Chapter 5 Thayla #3
He boops my nose, causing my head to flinch and brows to scrunch as he saunters on to the living room, where the other two are staring daggers at him. My mind malfunctions more as Creed slides his hand across my stomach, then lets it fall away.
“I can’t take any more surprises today.”
I turn back to face him. “Same. I don’t think I’m even thinking straight because what he said isn’t surprising me at all. I find it kind of sweet, actually. But I swear this is worth it. No big talks and hopefully no truth bombs of any sort.”
He grumbles as he pinches his nose and steps toward me, closing the space between us.
Well, that’s what I thought he was doing until I realize he was shutting his door. “Don’t let him hear that you thought his stunt was sweet. Let’s get this over with.”
I should’ve let the grumpy asshole stay in his room.
My nostrils curl at his back as he joins the others and plops down on the couch.
V’s laugh filters through my mind, and I drop the death glare. With each step I take into the living room, I let his eagerness for this fuel my own. It’s cute to me that he’s excited to meet them.
“Although you’re technically my only Vedae, I do get the opportunity to guide them as well. I haven’t had a Calling in many, many years. For me, it’s like getting five for one and making up for all that time.”
“You sure got your wings full with us, V.”
“I know. How exciting.”
I don’t get the opportunity to speak as I stand in front of the fireplace and Amick instantly asks, “What’s the surprise?”
I roll my eyes as a smile plays on my lips.
“Everyone,” I say slowly as I reach my hand into my hair for V to step into my palm. “I’d like you to meet V. My Vedarya.”
They stand rapidly from their seats as I hold him in my hands at my stomach. Their jaws hang slack as they examine the tiny form he’s in.
Riven’s the first to break his shock as he takes a step closer. The look of pure amazement on his face pleases me, but the way he keeps reaching his hand out and pulling it back tugs at my heartstrings.
“Is it okay if he holds you? I don’t know if that’s improper to ask or not allowed. I also don’t want it to sound like I’m referring to you like a pet or anything offensive, but I think it’d make him happy if he could embrace you.”
“I know what you mean, and I take no offense. I’m wary of beings touching me without my permission, but I allow and quite enjoy contact with those I trust. He nor his brothers would ever harm me.”
“So, is that a yes?”
“Yes, he may hold me.”
“Riven, this is V.”
His wide eyes snap up to mine when I step closer to him. He even takes a step back when I reach my hands toward him.
“That’s not allowed.”
“It’s all right. I already asked.”
He glances between us so many times I grow dizzy following his movements. I’ve never seen him behave this way and for some reason, it floods me with emotion.
The sweet innocence and gentleness surrounding him right now are foreign.
His hands shake slightly as our fingertips touch and V waddles from my palms to his. I don’t believe Riven breathes the entire time.
“Holy fuck, this is real. I’m holding a Vedarya. He’s so small, but there’s so much power pulsing off him. It feels like his wings are flapping in my belly.”
Kyzen and I snort while Amick and Creed continue to study what’s happening with undivided attention.
“He’s only this small so he could hide in my hair. He woke me up three times from my nap so he could be introduced.”
“So you’re a mischievous creature. I like it.”
“I can be when mischief is needed. It’s lovely to meet you, Riven, God of Duality.”
Creed, Amick, and Kyzen startle. Riven, on the other hand, sucks in a sharp gasp and lays one of his hands to his chest.
“Did you all hear that, or did he only speak to me? Hopefully, all of you so you know my title is official. Fucking told everyone.”
“We heard. None of us doubted you to begin with,” Amick says as he tilts his head to the side and stares at V.
“Um, all of Godsden denied me my title when I announced it.”
“We didn’t and we’re all that matters.”
V hoots, taking Amick by surprise as he flies toward him and lands on his shoulder. Riven makes a noise of disappointment and steps all in Amick’s personal space.
“Don’t like him the best because he’s the smartest.”
“I’ll not have favorites between the four of you. Thayla is my favorite.”
I smirk at Riven’s snarl and Kyzen laughs behind me. “She is his Vedae, Riven. Be grateful we get to experience a piece of this alongside her.”
“Fine, you’re right. Thank you for sharing this with me, little burd—I mean, my sweetest Binder.”
I scoff at his quick cover-up, then focus back on Amick and V. “You seem really surprised.”
“I am. Delightfully. This is an honor and blessing beyond any text.”
“You flatter me. I look forward to our conversations to come.”
Amick’s eyes shine bright as his power flares to life. I shiver, although the warmth of it seeps beneath my skin. It’s the softening of his face that causes my body’s reaction.
It’s pure enjoyment.
All he’s missing is a smile.
“May I ask a strange favor?” Kyzen asks, coming to stand beside Amick’s shoulder. V hops to him, causing his smile to glow brighter than the stars in the night sky.
“Ask away.”
“Will you hoot louder than you did a moment ago? Some time ago now, I asked the Goddess of Sound to imitate your hoot and had a melody made of it for my sunsetter. I’m curious if it’s the same.”
V’s laugh sounds throughout our minds. I know the guys all heard it too by the way their bodies twitched, but they each gain their composure once again as we wait for V to do his thing.
He spreads his wings wide, shaking his feathers out.
The hoots I’ve heard from him so far were nothing like what he’s producing now.
Power radiates through the living room as it echoes all around us. The hair on my arms stands up as vibrations pass through my body. This sound is whimsical and flows in measured notes instead of one singular drawn-out beat.
It’s a song. A calling.
