Page 75 of The Gods Veiling
I knew not to trust the flirt.
“Or she already knew what it’d say, and she’s keeping it to herself. All gods gloat. They can’t hide their arrogance. Especially not powerful goddesses.” That cold tone leaves only one of the men.
Creed.
“The Chancellors claimed she’s acted like she was above everyone the moment she was chosen, then she readily accepted an Attendant to be her bitch on call. This is on you, Amick. You were supposed to have our predicament figured out by this Veiling and you didn’t. You don’t even fucking share what you’re up to. Now look where it’s left us. Trapped with a stuck-up growing goddess. She’s going to fuck everything up for us.”
Riven’s cruel words knock the wind out of me. My chest cramps and I place my hand there to ease the pain. The Chancellors definitely painted me out to be the realm’s largest bitch.
“That’s harsh even for you, Riven. You can’t put the sole blame on Amick. Also, we all know acertaingod has his hand in this. I also don’t believe she has any intention of treating Yemi like her bitch on call as you put it. We need to hear her out, see what she’ll tell us,” Kyzen says.
Shit…they know about him…
Is that what Riven meant by their predicament?
“You’re completely leaving out how she spoke to the High Chancellor. She isn’t careful or thoughtful with her words.”
I internally sigh at Amick’s comment. Little do they know Der—Dickhead—told me that information. So it is the truth, but I guess my throwing it in his face was poorly timed after they just heard the worst about me.
“You’re being pathetic, Kyzen. You’re trying to protect her already. Five minutes alone with her and you’re ready to welcome her into our fucked-up mess with open arms. Did you or did you not demand that the Chancellors send us back into the Veil just as much as the rest of us?”
“Yes, I did, because I don’t want this for her—for anyone—Riven, but this is what’s happening. We’re stuck with a completed Valtrue, with her, and that’s that for now. Instead of only looking out for and protecting ourselves, we now have to babysit her. I can’t turn back time to fix it. I’m trying to be practical about our new situation. You can come at me all you want but get on the same page about her.”
Apparently, Kyzen getting stern is a thing of rarity. He didn’t even raise his voice, but the low, no-nonsense pitch behind it leaves no room for argument. Not only does it shock me frozen since all I’ve heard is the easygoing flow so far, the other three men briefly fall silent.
“None of us should have to do that. She’s a god just like the rest of them. She can take care of herself. Warn her about whatever you please, but don’t expect anything extra from me.” Creed’s voice takes on a level of detachment and coldness that seeps into my soul.
I absolutely never want him, Riven, or Amick—matter of fact, none of them, to know they now hold a piece of it.
“That’s not going to work. The Chancellor’s already sent me their orders for her. She’ll be accompanying each of us on our rotations, and we’ll all be together during Court like normal,” Amick says matter-of-factly.
Court?
“I didn’t sign up to be a babysitter.”
“That’s because you need a babysitter, Riven.”
“You know what, asshole—”
“Enough,” Kyzen cuts in between Amick and Riven. “This isn’t going to work today. Don’t worry about speaking with her. I’ll do it tonight and you all can get it together, then try tomorrow. Youwilltry again tomorrow. Give me some space and don’t go near her.”
My body is already drifting back to my room with Kyzen’s order. The pounding in my chest is threatening to rip me open and all I want is to get as far away from them as I can.
The god who did this to me got something fundamentally wrong when he thought they were perfect to tie my soul to. They speak to each other like they barely tolerate one another. Not like brothers whose differences complement each other at all.
I pass through my room and don’t stop even as I sling the door that leads outside open. The fresh warm air adds to the heat spreading throughout my body. I take a second to look around.
Then I run straight for the trees.
I don’t know how long I run for, nor do I know where in the hell I am, but anywhere is better than being at that house. Their tension is tangible, and I’ve only added to it.
They can keep the glitz and beautiful rooms.
I’d rather not live under a roof that does nothing but fight. I’ve already been dealing with that for the past year.
That foreign pain still beats in my chest, and I clench my fist hard enough to leave indents in my palms. I swear it’s like my being is begging to be made whole once more. It recognizes it isn’t safe or welcome where it’s now having to reside.
I place my hands on my knees to catch my breath as I come to a small clearing somewhere in the middle of the forest. After a couple deep inhales, I plop down on my ass as I struggle to focus on anything other than everything that was said.
