trust anyone first. Your method is to hold mistrust until someone proves you right or wrong. It isn’t the worst trait in the realm to have, especially amongst gods, but not everyone should fall into that category instantly.”
“You couldn’t have let me downplay it?”
“Unfortunately, no. I believe Seismet has already told you this as the two of you have grown closer, but I’ll reiterate. We’re two of the only beings who will never judge or betray you. You can always be honest with us no matter what. Just as you should be honest with yourself.”
I close my eyes and tip my head back to let the water wash everything away.
It’s both freeing and scary to know I have two revered connections with whom I can be myself and completely honest.
I want that as much as I fear that.
Honestly, I don’t know how to navigate it, but I can admit that it’s tiring always questioning someone’s motives.
Today has been the perfect example of that. How quickly I allowed my fears and thoughts to change the way I viewed the guys has guilt, reasoning, shame, all of it, waring inside of me.
I can’t believe I thought the things I did about them.
I’m so fucking embarrassed and ashamed of myself.
I cut the water off and wrap my towel around me. A groan slips from between my lips when I realize I didn’t bring clothes in here. No matter how close V and I grow, I’ll never be at the point I can walk out in front of him naked.
After I brush my hair quickly, I leave the bathroom to head to my closet but stop short when I find him nuzzled into my pillow and a snort escapes me.
“Are you comfortable?”
“Quite.”
“Do you sleep in the meadows with Seismet?”
“Sometimes. I don’t require sleep as you do, so most of my time is spent by the hot spring. Once you introduce me to your Valtrue, I’ll spend more time around here. It isn’t time for me to make myself known within the Godsdawn, though, so I won’t be venturing there.”
“Yeah, I don’t like the idea of the other gods knowing about you. Well, aside from Lambrit, Yemi, and Rose, I guess Havar’s ass as well, whenever you’re ready to meet them.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting them. Powerful gods the four of them are and amazing allies to you. I’m ready to be introduced to them whenever you’re comfortable with it. After your Valtrue, though.”
I’m not surprised he already knows about them. My first step in truly accepting these connections is going to be acknowledging that V and Seismet have knowledge and understanding of things far beyond my comprehension.
So it’s best I don’t worry myself about it.
“Speaking of my Valtrue, can I ask you something?”
“Ask whatever you please.”
“You said that Veilatara only have one connection their entire lives. How is it that Verlet is connected to the guys? And how is their connection fully in place with that contraption on Verlet?”
“Ah, yes, I wondered if you picked up on that. Their connection isn’t fully in place, but its strength has naturally built over time. The brothers may not understand or may not even be willing to accept it right now as they still have much growing to do together, but they are one. The process of bringing them into this realm connected them irrevocably.”
The process…fuck, I hadn’t even given that much thought.
There’s only one goddess, the Beginning Goddess of Creation, who’d have the power to bless a pregnancy for another Beginning God.
She wouldn’t have, though. It’s the Valories law. They forbade the Beginning Gods from having children.
The God of Obliteration disobeyed them monumentally somehow.
Shit, what if that’s the reason the Valories are using the guys now?
They aren’t supposed to exist, but they do.
Wait…he said irrevocably.
I snatch my shorts up and a shirt over my head, then practically tumble out of the closest so I can look at him.
“You don’t mean that in a literal sense, right? Like if something happens to one, the others would die.” His silence has my breathing growing irregular and my heart pounding away. “Right, V?”
“A piece of them would die. They’d never be the same.”
I rub my chest to relieve the constriction that’s taking over, and my head shakes in denial.
“Well, of course they wouldn’t be the same. No one is after losing a sibling, but you’re making it seem like it’s more than grief and a metaphorical piece of them.”
“It would be, but one of their deaths isn’t something we need to fear. I only told you that to explain that Verlet is the strongest Veilatara ever to be created. He never would’ve got a Godly Companion had the boys not been created. Four of them match Verlet in strength.”
My eyes widen as my hand falls from my chest. The panic that was starting to consume me gives way to pure astonishment.
“Well, shit. Go Verlet. And here I was thinking Seismet was the badass of the meadows after he pinned that god down.”
“Don’t doubt Seismet’s or your strength. You were paired with him, the boys, and myself for a reason.”
Yeah, I’m not going there with him right now.
“Okay, well, I guess—”
“We need to go there, Thayla girl.”
A desperate groan pours from my throat as I belly flop onto my bed, then roll to my back. I cover my eyes with my arm and shake my head.
“Please, V, another time. I can’t take anything else today. I’m only just now accepting everything.”