I know if he wanted to, it could be heard and felt for miles around.
The five of us stare, mesmerized, as the power dies down and V resumes making a smaller, less impactful hoot.
“I don’t believe your sunsetter sounds like that.”
“It sure as shit doesn’t. The Goddess of Sound is full of it.”
“She was merely trying to impress you. She could never imitate us. Our hoots are laced in our power and could break the sound barrier. She more than likely copied the noise of the animal from the nonmagical realm that is in likeness to us.”
“You mean an owl?” I ask.
“Yes,” he groans as though the similarities annoy him.
“Touchy subject, I see.” I laugh, then do a double take at Creed. He’s moved in closer, but he’s also positioned himself as far away from V as possible. “Everything okay?”
He meets my gaze and nods. “Shocked, is all.”
My smirk turns into a frown. I move my attention to V as he climbs down Kyzen and lands on my forearm.
“Are you going to introduce yourself to Creed?”
“I’ve spoken to him. He’s not going to embrace me at this time.”
My forehead wrinkles and secondhand offense hits me. I go to talk shit to Creed, but V pecks my damn arm.
“Don’t call him out right now. He was very respectful. He needs some time.”
“Why are you so willing to give him time but not me?”
“Because he’s fearful and carrying blame that doesn’t belong to him. He needs to realize that on his own.”
My eyes meet Creed’s once again, but there’s nothing there for me to interpret. He definitely seems shocked and interested, but I can’t read anything else on his face other than that.
“Well, I’m glad everyone enjoyed this surprise. Told you all it was nothing bad.”
Kyzen chuckles and throws his arm over my shoulders. I contemplate pulling away for a split moment, then stop myself. My body relaxes slowly as I let the comforting weight of his arm that I’ve felt countless times before today ground me.
He goes to say something, but before he can, Amick cuts in. “We need to make some accommodations for V. Do you have a preference for where you’d like your space to be?”
“Oh, he’s—”
“I wouldn’t mind sleeping above the fireplace. I like the warmth and being close to the text. I’ll spend my time between here with you all, the sacred hot spring, and with Seismet.”
“Very well. I’ll get that arranged immediately.”
My eyes subtly roll at V’s appreciative sound.
They’re going to spoil him silly.
“You could’ve made space in my room.”
“I’d prefer not. The five of you will want privacy.”
No one makes a retort to V, so thankfully, he only said that to me. Kyzen doesn’t miss my blushing, though. His fingers trail down my cheek and his eyebrows arch with curiosity.
I don’t get the opportunity to say anything when Amick’s power flares to life once again. Only this time, it’s being put to use.
My jaw drops as above the fireplace, a square nook carves out right before my eyes. The depth goes far enough into the wall I don’t see where it ends, but a ledge forms that stretches out over the fire.
Blankets fill the hole at the opening in the shape of a nest and V hoots as he soars from my hands to inspect his space.
“Perfect, Amick. Thank you very much.”
“How in the realm did you do that?” I ask.
“We have control to change anything about our house as it was made with our essences. Just like the lights and doors. It requires a greater level of power and concentration. I’ll teach you how once you get more control and an understanding of your power.”
“So, the day I arrived, and this area changed, you could’ve changed it back?”
“I could have, yes.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“It was changed with your desires and comfort mingled in with ours. I never would’ve changed it because it altered my design and comfort. That day, this space became just as much yours as any of ours.”
My heart flutters.
Amick gets such a bad rap for not having feelings, being too orderly, too obsessed with things being a certain way. From more people than just Riven. I’ve seen the way the others and those in the Athenaeum look and approach him like he’s an emotionless contraption from the nonmagical realm.
The fact that he had the power to change everything back to fit his comfort but didn’t speaks volumes to me.
He’s far from emotionless, selfish, or whatever word anyone wants to use to describe him. He shows it in the smallest of acts that no one gives him credit for.
Like my chair that only I can sit in.
“Thank you,” I say softly.
His eyebrows furrow in confusion. “For what?”
A small smile spreads across my lips. “For making V his own space since I can’t.”
“Your appreciation is noted but not necessary, Thayla. I’ll always make up for any shortcomings you have, just as you’ll do for me.”
I hide my chuckle by turning into Kyzen even more. The rumble of his chest vibrates my shoulder and spreads through my body.
“We’re all in agreement that V still needs to be kept a secret amongst our Valtrue. The last thing we need is him finding out about this,” Creed says as he crosses his arms over his chest.
His gaze bounces from me to V, either having a private conversation without me or looking for our agreement.
“Agreed, except for Yemi, Lambrit, Rose, and Havar. I planned to go see them in a minute and verbally telling them before making any formal introductions, though.”
“That wouldn’t be wise today. The High Chancellor isn’t lifting the lockdown, and we had a few choice words earlier. It’d be best for us to stay here. You can inform them all tomorrow during your first new schedule change. They’ll be with you.”
“Will they now? You’ve altered all our schedules, Candyman?”
“Yes. They’ll be accompanying us on our journey, so they need to be as prepared as possible. Starting in the morning, training with Creed. I’ve already sent communications to each of their houses to tell them to meet you all here in the morning.”
“What?” Creed and I ask at the same time, while sharing very different facial expressions.
His is furious, mine full of concern.
I don’t know how I feel about them joining us. What if this is dangerous? It’s definitely going to be dangerous. We’re looking for a Beginning God’s Binding.
Gods, Lambrit would love it, though. This will make him ecstatic.
Fuck.