Page 13 of The Gods Veiling
The Gods Chancellor’s booming voice causes me to startle. Luckily, Laney releases me at the same moment and starts clapping frantically. Unfortunately, on the other side of me, a much stronger hand grips my shoulder.
He’s not getting chosen…
He is.
He’s not.
The madness running through my mind silences when the Chancellor raises his hand.
“I am Chancellor Gulliver. The gods have been gracious enough to bless us with another day. Not just any but another Veiling. Today, their sacred Volreen will choose the five of you who will best serve this realm. You will join those who have come before you in pursuit of reaching your full power. You will join the Beginning Gods, the Domain Gods, and those under them.”
Ground-trembling cheers pierce the air and I grit my teeth. It’s as though none of them have ever thought for a second that the gods are to blame for us not having our power now.
Chancellor Gulliver raises his palm as white light glows from the Volreen and again, silence follows. “The blood that was given as an offering has been examined. The gods have decided who among you will rise. It is time to fulfill your duty to the realm. To your gods.”
My heart thunders. Its erratic pulse beats throughout my whole body. It syncs with the vibrations in the ground and there’s no part of me that doesn’t shudder from the budding anticipation.
This entire experience makes me feel sick.
This is not how it should be.
I take a deep breath and hold it as the Chancellor slides his hand into the bowl of the Volreen. The white light crawls up his arm, and he smiles as though it’s the most glorious sensation he’s ever experienced.
When he withdraws his hand, his green robe that’s lined in gold is still just as dry and pristine as it was when he reached in. There’s no evidence that he even invaded the sacred stone other than the strip of parchment pinched in his fingers.
“Garish Foremus.”
The air in my lungs rushes out and the roaring from the left of me captures my attention. The crowd cheers and claps the man on his back as he walks by them.
His face, one I’ve seen daily for years, is serious, but even from here I see the tremble in his curled fingers that hang at his sides. I know little about him other than he’s a worthy fighter. I’ve never beaten him and typically cringe when we’re paired together.
That’s one from our group.
I fight the need to peer at Mellcom. His words from earlier this morning are feeling more like prophecy rather than words of encouragement.
The Chancellor bows to Garish as he makes his way onto the platform. They share a few whispered words that none of us can hear, then Garish turns toward us and bows.
Everyone loses their ever-loving minds.
The noise is deafening as though they haven’t witnessed this before.
The Chancellor’s beaming smile and movement toward the Volreen have everyone settling down. He repeats the same process and again, I swallow down all the air I can.
“Lambrit Armend.”
Everything moves in slow motion. Disbelief floods me as my eyes water and my lips part. My stomach revolts and I place my hand over my mouth to hide my gagging.
Mr. Armend’s deep voice pierces my panic as his strong arms pull Lambrit into a hug. He’s wearing the biggest smile I’ve ever seen cross his usually stoic face. “I’m so proud of you, son.”
Lambrit’s stunned expression searches mine even as his mom cups his cheeks. Proud tears cascade down her face, and Laney wraps her arms around him.
I’m going to scream. I’m going to…
Get it together for now.
My mouth snaps shut, and I force my hands to work up a clap for him. I bite my bottom lip to stop the trembling as I nod encouragingly.
If knowledge is measured as a strength, he has that tenfold.
