Chapter 11 Amick
Amick
“Would you like to talk all of this out?”
“No.”
“Amick, I don’t mean to pry—”
“I appreciate your concern, V, but unless you have any insight on what’s going to happen next, and you’re willing to share that information, then I ask that you allow me to get my own thoughts straight.”
His hoot is gentler than normal, making an uncomfortable sensation spread across my already tight chest.
I do suppose it’s my own fault he’s trying to help me. I’m pacing in front of his space like a madman.
“I apologize. I didn’t take into consideration that you can’t help but hear my thoughts. I’ll get out of your space.”
“No, I don’t wish for you to do that. This is your home and routine. I’m only a guest. Your thoughts aren’t disturbing me. Neither are your brothers. I’m just offering a listening ear.”
I need his listening ear to come with guidance.
He again lets out one of his soothing hoots, and I grit my teeth as my steps slow.
“I understand that my knowingness and unwillingness to share all of it bothers you. You, as the God of Knowledge, should know and completely understand why I don’t share my millennia of information. You yourself do it to everyone around you. Including your Valtrue.”
“Don’t address me as that.”
“That is who you—”
“That is not who I am. I lost that title. Therefore, it’s no longer mine. I have yet to earn it back.”
I gather my crumbling composure as I turn toward his nook and tilt my head in apology for my tone. Again.
I’m trying to respect that Riven needed time in the sacred hot spring after what he went through. As well as giving Thayla a moment with him. They desperately need that.
The longer they take, though, the more the unwavering thoughts run amok in my mind.
I need to figure out what caused this so I can prepare for the repercussions that will undoubtedly come from what we did tonight.
Seductions being blown up wasn’t in my plan.
Was her Binding inside?
If it was, was it destroyed?
How long do we have until we feel the effects of that?
The book I read in the restricted area clearly stated that one of those replicas being destroyed would be disastrous.
When will the disaster strike?
“Every Vedae I’ve had, whether my role in their life was small or large, in this realm or another, all eventually asked the same question. If I have all this knowledge inside of me, why won’t I just share it all? My answer has always been the same.”
I exhale, then meet his large, teal, very knowing eyes.
A small flame from the fireplace flickers in their depths, holding my mind hostage. It takes considerable effort to shake myself out of it.
“You can’t share everything you know. One, if the history is truthful, the Valories don’t allow you to. Two, each individual perceives information differently. The same piece of knowledge can elevate me while destroying another.
“It’s a dangerous and delicate balance. For you to give us all the answers we crave and request could be our downfall.
Anyone’s, truthfully. It could have too much influence.
I know this and respect this. I’ve honored this custom with my own knowledge.
It’s difficult to remember at times like this. ”
“I know it is, but you’re exactly correct, Amick. That’s why I was offering all I could at this time. A listening ear. I understand that isn’t what you want, though, and respect that as well.”
“Thank you.”
Glass shattering in the kitchen has my body fighting back a flinch. I pivot toward the commotion and stare at Creed as he sneers down at his mess.
“Why are they taking so long?”
That’s a legitimate question that I’d like an answer to as well.
“They’ll be here in a minute.”
My attention moves to Kyzen. After he showered and changed, he sat at the table and hasn’t moved since.
He’s still clutching the now—I’m sure—cold cup of coffee Creed placed in front of him half an hour ago.
I’m not surprised he hasn’t bounced back to his normal self.
The loss of control that led to the incredibly high body count he left behind in Seductions will weigh heavily on him for a while.
“Is that a hopeful assumption or an accurate timeframe?” I ask.
“Accurate timeframe.”
“What will happen after they get back?”
“I don’t know.”
“I find it hard to believe you only sped up time to see when they would arrive and not what took place afterward.”
“Well, that’s what I did.”
“Why would—”
Coffee splashes all over the table and floor as he slams his mug down so hard that the fragile porcelain shatters.
I guess our coping mechanisms tonight will be breaking all our dishes.
“Because I don’t fucking want to know right now, Amick. I don’t really want to have this or any conversation tonight.”
His chair skirts back as he gets to his feet and stomps toward Creed. The less talkative of the two does nothing more than glare when Kyzen snatches the rag out of his hand to clean up his mess.
I take his anger as my sign to stay silent for the time being.
Out loud anyway.
Mentally, I’m counting the few remaining seconds in his one-minute timeline until the other two get back.
I’m very relieved to feel the shift in energy at exactly one second.
