Thayla
Far more often than not, the unhurried quiet is taken for granted.
That thought sat with me yesterday after our nap and then followed me into my sleep last night. The slow smiles and easy touches from my men have reminded me of it every moment throughout the day today.
Part of me told myself not to get too comfortable. Every time I do that, something happens.
The other part recognized that restraint, and I ended up convincing myself to enjoy the little moments until the lovey-dovey bubble pops.
It will pop.
There’s no way around it now.
It’s only a matter of time.
Everything that may be or needs to be discussed at dinner tonight lingers at the edge of my thoughts, but I refuse to give it space for now. We’ve been given another rare, indulgent pocket of time with no expectations, no responsibilities, and I’m cherishing it.
Plus, Amick’s doing enough thinking for both of us as he runs his hand mindlessly up and down my shin. I can’t imagine everything going through his thoughts.
Between what happened yesterday and the information given to us, it makes his trial that we still have to face seem so insignificant.
Then, when I truly think about it—giving it space in my mind despite what I just said—the fact he, all of us, will have to be present in front of the Beginning Gods becomes daunting.
I don’t know what that’s going to look like, but I can picture a thousand ways it could go wrong.
My legs, which are sprawled out over him, twitch, and he grips them gently. I run my palm across the Angel Aura Amethyst I slipped in my pocket this morning and briefly allow myself to think about the Messenger.
Of course nothing but silence responds.
A slow breath falls from me, and I adjust the pillow under my head that’s lying in Kyzen’s lap.
He continues to twirl my hair around his finger, chuckling every now and then as Creed and Riven bitch at each other in the kitchen.
Creed’s trying his damnedest to finish this pie he’s taking to Annalise. He’s already made three batches of cookies for the kids, and I’m pretty sure Riven’s stolen at least a tray for himself as he’s snacked.
When I asked how he felt about going to the Akovas tonight, he said he was fine, and he’s got his Harmony in check. That may be true, but his bounciness proves he’s at least a little nervous.
My laugh joins Kyzen’s when Creed pops Riven on the hand for the umpteenth time. That earns us both glares that do nothing but amuse us more.
A knock at the door has my smile facing that direction, and I roll, unceremoniously, off the guys and onto the floor.
“Right now, gorgeous?” Kyzen asks, smirking at me deviously when I put my hands on his knees.
“Shameless flirt.” I chuckle as I use his legs as leverage to push myself up.
“You don’t have time for that blessing anyways, Kyzen. That’s Yemi and her Valtrue. We’re leaving in two minutes,” Amick says as he closes his book.
“Well, I’m not going to be ready in two minutes,” Creed grunts, staring at us like it’s our fault Riven’s been a pest.
“You will be. Kyzen, go assist. Riven, leave him be, now. I won’t be late because of your shenanigans.”
“My shenanigans?”
I roll my eyes, laughing the whole way to the door as they all bicker at each other. My smile grows brighter when I open it wide.
“This is a surprise. What are you two doing here?” I ask as I pull Lambrit and Rose into a hug together.
Damn. I’ve really missed my best friend…
“We received an invitation from High Chancellor Akova. His letter instructed us to come with you guys to dinner.”
He holds out the letter like I need to read it to believe him, and I huff.
“Come on in. We’re almost ready. You two didn’t happen to see—”
“We’re here. In one piece, surprisingly,” Yemi calls out, and I poke my head out the door after I usher Rose and Lambrit in.
My heart sinks for a second before I plaster on a smile. She looks exhausted, mad, and a mixture of other things. Doren’s cheeriness is dimmed compared to normal. Nero doesn’t attempt to hide his frown. Iric’s so tense, his steps look uncomfortable.
Sevryn…
The dark circles under his eyes and the solemn features on his face have my chest pulling tight.
“Are you all ready for some delicious food?” I ask.
“Let’s not pretend this is just some fun fucking dinner,” Sevryn grunts as he storms past me.
The other three men offer me apologetic smiles as they tilt their heads and follow behind him.
“Well, then…” I say as Yemi stops in front of me.
“I’m so sorry. I can stay behind with him.”
“Nonsense. I’m used to his attitude. He actually has a good reason for it this time,” I say low.
“Yes and no. I know this is fresh and we all handle grief differently, but he’s taking it out on us in a hateful way. That isn’t okay, and we can only be understanding for so long.”
I squeeze her hand as her face falls. I’d like to cuss him out for obviously hurting her feelings prior to coming over here, but I know good and well that’d only make it worse right now.
“Come on. Creed should be done with his pie, and I swear, Annalise knows what she’s doing in a kitchen. It’ll be good for him, all of you, to get out of the house.”
