Page 31 of The Gods Veiling
Anything else?
“Much, much more, Thayla. Although we Veilatara aren’t all-knowing. We know everything the Valories want us to know.”
“So you know about me and the god who caused this? Is that why you’re talking to me?”
“I do know and no, that’s not why I’m talking to you.”
“Care to share?”
“No.”
I hold in my annoyed huff and focus back on the god who’s trying to have a conversation with me. “I guess we’ll see.”
He nods like the thought excites him. “Go say your final goodbyes. It’s time to go. We’ll have plenty of time to talk on our trip.”
I give him a polite smile and hustle away. I completely ignore Mellcom’s and Jeremiah’s attempts to stop me as I snatch my bag up and move to Lambrit’s side.
“That was remarkable. I’m so jealous right now.” He leans over and whispers.
“That was petrifying. I don’t know what came over me.”
“The presence of the Veilatara can be alluring or forbidding. Apparently, it wanted you to pay attention.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“Usually, I’d say amazing, but…”
Yeah, he doesn’t have to finish that. I get it.
Despite the excitement of the last few moments, I’ve allowed my mind to pretend this wasn’t actually happening. I mentally kept telling myself I’m just going on a little day trip.
The unsynchronized sniffling behind me shatters that delusion. The three moms here waiting to send their sons off can no longer hold back their tears. Fear of my past flashing across my mind keeps me from glancing at them.
My mom didn’t make a sound or shed a tear, but her heartbreak was clear across her face.
They’ll look the same.
“Garish Foremus,” Havar calls and my chest clenches.
I reluctantly take a step away from Lambrit as he turns toward his parents. Even though I refrain from looking, all the softly murmured words pierce my ears. Mrs. and Mr. Armend’s constant reassurances about not worrying about Laney gut me.
This is so unfair.
“Lambrit Armend.”
I’m seriously going to kill Mellcom.
“Thayla, may I have a word, please?”
The tears Mrs. Armend quickly wipes away hurt more than I thought they would. I know they aren’t for me, and this is what she wanted for her son, but still. I’m sure even wanting and praying for what you think is best for your child, then getting it, still makes goodbye hard.
“Of course.”
We step off to the side just as the next name gets called. “Jeremiah Etain.”
She doesn’t say anything long enough that the tension makes me shift on my feet uncomfortably. Finally, I break. “Is everything okay?”
To my utter shock, she pulls me in for a hug and I fall statue-still. “Thank you for how you’ve treated my children. I know Laney can be a bit much, and Lambrit has his, well…quirks, but you’ve never treated them differently. Despite my behavior, I’m thankful for the friendship they found in you.”
