Page 14 of The Gods Veiling
Too bad he’s not fucking going.
He stumbles from his parents, and Laney nearly tackles me as she wraps her arms around my waist. She’s both cheering and crying. I don’t think her little mind and heart know what to feel right now.
My fingers run through her hair as her big brother and the Chancellor repeat what Garish did prior. Both his parents cheer wildly when he bows to all of us, and I choke down the lump forming in my throat.
I swallow repeatedly as we prepare for the third name. My previous worry that Mellcom’s words were looking like prophecy dissipates. My only concern now is my plan to get Lambrit and get us across the Unclaimed region’s barrier before the carriage for the Chosen arrives.
“Jeremiah Etain.”
What? Shit.
I didn’t seriously pray he’d get chosen.
My body becomes heavy as I sway. Laney’s arms tighten around me as Mellcom grips my forearm. He holds me long enough to steady me, then lets go. His arm brushes mine as he steps in front of Jeremiah, and they lay their foreheads together. The smile on both their faces makes my stomach sink.
Don’t they realize he’ll be gone forever?
Jeremiah steps away from Mellcom and his eyes bore into mine. His thumb traces across my cheekbone and part of me wants to slap it away. The other part wants to snatch him back and tell him a different Jeremiah was called.
It’s very possible to hate someone and stupidly care for them at the same time. I truly despise this man down to my bone marrow for all that he’s put me through, but I loved him once upon a time. I still appreciate what he’s provided for Mellcom.
The role he holds in our society hasn’t given him an opportunity to make a lot of meaningful relationships. Many can’t let go of what he puts them through in training to be genuine friends outside of those arena walls.
Jeremiah can, though. He always has.
He’s done me wrong on countless occasions, but never Mellcom. He’d lay his life on the line for my brother, and that’s the only reason I tolerate him as much as I do.
The Chancellor shows his respect to Jeremiah, then the three men now standing around the Volreen nod to one another in unity.
I’m going to be sick.
Two more. Let’s get this over with.
The whispers surrounding me fade out as the Chancellor reaches his hand into the Volreen for the final male’s name. I honestly hope the sacred creation decides to go off course and calls the female’s name first just to throw everyone off.
“Mellcom Bellame.”
My internal wish for chaos melts away. My chest collapses as though I’ve just been kicked straight in the heart. I dig my fingers into his skin and put a death grip on his forearm to hold him back.
“No.” All I can do is breathe the word.
That’s everyone in my life.
“It’s decided, Thay.”
My head shakes violently as he grips the back of my neck, then tears himself from me. I gently unwrap Laney’s hands from around me and pass her to her mother. My feet don’t make it a step past Mr. Armend before he grips me by my arm.
“You can’t interfere, Thayla. This is the will of the gods.”
“No, no, no.”
How…how did he know? He knew. He had to have known.
Mr. Armend’s hand stays tightly coiled around my bicep, but surprisingly, the other runs softly up and down my other arm. It takes me countless seconds to realize Mrs. Armend is also gripping my hand and Laney is back wrapped around me.
My head swivels to the right where we were just standing, and the empty sight knocks the wind out of me.
Three of the five Chosen all came from this row. All the people I’ve ever let close in my life are leaving me.
