34. Thayla #3
Gladian, Vullie, Barir, and Prath all crowd behind Mara, and I swear to the stars, I’m positive this is the first time I’ve ever seen the God of Strength smile. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mara so happy.
“That’s literally a perfect match. Fausta is so fucking sassy,” Creed says, and I snicker at him.
“Get your ass back to it, little burden,” Riven says. “We got more connections to make.”
I roll my eyes, but he’s right.
And that’s all the motivation I need.
At Veilatara sixteen, he so graciously brings me one of Vullie’s vials and orders me to drink. My power was barely waning, but I’m obviously not going fast enough for him.
So when I reach the eighteenth Veilatara, I decide to try to push myself a little more. My hands rest on two Veilatara at once. It definitely takes more concentration than the others did, but my process goes just as fast.
Tears have been gathering in my eyes thanks to all the bows and sweet gratitude being whispered in my mind, but I was doing a damn good job not letting them fall. As I continue down the line, though, I spot Seismet strutting around almost nervously.
My men and Verlet have moved behind him as silent supporters and that has so many emotions rumbling in my belly.
The last two contraptions fade to ash, and I smile softly at Seismet.
“Now, are you ready?” I ask.
“I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment.”
V and Lestari soar from my shoulders as Seismet and I press our foreheads together. We sit with one another for a long moment.
“I know.” The words barely make it past the lump in my throat. “You’ve waited long enough.”
I force myself to pull away before I lose the courage to. My palms settle against the contraption one final time, and the process comes without thought.
Seven powers. Seven threads. One command.
It’s over before I even know it and I rub my fingers together as ash dusts their pads. My power floods back into me and for one suspended heartbeat, nothing happens.
Then…
It hits me.
The connection spears through my chest, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees nearly buckle beneath the force of it.
Love so vast it doesn’t feel like one emotion at all, but a lifetime’s worth finally finding somewhere to belong.
A deep, familiar purr thunders inside of me.
Water blurs my vision as I jerk my gaze to Seismet’s bright, glowing white eyes.
“There you are,” I whisper. “I feel you.”
A laugh breaks free from my chest. His answering rumble vibrates through my very soul.
“And I you,” he says. “Now, let us be free.”
Excitement surges through our bond so fast I can’t tell whether it belongs to him or me.
I don’t hesitate.
A shriek of excitement rips from my throat as I grab hold of his mane and swing onto his back. He gives me no warning whatsoever before he rears up and lets out a neigh that pulses through the land.
Countless more answer him.
The instant his hooves touch the grass again, he explodes forward.
One by one, powerful legs pound against the earth as every Veilatara, freed or not, falls into step behind us.
One eventually, though, catches up and I grin at how red Mara’s cheeks are as she hangs on to Fausta’s mane for dear life.
“Can you believe this shit?” she asks, yelling over the wind.
“Yes, yes, I can.”
“This is fucking amaz—”
Her shriek cuts her words off as Fausta really lets loose and charges forward. Laughter tears from my throat, carried away by the wind as Seismet stretches into a full sprint.
A giggle so sweet and wild responds to me.
On my right, Verlet catches up to us, and pure amusement races through Seismet and me.
Amick’s arms are wrapped so tightly around Riven’s waist, I’m surprised there’s enough air in my little psycho’s lungs for him to bellow his song.
He doesn’t seem to care one bit as he stretches his arm out beside him and enjoys the ride.
Two blurs of motion race beside them and the brush of Kyzen’s power caresses my skin.
“Looks like they’re going to have to share,” I say to Seismet.
“Please, Verlet is plenty big enough for the four of them to fit. They refused to squish together.”
“Never stopped them before,” I mumble.
“Oh, that is foul,” he says, well, gags in my mind. “The first whiff of those emotions and I’m blocking you out.”
“You wouldn’t dare. After all this time and you’re already talking about cutting me off?”
“I could just kick your door down, stroll through your home, and tell you to stop. Would that be better?”
I gasp.
“You wouldn’t.”
He has the audacity to laugh.
“I’m free. I can travel wherever I please. Your mediocre back door can’t keep me out.”
Goodness. We’re going to have to set some boundaries.
The thought makes me smile.
“V’s already told you there’s no point in us having boundaries. It disrupts our dynamic.”
“Oh my gods, I forgot you can read my thoughts. I bet it’s freaking easier now. I wasn’t even loud.”
He chuckles.
“If you say so.”
You know what, whatever.
Just like before our connection was solidified, he knew the dangers of dipping into my thoughts and emotions. If he wants to continue doing so, it’ll be his lesson to learn.
And he’ll have a lifetime with me and by my side to learn.