Page 47 of The Gods Veiling
Amusement colors the High Chancellor’s tone, and I hold in my scoff as I turn my back to him. I follow Lambrit’s noble lead and don’t let Yemi stand behind me, but beside me. The wrinkles that form on her forehead make me shrug my shoulder.
“Chosen and their Attendants will follow me. All other Attendants return to the Assembly.”
One more.
You’ve got this.
Instead of leaving the same way we entered, we follow the High Chancellor out a door that’s in the back of the room. Also, unlike when we came in, this time, the five of us from Oddian are closest to the door, so we have to exit first.
I still can’t see what’s in front of me as Jeremiah’s and Mellcom’s big-ass bodies block my view. It would’ve pained me to lead the line of us, but I would’ve so I didn’t have to constantly see them peer back at me.
Yemi’s observation of the interaction is loud, but she doesn’t voice anything. I’ll gladly tell her—hell, whoever wants to listen, how much I hate them.
The next room we enter is nothing like the one we just left.
There are no fancy decorations, statues, or Attendants waiting for us. It’s bricked walls rather than marble, windowless, and even more dimly lit than the last. The only light in here is from two torches and whatever the massive, glowing wall is that the Chancellors are standing in front of.
My stomach sinks to my feet.
“Your third and final test. The Pairing. You will be paired with your domain and hopefully, your matches. This wall behind me is the Gods Veil. It is infused with not only the Beginning Gods’ power, but their creation, the Gods Binding. The Binding holds all the essence of power in our realm. Multiple things will happen when you pass through the Veil.
“First, you will enter a subconscious state. Where that state of mind leads you is undetermined because it varies from being to being. Some appear in the stars, some lying in bed. It’s a place of your own mental creation.
“Second, you may or may not be visited by a god. This god can be whose domain you are under or the one you worship the most. Which in most cases, that is the god whose domain you have. Your prayers have power, and you usually connect even unknowingly to the being your power stems from. You will learn more on that when you join your peers and roles within your Designations.”
Oh, fuck me.
“Third, while you are in there, the Gods Binding will be doing multiple things. It will know immediately what domain you are under, even without the appearance of a god, and it will be binding your knowledge. Meaning what you learn in Godsden and the Godsdawn will stay within it. There will be things you can speak about and things you can’t amongst your fellow gods.
“Last, it will be sifting through the stored essence of all the beings in the Godsdawn looking for your matches. Just as the Veiling is set up, you are placed in a grouping called a Valtrue. Four men, one woman, better known as the Binder. The five of you together create a power balance that functions best for the region.
“Some will get a completed Valtrue, some only partial. Some no one. Partial pairings will be identified with the names of those they are paired with on the parchment you will receive upon leaving the Veil. That is called your Deliverance. A completed Valtrue will have both the names of their matches and you’ll be marked by the gods. A unique brand will be seared into yours and the rest of your Valtrue’s wrist. That is a binding from the gods that will tie the five of you together for eternity.”
No.
Not happening.
I could be tied to not one but four men forever?
What does that even mean? What in the hell is the purpose of this?
What if I hate them?
Oh shit…what if it’s Mellcom and Jeremiah?
A hand gently grabs my wrist. My head whips down toward it, then back to the Gods Veil, then back at it. The roaring in my ears muffles the sound around me and I miss everything the Chancellor is saying.
Panic grips my heart as I look at Yemi for an answer. I know she doesn’t know me at all, but she’s been here for a little while. She’ll tell me how bad this is, right?
Another hand, this one soft and cool, wraps around my forearm. “Hey, everything’s going to be okay.”
Rose’s words are smooth like honey. A long sigh falls from my lips and I slump a little. Lambrit’s moved his body to partially block us and finally the Chancellor’s voice pierces my ears again.
“It may feel like you are inside the Veil for hours, but rest assured, out here, only minutes will pass. In a very short time, you will step out on the other side of this wall and unite with the gods here awaiting you. Remember, the Valories nor gods make mistakes. Whatever they decide is the way.”
With that, he turns his back to us. The other Chancellors standing around him bow as he walks through the Gods Veil himself. My breathing is just starting to regulate when the calm swirling white suddenly intensifies. I squeeze my eyes shut from the brightness and only open them again when the backs of my lids go from bright red to black once more.
“Albert DeWalsh.”