She gives me a very unconvincing nod as she walks inside. I exhale and follow behind, again, plastering on a smile.
Someone has to fake it till we make it.
It isn’t funny at all, but I hold in my snort as I enter the living room. Everyone is standing around tensely with tight smiles on their faces.
Sevryn’s gravitated right to Creed’s side. Who, by the way, is holding onto his pie and cookies like he’s afraid someone may steal them. I swear, Riven must have traumatized him over the years.
“V’s going to starshoot all of us,” Amick says as I cross the space to him.
“Sounds good. Is everyone ready?”
“We’ve been twiddling our thumbs, waiting on your ass. How long does it take to walk from the door to the damn kitchen?” Sevryn grunts.
His entire Valtrue gives him a look that I detest. Not on his behalf, but when I receive it.
And I see the problem of why he continues to flip out.
I sneer at him and flip him my middle finger. “Fuck all the way off. Be happy I let your grumpy ass come in my front door.”
The whole house descends into silence like they can’t believe I just said that to him, but I arch my brow and hold his glare.
A small twitch crosses his lips.
Yeah, that’s what I thought.
“Are we all ready now?” I ask, and everyone nods.
“Shall we?” V asks as he glides to my shoulder.
“Yes,” we echo and, in a flash, we’re moved across Godsden.
The Akovas’ home comes into view and the sound of laughter filters through the air. I suck down a subtle breath and peek out of the corner of my eye.
Happiness sparks through my chest and warmth spreads through my body from Creed, Riven, and Kyzen.
That’s so freaking adorable.
We don’t make it five feet into their gate before the shouting and laughter get closer and louder.
“Intruders! Attack!”
I smirk as Rowden’s spunky self rounds the house with a sheet tied to his back like wings and a wooden sword stretched toward us. My mouth parts as at least eight more children follow suit.
“Damn, that’s a lot of kids,” I mumble.
“Yeah, and that’s not even all of them.” Kyzen chuckles before his power washes over me.
Before the children can get within a few feet of us, he’s slowed them down. He and Riven pluck the swords from the poor babies’ hands and then maneuver behind them.
Time catches up, and they all slow to a stop, stunned.
“Cheater,” Rowden shouts as the brave little boy charges toward them.
I shake my head as Riven and Kyzen sprint off, leading the whole army of children away. Except for one.
A small little girl marches right up to us, and my brows rise as she scowls at Creed with her hand held out like she doesn’t have a care in the realm.
He grunts at her. “What?”
“I smell tookies, Seed.”
Seed…
I poke my bottom lip out to match hers as Creed peers at me. Her cuteness definitely sent a burst of giddiness down my soul that I didn’t even attempt to hide.
“Fine. Don’t tell.”
“I won’t tell Momma.”
She means that, although the evidence of chocolate on her lip is going to give it away. She gives him a messy smile and runs off to find the others the moment she swallows.
“That was the cutest interaction I’ve ever seen in my life,” I say, earning myself an adorable scowl from my sweetling as he grumbles some nonsense and heads toward the door.
“Yes, the God of Death is typically tender toward small souls,” Amick says and the whole group laughs, except for him and me.
My fingers lace with his and I give him a wink as his confusion sets in.
In his mind, that didn’t sound sarcastic at all.
The delicious smell of freshly baked bread engulfs me the moment we step into the house, and my stomach growls. I’m not ashamed in the slightest. I cannot wait to eat any and everything Annalise prepared.
Hopefully, this little talk doesn’t spoil it afterward.
“You’ve all finally made it,” Annalise cheers as soon as we step into the kitchen.
She whirls around, baby expertly tucked into her arm and a smile on her face. She completely bypasses Creed as she makes her way to me and wraps her free arm around me.
“Thayla, it’s so good to see you.”
Gods, she’s just as sweet as the first day I met her.
“You as well. It smells so good in here. Thank you for hosting us,” I say.
“No thanks needed. I love having company. And, Yemi, dear. How have you been?” she asks as she embraces her the same.
“Good, Mrs. Akova. Thank you for asking.”
“None of that formalness, sweetheart. Please, just Annalise.”
“Good to see you too,” Creed huffs, earning himself a sly smirk from her.
“Of course it’s good to see you, my boy. And you brought my favorite pie.”
He rolls his eyes, and she tsks at him.
“Always with the attitude.”
“There’s everyone,” Ellian says as he comes into the kitchen from across the room with Riven and Kyzen trailing right behind him.
The childlike smirks on their faces make my stomach flutter.