“That’s far from the truth, but I’ll let it slide for now. We’ll put this off, but not for long. What I need to say is important.”
I roll to my side and prop my head up on my hand so I can stare at him.
“I have no doubt that it is, and of course I want to know, but maybe on a day I don’t have a million other important facts running through my head.”
“Life is going to be like this for a while, my Vedae. You must realize, you’re surrounded by beings who care not only for you but each other. The realm won’t feel so heavy if you all work together.”
“I’m trying to know and believe that.”
“I know that. Your biggest obstacle is yourself. I’ll give you a piece of advice, then we can leave this conversation be and you can introduce me to your men.”

My men…
“They aren’t…never mind. What’s your sage advice?”
“That right there. Stop arguing with yourself. Choices can be confusing, difficult, and bring forth a never-ending cycle of stress if you allow it. Make a decision and stand by it just as you do when you feel fiercely about something being right or wrong. Decide if you really want to move forward with your Valtrue in a romantic way, then go all in. Decide you want to fully embrace a friendship with Yemi, then stop doubting her motives. Decide you are ready to become your true self, then accept who you are.
“The constant back and forth in your mind will continue to enable the dark thoughts. It’s okay to get angry about things, but it isn’t something you have to continuously feel within you, then bury it or allow it to explode. There are many other ways to manage it. Being honest with yourself about your past, the things you’ve been through, will help you grow and heal, Thayla.”
My hand flies to my cheek to wipe away the slow tear that slipped out. I didn’t expect his advice to be so soft, yet so brutally honest.
It’s all the truth.
I know I go back and forth and do exactly as he’s claiming. Even now, the temperature in my body is rising with the desire to lash out and defend myself. It’s a battle to force myself to stay quiet and let his words marinate.
I stand from the bed and pull my hair up into a loose bun as I give him a small, grateful smile.
“Thank you, V. I promise I’m going to work on that. Starting now with the guys. I’ll go round them up, then come back to get you. I don’t want to shock them.”
“Nonsense. They’re going to be as thrilled as I am.” He hoots as he flies to my shoulder and plucks my hair tie.
My long strands fall down my back until they nearly touch my butt, and he makes himself comfortable while hiding at the nape of my neck.
“Seriously?”
“Am I too large? I can shrink a little more.”
A chuckle slips free from me, but I don’t force my smile away, although everything else inside feels a little heavy.
“No, I guess you’re fine. We’ll find out how my Valtrue likes good surprises.”
“I love a good surprise.”
I laugh once again as I walk us through my bedroom door and enter the quiet kitchen. My fingers flex as I make my way across the living room. I was hoping at least one of them would be in here so I didn’t have to round them up.
I’m still weird about coming to their doors. That wasn’t something I did back home.
After the breakup and once I finally decided enough was enough, the only time I ever invaded Jeremiah’s personal space—I guess Mellcom’s as well—was if I was flipping my shit about something. That always ended in an altercation I paid for in training.
I shake my head to ignore those ugly thoughts and start at the fourth door, which is Kyzen’s. The third is Amick’s, second is Creed’s, and the first is Riven’s.
There’s no answer after my first knock and I wait a second before knocking once again.
“What?”
My jaw drops.
Kyzen’s face is covered by the towel he’s ruffling through his wet hair, and his jeans are unbuttoned like he threw them on quickly to answer the door. My body grows hot as I map every inch of his tanned, shirtless chest.
I hold in my groan when his delicious V-cut disappears into his pants. I see just enough to know he doesn’t have boxers on and my fingers twitch with the desire to strip the single piece of clothing off him.
My nipples grow tight beneath my thin shirt, but I can’t find a care in the realm right now that I didn’t put a bra on.
Fuck. Is this what he felt like when I answered the door half naked?
“My eyes are up here, little goddess.”
My face flames as I whip my devouring gaze up and my mouth dries out. His smile isn’t his normal breathtaking one. Don’t get me wrong, it steals the air from my lungs, but it isn’t playful or just plain flirty.
It’s seductive, laced with countless promises.
“I…You know you’re practically naked, right?”
He throws his head back, laughing as I use his own words against him before settling that yummy smirk right on my chest.
He drags his gaze back up to my face.
“I’m aware. I threw on the first thing I grabbed when I heard the knocking. What’s your excuse?”
“I’m more comfortable without a bra on, thank you very much.”
“You’re not going to hear me complain. You have my permission, and I request that you walk around as unclothed as possible.”
I chuckle and duck to hide my blushing cheeks.
