Page 102 of The Gods Veiling
“I’m not sure how you all get your meals or stock of food brought to you from the dining hall, or anything you may need in your roles, but Yemi’s not to be used. She’s not going to be fetching things for us. She’ll be using me as an excuse in order to get herself a better selection of food for her house, but that’ll be the extent of that.
“She’s not a slave, nor will she be treated as one by anyone. Whether it’s food runs or anything else the Attendants are made to do, she’s not going to be doing any of it for anyone but me, and that’s only within reason that I don’t get her in trouble. That goes for you four as well as any of the other gods. I despise how I’ve seen the Attendants be treated so far. My reaction to her being treated poorly won’t be pleasant.”
My jaw hangs slack as my eyes widen. I had a feeling when she made it clear we address her Attendant by her name, she was going to treat her differently than the others do. This is a level of respect I’ve only ever seen from my brothers and me. We know the true history of the Attendants, and we’ve never wavered from the way things are supposed to be.
“Understood. We won’t cross those lines,” I say and Creed grunts in agreement.
“If that’s how you truly feel, you need to be prepared to correct the gods’ behaviors immediately. If you allow one to get away with it, they’ll all try. Without your power settling yet, you should be ready for the worst.”
Again, she eyes Creed like she’s trying to figure him out. “Will the four of you not have my back on this?”
She asks the question like it’s a test. Depending on Creed’s answer is how she’s about to view us. I go to open my mouth to reassure her, but he beats me.
“If things go too far, yes, we will. But she’s your Attendant and the expectations you have of her need to come from you. Not us. If you get into the habit of using us as a crutch, the other gods will single you out the second you’re not around one of us. Make your stand known.”
She worries her bottom lip, but her stony face never falters.
“Understood.”
Creed nods once before getting up from the table and heading to the icebox. The lights in the kitchen come fully to life as he starts pulling stuff out for breakfast.
I chuckle as she cocks her head to the side and watches him. “Wait, you all don’t go to the dining hall?”
“Never.” I smile at the shock on her face. “Creed does the cooking.”
He’s cooking early today to be spiteful about her assuming.
“What?”
“That’s the Healer in him. You got to nourish the body. Can’t let that gorgeous physique of yours wither away.” I wink and openly eye her. I’ve seen and heard enough to know if she’s not okay with that, she’s going to tell me. I may earn myself a slap.
“Don’t bring that up.” Her whisper travels through the kitchen and my smile widens.
“Bring what up?” Creed asks.
“Nothing,” she answers far too fast while she stares daggers at me.
I throw my head back, laughing.
At least if I don’t get to enjoy my mornings alone anymore, they’ll be entertaining for me.
“Make sure you keep our secret today, angel. You don’t want to face the wrath of a pissy Amick.”
I roll my eyes at Riven’s instigating. From the moment he joined us for breakfast, he’s been trying to get a rise out of Amick and Thayla. I’m not sure if it’s to start her day off rough or he’s just pestering Amick like normal, but neither is giving him the time.
Amick and Creed have been silent like usual as we make our way to the Assembly while Thayla has been having quiet conversations with Yemi. I tried to break the ice with a big smile when we walked out of the house and saw her standing there waiting for us, but she’s more nervous than a cornered animal.
She may need time to adjust to being around us.
We can be a lot.
“So we’ll be going to the Athenaeum this morning for a few hours, then we’ll do whatever you want for lunch. We return to the Athenaeum, then you’ll get a few hours of break before training this afternoon.”
“And you’ll be with me the whole time?” Thayla asks her quietly, but I’m eavesdropping so hard, I hear it.
“Yes, for today. This is also where Lambrit will spend all of his time, so you’ll see him. But remember, tomorrow, I have my own new lesson, so I won’t be with you for a couple of hours that morning.”
“I already forgot. I need to remember your schedule and mine.”
