Page 33 of The Gods Veiling
Oh, this is a weird feeling.
I haven’t ridden in a carriage or anything for…it’s been years.
“Gods, this is so much better than the squalor we live in. Is all of Godsden like this?”
I can’t help but sneer at Jeremiah. We didn’t live in squalor. Sure, it wasn’t fancy like this carriage, but it was clean, had absolutely everything we needed, and was peaceful.
“This doesn’t even scratch the surface.”
Jeremiah hoots and hollers like the child he is. His grimy fingers run across everything he can touch, and he stares at Havar like he hung the stars.
“Lambrit, switch seats with me.”
“Don’t tell him what to do,” I bark before Lambrit can get a word out himself.
“Not this shit already,” Garish groans.
Mellcom’s head whips to him, then back to me. “Thayla.”
“I’m sensing a lot of tension here,” Havar mocks. His finger points back and forth between Mellcom and me. “Whatever romantic squabble you two got going on, you might as well get over it. It isn’t going to matter once we get where we’re going. I’ve yet to see any of the five brought in together, get paired together. Couples never work out.”
I sneer at him as he looks me up and down like I’m a delicious meal.
Which I am.
But not for him, any of the men in here, or the ones waiting at Godsden.
“First of all, that’s my little sister. God or not, I’ll warn you once to quit looking at her like that. That brings me to my next point. I don’t like how much attention you’ve been showing her.”
The protective side of Mellcom that I’m so used to makes my stomach cramp. Too bad the asshole can be like that toward everyone other than Jeremiah and this situation they’ve put us in.
“Sister makes more sense. She looks at you like she hates you. I can’t help my curiosity. She’s different.”
My muscles stiffen. “You don’t even know me.”
“Don’t really have to. This is the fifth Veiling I’ve picked up the Chosen. They all have an air about them. Just as I did, and these four. Cocky, a little too confident, and or excited. You didn’t. The judgment that was scribbled across your face could’ve been seen a region away.”
My cheeks heat. I’ve never been one to be able to hide my emotions. Most of the time, I don’t bite my tongue either, but that’s by choice. I know when to shut up. It’s just a matter of whether I want to or not.
“Well, the Veilatara took me by surprise.”
“That’ll be the least of your surprises. Godsden is realms different from what any of you are used to.”
Great.
I force my muscles to relax as I lean back in the chair. My head falls to the side as I stare out the window. We seem to be moving so much faster than it feels and I squeeze my eyes closed as I grow dizzy.
“What did you mean by those brought in together not getting paired together?” Lambrit asks.
I keep my head facing the window, but I’m all ears for the answer to that excellent question.
“There’s a Designation system you’ll all go through once we get to Godsden. Which will be in about two hours. That process—”
I sit straight up in my seat. “Two hours? I thought this would take like all day?”
“With a Veilatara pulling the carriage? No way. Where did you get that from?”
Well, shit.
