Chapter 16 Thayla #3
The ground levels out and a touch of light caresses my skin as we hit the path that leads to the entrance of Hellveilious, then we enter the tree line on the other side.
It’s only a few more strides before we come up on the others, who all turn around at our approach.
“Seriously, Thayla?” Creed snarks.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“What side of the path do we walk when we’re going somewhere?”
“The right, but again, what the—”
“Then why didn’t you starshoot in on the tree line on the right?”
“Listen here, Mr. Strategic Asshole, if you had a particular side in mind you wanted me on, you should’ve said that. I’m not all that versed in starshooting into trees and hiding like a damn creep.”
“Nope, don’t even argue, Creed. She’s right. We all assumed she’d know this, but why would she? Drop it and pay attention. They’ll be here in a few minutes.”
Creed listens to Kyzen’s order. To an extent.
He pulls me toward him, and his hands roam up my exposed arms, my neck, then he cradles my face, turning it side to side.
“I was gone for less than a minute. Nothing happened.”
All I get is a grunt as he turns and marches toward the very edge of the trees where we get a full view of the entrance to Hellveilious.
Light spills down the path, igniting the barrier in a subtle shimmer. It feels like eternity passes as I watch the line of golden rays crawl up the stone archway and illuminate the mountains behind it.
The first time I mapped out this view, the sun was behind those tall peaks.
Something about watching it rise against this place makes everything sharp—intense.
Maybe it’s the way the barrier pulses or how the mountains loom silently as they catch the first rays of light.
It could be how the trees cast shadows like long, unforgiving fingers stretching toward this damned place.
This is by far one of the most stunning sunrises I’ve ever witnessed, but it’s heavy.
It’s hauntingly beautiful.
“Incoming,” Kyzen murmurs.
I catch the quickest glimpse of his power fading from his eyes. Not a moment later, two figures appear a few feet away from the entrance.
“Ah, what a glorious day today’s going to be.”
I smirk the second I recognize Doren’s voice. It takes everything in me not to laugh when he grips who I assume is Nero by his arm.
Part of me wonders if any of the elated awkwardness has worn off since he left the Lost Sea. The other half hopes not because Yemi and Sevryn sure could use his brand of positive sweetness.
“Calm yourself, Doren. You don’t know if Ms. Godrun and her Valtrue are even willing to help us.”
“I’m confident they will.”
“Well, they aren’t here yet, so what if they don’t?”
“Then hopefully, you’ll be able to talk our way back out of Hell.”
“Shit,” Kyzen whispers. “I know him.”
“No, you don’t. I don’t know him.”
“Just because you don’t, Amick, doesn’t mean I don’t.”
“Why did you say shit first?” Sevryn asks.
“’Cause that’s Nero Valadi. A Valveilious Mediator. Comes from a prominent family. All Mediators before him.”
“What?” I ask, while the others let out a slew of curses. “Is that bad, good, what? And Mediator like you or is that different wherever you go?”
“Like me but more. If I decided to do more than what I do now, that’s whose role I’d be taking. Or one of the other few who hold that role. I don’t really know if it’s good or bad yet. It depends really on where his loyalty lies. He deals with the more powerful of the Domain Gods.”
Well, shit.
I wonder if he’s a stickler for the rules.
Yemi wouldn’t mind that.
Uh, we might not care too much for that, though.
“Shit, Creed, go. Don’t let them go in there by themselves.”
I shove at his side as Doren and Nero turn their backs in our direction and take a step forward. Riven lets out a piercing whistle that has me flinching, then glaring at him.
“What? You didn’t want them to go in, did you?”
“Oh, hello. Is someone out there?”
Riven, Kyzen, and I snort as Sevryn and Creed scowl toward Doren.
“Are you kidding me right now? Does he have no survival instincts?” Sevryn scoffs.
“He has to have some. He survived the Lost Sea for thirty-five years. Come on, let’s go introduce you to your Valtrue, lover boy.”
His face is dead serious as he steps in my way, blocking me from walking forward.
I swear if he tries to back out now.
“Make sure you call me that in front of them.”
“I don’t like her calling you that,” Riven mumbles, but we ignore him.
“Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Sevryn.”
“Yeah, well, black eyes and bloody noses won’t look good on them.”
