Chapter 21 Thayla
Thayla
I chuckle low as I enter my bedroom and find my guys in the same places I left them. Even Creed is still standing guard by the door as I pass the threshold.
“Well, that was quick,” Kyzen says as I stroll across my room.
“Did you expect me to stay and show my ass or something?”
“Yes,” all four of them respond as I enter my closet to finally change.
“Sorry to disappoint, boys. Until she tells me to step in or I see they’re being shitty toward her, I have to let her do this. This is her Valtrue, not mine.”
Mine is a handful already.
I peel my armor off and let it fall in a heap on the floor. By the time I stretch my body out and lose my bra and underwear, it reappears perfectly clean, ready to be worn once again when I need it.
Unfortunately.
What I need right now, though, is to relax.
“Where would a…ah,” I mumble to myself as I find a single piece of swimwear tucked in the back of my drawer.
The slim one-piece seals to my body like a second skin. I can’t believe it’s the first time I’ve worn it.
Well, I can. I typically end up in the hot spring with all my clothes on or naked if I’m taking a dip in the one in my bathroom.
“What are we doing, little goddess?”
Kyzen’s eyes roam over my bare legs as I step out of the closet and pull a shirt over my head. I don’t miss the way all four of them devour me with their gazes.
Fuck, that’s heady.
“I’m going to the hot spring. I need a break.”
“From us or…?”
“What? No, of course not. From everything else. My mind is running a mile a minute, and I can’t just sit here or I’ll stew in it. I’d like for all of you to come with me.”
Riven jumps off my bed and hauls ass out the door, hollering for us not to leave him while he changes. Kyzen and Creed follow behind him way less dramatically.
“If it’s all the same, I believe I’ll stay behind.”
“Why?”
My body molds to Amick’s as I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his chest. I already know the answer to my question, but I want him to say it so I can ask him to reconsider.
“I too have a lot on my mind. Judging by Yemi’s frantic movements and body language, I gauged then wasn’t the time to ask her to ask the God of Discovery all the questions I have for him. So I’ll use this time to sit with my thoughts and consider everything I’d like to address.”
Yep, figured that.
“Will you do that sitting by the hot spring with us? You could even bring a pen and parchment to write down all the things I want to discuss so I’ll remember them later. That would help me quite a bit.”
He tilts my chin up and the furrowing of his brows has me choking back a laugh.
“Are you only saying that because you know I can’t turn down an opportunity to help you?”
“No. I’m saying that because one, I really want you to come out there with us. I don’t want you locking yourself away in your room for hours contemplating whatever you contemplate for that long.
“Two, you were right about me getting overwhelmed with information, but not only that, once I get overwhelmed, issues get pushed to the back of my mind. Then forgotten. If I can get it all out and in the open, you’ll know and remember for me.”
His eyes flare with something I can’t quite put my finger on.
“I will. You tell me what troubles you, and I’ll do everything in my power to make it right.”
My face softens as I lean into his hand. His thumb traces gentle circles on my cheek, and I close my eyes.
“I know you will.”
I don’t doubt that he’d do absolutely anything to alleviate any issue I had. This isn’t one-sided, though. I’d do anything in my power to take some of the stress from him that he tries so desperately to hide.
His lips meet mine in a quiet kiss that has me snuggling closer to him.
“Ugh. No time for sucking face. Let’s go.”
Amick’s minuscule huff fans across my face and I chuckle as I spin in his arms. That small sound rolls right into a hearty laugh as I take in Riven’s attire.
“For the Valories, what are you wearing?”
“What? You don’t like my swim trunks?”
“Sure. The burst of colors really brings out the colors of your eyes, but where’s the rest of it?”
I bite my bottom lip to stop from laughing harder as he scowls at me. His swim shorts are mid-thigh and skin-tight. There’s literally nothing left to the imagination for me. Not like that would matter.
He’s purposely outlining his dick for me to see.
“You don’t like them? They provide the ultimate flexibility for me to swim in, and they don’t get weighed down when they’re wet. Thank you very much.”
“I adore them. I’m just not sure your brothers care too much for the free show.”
“Nothing we haven’t seen before,” Creed grumbles as he walks in and shakes his head at Riven.
Anything I may have sassed back dies on my tongue.
When Kyzen walks in right after him, I could faint.
My head grows fussier the longer I map out every ab and groove on their smooth skin.
