Thayla #2
I give him a small nod and smile as his gaze bounces between the Veilatara and me. One glance at my other three men, and they’ve definitely figured out what’s happening.
“Holy shit,” Havar mumbles, taking a step forward.
“You got the holy part right.” I wink, and his gaping mouth curves into a smile.
I stroll away from him with my men at my sides as we approach our Veilatara. My gaze meets as many as I can behind them.
“Thank you both for having us and arranging everything for me,” I say as I lean my forehead against Seismet’s.
“No thanks needed. You’re well past due for a power boost,” Seismet sasses.
“He’s actually telling the truth rather than being sarcastic for once,” Verlet says as I rest against him next. “More power would’ve worked wonders for everything you’ve all endured here lately.”
“Well, we’re about to rectify that now.”
I turn back to everyone and smile at their starstruck awe.
“Come on. The water’s amazing,” I say.
“Yeah, except for when other people decide to just appear out of it,” Riven scoffs, but that doesn’t stop him from diving right in.
Kyzen, Creed, and Amick take the built-in rocky steps while I slip off my shorts and shirt. Everyone else nervously gets down to their own swimsuits, while Mara looks around, stunned.
“Damn. I really should’ve got a suit, huh?” she asks.
“Told you. Too late now. You’ll just have to air dry.”
The water welcomes me in, pulling a deep sigh from my chest. Every muscle in my body relaxes, as does my power, and my fingers trail through the steam as I wade closer to my men.
They’re a cacophony of emotions right now.
Excited, nervous, hopeful, and…a touch fearful.
My soul strokes theirs, willing away that emotion.
When I yelled at Yemi and told her I was giving her more power, the decision solidified in my mind and settled into my bones. This is the right thing to do.
They all deserve it.
Also, I don’t know what’s heading our way next, but something will. There’s no doubt about it, and I need them protected.
“Oh, this water is glorious. No wonder you all spend so much time out here,” Yemi says as she closes her eyes and spreads her arms out around her.
“Yeah, for now. Thayla’s got that look in her eye. She’s about to drop some shit on us,” Sevryn says, crossing his arms.
“You’re so annoying. Let me have my moment.”
All heads turn to me. Even Mara’s as she cautiously makes her way through the water. She looks funny as fuck in full armor, sans swords.
I don’t tease her, though.
I take a deep breath as everyone makes a circle around me. My gaze roams across each of them, except for my men, who are at my back. I recount everything they did for me, all the support they showed me.
There’s no telling how this all would’ve turned out if I didn’t have them.
“I…” I clear my voice, and the sudden emotions choking my throat. “I’ve been practicing a whole speech. It sounded better in my mind.”
Damn, I didn’t think giving them a thank you would be so hard.
A few soft huffs of laughter ripple through them, and it eases something tight in my chest.
I exhale, shaking my head once, then look back at them. I really look at each of them this time.
“All of you…you didn’t hesitate. Not once.
I didn’t even have to ask for help and you all were ready to do whatever was necessary.
” I breathe out something that almost resembles a laugh.
“Then when I did ask you didn’t question me.
You all jumped right into my plans. I wouldn’t have made it through any of this without you.
Not the planning, the research, the conversation, the waiting. None of it.”
My words hang there, and everyone’s face softens toward me. Not in the way that makes me want to claw at my skin, but it still heats from their gazes.
My eyes shift, landing on Yemi.
“You kept everything straight and kept me from losing it. Every time I got too far into my own head, or even when I stupidly went against your sage advice.” A small, knowing look passes between us, and a smile tugs at her lips.
“You didn’t let me spiral. Even when we both know how close I was to it. ”
My attention lingers on her for a second longer, saying everything else I want to say without words.
Then it moves.
To Lambrit. My childhood best friend.
Gods, he’s changed and come so far.
I’m so incredibly proud of how much he’s come out of his shell.
To Rose, Havar, Doren, Iric, Nero, and Mara.
I allow my face to say everything I can’t seem to get out of my mouth at the moment. They each played a different role in this, and there were times when they knew what I needed or what needed to be done without me asking.
Only people who care do that.
Even Mara. She may have had a few moments of panic, but she said fuck it and jumped into the fray. Are we suddenly best friends because of this? No. But I see a side of her I don’t think she’s quite realized yet.
My expression shifts once again when I land on Sevryn. He arches a cocky ass brow, and I snort despite trying to hold it back.
He’s such an asshole.
He’s a great friend.
