Page 146 of The Gods Veiling
“Come on, Riven. You’ve unleashed enough. Pull some back and let it run its course.”
I groan. “Fine, fun sucker.”
I don’t pull any of my power back.
I’ll do as he says and just let it run its course, though. They’ll eventually be able to break free from it on their own.
I follow behind him with a smirk on my face. It quickly morphs into a fake pout when he peers over his shoulder at me.
It’s back in place when he turns around.
The entire walk through the tunnel, I hum happily in tune with the grunts and shouts following us out of the Gods Court. A cheerful sigh escapes me when we emerge at the end and start walking toward the house.
“Uh, I needed that. My sweets hasn’t come out to play in so, so long.”
“You use your chaos every day.”
“Well, yeah, but I mean, it itself hasn’t come out on its own since Thayla got here. I’ve had to poke and prod it. That was just the release we needed.”
He scoffs. “You’re blaming her for there not being a need for chaos? You don’t think shit is a little chaotic enough without adding to it?”
“No, no, I do not. It could be so much worse than this. So, in fact, you’re welcome. And yes, I’m blaming her. It’s her fault. I don’t know exactly what she’s doing to cause my power to be so lazy, but that’s what’s happening.”
“Then I owe her a thanks. I can’t believe you just pulled that shit back there.”
“You said that without even a hint of anger, so I’m going to assume you feel like you have to say that but don’t really mean it.”
He doesn’t deny it.
The closer to the house we get, the more my excitement starts to die down. The drop in all those happy emotions has a yawn escaping me and I stretch my arms over my head.
As soon as we get to the house, I plop my ass on the couch and spread out. I kick my shoes off and holler at Creed in the kitchen. “I’m taking a nap. Wake me up for lunch.”
I’m pretty sure he grunts at me as I gather some throw pillows. I need three of them. One for behind my head, one for between my knees, and the last I cuddle close to my chest. That yummy, deep comfort that the promise of a nap brings settles over me and I’m out like a light in seconds.
That beautiful feeling is over far too fast. One minute, I’m sleeping peacefully in nap land. The next, Creed’s sweet voice is calling my name.
“Wakey, wakey, Riven.”
Soft caresses trail down my face, and I whine as I try to knock it away. “Creed, stop.”
His laugh has changed. It’s higher pitched and makes my heart flutter.
“Not Creed. It’s so sweet that he makes your heart flutter, though.”
“Get out of my head.” I try to cover my face, but the pillow is snatched from me.
“I’m not in your head. You keep talking in your sleep. Lunch is ready and Creed told me to wake you up.”
Finally, I peel one lid open. Standing over me is Thayla’s mischievous, smiling face. “Bad, bad burden. Leave me be and let me sleep.”
“Fine, eat or don’t eat. I don’t care,” she says before leaning in so close to me, her breath whispers across my ear. “You can drop the burden shit. Your lips lie when you’re awake but speak all your truths when you’re sleeping.”
My eyes fly open, and she squeals as she jumps out of the way of my arms reaching for her. She hauls ass around the couch and hides behind Amick.
I fling myself up and glare over at the two of them. “Was I talking in my sleep?”
“Yes. Loudly,” Amick says, then walks to the table with a dying of laughter Binder hot on his heels.
