Page 100 of The Gods Veiling
As soon as I say it, the lights grow brighter, then dim back down to how I keep them this early. She looks around and repeatedly nods.
“I had every intention of asking, but our lunch events were a little distracting.” We both snort, then she huffs. “No wonder I couldn’t figure it out yesterday or today. So I’m just supposed to walk around in the dark until my power makes itself known?”
“When did you walk around in the dark yesterday?”
“When I woke up. I just opened my curtains and used the moonlight and fireplace to go through my stuff while I waited to go to Yemi’s.”
Huh. I didn’t hear her make a peep.
“I’m pretty sure Amick has a torch lamp you can borrow until you feel your power enough to learn how to do this. You can also give me permission into your room, and I’ll cut your light on. Or we can leave them off…” I shoot her a wink.
I don’t miss how she presses her lips together like she’s avoiding giving me a smile and her face blushes that beautiful red I’ve seen a few times now. “Do you normally get up this early or did the change of scenery throw your sleep schedule off?”
“I’m always up this early, although begrudgingly this morning I skipped the getting ready part,” she says as she tugs the hem of her shirt, but there’s no use. It’s not going to reach her thighs. “Like I said, I didn’t mean to wake you with all my noise. You really don’t have to stay up and drink coffee because of me. I’m okay now that I can see.”
Damn, look at her trying to kick me out of the kitchen.
The whistle of the kettle grows louder, and I pull it off the eye. She makes her way to the icebox, humming as she looks over the many options. None of us fix our drinks the same and I grin deviously when she picks Riven’s favorite flavored cream. He’s going to be smug if he sees that. I grab mine as she steps out of my way, then add my simple sweet splash.
“You didn’t wake me. I get up this early every day. You’re interrupting my quiet time,” I tease.
She whips around so fast she nearly spills the piping hot drink all over herself. “Shit…I’m sorry. I can get my drink and get out of your hair.”
“I’m fucking with you, Thayla. I mean, not about the waking up this early, but you interrupting. This is your house too. You can get up and do whatever you want.”
“You’re sure? I’m not trying to ruin anyone’s routine.”
The hint of sympathy in her voice is a little shocking. It dawns on me, it doesn’t matter how excited she may have been to get chosen to come to Godsden, her whole routine, life, has been flipped around.
“I’m sure. It might be nice to drink a cup of coffee with someone who isn’t a growly six-foot-four man.”
She gives me a little laugh before bringing her mug to her lips. “I take it the others aren’t morning men?”
“Not at all. They’ll sleep for another hour, hour and a half. It’s best to let them get their full night of beauty rest. Couch or table?”
Her mouth parts as she glances in both directions. Another blush creeps onto her cheeks as her eyes linger on the couch. The living space is lit by the new low-burning fireplace, and it looks more romantic than comforting right now.
I arch a cocky brow and smile. I thoroughly enjoy how easy it is to fluster our Binder.
“The table is fine.”
I don’t antagonize her or tease as I hold my arm out toward the table and let her pick her seat. I grab the kettle of coffee and both creams before following her. I’m sure she isn’t a one cup and done person this early in the morning and neither am I.
She chooses the same chair as yesterday and I have to hold in my snort thinking about that damn head Riven dropped in her food. I feel a smidge bad that Amick’s going to have to act oblivious until he figures out how to steal it back from her and return it.
The small interactions we’ve had so far lead me to believe she’ll be able to handle their tendencies, but the worst is yet to be seen. Riven can be…testy with people. Amick doesn’t care about conversation or social interactions. People think it’s him being rude and they lose patience with him quickly.
“So why am I starting with Amick today?” she asks, breaking our small moment of silence. She must have been thinking about yesterday as well.
“Did you want to be with one of the others?”
“It doesn’t really matter, I guess. You all have your reservations about this.”
She clocked that quickly.
“I have a meeting I have to attend today, and the High Chancellor will be present for most of it, so I didn’t think it’d be best for you to start with me. Creed will be in his Defender designation today, which leaves him training nearly all day. I didn’t think that was the best way to start you off in the Godsdawn. And honestly, I have no clue what Riven’s doing. I didn’t even consider placing you with him first.”
“I appreciate that.” She chuckles, then takes a sip of her drink. “So is this how this works? Because of your Designation in Ruler, you get to call all the shots?”
