Page 80 of The Gods Veiling
I don’t want to go in there either.
“How about Lambrit? He’s the one who accepted Rose. Was he okay after his test and do you know where he went?”
A smile crosses her face that makes me feel better. “Smart one that one is, huh?”
“Very. He’s my best friend, and he isn’t the best in crowded, social situations. I’m a little worried about him.”
“He and Rose left to find the housings after you passed out. She doesn’t do well in crowds either. He did try to come to you but was stopped. I only got to see them for a second before I followed you to the healing villa. His domain is under the God of Scripture.”
A huge, sincere smile spreads across my face. That doesn’t surprise me one bit and I’m so proud of him. “The god that remembers everything he writes. That’snot a shock to me. I’m positive Lambrit can already remember anything he reads. He’ll be fantastic.”
“He seems really sweet, which is different, that’s for sure. But I won’t overwhelm you with anything else after this.”
“After what?” I groan.
She takes no offense and laughs me off. “I’m technically supposed to check with you about all meals. So dinner tonight and breakfast in the morning. It’d be my responsibility to bring it to you from the dining hall, or we go there. If you don’t want to eat there or in your house with them, you can come over in the morning when you get up and we can go over some rules. I actually enjoy cooking, but I don’t have anything to prepare tonight, so I’ll have to go to the dining hall in a few, regardless.”
“Really?”
She chuckles. “Don’t sound so surprised by my invite. It’s both sincere and selfish. I really don’t want to be around your Valtrue but will learn to suck it up. Bringing you breakfast would make me have to come in there with all of them again, though. Then if they wanted something, I’d have to get it as well.”
“The fuck you would. I’d like for one of them to attempt to tell you to get them food. Grown-ass men. They can get it themselves. You can always just use the door directly to my room, by the way.”
Her head whips between the two houses and I snicker at the worry on her face. “That’s a decree you’ll have to lay down, not me. But so, food?”
I’m starving honestly, but the thought of her going to the dining hall to get me food doesn’t settle well in my stomach, but I’m sure as fuck not going there tonight. “I’m fine for tonight, thank you, but breakfast at your place sounds great. What time do you get up?”
“Before the sun. That’s when all the Attendants rise. I hated it when I first got here, but now I kind of enjoy watching the sun come up. The beauty of this place is still something I really appreciate.”
I won’t bore her with the fact that I’ve had to wake with the stars for quite some time now, so I’m an early riser as well. I actually love watching the sun come up, so at least that’s one experience I can look forward to.
“I get up early as well. So I’ll get ready and head over in the morning.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you then. If you need something before, you know where to find me,” she says with a nod toward her back door, then she walks away.
I let out a little breath. I have absolutely zero idea how to navigate a relationship like this one.
Nothing but heavy silence greets me as I pass through the back door to my room and pause to listen for any noise. My head falls back against the wood as the weight of the day crushes my shoulders. Before I give it much thought, I sling the curtains closed, strip off my clothes, and climb into the massive bed.
The sheets are cool, and the comforter is the perfect weight. The fire is low, giving off just enough heat and light. With the remaining sun outside blocked out, I easily convince myself it’s bedtime.
Just close your eyes. Everything about today is now a tomorrow problem.
Quickly enough, with a long-drawn-out breath, I give in to the call of sleep and let my eyes fall shut.
The room is even darker than it was when I shut my eyes. Whatever just snatched me out of that godforsaken nightmare I was having has them adjusting quickly.
Three rapid booms echo around me, pulling a shriek from my chest.
I could’ve sworn I was in the middle of my bed, but I severely underestimated that. My attempt to roll into a sitting position sends my body flying off the side. I hit the floor with a painstaking groan and the cold hardwood at my back chills my warm skin immediately.
From this night forward, I’m going to train myself how to sleep standing up.
“Thayla, are you okay?”
It takes my mind a moment to place the voice, but when I do, I’m up, scrambling to the door in a flash as the handle starts to jiggle. I grip the knob and turn it before he has a chance to walk in. If he can even do that.
“Kyzen, what are you doing?” I pant out as I take in him standing there with a plate of food in one hand. The other is stretched out like I snatched the handle out of it.
