Page 36 of The Gods Veiling
My eyebrows draw down as his power glides across my skin. I watch his hands land on the contraptions attached to Seismet’s wings, then they slowly, somehow, drag the glowing straps up his body until they wrap around his neck.
Seismet shakes his wings out and I quickly jump out of the way to stand closer to his face. I reach my trembling fingers out and run them down the new collar.
“Why did you place it here?”
My soft question has Seismet bumping me with his head and I turn my glare to Havar for an answer.
“It’s for their protection.”
Lie.
His face furrows, but the words fell from his lips like they’ve been practiced time and time again.
I’m not sure how the contraption works, but I know that it would hurt Seismet somehow if he tried to disobey it. No matter where it’s placed. If it didn’t, there’s no way these revered creatures would allow the gods to restrict them like this.
“If I were you, Seismet, I’d buck the damn carriage clear across the realm. Do it while I’m not in there.”
His deep rumbling laugh settles the heat rising through my body.“That’d bring me enjoyment but wouldn’t benefit the remainder of my kind waiting on my return. Don’t find anger for me at this moment. Rather embrace the experience. There’s nothing I can do about my situation for now.”
It seems Seismet and I have something in common. His words attempt to cool the lingering need to run inside of me, but I force them back to the forefront. I’m not giving up on getting out of this just yet.
He again bumps me with his head, and I take that as his instructions to get back to the carriage. Havar stares at both of us with what I’m taking as fascination in his gaze.
“Guess we should get back in if that’s all you needed to do?”
He’s quiet until I brush past him, and he grabs my arm. “I can see that this bothers you. It’s not that it doesn’t bother me, but it’s what’s best for them. The Veilatara that are at Godsden are all that’s left. They’re safer there than anywhere else.”
“If you say so.”
“Look, Thayla, I don’t know you, but you remind me a lot of my little cousin. She’s at Godsden as well and let’s just say, she hasn’t had the easiest stay. She used to be so much fun and such a spitfire…” He pauses as a deep sadness enters his gold eyes, then he shakes himself out. “If I could turn back time and prepare her more for what to expect, I would, but since I can’t, I’ll try to do that for you. It’s blatantly clear to me that you wear your emotions on your face, and you don’t take things well if they don’t align with what you believe.”
My mouth falls open to argue and he holds his hand up, shaking his head as he smirks.
Okay, so he sees right through me. Glorious.
“I also don’t think you’ll take well to a lecture, so just take this as a warning and I’ll leave it at that. Some of the gods, especially the older ones and more powerful ones, don’t take kindly to questions, disrespect, or disagreement. They’ll make your life miserable just to prove a point. Don’t let your feelings put a target on your back. If you do, you’re going to hate every single second you’re here.
“Godsden is what you make of it. For some, gaining their domain and finally being classified as a god becomes their whole personality. Some don’t handle where they’ve been placed in this new society well. Then there’re those who are in the middle like me. I’m happy with where I am and my role. Very soon, the rest of my power will be unbound, and I’ll be able to live out my days doing what I need for the creatures of Godsden. Choose where you want to stand in your role based on how it’s going to benefit you, not by your emotions.”
I let his words sink in, but they don’t influence me much. It’s a battle not to scoff and blurt the truth.
A betrayal that’s truly cut me straight through the heart is eating me alive on the inside. That hurt is coming out as anger. I can’t help that. It’s an all-consuming feeling.
I really couldn’t give a fuck what my domain is or what my role will be. I have no desire to stand among the gods at all.
“Thank you for the warning. I’ll do better to fix my face.”
He tosses his head back, laughing. “It’s going to take more practice than that. Your nose just scrunched like you smelled a dying animal.”
Damn it.
The humor’s still falling from his lips as he holds his hand out toward the carriage. I give him a tight smile as I pass through the door.
My face falls when I come chest to chest with Mellcom. Jeremiah’s right at his side, staring me down like I’m ruining his fun.
“What were you doing?” The accusation in Mellcom’s tone makes me sneer.
“Excuse me?”
