Page 45 of The Gods Veiling
“By the grace of the Gods.”
My stomach bottoms out at the High Chancellor’s words. The smile crossing his face as he studies Lambrit up and down has the hair on my arms standing on end.
“High Chancellor.” Lambrit bows.
“You, Lambrit Armend, will be seeing a lot more of me. Your Designation is Guider. That is the only Designation you have. I look forward to your ascension to Chancellor one day. Rose Galeen, step forward.”
A stunning girl makes her way through the crowd of Attendants and her cheeks pinken every time she looks up through her lashes at Lambrit. She’s a good head and a half shorter than him and I swear, he looks at her like she’s precious.
“Rose has a domain under the Goddess of Affection. Her abilities include inciting rest and relaxation.”
Lambrit studies Rose’s face as she looks up at him with doe eyes. The soft tension between the two of them is strong.
“I accept my Attendant.”
His voice is firm and my eyes widen in surprise. He’s never been one to give the girls back in Oddian any time of day.
Rose seems less upset than the other one that was accepted, but she’s also nervous and her steps are unsure. When Lambrit offers her his elbow, her hand trembles.
Sweet girl. She has no idea she just got accepted by the nicest soon-to-be god she’ll ever meet.
I try to politely smile through my unease at her as they come to stand back beside me. She moves behind the two of us like the other Attendants did, but Lambrit pulls her by her elbow to stand between us.
The foreign action of his causes me to chuckle quietly and I take a small step over to give her room.
“Jeremiah Etain.”
My smile melts away as his cocky ass practically skips up to the Volreen and shoves his hand right in.
I hope one of the gods makes a mockery of him.
“Jeremiah Etain, your dominant Designation is Defender. Followed by Ruler, Plentiful, Guider, Healer, then Attendant. You may return to your spot.”
Not as grand of a mockery as I hoped for, but the scowl on his face when he turns back to us pleases me. I’m very thankful he didn’t get an Attendant, though. He would’ve accepted just so he could boss them around.
“Mellcom Bellame.”
I refuse to outwardly show it, but my lungs shrivel in my ribcage. The exhale I was trying to release gets lodged in my throat.
“I am curious what it is they’re putting in the waters in Oddian. Mellcom Bellame, your dominant Designation is Defender. Followed by Ruler, Guider, then Healer. No place in Plentiful or Attendant. You may return to the others.”
My gaze stays forward. Sure, Mellcom’s is searing into me, but the High Chancellor’s attention is far more important. There’s a smug tilt to his lip like he can’t wait to shame me again in front of everyone.
I force the rapid rise and fall of my chest to calm. There’s no hiding the clear hatred and disdain that’s shining on my face.
This whole process has been vile.
I don’t accept the fact that I’m here. I’m wholly and utterly fucking pissed. But since I’m stuck for now, I hope whatever comes out of that gods-gloried creation shocks the shit-eating smirk off his face.
“Thayla Godrun.”
Thayla
6
My name has never sounded so detested falling from someone’s mouth. Both the High Chancellor’s and Chancellor Gulliver’s nostrils twitch like it had a scent to it.
Pins and needles shoot through my fingers as I untangle my hands from behind my back. My blood flowing through them so fast sends a small pinch of pain down my wrists that grounds my fury.
