33. Thayla #3
“Me?” He tilts his head. “I see.”
His eyes roam over each of us before settling back on me.
“You’ll have to forgive me. My instincts seem to know something I do not.”
“That’s okay,” I mumble. “We’re here to help.”
“Oh, splendid. I figured as much when I sensed your permission pass through my warded rock. That’s why I came to investigate.”
“I had to move it to reach the Bindings. That’s where we keep them hidden.”
“We?” he asks. Before I can answer, he carries on. “I hide them there. I hadn’t realized I informed others of their whereabouts. Shall I move them?”
I shake my head.
“No need. They won’t be there much longer.”
“Why not?”
A sad, watery grin breaks through the tremble on my lips.
“I’ll be returning them to where they belong soon enough.”
He doesn’t answer with words. A pleased hoot hums through the air as he ruffles his feathers. My eyes drift shut as I bask in the sound.
They fly open when another hoot joins his.
I can’t fight back the tears or the smile that takes over my face as the second Vedarya cuddles close to him. Her head nuzzles below his neck and the two of them purr at one another. My men drift closer, rubbing and squeezing my arms as we watch them.
After another moment of their embrace, they both focus on the five of us.
“Well, hello there. Who might you all be?”
The ancient feminine voice hums in my mind. Comforting and confusing. She’s only a couple of days old, yet she sounds like she’s lived lifetimes.
“Ah, my manners have fled me tonight it’d seem. I haven’t even properly introduced myself,” V says as he shifts his feet. “My name is Varnie Godrun, but my friends call me V. This is Lestari Godrun, my mate.”
My fingers press against my lips. It’s taking everything in me not to sob. I force myself to hold strong.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” I choke out. “Lestari. That’s a beautiful name the Valories blessed you with.”
“Oh, they did no such thing,” she says so sassily I chuckle. “V gave me my name when the Valories wouldn’t. They were a touch disgruntled that they had to allow my soul to pass through the Stargate. A name was asking too much.”
“Well, it’s well known they are a selfish creator,” V says. “You can’t expect too much from them if you go against their wishes. I’m not entirely sure how I went against their wishes, but I obviously did.”
I blink. Repeatedly. My gaze shifts from him to my men. They’re just as stunned as I am. He’s…definitely changed.
That’s the first time I’ve heard him speak ill about the Valories.
“Calm your feathers. You’ll figure it out soon. Now we’re getting off on a tangent, dear. Introduce everyone to me,” Lestari says, and I snap my attention back to them.
Hope flares in my heart for a breath. Then it sinks.
“Unfortunately, I don’t know who they are.”
I swallow the lump blooming in my throat and focus on the circles Kyzen rubs on my back.
“Do you know Seismet? Verlet?” I ask.
“Of course. My oldest comrades.”
Thank goodness.
I think Seismet would be heartbroken if he didn’t remember them.
A tinge of jealousy mixes through everything else I’m feeling, but my happiness outweighs it.
“What about the Beginning Gods?”
“Regrettably. I only care for a few of those.”
Same, V. Same.
“Well”—I clear my voice—“this is Riven, Creed, Amick, and Kyzen.”
“Nice to meet you,” both Vedarya say.
“We’re the sons of Obliteration, Creation, and, unfortunately, Accord grew me in her womb. We don’t like any of them, though,” Riven says, then scowls as Amick shushes him. “Don’t make that noise at me. I’m trying to catch him up.”
“Give him time,” Kyzen mutters.
“I’m pleased to hear you do not fall to the side they stand on. Foul, foul creatures they are,” V says, then waves his wing at me. “And who are you, my girl?”
Gods. I don’t know if I can do this.
My wet lashes flutter as I blink away my tears. The two Vedarya wait so patiently. I stare into their beautiful, observant eyes. Lestari’s violet is striking against her dark feathers. They’re the same colors as the tips of V’s.
You can do this. You’re going to do this.
You will build a bright and promising future with and for the two of them.
He prepared you for this even if you didn’t realize it until it was too late.
“My name is Thayla Godrun.”
They both release powerful hoots and soar across the hot spring until they land on my shoulders. I don’t move or even breathe hard.
“Did you hear that, V? She has our surname.”
“I heard,” he purrs as he nuzzles into my cheek.
The damn floodgates open.
“Oh, sweetheart, don’t cry. We’re here,” Lestari says, and I cry even harder. “Varnie, do something.”
Her demand and sass pull a laugh through my sob.
“I don’t know what to do. I don’t…” he trails off as he uses his wing to tilt my face toward his. “I am so sorry I don’t know who you are, but—”
He stares into my eyes until my tears slowly dry.
I don’t blink or dare look away.
“Something in my soul recognizes you. It’s very happy to have found you again.”
Silent sobs rack my chest as I give myself over to my heartbreak, my relief, my acceptance. Everything. I just give up my fight as I break between the two of them.
Eventually, I take a deep, calming breath.
“It may not seem like it at the moment, but I am very happy you found me again. I’ll spend my lifetime getting to know you and helping you two. I promise.”
He hums in my mind.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you are my Vedarya and I am your Vedae.” We both chuckle lightly and more of my emotions ease. “I look forward to our lifetime, Thayla Godrun.”
“Me too, V,” I say, then wipe my face and groan. “Goodness. All these stupid tears. Absolutely ridiculous.”
My men laugh with me as they form more of a circle around us. They flick their attention between me and the creatures. One in particular is about to bounce out of his skin.
“Lestari, may I ask a favor of you?” I ask.
She startles for a split second, then excitedly bounces.
“My first purpose, how exciting. Please, ask away.”
“This man standing across from me with the wild curly hair and mismatched eyes. His name is Riven. Would it be okay with you if he held you?”
She tilts her head, glancing at V.
“Is that okay? Do we allow that?”
“Yes, I believe we do.”
I smile as I raise my hand for her to step into. When my gaze meets Riven, he shakes his head nervously.
“Riven, this is Lestari.”
His hands tremble as he reaches out.
“Gods, my life is full of the best days ever,” he mumbles as she waddles right into his hands.
“Well, what of me? Do you have something for me to do?” V asks, attitude lacing his tone.
I snicker, then let out a huh.
“Do you know how to free the Veilatara?”
“What a silly question. Of course I do.”
“Would you like to guide me tomorrow as I free some of them?”
The hoot that comes from him makes my hair blow behind me.
“About time. Nothing would make me happier. Seismet shall go last. The grumpy horse needs a lesson in patience.”
I snort and shake my head.
“Tomorrow then. It’s a date.”