Page 198 of The Gods Veiling
I stop my note-taking and cut my eyes to him. The way he rattles her brings him great pleasure, but then he pulls back again, leaving her flustered in irritation. His chaotic pattern is nothing of shock to me, but it’s a confusing cycle for her.
Creed’s the same, with the exception he doesn’t tease her in the way Riven does. He protects, pulls back, and observes.
Kyzen and I are the only consistent. That’s why she flocks to us when she puts her pride to the side and asks for something.
“She needs to learn. She can’t do that properly with the two of you around. Ultimately, it’ll be her choice to make if she wants you here or not. I wouldn’t hold my breath on that, though, if I were you.”
I resume my writing as they stay silent for a blissful three seconds.
My chest jerks and an irritated huff sounds through my mind. I’ve read every piece of material I have that could explain why this sensation continues to happen. I even wasted time reading old texts from the nonmagical realm in case I’d magically developed an illness seen there.
Creed checked me over and assured me that nothing was wrong. Despite logically knowing if he sensed nothing, no one would, I still went to the healing villas to have a second opinion. They confirmed what he said.
My conclusion is that it has to do with the little anomaly. If my brothers were quiet long enough to hear, they’d realize her laugh is traveling through the Athenaeum.
The sensation is heightened when she’s near. It’s still present in her absence, but nothing as distracting and disruptive as when she’s close.
“Well, that was quicker than I—”
“How do you all feel about me dating?”
The room finally descends into a silence I’ve been craving for the last hour since Creed showed up. I seize the opportunity and read over the notes the Chancellors took during our meeting this morning.
“Repeat that,” Creed demands and I internally roll my eyes. She spoke loud and clear, I’m not sure what he needs repeated.
“How would you all feel if I went out with someone?”
The energy shifts in the room and I tilt my head to the side as I continue my work. For whatever reason, what she’s asked isn’t making my brothers very happy.
“Who?” Creed’s knuckles whiten on the edge of my desk a few inches from my work and my eyebrows scrunch.
“I don’t know, anyone.”
Anyone? What is it she’s trying to ask?
The only sound heard in my office is my pen flowing flawlessly over my parchment. This conversation is pointless since my brothers continue to search for answers in silence. She’s barely making coherent sentences, so until she can use her words to make more sense, I have nothing to add.
“Who the fuck asked you out?” “No.” “Are you interested in someone?”
I finally sit straight in my chair as their voices boom around me. I hadn’t realized they all had formed a line shoulder to shoulder to stare Thayla down. She takes a step farther into my office and slams my door. The force behind it makes my bookshelves rattle, and I lay my pen down.
Slowly standing from my chair, I come around my desk and cross my arms. My blank glare is pinned to Kyzen. For a mediator, he’s doing a poor job at whatever this is going on.
“What is it exactly that you’re asking, Thayla?” My tone is calm and soothing, but apparently not to my brothers’ liking.
“I know you’re a fucking recluse, Amick, but you know what the hell dating is,” Riven shouts as he throws his hands up.
“Yes, engaging in a planned social activity. I’m not understanding the fuss and disruption you’re all causing in my office. She dates all the time.”
“Not with a fucking boyfriend,” Creed growls and Kyzen pinches the bridge of his nose.
I cock my head at Thayla to see if that’s what she’s referring to. “A boyfriend? As in a male you exclusively engage in social activities with?”
She sighs and drops her hands from her hips. “Yes, Amick.”
“I’m still not understanding the issue then. I’m your boyfriend and my brothers have no issue with that.”
“What?” the three of them shout at me.