Great gods, these men were literally sculped to divine perfection.
The three of them stand there, pretending to be oblivious to my ogling, yet their muscles flex in ways that aren’t natural. I don’t tease or complain.
I could stand here all day and stare at the three of them shirtless.
Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to strip Amick and send him over there with them.
“Bad little burden. Staring at us like we’re nothing more than pieces of meat. We have more going for us than our perfect physiques.”
That’s true, but their bodies are a glorious bonus.
I return Riven’s teasing smirk with one of my own. Plus, I send a little dose of what I’m feeling down the ropes of my soul.
All four of them grunt and I smile in victory as their warning glares snap to me.
“Oops.”
Kyzen tosses his head back, laughing as he holds his hand out, beckoning me to him.
“Are we walking or starshooting?”
“Starshooting is probably best. I’d hate to be caught walking half naked through the woods,” I tease.
“Wouldn’t be the first time.”
I glare at Riven, but he disappears through his starshoot, leaving nothing but his laugh behind.
“V, we’re going to the sacred hot spring. I’d like for you to come and kindly tell Seismet and Verlet to meet us there.”
“Already here.”
Well, then.
I nod to Kyzen, Creed, and Amick since they’re kind enough to wait on me, unlike Riven. I don’t know whether to be flattered that he believes I can do this at the drop of a command or pissy he leaves me behind to figure it out one way or another.
Regardless, my power responds, and with nothing more than a blink, I appear at the hot spring. My delicious little psycho is already doing back strokes around the water.
“About time. What took you so long?”
I roll my eyes as I strip my shirt and make my way down the built-in steps.
“You know it’s rude to just leave without us, right?”
“It’s not rude. We agreed to meet here. And not that I don’t love their company, but why are our companions here as well?”
Seismet huffs from where he’s stretched along the hot spring’s edge, so I swim to him first and hoist myself up just enough to rest my forehead against his. Verlet, unlike my oh-so-sweet companion, leans down toward the water, meeting me halfway so I don’t have to haul myself up again.
“Because I want to talk.”
Riven groans as he stands up and splashes me with water.
“I should’ve known this was a trap.”
“What’s a trap?” Creed asks as him, Kyzen, and Amick finally appear.
My eyes widen.
Fuck, that’s a sight to see.
“I changed my mind last minute. They waited for me,” Amick says as they make their way into the water.
A bright smile takes over my face as the three of them surround me, then I grunt as they each pull me toward themselves.
“Don’t manhandle her. Goodness, Verlet. Teach your gods some manners in how to treat a goddess.” Seismet chuffs.
“I have no doubt Thayla could put them each in their place if she pleased. You’re quite moody here lately, brother.”
“I wonder why that is.” I purse my lips at Seismet.
It’s his own fault for tapping into my emotions so often. I can’t tell you if it has or hasn’t strengthened our connection. I don’t feel any different. He’s in a constant state of aggravation.
“What trap are you referring to, Riven?” Creed asks again.
“Oh, just the one where Thayla lured us out here under the guise of relaxing when she really wants to talk.”
“Talk about what?” Kyzen and Creed ask at the same time.
I decide to cuddle up next to Amick since he’s the only one not barking at me.
“I want to get all of your opinions on something.”
“Okay.”
All of them, including our companions, drag the agreement out like they’re nervous.
This was a very last-minute thought on my part, but one that’s been consuming all my others here lately. Especially after I got the letter from Doren yesterday.
“How do you all feel about me openly communicating with the Messenger?”
They fall still. The shock on their faces would humor me any other time, but I’m being pretty serious right now.
“What’s your purpose behind wanting to do that all of a sudden, Thayla?” V asks.
“Honestly?”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
I nod and wait until Amick seats us on one of the built-in rocky benches.
“Things have been taking us by surprise too much here lately. It’s leaving me in a constant state of anxiety, waiting for something or someone to jump out and startle us. I just figured…
“If I give growing a connection with them a shot, then maybe they’d be more willing to give us a heads-up before shit goes down. I get it sounds a little selfish and superficial, but I don’t know what else to do to be more prepared for something.”
He hoots as he glides from the rocky formation he sat on that first night I met him, until he’s perched on Seismet’s head. The seriousness in our three revered creatures keeps my laughing at bay.
“Unfortunately, my Vedae, that isn’t how it works. The Messenger will know your intention and won’t freely give you answers.”