Page 139 of The Gods Veiling
I scoff at the begging now falling from his lips and track his every move while he gets marched away. It’s crazy to me that he’s so fearful now. I’d be a thousand times more worried about the Veilatara than the gods.
A gasp attempts to escape me as Riven crowds me. His lips graze my ear as his chest presses firmly to my back, and I force myself to stand ramrod straight.
My body’s first reaction and desire are to push my ass back into him. I quickly tell myself I’m mentally losing it because I should throw my elbow into his stomach.
“You’re such a good little burden. Throwing perfect punches and defending your Valtrue. What am I going to do with you?”
Obviously, I’m suffering some sort of side effect from him possessing part of my soul.
I, as subtly as I can, clench my thighs together. His words have me both turned on and pissed all the way off. It’s infuriating that I find him an attractive asshole and funny as shit.
While also questioning if I’m even safe in his presence.
I turn around until the two of us are chest to chest. Well, boobs to upper abs, that I can feel through his shirt.
Fuck, this god is ripped.
I crane my neck back until I’m gazing into those mismatched, nothing but trouble set of eyes. I bat my lashes and put on a face full of fake innocence.
“It’s not what you can do with me but for me. Be my good little psycho and go beat him up. His face hurt my fist.”
Trouble was the perfect word to use. A smile that can only be described as that takes over his face. I thought it’d be impossible for us to get any closer, but he proves me wrong. With his hand on my lower back, he tugs me against him even more and lowers his face to mine.
This would be a great time to pull away before he lays another unwanted kiss on my lips, but I know if I do that, he’ll know he got to me.
Again.
“You’re a tempting morsel, Thayla Godrun.” His voice drops to that smooth tone that I don’t know how to react to, then he chuckles darkly. “I really can’t tell if you’re an angel sent to set me straight or a burden sent to ruin me and what little I have. I’m not really interested in finding out which it may be.Boop.”
His finger taps my nose, and I startle back. Directly into a body I hadn’t even noticed had crept up behind me. Something passes between him and Kyzen, and without another glance at me, he starshoots away.
I stand shocked, staring at the spot he just was. “Does he really think I’m here to ruin him? I don’t even know what he means by that or how that’d be possible.”
Kyzen’s pause is too long for my comfort. I take a step away from him and turn to face him fully. His small, unconvincing smile makes my eyebrows scrunch together.
“Havar has agreed to Yemi’s begging for a tour around the meadows. We can do that, or I can give you the tour of the Gods Sanctum like I originally planned. Whichever is fine with me.” His complete avoidance makes my chest pang.
I haven’t given any of them a reason to think I’d ruin them. I seriously don’t even know what that means. From the condition my poor soul’s currently in, plus the lack of my power right now, I should be the one with that fear.
A heavy exhale falls from my lips and my gaze moves to Yemi. She’s talking animatedly to Havar, who’s smiling down at her like it’s the first time he’s seen her in forever.
A purr draws my attention away from them.“Is that okay, Seismet? I don’t want us to intrude after what just happened.”
“You’re no intruder. You may visit the meadows anytime. Today was a necessary experience for you but don’t let it cloud the opportunity now presented.”
I bow my head at the honor I know that is. I really can’t believe these gods take these creatures for granted the way I’ve witnessed.“Thank you very much.”
“Thank you, Thayla. Until next time.”
He neighs before trotting through the crowd of Veilatara still behind him. Row by row, they follow. It’s a powerful sight and I wish more than anything they didn’t have those straps around their wings.
If they didn’t, we’d be able to witness them fly together. We’d experience the true power of the Valorian Veil through them.
“So Escort turned tour guide, huh?”
I plaster on the fakest smile I can when I focus on Havar.
Kyzen steps closer to me and his hand goes to my lower back. I’m incredibly tempted to step away, but I force myself to stop. I can’t blame him for Seismet’s warning, Riven’s words, or my own. Well, my lack thereof.
