Chapter 13 Thayla #2
All four of them twitch or gasp, indicating V spoke to all of us.
A lump forms in my throat. It’s not that I don’t believe him. My heart knows he’d never lie about anything like this or about anything really. It’s my head that likes to tell me otherwise.
I’m scared to face them and they be mad he washed away their feelings.
Suck it up.
A shaky breath pours through my lips as I gaze at four relaxed faces. “Are you all okay? I had no clue he was going to do that.”
“Surprise.”
“Not helping.”
“I’ve never felt so relaxed in my life and that’s my domain,” Rose cheers and a shocked laugh slips out of me at the beaming smile on her face.
“I was definitely internally freaking out. Although it didn’t really have anything to do with you.
I knew you didn’t mean any of us harm. It’s just scary.
Goodness, you’ve been living with all this and not talking about it? ”
“I’ve had the guys, V, and Seismet, but yeah, I tend to bottle it all up and shove it away.”
“Yeah, you do.”
My eyes playfully narrow on Lambrit.
“I’m still worried, but his power was remarkable. It’s as though it uncluttered my mind and lined up every problem for me all at one time. It felt like in milliseconds, I had it all worked out,” he says.
I cut my eyes over to V.
That’s literally exactly what the hot spring did to me.
“Why don’t you do this to me every time I freak out?”
“Because I’m not meant to fix every problem you face. I’m supposed to guide you through it. All of you being in emotional distress over all this information was unnecessary. There are going to be many times you need to work out your emotions on your own. This wasn’t one of those times.”
“Yemi, Havar, are you two okay?”
“Okay? I’m trying not to squeal like a child. You’ve got a Veilatara companion and a Vedarya? I’m trying not to be ugly jealous.”
“You can be jealous, Havar. I’m flattered.”
I smile, but it wavers for a moment when I look at Yemi. “Yemi?”
“I’m fine, I promise. Never had a list complete itself so fast.” She chuckles, but it’s forced.
“Very well. Now I was told there’d be food at this party. I’d like to be fed.” V hoots, flies over, and sits himself right on the counter.
“I didn’t realize Vedarya eat food as we do,” Havar says, shoving his plate toward V.
Someone is about to be in competition with Riven for attention.
“I don’t have to, and some things wouldn’t settle well with me, but I like to indulge.”
Yemi pulls the plate back with her nostrils curled up at her cousin. “I’ll fix him his own plate, Havar, geez.”
We all break out into laughter at the pout on Havar’s lip.
“Told you everything would be okay. And it will be. We’re in this together. All of us. I’ll research whatever Amick needs me to, to find out about the Messenger, your powers, where this Binding is, anything. Nothing is going to happen to you.”
I lean my head against Lambrit’s chest as he pulls me in for a hug. I wink at Rose, who holds on to my forearm and nods agreeingly with everything he just said.
I really couldn’t be happier with his new relationship.
She’s perfect.
I adore her.
Time flies by as the night turns into one of the most fun and memorable I’ve had. We devoured everything Yemi prepared and laughed when she bitched about having to go back to the dining hall to refill her icebox so soon.
The conversation has flowed smoother than it ever has. Granted, it probably has a lot to do with the fact we’re in the comfort of one of our homes. Not the Athenaeum or out and about around the other gods.
I grip my sore stomach as Havar groans and lowers himself to his knees. Rose vibrates with excitement on the ground where she’s perched between Lambrit’s legs and a permanent smile has been plastered on his face ever since she assumed the position.
Hysterical tears flow down my face and Yemi leans into me, gripping my arm as we die of laughter. It was Havar’s idea to play a silly game with the cookies, and out of everyone, he’s been losing the most.
The rules were simple.
You have to get the cookie in your mouth without using your hands. It has to be placed on your forehead, and you use your facial expressions to move it.
This is his third and last turn. It’s also the third time he’s had to get it off the floor with his teeth.
It’s a good thing I left some cookies behind for the guys because we’ve finished off the tray with this game. Creed really has a weapon at his disposal if he ever went that route rather than being a dick.
He could piss me all the way off, then bake me some sweet treats and I’d no doubt get over whatever he did.
I wish they were here.
The thought abruptly has my unrestrained laughter turning into small chuckles as I wipe my eyes. My smile lingers on my lips as Havar pumps his fists in the air like he’s won a grand prize for finally getting the cookie.