“I’m pretty sure that’d cause a danger to my health. Like your current attire is damaging my ability to think. I need to talk to everyone, so if you wouldn’t mind putting all this”—I hover my hand over his perfect abs—“away for me, I’d appreciate it.”
“Another big talk?”
“No, not a big talk. A surprise, I guess.”
“Well, Riven and I like surprises, but fair warning, Amick and Creed do not.”
“I think they’ll like this one.”
“If you say so, gorgeous. Go get them and I’ll cover my perfect body.”
Fuck, it sure is.
He shoots me a wink and goes back into his room without shutting the door. I’m tempted to follow him in, but the little tickles of feathers against the back of my neck have me moving to Amick’s door instead.
Unlike Kyzen, he answers before I can finish my first repetition of three knocks as he calls it.
To me, that’s knocking once.
I mean really, who just knocks only one time?
“Thayla.”
“Candyman. Can you come to the living room, please? I have a surprise.”
“A surprise?”
“Yes, a good one that I think everyone will both be excited about and benefit greatly from.”
He takes a moment to consider that before nodding, stepping out of his room, and shutting his door. I hold in my laugh at how different the two interactions were, yet how both give me butterflies.
Those same little flutters try to choke me as I raise my fist to Creed’s door. His footsteps stomp closer, and I take a step back so he doesn’t feel like I’m attempting to invade his space.
A small look of surprise crosses his face when he sees it’s me standing here. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine. I’m rounding everyone up. I have what I’m calling a surprise.”
“I don’t do surprises.”
“I was warned, but this isn’t anything bad.”
“Is the surprise an orgy or another family meeting?”
I scream and jump forward hard enough I crash right into Creed’s chest. With two hands to my hips, he steadies me but doesn’t release me as I whip back around.
“What the fuck, Riven? Where did you come from?”
“My room.”
“Obviously, but I didn’t even hear you.”
“You can’t have the element of surprise and be loud. By the way, I love surprises, especially if they result in blowing something up. Which I just remembered, I forgot to tell you. I have a surprise for you.”
Valories help me.
“What is it?”
“I burned down Daddy Gladdy’s Valtrue’s house. You should’ve seen it. It was ama—”
“You did what?” Creed shouts as his arm snakes around my waist. I don’t believe he knows he’s done it and I’m too shocked to move.
“Oh yeah. Sent that bad boy up in a blaze of colors. It was stunning, really. I wish you all had been there to see it.”
I cock my head to the side once the initial shock of Creed holding me close wears off. Although the rise and fall of his chest against my back are incredibly distracting.
“You burned his house down, for me? Because of what he did?”
“Well, of course. He’ll think twice before touching what’s mine again if he ever wants to lay his head down on a pillow, or if he wants to keep his head at all, now, won’t he?”
He boops my nose, causing my head to flinch and brows to scrunch as he saunters on to the living room, where the other two are staring daggers at him. My mind malfunctions more as Creed slides his hand across my stomach, then lets it fall away.
“I can’t take any more surprises today.”
I turn back to face him. “Same. I don’t think I’m even thinking straight because what he said isn’t surprising me at all. I find it kind of sweet, actually. But I swear this is worth it. No big talks and hopefully no truth bombs of any sort.”
He grumbles as he pinches his nose and steps toward me, closing the space between us.
Well, that’s what I thought he was doing until I realize he was shutting his door. “Don’t let him hear that you thought his stunt was sweet. Let’s get this over with.”
I should’ve let the grumpy asshole stay in his room.
My nostrils curl at his back as he joins the others and plops down on the couch.
V’s laugh filters through my mind, and I drop the death glare. With each step I take into the living room, I let his eagerness for this fuel my own. It’s cute to me that he’s excited to meet them.
“Although you’re technically my only Vedae, I do get the opportunity to guide them as well. I haven’t had a Calling in many, many years. For me, it’s like getting five for one and making up for all that time.”
“You sure got your wings full with us, V.”
“I know. How exciting.”
I don’t get the opportunity to speak as I stand in front of the fireplace and Amick instantly asks, “What’s the surprise?”
I roll my eyes as a smile plays on my lips.
“Everyone,” I say slowly as I reach my hand into my hair for V to step into my palm. “I’d like you to meet V. My Vedarya.”
They stand rapidly from their seats as I hold him in my hands at my stomach. Their jaws hang slack as they examine the tiny form he’s in.
Riven’s the first to break his shock as he takes a step closer. The look of pure amazement on his face pleases me, but the way he keeps reaching his hand out and pulling it back tugs at my heartstrings.