An annoying, bossy, foul-mouthed, protective…big brother in a sense.
I’m not going to tell him how much I appreciate him. I’ll just spend our friendship talking shit to him to the point where he knows how much I care.
“I see all of it,” I say, and my chest tightens. “Even if I don’t say it right…I see you. All of you.”
My fingers flex, relaxing from the tight clench I had them in, and I breathe through the lump in my throat.
“To me, saying thank you isn’t really enough, but I also don’t want to make any of you feel like I’m trying to repay a debt. I know none of you expect that from me—us—but you all deserve the realm.”
“We only did what friends do, Thayla,” Doren says with a bright smile, and everyone murmurs their agreement.
“I know that too, and that’s why I’ve brought you here and made my decision. You all are my friends, and I can’t fathom something happening to any of you. I literally see red when I think about it too hard.”
They all chuckle like I told a joke.
Obviously, I’m not kidding.
“As my friends, I need you all protected.” I pause, nodding at V, who’s sitting on Seismet’s head.
In a blink, one of the Gods Bindings appears in my hand.
They all fall still and stare at it.
“So, to ensure you’re all as prepared as you can be given our never-ending situations, I’m going to release power to each of you. Right now.”
Yemi doesn’t look surprised in the slightest. Everyone else is gobsmacked.
I smirk at the shock on their face.
“Thayla, that’ll mean…” Doren trails off, frantically glancing between Yemi and me.
“That you’ll finally be a fully powered Domain God. Yeah, I know.”
“Fuck yes!” Havar cheers, pumping his fists in the air. “Knew I was special.”
We all chuckle at him, but mine fades as I lock onto Mara’s stunned expression.
“I’m going to have to ask you to keep this little secret from your Valtrue. For obvious reasons.”
“H-how in the actual fuck is this possible?” she asks.
“I got some things I’ll need to catch you up on. For now, though, you want more power or not?”
She turns her gaze to Yemi, and something akin to permission crosses her features.
A couple of months ago, that look would’ve been sharp, and superiority would be oozing from her face.
Now?
It’s careful.
Measured.
Like she’s still figuring out where she stands among us…and is choosing not to overstep.
Yemi gives her a small smile and nod, both of which Mara returns.
“Okay,” Mara says, shaking her shoulders out. “Let’s do this. I’m going to be in so much fucking trouble when he senses something’s changed.”
I still don’t think she sees the way that gigantic fucker looks at her…
I turn in my spot and focus on my men.
Their small smiles are full of confidence and confirmation, but I still send a single stroke down my soul to be sure.
The one, well, four, that responds takes my breath away.
“Come on. Show them what you can do,” Seismet encourages when I turn back around.
“This isn’t supposed to be me showing off.”
“It should be. Show everyone I have the best companion.”
I bite my lip to hide my smile and shake my head at him as I focus on V.
“Same as last time, but this time, I need to say everyone’s names, right?”
“That’s correct and then cleanse it at the same time. You’ve got this. You and your power.”
Okay. Me and my power.
My shoulders rise with my deep inhale. I do spare everyone one more glance, but I don’t ask them if they’re ready again.
They’re waiting for me.
My eyes drift shut as I cradle the Gods Binding to my stomach. My power vibrates beneath my skin, anxious for me to call them all forward.
Okay, you seven. Let’s prove to everybody—okay, myself—that we don’t need an emotional barrier to work together without issue.
We got this.
On my exhale, I call them forward and direct them into the Binding.
They pour out of me in waves, and I choke back the grunt that attempts to slip through my lips. Each spot inside of me—my mind, tongue, throat, upper stomach, lower belly, hands, and my spine—empties, leaving me feeling far more unnatural than I was expecting.
A dull ache spreads across me that freaks me out far more than it did the first time when I only used my Seduction.
Fuck…it almost feels like my body wouldn’t function without my powers at this point.
Petrifying.
I clear those thoughts and focus back on the task as that ache morphs into a subtle pain.
That would be my cue.
“By the Valories we do serve. Release the power we rightfully deserve. Riven, Creed, Amick, Kyzen, Thayla Godrun, Yemi Andino, Lambrit Armend, Rose Galeen, Sevryn, Doren, Nero Valadi, Iric Obi, Havar Andino, and Mara Willmer.”
Grunts echo through my ears, mingling with my own as power slams into our chests.
The pressure continues to build, and I don’t know if that was Yemi or Rose, but someone just let out a whimper.
Probably should’ve warned them it’s painful before it becomes—