Thayla #3
“Yes, to an extent. Their arrival was something I knew would come centuries ago when I left their realm. When was the question. The events today happened simultaneously. The second you were pierced with the power, the portal began opening. I felt the rift from both you and it immediately.”
“Our father knows about your existence now. He more than likely assumes you have a connection with one or all of us,” Kyzen says.
“Yes.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, then my index finger and thumb spread beneath my eyes repeatedly. I don’t know if I’m trying to lessen the pressure building there or just give my empty hand something to do.
“I’d just like to say that my outburst doesn’t seem that bad now,” Seismet huffs, and I peek at him through my lashes.
“Highly inappropriate time for an I told you so moment.”
“Nonsense. These two old, weathering fools need to get on the same page as me. The faster you figure things out, the faster these Valories forsaken contraptions come off my wings, and we can seal our connection. I’ve agreed not to step out of my responsibilities again, but that doesn’t mean I won’t complain and express my disagreement. ”
I wouldn’t mind if he stepped out again. I can’t wrap my brain around the point of not telling us everything we need to know.
“Thayla…” V laces my name in regret and I exhale.
“I’m not upset with you. Or at least I’m not trying to be. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want her to give me instructions on what to do with the Bindings, but I do understand you’re a creature with a path and purpose. I assume this deviated from what little of a path you have.”
“It did. Not necessarily in a bad way, but a…faster way. Her telling you exactly what to do, rather than you figure it out on your own, created a sort of shortcut. Taking that shortcut erases the time you would’ve had to continue to grow into your powers and understanding at your own pace.
You no longer have that option. Neither do you, boys. ”
I wince, and my attention roams over the guys as they stare at V.
“You five can no longer turn a blind eye to the problems in your lives. If you all want your Valtrue to succeed, you must get over any more reservations you may have. You’re now on a set path.
Not in the sense that you can keep walking and get to the end unscathed.
It’s more so…there are going to be things in the way that you’ll have to navigate around.
“A fallen tree, a rock, a crater. Use whatever imagery you need to be able to see. But I need you to see. If you trip over that obstacle, you must jump right back up and keep going. Each blockade you overcome, another can appear or be cleared. This path will only fork once, and that’s at the end.”
Each of their deep breaths weighs heavily on my soul. There’s nothing I can do to ease the dread in them, though. I feel it too.
“What instructions did she give you for the Binding?” Amick asks.
Fuck. I forgot about that air bubble.
I explain not only the instructions Willow left me with, but also her advice. They share a similar shock, which is expected. So is the familiar anger I felt as well. Seven Bindings out, and seven must go back in isn’t cryptic. It’s quite clear, but so is its impossibility.
“By the grace of the Valories, none of these creations or pieces have been destroyed. Ruin would reign across the realm if that were to happen. The essences within would become catastrophic rather than creating. The power would return to all beings in a matter of pure chaos rather than controlled, balanced relief.”
“What?” I ask as Amick stares off.
“That was the passage I read from the book in the restricted room in the Athenaeum. The ruin that would reign was referring to the damage the original Gods Binding would take. The power releasing is referring to whatever is trapped in the replicas. If it’s cleansed, there’s no power within it.”
“If our father’s Binding is destroyed, there’s no telling what that power would do to people,” Kyzen adds, and I hang my head.
“Fuck. How in the hell are we supposed to get our hands on his, then collect the other four?” Riven asks, sending us all into silence.
“Let’s just go the fuck home, then we’ll figure this out,” Creed grits out through clenched teeth.
I’m nodding in agreement before I truly think about that. A deep sigh slips through my lips as I close my eyes.
“We can’t go straight home.”
“Why the hell not?” Riven asks, groaning.
“We have to go check on Sevryn.” That straightens their spines, and I turn my attention to V. “What happened when you left him?”
“I starshot him directly to his couch and briefly informed Yemi of what was going on so she could return home as quickly as possible. Then I blocked her out so I could focus on you.”
I grunt at the picture I paint in my mind.
“Yeah, we need to go check on them and make sure he hasn’t done anything stupid like run back to the Abandon on his own. V, will you…”
I hold the Gods Binding and the bag of vials out toward him.
“I’ll hide and protect this one along with the other.”
His claws gently grasp the clear globe and the corded handles. I swallow the saliva that collects in my mouth.
Fuck. Two down. Five to go.