Page 100 of Kissed By the Gods
We all stand there, paralyzed. Them with indecision; me with a growing unease. Finally, after what feels like hours scrutinizingmy face, Nyrica cuts his gaze toward Thalric and inclines his head back as if to say, how about it? Thalric is breathing heavily—heavier than he was at the end of their match—and he turns wide eyes to Nyrica. Again, I avert my gaze.
Nyrica clears his throat, and I look back toward them, more than a bit terrified that I’ve overstepped. That outrage and disgust will shine on their faces. But that’s not it at all. They’re stunned, sure. But also … excited.
“That’s a great plan, love,” Nyrica smiles, his dimple flashing out.
“We can’t leave her alone,” Thalric says.
Nyrica’s smile dims. “That’s true.”
I scoff and gesture to my scythe. “I’m a grown woman, marked by a goddess, with gods-blessed fighting skills and a temper,” I assure them. “I’ll be fine.”
Nyrica is considering, but Thalric hesitates again, until Leif walks into the pit from outside. Rain and lighting fill the small chamber until he closes the door behind him.
Nyrica grins so wide,bothdimples wink out.
“Perfect timing, Leif!” Nyrica takes a step backward, toward Thalric. He gestures between Leif and me. “You and Leina work on hand-to-hand until Thalric and I get back.”
Nyrica and Thalric intertwine their hands together in a move that’s so natural, I know they’ve done it hundreds or even thousands of times before. My smile is so wide it’s hurting my face. I’m delighted for them and forme, that I’m officially in on what I know is a cast-kept, sacred secret.
“We’ll take you to Tempest Reach, Leina,” Thalric says, as they walk through the door that leads to the bathing chamber. “It would be a good day to get some climbing practice in. In the elements.”
My joy is so complete and real that Thalric’s words about more elements training doesn’t register until they’vedisappeared down the stairs. Immediately my smile turns into a frown. Climbing practice? In this weather?
“More elements training? Those bastards,” I groan, turning to Leif.
Leif stares forlornly at the closed door to the bathing chamber, his wet hair plastered to his forehead and his wet clothes plastered to his body. He shakes himself to get some of the water off, and then he sighs. “It’s really not fair that wards can’t even dry off,” he mutters.
I cast a side eye at the sand pit. I do not want to add to my mud-soaked misery withsand. “So,” I hedge. “Did we think the hand-to-hand thing was an actual command, or more of a suggestion?”
Leif grins at me. “Definitely a suggestion.”
“Oh good,” I say, sliding down to resettle onto the cold floor with a huff. I lean my head back against the stone wall and let my fingers rest on the scythe propped next to me. It’s comforting.
Leif does the same on the other side of the sand pit, as if he’s too tired to even walk across the room. The storm is still raging outside. The rain slams into the stone fortress in a cacophony of sound that’s punctuated by regular blasts of thunder. The noise from the storm is nearly deafening, easily drowning out any noises from the bathing chamber below. Thank Serephelle.
But it doesn’t take long before my headache intensifies. My troubled thoughts circle back like an ugly swarm of whispers flitting and buzzing about in a swarm. What if Ryot didn’t make it through the battle? What if he’s injured? What if he tried to fly back, but he and Einarr were caught in the storm?
Pound, goes the rain. What if, says my mind. Pound, goes my headache. Boom, goes the thunder. Pound. What if. Pound. Boom.
Oh, blessed Thayana. How do I make it stop?
Meditation. I’ll try meditation. It certainly can’t hurt.
I allow my eyelids to drift closed and inhale a lungful of cold air.
The exterior door—the one that leads to the training field—slams against the wall, and my eyes snap open. Leif jumps to his feet. A handful of wards strut in like they own the place.
And one of them is Tyrston.
The Primordial Gods—those who breathe celestial fire and strength—bestowed a breath upon humanity. And with that breath, they left behind the Gifted: a small drop of divinity among men.
Scroll at Elandors Veil
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
