Page 89 of The Gods Veiling
“Oh yeah, you said that. I didn’t realize you meant you could get stuff to cook from there. So the dining hall serves as both a place you can eat and like a market?”
“Pretty much. There are some gods who do like to do their own cooking, although rare. A lot of the Attendants do, but our assortment is never this lavish. We can eat better food in the dining hall, but it’s not always worth it being in there.”
“What do you mean by this lavish?”
Her eyes instantly widen and her cheeks color pink.
“What?”
“Don’t get mad.”
“You saying that makes me nervous.”
She sighs and lets her fork fall against her plate. “Gods with better Designations get a better selection of food to store at their homes than the Attendants do.Like the Defenders get mounds of proteins. It’s not like they attempt to starve us or anything, but there’s a big difference in the quality.”
“Okay, ridiculous, but…”
“Havar has always snagged me some good stuff, but he was busy last night, so I may have…”
“Yemi, just say whatever it is. I won’t get mad.”
“I was asked if it was true I was accepted and if I was storing food for my Attending God. I just went with it and said yes.”
Her words fall out of her in a rush. I glance down at the fresh and fragrant food, then back up to her bright red face. A laugh bursts out of me that causes her to startle.
“So you let them believe you were getting food for me so you could get the good stuff?”
“Yes. That makes me a shitty person, doesn’t it?”
“No. I mean, they all probably think I’m slack and can’t get my own food, but I guess technically you did get it so you could prepare it for me.” My chuckles taper off and I shove a forkful of said food in my mouth.
“They definitely don’t think you’re slack. They beamed with pride like we were both doing exactly as we should.” She sighs and takes a bite as well. There’s no heat behind her words and the little smile on her face says she’s relieved I’m not mad.
“If that’s the case, you can name-drop whenever you need so you can get yourself a treat.”
We both laugh at that, but the reality is that’s so shitty. This is just another example of why her demeanor at first was the way it was. Like damn, I’d be beyond mad every day too if I knew I was getting the poor-quality food simply because of my Designation. That’s ridiculous and vile.
Whatever.
If this is one of those instances where I look like a bitch for using my Attendant, then so be it if it helps her out.
“So what’s it like being here with your cousin? Is he one of those bossy, protective types who stalk your every move?”
She snorts and a loving smile crosses her face. “He can definitely be that way. Although I’ve told him not to make scenes. Kind of like I told you yesterday, I don’t know how the other gods would react, and I don’t want him in any sort of situation to defend me, then get hurt.”
“Well, that’s really sweet of you, but Havar is a big ol’ manly god. I’m sure if he wants or needs to put someone in their place, he could.”
“Yeah, he could if needed, but he’s more of a lover not a fighter. Since I know that, I try not to involve him in too many of my problems.”
I’m hesitant with my next question, but I feel like this is information I should probably prepare myself for. “Do you have a lot of problems?”
She arches a brow. “Worried about me getting you in trouble?”
“If I’m being honest, my concern’s the opposite. I’m just trying to prepare myself. If I have a heads-up, I sometimes, maybe, can keep my temper in check.”
She releases a harsh exhale. I catch the hint of animosity and vulnerability on her face before she hides it.
“Back home, in Edistoia, Havar had a close group of friends. They’d all grown up together and when I was born, he just moved me into the fold right with them. I was quote, the baby of the group. I had sass from hell because of it. Being the youngest, I always had to fight for everything and constantly tell them to stop stalking my ass once I hit my teen years.”
