Page 122 of The Gods Veiling
“What? No. We’re the ones who just put a stop to it.” His face flinches. “All we did was tell them about you. I mean, I may have said no one had to go easy on you, that you could hold your own, but that’s it.”
“Seriously? You told the God of Strength, and obviously the girl version of him, that I could hold my own. Against them? Gods? You stupid asshole.”
I try to stomp—limp—away from him, but I don’t make it a step before he’s grabbing me once again and pulling me to him.
“Thayla—”
“Uh-uh-uh, Golden boy.” To my shock and relief, Riven grips Mellcom’s arm that’s holding me in place. His appearance has me searching for the others.
My eyes widen and my heart rate spikes. Creed’s standing face-to-face with Gladian, Amick with Jeremiah, and Kyzen against who I assume is Chasin.
What’re they doing?
“Daddy Gladdy over there never should’ve released you three without letting us all out. That was his mistake. But you…what do you think you’re doing touching my little burden?”
Mellcom’s fingers twitch around my arm. “What the fuck did you just call her?”
“Ah, my mistake. I confuse burden with Binder. Regardless, you didn’t answer my question.” The smile slowly fades from Riven’s face, and a shiver passes through me. “What. The. Fuck. Do you think you’re doing with your hand on her?”
Mellcom’s eyes narrow and his grip tightens. “I don’t answer to you when it comes to her.”
“That’s inaccurate,” Amick calls mindlessly over his shoulder.
I get whiplash from looking between all of them.
“My brother may be too ambiguous for you to understand, so let me say it clearer. Let her fucking arm go before things get really…chaotic.”
Mellcom lifts his chin in clear challenge. The giggle that leaves Riven as his eyes start swirling has my body heating.
“Mellcom,” Gladian barks.
If I’m being honest with myself, I’d actually love to see him and Riven go head-to-head. I’d also love to see Amick beat Jeremiah’s ass. They deserve it after what they’ve done.
Mellcom finally moves his glare from over my head to meet mine. There’s a touch of anger that I’ve never seen before. I don’t allow myself to cower under the intensity.
“Your time avoiding me is coming to an end, Thay. You will talk to me sooner rather than later.” He releases me and snatches his arm from Riven. “If you ever touch me again, it’ll be the last thing you do.”
Riven blows him a kiss. “It’s a date, Golden boy.”
“Men, back to the center. Females, your day is over,” Gladian bellows as he stomps over to his Valtrue and the men gathering together.
Creed faces us and nods in the direction of the Court’s exit. I don’t move from my spot, and I jerk my arm away when Kyzen gently brushes it with his.
“What the fuck was that?” My question’s directed straight at Creed.
“Thayla.”
I scowl at his warning lacing my name.
“Don’t Thayla me. What kind of training was that? Was it to single me out or does he get some sick fucking pleasure from watching his Defenders tear into untrained gods? Female gods, to be more specific.”
His eyes brighten dangerously as they cut over to the God of Strength, then back to me. The stride he takes toward me causes my stomach to bottom out, but I pull my shoulders back.
“Be mindful of your next words, Thayla. This isn’t the time or place for this conversation. Drop it. Now or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and march you out of here.”
“I wish you fucking would. You better make it the time and the place, Creed. That was taurnshit and you know it. If you don’t, I’m going to make sure you learn it. Quick like.”
The energy seeping off him would have me trembling if I weren’t so damn pissed. The pain and exhaustion pouring through me only make it worse. I can’t even react when Riven bends down close to my ear.