“Is it okay if he holds you? I don’t know if that’s improper to ask or not allowed. I also don’t want it to sound like I’m referring to you like a pet or anything offensive, but I think it’d make him happy if he could embrace you.”
“I know what you mean, and I take no offense. I’m wary of beings touching me without my permission, but I allow and quite enjoy contact with those I trust. He nor his brothers would ever harm me.”
“So, is that a yes?”
“Yes, he may hold me.”
“Riven, this is V.”

His wide eyes snap up to mine when I step closer to him. He even takes a step back when I reach my hands toward him.
“That’s not allowed.”
“It’s all right. I already asked.”
He glances between us so many times I grow dizzy following his movements. I’ve never seen him behave this way and for some reason, it floods me with emotion.
The sweet innocence and gentleness surrounding him right now are foreign.
His hands shake slightly as our fingertips touch and V waddles from my palms to his. I don’t believe Riven breathes the entire time.
“Holy fuck, this is real. I’m holding a Vedarya. He’s so small, but there’s so much power pulsing off him. It feels like his wings are flapping in my belly.”
Kyzen and I snort while Amick and Creed continue to study what’s happening with undivided attention.
“He’s only this small so he could hide in my hair. He woke me up three times from my nap so he could be introduced.”
“So you’re a mischievous creature. I like it.”
“I can be when mischief is needed. It’s lovely to meet you, Riven, God of Duality.”
Creed, Amick, and Kyzen startle. Riven, on the other hand, sucks in a sharp gasp and lays one of his hands to his chest.
“Did you all hear that, or did he only speak to me? Hopefully, all of you so you know my title is official. Fucking told everyone.”
“We heard. None of us doubted you to begin with,” Amick says as he tilts his head to the side and stares at V.
“Um, all of Godsden denied me my title when I announced it.”
“We didn’t and we’re all that matters.”
V hoots, taking Amick by surprise as he flies toward him and lands on his shoulder. Riven makes a noise of disappointment and steps all in Amick’s personal space.
“Don’t like him the best because he’s the smartest.”
“I’ll not have favorites between the four of you. Thayla is my favorite.”
I smirk at Riven’s snarl and Kyzen laughs behind me. “She is his Vedae, Riven. Be grateful we get to experience a piece of this alongside her.”
“Fine, you’re right. Thank you for sharing this with me, little burd—I mean, my sweetest Binder.”
I scoff at his quick cover-up, then focus back on Amick and V. “You seem really surprised.”
“I am. Delightfully. This is an honor and blessing beyond any text.”
“You flatter me. I look forward to our conversations to come.”
Amick’s eyes shine bright as his power flares to life. I shiver, although the warmth of it seeps beneath my skin. It’s the softening of his face that causes my body’s reaction.
It’s pure enjoyment.
All he’s missing is a smile.
“May I ask a strange favor?” Kyzen asks, coming to stand beside Amick’s shoulder. V hops to him, causing his smile to glow brighter than the stars in the night sky.
“Ask away.”
“Will you hoot louder than you did a moment ago? Some time ago now, I asked the Goddess of Sound to imitate your hoot and had a melody made of it for my sunsetter. I’m curious if it’s the same.”
V’s laugh sounds throughout our minds. I know the guys all heard it too by the way their bodies twitched, but they each gain their composure once again as we wait for V to do his thing.
He spreads his wings wide, shaking his feathers out.
The hoots I’ve heard from him so far were nothing like what he’s producing now.
Power radiates through the living room as it echoes all around us. The hair on my arms stands up as vibrations pass through my body. This sound is whimsical and flows in measured notes instead of one singular drawn-out beat.
It’s a song. A calling.
I know if he wanted to, it could be heard and felt for miles around.
The five of us stare, mesmerized, as the power dies down and V resumes making a smaller, less impactful hoot.
“I don’t believe your sunsetter sounds like that.”
“It sure as shit doesn’t. The Goddess of Sound is full of it.”
“She was merely trying to impress you. She could never imitate us. Our hoots are laced in our power and could break the sound barrier. She more than likely copied the noise of the animal from the nonmagical realm that is in likeness to us.”
“You mean an owl?” I ask.
“Yes,” he groans as though the similarities annoy him.
“Touchy subject, I see.” I laugh, then do a double take at Creed. He’s moved in closer, but he’s also positioned himself as far away from V as possible. “Everything okay?”
He meets my gaze and nods. “Shocked, is all.”
My smirk turns into a frown. I move my attention to V as he climbs down Kyzen and lands on my forearm.
“Are you going to introduce yourself to Creed?”
