Page 93 of The Gods Veiling
Even if I don’t feel like I have any power, the obvious changes I see in myself prove there’s something going on.
I exhale as I run my sweaty palms down the sides of my pants and make sure the V-neck T-shirt I’m wearing doesn’t reveal too much. I’m going with the ‘casual, but if I need to throw a punch, I can’ outfit.
I chuckle to myself as I think back to a conversation Lambrit and I had once about how clothing trends changed throughout time in the Valorian Veil.
I’m happy the gods who went to the other realms brought back so many different things. Food and styles of wardrobe are at the top of that list. I can’t imagine myself walking around in gorgeous gowns and oversized robes all day every day.
The memory lightens my fear of the conversation to come, and I leave the small smile lingering on my face as I lay my palm on my door. As soon as I step through, I pause for just a second to listen.
Quiet conversation floats down my hall and I take the lack of shouting as a good sign. Maybe last night, the shock and disappointment in all of us had emotions higher than normal.
That’s what I’m going to tell myself, anyway.
The smell of something that holds a hint of spice in it reaches my nose and my mouth waters although I’m not even hungry yet from the feast Yemi made.
Regardless, I take the fact that there’s really food prepared for this conversation as another good sign.
Okay, you got this.
What’s four men when you’re used to battling nineteen every day?
This will be light work.
I nod to myself and take a step forward. I immediately cringe when my shoe makes a sound that sends the house into silence. It’s not like I was trying to sneak up on them again, but I did want to get a look first without all their attention on me.
There’s no point trying to be quiet now, so I pull my shoulders back and walk normally. The darkness at the end of my hallway grows brighter with the kitchen growing closer, and I force my body to relax.
My footsteps gradually fall still as all four men stand together, waiting for me at the counter.
Of course I’d have an unwanted Valtrue with gods that could rival the Beginning Gods for looks.
These men are dangerously gorgeous.
I try really hard to bounce right over Kyzen’s smile as I assess each of them, but my moment’s hesitation gives him an opening.
“Thayla, how did you sleep?”
The block I had on my coloring face fails the second I meet his teasing eyes. The happiness behind them would fool me silly if I didn’t hear everything he said last night.
I do appreciate him trying to break the tension, though. Just wish that teasing didn’t come from the condition he saw me in.
Do not think about it.
The darkness of the room hid you. He didn’t really see anything.
I subtly take a deep breath, then exhale. “Good, thanks. The food was amazing and put me right back to sleep.”
“That dish is a house favorite, so good to know we won’t be dropping it from the menu.”
I grin because I don’t know what to say. An awkward moment passes and Riven chuckles, drawing Kyzen’s attention. He elbows him, then smirks back at me.
“We’d like to take the easy way out and pretend most of yesterday didn’t happen. We’d like to start over with some proper introductions if that’s okay with you?”
Well then…
There’s a lot about yesterday I won’t just forget, but if they’re willing to give this whole starting over thing a go, I’m not going to turn it down. I’ll keep what I already know in the back of my mind and try to judge them fairly from here.
“Okay.”