“Sevryn’s objective is obvious, Thayla. He wants you to give him preferential treatment so these men recognize his established standing in their Valtrue as well as ours.
Namely, he wants it to appear Yemi is romantically off-limits to them.
By you—her closest confidante—calling him a nickname, they will understand your loyalty lies in their relationship. ”
“Fucking thank you for the explanation, Amick.”
“You’re quite welcome, although your hostility is confusing.”
I smile as Amick’s bewildered look slides from Sevryn to me and I blow him a kiss.
“Can we fucking go already?” Creed asks.
For what reason, I don’t know, because he’s already stomping toward Doren and Nero.
I race to catch up to his side, then lace my fingers with his. His stare weighs on my shoulders, but I keep my face forward and stroke his soul.
He’s a cacophony of emotions right now, and they’re seeping out as annoyance and anger.
I clear my throat as we break from the trees, startling the two men. They spin around far too fast for my men’s liking.
I huff and roll my eyes as a wall of muscle forms in front of me. Even Sevryn jumped in the line, and I cut my gaze beside me to a snickering Riven. He’s the only one who hung back, but there isn’t a breath of distance between our arms.
My body shimmies through the tight space that is Creed’s and Sevryn’s shoulders. They damn near squash my ass trying to keep me back.
I send them both a glare before putting on a small smile as I face Doren and Nero.
“Thayla.”
“Nice to see you again, God of Discovery.”
A huge grin spreads across his face as he strolls toward me, arms wide like he’s about to get a hug. I bite back a laugh when Creed and Sevryn shove their palms out to stop him. Instead of taking offence, he yanks Sevryn’s hand into a handshake.
“You must be Creed, God of Death. It’s my honor to finally meet you.”
Kyzen clears his throat to cover his chuckle. Riven doesn’t.
His arms wrap around me, using my body for support as he falls into a fit of laughter.
“Oh, gods. I like him the best already.”
I elbow him, although it does nothing at all.
Poor Doren’s lost, but I can’t explain how much I appreciate the fact he was that enthusiastic to shake Creed’s hand. Unbeknownst to him, he’s still holding his Valtrue member’s.
“The name’s Sevryn.”
The momentum of their hands slows to a stop as Doren’s eyes flare wide.
Then he throws his arms around him.
“Oh, I’m so—for the Valories,” Doren shrills as he jumps back.
“I’m not much of a hugger.”
“You asshole, did you just use your pain on him?”
“What? He surprised me.”
“My apologies. I let my excitement get the best of me. Yemi isn’t with you, is she?” Doren asks.
He peers around us, but there isn’t a trace of offence or anger on his face.
I could stab Sevryn. I should stab him.
“Of course not. I wouldn’t let her anywhere near this fucking place.”
Again.
I keep that thought to myself.
“I can’t thank you enough for being there for her. I know you’ve been the most perfect Valtrue member.”
The scowl on Sevryn’s face falters and my smug ass makes a noise so he knows I caught that.
“Shall we?” Doren ushers his hand toward the entrance, then halts. “Oh, I apologize once again. That was rude of me to assume you’re here to help. And proper introductions haven’t been made. I’m making a mess of this, aren’t I?”
Nero, who hasn’t said a word, shakes his head.
“No mess at all, Doren, but perhaps introductions can be made on our journey, if Ms. Godrun and her Valtrue are going to be so kind as to help us.”
I hold Nero’s gaze. I’m not confused or surprised by his formal, almost diplomatic tone. Kyzen does a little switch in the way he talks as well, depending on who’s around.
It’s his attention being placed on me that’s confusing.
Why not Creed? Or any of the others.
None of my men chime in, so I clear my voice and give him a nod.
“That’s what we came for.”
“Splendid. Then off we go,” Doren cheers, racing right toward the barrier.
With a slight bow, Nero follows right behind.
My nerves spike and the reality that I’m really about to walk in there settles over me like stone. For everyone’s benefit—even my own— I’ve been trying to keep the tone and mood as lighthearted as possible.
I probably should’ve grown more serious before now.
A tremor vibrates down my soul, and I’m too slow to even attempt to throw a knot in there. Four pulses respond and my men step closer to me.
“I’ve got you.”
I know you do, my sweetling.