The two of them appear at the threshold that divides the kitchen and living room, wearing very different expressions.
Riven has an unidentifiable smirk on his face that makes the hair on my neck stand.
Thayla looks as mad as she was the moment we left to save him.
A steady drip echoes through the house, and my eyes seek the irritating source.
“The two of you are making a mess. Go change, then come back in here so we can talk.”
Riven chuckles, earning himself a lethal scowl.
Wordlessly, Thayla turns on her heels and heads to her room. She runs her hand over Kyzen’s shoulder for a fleeting second as she passes him by.
“I swear I only just pissed her off, but pissed off she is. So I’m going to take that as my cue to get some sleep.”
“No.” All three of us bark, and he tilts his head back, groaning.
“Fine. Can I at least eat while you all fuss at me?”
“Yes.”
Our one-word response has him grinning as he strips his pants off.
“In your room, Riven, and take this shit with you before you blow our house up,” Kyzen commands, pushing his waist bags across the table from where Thayla left them.
“Oh, nothing in these would make the house go boom. Although,” he says as he sifts through his illegal nonsense, “this one here would’ve given someone an insatiable itch. That would’ve been interesting.”
We stare at him as he heads toward his room, leaving a wet trail behind him from his pants. He has one leg still in, the other bare.
“Well, this is about to be fucking fantastic,” Creed grumbles as he plates the food he’s been working on.
“He’s far too calm.”
I’d love to disagree with Kyzen and express that I enjoy this more settled side, but I’m not na?ve.
I take my seat at the table and lace my fingers together while we wait for them to rejoin us.
Thayla emerges first, freshly showered, wearing, I’m positive, nothing but a very large T-shirt. She still doesn’t speak, but she bends down and lays a kiss on Kyzen’s cheek.
The urge to shift in my seat is powerful.
I’d like to sit her on the edge of the table and replace my meal with her.
The only time my mind silences is when I’m inside her.
It’d be so easy to lay her back…
I blink repeatedly as warm lips land on my skin. My knuckles whiten with the restraint it’s taking me not to grab her as she walks away from me.
I can’t believe I allowed myself to imagine having my way with her at a time like this. On our dining room table at that.
Why in the realm can’t I convince myself that’s unsanitary?
More like savory. I’d savor her taste…
“Do you want some help?”
I snatch my attention away from those distracting thoughts and follow the sounds of her voice.
“I’ve got it. They can come get their plates,” Creed mumbles as she pulls her arms from around his waist.
“You two stay there. I’ll bring them.”
Kyzen and I share a look as she sets our plates in front of us.
“We’ll make a fine stay-at-home goddess out of you in no time, angel.”
Riven shrieks as he ducks out of the way of a flying spatula.
“Next thing will be your plate of food.”
He lays his hand against his heart, gasping dramatically as he slumps down in his seat.
“Don’t do that to me. I’d eat it off the ground at this point. I’m so hungry.”
That douses the murderous rage in her glare, but a hint of it peeks through the other range of emotions she’s experiencing.
What in the realm did he do or say to make her so angry with him?
She lays his plate in front of him with far less grace than she did with ours. As she turns back to the counter to get her own, Creed already has it clutched in his hand.
“Sit.”
She scoffs at his one-word grunt, but her lips twitch and her cheeks pinken.
So it’s most certainly just Riven she’s upset with.
She, Creed, Kyzen, and I take a bite, and that was obviously the permission Riven was waiting for.
My nose scrunches, and I scowl at him as he devours his food like a savage. The groans and moans that fall from his full mouth disgust me in more ways than one.
First, it’s vile that the Goddess of Seduction is still using starvation to push compliance.
Second, he’s being ridiculous. He knows how to chew with his mouth closed.
His fork clatters against his empty plate, and his dazed eyes haven’t noticed that none of us have taken our second bite.
With caution, I slide my plate over to him.
The smile he gives me makes my blood shiver.
“Knew you loved me.”
His utensil makes its way to his mouth at a more proper speed, and the entire table releases a tense breath.
I shake my head at Creed when he grunts and tries to rise from his seat.
“I’m fine for now. Thank you.”
“Gods, our little side quest home really fucked you guys up if Amick’s saying thank you.”
“Don’t.”
Thayla’s cold tone silences the table, aside from Riven, who leans into me.
“She’s so sexy when she’s protective, isn’t she?”
I cut my eyes between them.