“You do realize that you still lose, right?” Yemi asks him as she pushes herself off the couch.
“That’s taurnshit. I’m the only one who had to be creative.”
I scoff and throw the decorative pillow at him. “By laughing so hard it continued to fall off your face and you had to eat off the ground like an animal?”
“Well, I’m pretty close to animals, so it’d make sense that comes naturally.” He laughs as he plops down on his ass, but I cock my head at him.
“You know, I’ve been wondering but didn’t want to seem so nosy. Your ability is the awareness of creatures. What all does that awareness cover?”
“A range of things really. I can sense their moods, what they need. If they’re hurt, I can tell where in the body. Although none respond, I can also call to them. Like at the end of the day when it’s time for a Veilatara count, I can send my power out and ask them to come to me.”
“I like how you said ask instead of tell.”
“Yes, Miss Judgy, I’m aware of the standard you hold the Veilatara in. I know a good deal of the Meadow Hands have left a bad taste in your mouth, but not all of us support what goes on. I think you’ve been here long enough to see why we aren’t, but also why we can’t do much about it.”
I groan and roll my eyes. I was probably harsh on him when he escorted me. He’s definitely one of the good ones.
“Yeah, yeah, I know. Still doesn’t mean I like it.”
“We’re aware,” they all say at once, causing us all to fall back into laughter.
“Since we’re on the subject of abilities, has yours appeared any with this Veiling, Yemi?” Lambrit asks and the room grows quiet.
“Oh, um…”
I clear my voice, cutting in. “Her ability to talk about her domain and anything else was bound.”
Havar and Yemi glance at me for a second, then look back at Lambrit as he speaks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to broach a sensitive subject.”
Yemi gives him a small, guilty smile. “You’re fine. Some things are changing, that’s for sure. I’ve noticed you’ve been zooming through the material Amick’s been giving you.”
He hums as he gazes down at Rose. “We’ve learned that incorporating Rose’s ability to incite rest and relaxation has multiple layers.
She can isolate her relaxation and pinpoint it to me, which in turn does relax me, but more so, gives me an enhanced ability to focus.
My intense concentration has really been the only ability I’ve noticed, and it becomes unwavering as long as her power surrounds me. ”
Rose’s cheeks blush a deep red as he runs his fingers down her face, and I find myself mesmerized by the tender show of affection.
Kyzen does that to me. Even after the unholy things he does to my body, he likes to caress me softly.
Amick’s really formed an infatuation with kissing my forehead when he leaves the room I’m in.
Weirdly enough, Creed is also gentle at times like when he’s examining me after throwing me on my ass and Riven likes to brush his fingers against mine when I’m feeling any kind of strong emotion.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts of them and my lips curl in the corners. “That’s amazing, Lambrit. I can’t wait to see what all of your abilities become as more of your power releases.”
“Don’t worry, we’re going to figure yours out as well and they’re going to be unbelievable.”
“Or dangerous,” Havar mumbles and I shoot him a glare as he gets to his feet and stretches his arms over his head. “That’s my cue to get out of here. I’m so full I’m about to pop and fall asleep on the floor. Need any help cleaning?”
“Are you gonna help clean by your standards or mine?” Yemi arches her brow skeptically.
“Yeah, I’ll just get out of your way.”
Rose and Lambrit rise as well, both giving me a hug as I stand, then Rose makes her way to Yemi. She promises Rose she doesn’t need any help and that she’ll see her in the morning.
I, on the other hand, hang around and start picking up the dishes and trash as she walks them to her door.
“I’m going to leave the two of you.”
“You don’t have to go.”
“I do. Say what’s on your heart to her.”
I press my lips together at my meddling Vedarya as he leaves in a flash of white.
“You really don’t have to pick anything up. I can get it.”
“It’s okay. I just want to help a little.”
She nods and makes her way to her sink. Although she seemed to have a great time tonight, like I did, I can tell something’s weighing on her mind.
“Yemi—”
“You’ve known the truth the whole time, haven’t you? Since the Gods Veil?”
“The truth about what?”
“Me. My abilities.”
“No. Derivius told me you were bound, and he was going to unbind you so you could speak freely. I thought at first maybe he lied or maybe you didn’t want to talk about it. When what happened with Mara happened, I knew you could talk if you wanted, you just haven’t wanted to.”
She picks her head up and her golden eyes shimmer with building tears. “You haven’t pushed or even called me out about it at all. Why?”