“I’ve spoken to him. He’s not going to embrace me at this time.”
My forehead wrinkles and secondhand offense hits me. I go to talk shit to Creed, but V pecks my damn arm.
“Don’t call him out right now. He was very respectful. He needs some time.”
“Why are you so willing to give him time but not me?”
“Because he’s fearful and carrying blame that doesn’t belong to him. He needs to realize that on his own.”
My eyes meet Creed’s once again, but there’s nothing there for me to interpret. He definitely seems shocked and interested, but I can’t read anything else on his face other than that.
“Well, I’m glad everyone enjoyed this surprise. Told you all it was nothing bad.”
Kyzen chuckles and throws his arm over my shoulders. I contemplate pulling away for a split moment, then stop myself. My body relaxes slowly as I let the comforting weight of his arm that I’ve felt countless times before today ground me.
He goes to say something, but before he can, Amick cuts in. “We need to make some accommodations for V. Do you have a preference for where you’d like your space to be?”
“Oh, he’s—”
“I wouldn’t mind sleeping above the fireplace. I like the warmth and being close to the text. I’ll spend my time between here with you all, the sacred hot spring, and with Seismet.”
“Very well. I’ll get that arranged immediately.”
My eyes subtly roll at V’s appreciative sound.
They’re going to spoil him silly.
“You could’ve made space in my room.”
“I’d prefer not. The five of you will want privacy.”
No one makes a retort to V, so thankfully, he only said that to me. Kyzen doesn’t miss my blushing, though. His fingers trail down my cheek and his eyebrows arch with curiosity.
I don’t get the opportunity to say anything when Amick’s power flares to life once again. Only this time, it’s being put to use.
My jaw drops as above the fireplace, a square nook carves out right before my eyes. The depth goes far enough into the wall I don’t see where it ends, but a ledge forms that stretches out over the fire.
Blankets fill the hole at the opening in the shape of a nest and V hoots as he soars from my hands to inspect his space.
“Perfect, Amick. Thank you very much.”
“How in the realm did you do that?” I ask.
“We have control to change anything about our house as it was made with our essences. Just like the lights and doors. It requires a greater level of power and concentration. I’ll teach you how once you get more control and an understanding of your power.”
“So, the day I arrived, and this area changed, you could’ve changed it back?”
“I could have, yes.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“It was changed with your desires and comfort mingled in with ours. I never would’ve changed it because it altered my design and comfort. That day, this space became just as much yours as any of ours.”
My heart flutters.
Amick gets such a bad rap for not having feelings, being too orderly, too obsessed with things being a certain way. From more people than just Riven. I’ve seen the way the others and those in the Athenaeum look and approach him like he’s an emotionless contraption from the nonmagical realm.
The fact that he had the power to change everything back to fit his comfort but didn’t speaks volumes to me.
He’s far from emotionless, selfish, or whatever word anyone wants to use to describe him. He shows it in the smallest of acts that no one gives him credit for.
Like my chair that only I can sit in.
“Thank you,” I say softly.
His eyebrows furrow in confusion. “For what?”
A small smile spreads across my lips. “For making V his own space since I can’t.”
“Your appreciation is noted but not necessary, Thayla. I’ll always make up for any shortcomings you have, just as you’ll do for me.”
I hide my chuckle by turning into Kyzen even more. The rumble of his chest vibrates my shoulder and spreads through my body.
“We’re all in agreement that V still needs to be kept a secret amongst our Valtrue. The last thing we need is him finding out about this,” Creed says as he crosses his arms over his chest.
His gaze bounces from me to V, either having a private conversation without me or looking for our agreement.
“Agreed, except for Yemi, Lambrit, Rose, and Havar. I planned to go see them in a minute and verbally telling them before making any formal introductions, though.”
“That wouldn’t be wise today. The High Chancellor isn’t lifting the lockdown, and we had a few choice words earlier. It’d be best for us to stay here. You can inform them all tomorrow during your first new schedule change. They’ll be with you.”
“Will they now? You’ve altered all our schedules, Candyman?”
“Yes. They’ll be accompanying us on our journey, so they need to be as prepared as possible. Starting in the morning, training with Creed. I’ve already sent communications to each of their houses to tell them to meet you all here in the morning.”
“What?” Creed and I ask at the same time, while sharing very different facial expressions.
His is furious, mine full of concern.
I don’t know how I feel about them joining us. What if this is dangerous? It’s definitely going to be dangerous. We’re looking for a Beginning God’s Binding.
Gods, Lambrit would love it, though. This will make him ecstatic.
Fuck.