Page 190 of The Gods Veiling
I gasp, then give her a teasing grin. “You wouldn’t help me kill one of them, then help hide the body?”
“Yeah, of course, but honestly, it’d probably take more than us. They look kind of heavy.”
“That’s true, but I’m sure between you, me, Lambrit, and Rose, we could carry them to the waterfall. We possibly could talk Havar into lending us a carriage.”
“You two do remember one of the men you’re plotting death on is right here, right?”
“I’m well aware.” I cut my eyes over to him and squeeze his hand. “So plan for the day. Finally tour the Gods Sanctum while Amick does his thing with the Chancellors, then we’ll go to the Athenaeum later, right?”
“Right, except I have a teensy favor to ask of you.”
“I’m both nervous and interested since you haven’t asked for absolutely anything.”
“Come with me to the dining hall. Havar asked me to meet him there when we were done for a quick minute. We won’t be eating or anything. Hopefully, we catch him outside before he walks in.”
“Ugh, that dreadful place, but of course I’ll go with you. Then we’ll meet you in the Athenaeum or do you need to stay in the Sanctum today?”
“Nope, I’ll go on to Amick’s office. The only thing on my schedule today is giving you a tour.”
“Sounds like a pretty easy—”
A warm hand sliding into my other one from behind me cuts my words off. I peer down at it, then over my shoulder. Amick walks just enough distance back that he doesn’t trample my heels, but close enough he can grip my fingers entirely with his.
“You okay there, Candyman?”
“I’m fine.”
“Well…what are you doing exactly?”
“Kyzen seems fascinated with holding your hand and Riven did it last week to channel his chaos. I wanted to see what the fuss was about.”
“Could you let her go and not make this an experiment?” Kyzen asks, tugging me slightly closer to him. All the action does is pull Amick and me since he doesn’t let me go.
“Have you never held someone’s hand before?”
“No. Why would I ever need to?”
“Different reasons, I suppose. So what do you think?”
“About your hand? It’s soft, very smooth, just like the rest of your skin I’ve touched.”
That very skin he’s referring to breaks out in chill bumps.
This god, I swear.
“Why have you been touching her?” The subtle ire in Creed’s question is obvious, but I ignore him. He has no say in who can and can’t touch me.
“I meant the hand holding, but thank you for the compliment.”
“It’s strange but not uncomfortable. It grounds me in a foreign sensation that I find I enjoy.”
I press my lips together to hide my smile and look over at Kyzen as he chuckles quietly. Yemi seems fascinated by this entire exchange.
“I’m glad you find this experience or experiment, I guess, enjoyable, Amick.”
“Good because I plan to do it more often.”
My steps slow as I stare at the side of his face, dumbfounded. He doesn’t miss a beat as he releases my hand and walks through Yemi and me. Not another remark or a backward glance as he just keeps making his way to the Athenaeum.
