Page 135 of The Gods Veiling
Granted, yes, the situation that’s brought us here sucks, that poor Veilatara, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m going to cherish it.
A squeal tries to escape me when we reach the end of the path and Kyzen guides me to the right with a hand to my lower back. The sight at first is breathtaking. Then I realize how breathtakingly terrifying it is.
The beautiful meadow has been divided in two.
On one side, gods line up as they face rows of Veilatara, young and old, on the other. Each of them is standing with their heads held high, showing off their majestic height and stature. The sea of black and gold is stunning.
“Oh, this isn’t good,” I whisper.
“Everything will be fine. Remember everything I told you at the house.”
I nod to Kyzen. I didn’t bother telling him then that I knew plenty about the Veilatara. I didn’t want to let anything about my trip here slip, so I just smiled and listened.
A wave of peace flows over my skin and my chest jerks. I try to push it off as anxiety, but I can’t ignore the true reason for it. My eyes cut over to Riven. He’s strolling along with his hands in his pockets, but there’s definitely something different about him right now.
Part of me wants to snuggle into his side. I damn near bite through the flesh in my cheek to ignore that weird-ass sensation. My fists ball at my side and I breathe softly until I grow used to whatever’s going on with his power.
Yemi comes up beside me and lightly bumps my arm. I follow the direction her finger’s pointing, and our attention must have a weight to it. Havar stops his pacing, and his eyes lock on us before we even make it to the deadly circle that’s formed.
We slow our paces as he rushes over. “What are you doing here?”
He directs that at Yemi, and she crosses her arms over her chest. “It’s lovely to see you as well, cousin.”
“Yemi, now isn’t the time. Why are you…” He looks between the two of us, then at Kyzen and Riven. “Well, shit. The rumors are true.”
“Not sure what rumors you’re referring to.”
“It doesn’t matter right now anyways. We’ll play catch-up when we can. It may be for the best that you’re here.”
That causes me to lose my attitude quickly. Even Yemi drops her arms at the desperate tone. “Why would it be best I’m here?” I ask at the same time Kyzen asks, “What does she have to do with this?”
Havar bounces his gaze between the two of us before settling on me. “I’m sure he’s informed you of what’s happening. The Veilatara that escorted you here isthe one pinning Ike down. The youngling that was struck is from that Veilatara’s direct line.”
Well, shit, Seismet. You protective little badass.
“I’m not sure how much help I’ll be, Havar. That’s really the whole point of Kyzen coming. I’m just supposed to watch and learn.”
“Well, will you try?” His voice rises with his question and I stare blankly at him. “I get it. I already see it all over your face. I know what Ike did was fucked up, okay? He should be punished and most certainly removed from the meadows forever, but death? Like this? That’s a harsh sentencing.”
It’s easy to guess that this god is a friend of his. There’s pain and desperation etched into every feature across his face. I won’t give him any false hope that I can or even want to do anything about this, but I won’t exactly shut him down completely either.
“I’m not the one who will be making decisions today. We can see if the Veilatara responds to me again, though.”
“Again?” Riven, Kyzen, and Yemi ask at the same time.
“This Veilatara took an interest in me on the trip here.”
“You’re dulling that down on so many levels. The Veilatara met her bow and allowed her to touch them.”
I sneer at him when all three of them whip toward me. “You’ve got a big mouth.”
“You should be bragging about the fact a Veilatara embraced you. Not acting shameful.”
“I’m not shameful. I just didn’t want any more damn attention on me. I’ve got enough of that now thanks to my Valtrue and my grand entrance into the Godsdawn.”
“Well, it’s not like it’s going to be foreign attention for now. The Veilatara respond to your Valtrue the same way, so it makes a lot more sense. I’ve just never seen this one embrace anyone the way they did you. Can we just get over there and try, please?”
It’s my turn to let shock color my face. Kyzen and Riven pointedly ignore me as they glare at Havar. “You do have a big mouth. Come on, let’s see what can be done, if anything.”
