Page 113 of The Gods Veiling
“It’s not bad.”
“Not bad?” He presses his hand to his heart dramatically. “Next time I’ll come to the door in my boxers so you can get a full view.”
Gods, don’t do that.
The image of Kyzen half-naked at my door seems to remind my body and mind that it’s been a good six months since I’ve had sex. It was the last worthless, nonorgasmic, hate-fuck I had with Jeremiah.
After he left me unsatisfied,again—one hundred percent on purpose, I’m sure—I gave myself a nasty little pep talk about how pathetic I was and swore it’d be the last time.
Maybe it’s his confident and flirty personality, but I’m positive Kyzen would have me seeing stars no problem.
Nope. Thayla, absolutely not.
No thinking about fucking anyone in your Valtrue.
I smile sweetly as I pass him by and pat his chest. “If you’re more comfortable without all your clothes on, be my guest. This is your house too, Kyzen.”
I don’t make it far before he grips my arm and whispers in my ear.
“Be careful who you give that permission to, little goddess. Riven does, in fact, like to walk around naked. He’s only behaving because I asked him to.”
His laugh ricochets around my small hallway as I gape at his back. Despite the fact I’ve deemed Riven crazy and put him in a category of someone to stay away from, I can’t deny he’s just as good-looking as his brothers.
He’d look divine naked.
“Come on, Thayla. Today isn’t the day to piss off the God of Strength,” Kyzen singsongs back to me and that godawful reminder of where we’re going has me rushing to catch up to him.
I keep my face as neutral as possible when I enter the kitchen to all four of them standing there adorned in their armor.
Yep. Fuck me.
They’re the finest specimen of men I’ve ever laid my eyes on.
The black undershirts that both Creed and Amick are wearing wrap around their biceps just as Kyzen’s does. Riven’s…dear Valories…his rainbow shirt is enough to distract me from my ogling.
“We need to get going. Come here, Thayla,” Creed commands gruffly.
“You all missed your lesson on manners growing up.”
Regardless, I walk up to where he’s turned to get something off the counter. When he faces me once again, he has forearm shields clutched in his hands.
He grips one of my arms and slides it into place and starts lacing it up as he speaks. “I don’t know the extent of your training, but be prepared and be sharp. Gladian typically goes over his training plans with me, but he didn’t today, so I have no warning for you other than that. You’re the only new female placed in Defender. The others will be those who’ve been here and those with this as their secondary.”
I grunt as he tightens the strappings. These things aren’t coming off.
“But technically, I wasn’t placed.”
“You’re equalized and in my Valtrue. That’s enough of a Designation for him. Let’s go.”
He stomps through the kitchen and out the door with the four of us right behind him. I arch a brow over at Kyzen, but he’s looking straight ahead. The serious, unfamiliar expression on his face makes my stomach sink even more.
“Where’s your armor?” I ask Yemi as soon as we step outside and I find her out here waiting.
“Oh. I didn’t mean I’d be training when I said see you for training. I just have to accompany you.”
Damn. I was really hoping we’d be partnered or do whatever we’re about to do together.
“I thought everyone trained in some variation?”
