Page 94 of The Gods Veiling
His smile widens and my stomach does a weird thing. “Good. You remember Amick.”
Oh yes, I remember Candyman.
Those sugar crystal eyes of his see right through me and the twitch on my lips. With a curious scowl, he steps toward me and reaches his hand out. “Thayla.”
“Amick.”
The forced formality makes me feel even more awkward, and I repress the urge to laugh. Especially when I start thinking about how he would’ve reacted if I called him Candyman out loud again. I don’t know if he’s always like this or if he’s just as uncomfortable as me and doesn’t know how to react.
With a quick, sure shake of my hand, he returns to his line of brothers and laces his fingers in front of him like this is an incredibly important meeting. Which I guess it is.
I arch a brow at Kyzen as he seems to struggle with who to choose next when he first looks at Creed, then diverts his attention to Riven. My focus stays there as I find the asshole smirking and looking me up and down through his giggles.
That wildness that was present yesterday is still here today, but there seems to be a playfulness to it that eases my hackles. Maybe it’s because of the thick strip of blond, red, brown, and black streaks curling together on top of his head that I didn’t notice yesterday. It’s fun. Chaotic.
I guess my staring gives him permission to make the decision for Kyzen. He prowls toward me withthatlaugh still lingering on his lips and he reaches his hand out when there’s only a small amount of space left between us.
Smooth as velvet, he says, “I’m Riven.”
There’s no way this is the same cruel asshole from yesterday.
“Thay—”
My words are cut off as my hand collides with his shirt. His palm grips the back of my neck and tilts my head back faster than I know what’s happening. My breath can’t even rush out of me as his mouth seals to mine.
The room fades away as I melt into him.
All coherent thought goes flying off the cliff as my tongue tangles with his. That jerking in my chest morphs into a warmth that spreads through every inch of me.
A slip of a moan coming from the back of my throat slaps reality back into me. At the same time, my palm connects with his cheek.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” My chest heaves as I rub my hand.
His fingers caress the side of his face as his irises start to swirl. If I weren’t so confused about what the hell just happened, I’d be hypnotized by how the colors are beginning to blend.
“Do that again. I liked it.”
“For fuck’s sake, Riven,” Kyzengroans.
Not a moment later, he’s being snatched away from me and the two of them fade farther into the living room. I can’t hear a thing Kyzen’s saying over my heavy breathing and Riven’s laughter.
Amick just walks to the table like nothing’s going on around him.
I don’t know what, where, or who to focus on. I don’t know whether to touch my tingling lips, palm, or chest.
Every-fucking-thing is tingling right now.
What in the realm is happening?
I finally settle my attention on the last man who hasn’t said the first thing. He’s still leaning against the counter with his head bowed and his fingers rub at his temples.
He must sense my stare, and I release a shuddering breath when charcoal gray eyes meet mine.
“Creed.”
The word is breathy, and my hand holds the slightest tremble as I stick it out. His steps are slow as he approaches me. He gets as close as Riven did, but I don’t believe he’ll be kissing me.
“That’s me,little troublling.”
