Chapter 38 Thayla
Thayla
I’m proud to say, the guys have walked around with random boners for six days now.
Sometimes I take care of the issues I caused. Sometimes not.
I’ll admit, day two until yesterday of working on my Seduction power wasn’t as easy as the first because Riven refused to use his harmony.
I guess that was his form of punishment.
Personally, I think it was punishment enough when he decided to describe to me—in detail—how he masturbated in the shower, imagining it was my mouth.
Of course I acted pissy, but deep down, I would’ve given anything to see it.
Sensing and isolating my Seduction became the hardest thing for me to conquer because the rest of the power inside of me wanted a turn now that I’m more graciously accepting and encouraging it.
Each time that happened, I freaked out, worrying I was going to accidentally turn the guys or one of our companions into ash.
Fear and doubt definitely started rearing their ugly heads because the days were growing shorter and shorter. Each training session that lasted hours felt like minutes.
It seemed like the realm knew something big was coming and it was racing toward it rather than letting it happen on its own.
The guys smiled and reassured me constantly, but they couldn’t truly hide their worry from me. It grew more pronounced every time I had a slip-up and sucked my power back into me.
It was most evident yesterday morning, and I gave myself a stern, unkind talking-to before we even headed out for physical training with everyone.
I repeated the mantra, “You will not turn them to ash. You will turn them on,” in my mind so many times, I started humming it.
Riven mimicked me and that made me laugh uncontrollably.
It worked, though. On the first try, my Seduction power responded on its own. No help from Riven. No other powers tried to push their way forward.
Just me and the power of Seduction.
The guys all jumped to their feet and cheered for me.
Kyzen, Creed, and Amick passed me around, planting kisses on my lips as they told me they knew I could do it.
Riven damn near had me in tears when he said he was proud of me, but then the little shit put me on his shoulders, ran around chanting how he couldn’t wait to get pumped with power and rain chaos.
He then proceeded to cut a flip into the hot spring, all while I screamed my head off. I came up choking while he chuckled and swam around.
“Are you—”
“Lambrit, I’m not going to tell you again that I’m sure you’re not coming with us. No one is going to the barrier but us and, unfortunately, Gladian’s Valtrue.”
“Okay, okay. Geez. Don’t smite a guy for worrying and wanting to support his best friend.”
I sigh and place my hands on my hips. “First of all, I’d never smite you. Second, the best support you can give me is by setting my mind at ease and promising you’ll stay in the safety of your home, far, far away from the barrier, the Abandon, and the God of Obliteration.”
“I don’t get why that fucker and his minions get to go but we don’t.” Sevryn scoffs.
“It’s not like we asked them to. They were told they had to in case our father had any questions about our trip. Plus, you’re supposed to be dead,” Creed says and Sevryn shrugs.
“Being dead is getting pretty old. I can only look at the same walls and trees for so long.”
“We’ll figure out a way to integrate you into the Godsdawn when this is over. Say your goodbyes, Thayla. We need to get to the hot spring.”
I wrap my arms around Lambrit, reassuring him once again that everything is going to be fine. Then I move to Rose. I laugh quietly when she tells me she’ll make him relax and not to distract myself with worrying about him.
When I move to Yemi, though, my heart clenches. She looks beyond anxious. Havar and Sevryn stand on both sides of her, shifting from side to side as though they feel her fear.
I tug her into a hug and lower my voice. “Want me to slip you some power?”
She gasps, tightening her hold around me. “Don’t you dare, Thayla. You do exactly as you’ve practiced. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
I chuckle as I pull away from her embrace and grip her shoulders. “Okay, fine. Just trying to help my best friend out since three more powerful men are going to be showing up at her door any minute now.”
Havar laughs, Sevryn scoffs, and Yemi’s face blushes red.
“Anyways. You’ll go to the hot spring, release the power, come back and change quickly, then go to the barrier. After that, you’ll return home safely, and everything will be fine.”
My face softens and my heart grows fuller as she nods to herself about my schedule. Organizing relaxes her like no other and the fact she’s using my schedule as a way of calming herself down makes my appreciation and gratitude for her double.
She has no clue this small show of support is literally monumental to me.
“I’m going to be fine.”
“Better be. Creed and now Sevryn fuss at me about how I hold my sword. I don’t know how much help I’ll be if I have to run to your rescue.”
She definitely still holds it with a limp wrist.
Creed and Kyzen both lay a hand on my back as they guide me away from her. I can’t help but look over my shoulder, and a lump forms in my throat as all of them watch us walk into the tree line.
“Nervous?” Kyzen asks as I turn to face forward.
“Yeah, a little, but I got this.”
“Fuck yeah, angel, that’s the spirit. I’m so excited I want to scream.”
Riven’s enthusiasm settles some of my anxiety, and the caress of Creed’s soul rubbing against mine forces the rest away.
I’m proud of myself for accepting my power, at least this part of it anyways, but truth be told, they were my biggest motivators.
I really want to do this for them. They deserve this.
I did ask V if my want to fulfil this for them was enough that my power would recognize that I really wanted this even if for myself it wasn’t my main reason and his words have stuck with me.
“Power was never meant to be selfish but shared. Its entire purpose was for seven beings to function as one and support one another so the realm would flourish. You wanting this more for them than yourself will speak more to your power than anything else.”
So this is for them. I’ll benefit from it, yes, but they’ll thrive.
My feet slow as we approach the hot spring and my face slackens with the sight before me.
A sea of black and gold stretches far into the meadow as Veilatara line up in solidarity.
“Seismet, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong, Thayla Godrun,” Verlet answers instead and my head pivots to him. “My herd is here to support the five of you and cover the release of power with our own. We stand with you.”
A choked sob gets stuck in my throat as they bow their massive heads and I blink to clear the tears that gather in my eyes.
Holy shit, that’s powerful and so sweet.
Riven races over to him as he gives him a hug and a kiss on his muzzle. He then turns his body toward the entrance of the hot spring and bows dramatically with his arm out.
“After you, my sensitive little burden.”
I roll my eyes. I definitely should be called an angel in this moment.
I kick my shoes off and my bare toes wiggle in the grass for a moment before the heat of the hot springs welcomes them in.
Every step farther in has my breathing leveling out as the power of this pool engulfs me.
Once I get to the center, the guys circle around me, and Amick passes me the Binding.
“Remember, Thayla, listen to V’s guidance. We’ll be with you the whole time.”
I nod as his fingers release the Binding and the power pulsing from it thrums through my fingertips.
I’ve observed it plenty of times now as he’s told me to, but I’ll never not be in awe when I look into the white floating essence of the gods.
It reminds me so much of the Veil, as does the allure it has.
I can’t resist it.
“Ready, Thayla?”
I breathe.
“Ready.”
“Any questions before we begin?”
“Just one. How will I know when to stop?”
“You release as much as the Binding will allow. It will stop on its own.”
“Okay then.”
“Good. No more speaking from this point on. Only listen and do. I’ll walk you through step by step. First, close your eyes and find your power.”
I do as he orders silently and breathe in through my nose, out through my mouth. I can’t lay my hands to my stomach like I’ve been doing, but I lower the Binding to rest against it.
Come on, Thay. You, your Valtrue, and your Seduction. You got this.
Heat and light pressure build in my lower belly, and I smile at the familiar sensation. I caress it sweetly, same as if one of them was running their finger down my face.
“Good. It’s one swift process from here, so listen to me carefully. You must do this in a single, flowing motion.”
Shit. Okay.
“Now unlike how you’ve been practicing pushing it onto them, you’re going to solely focus on pouring your power into the Binding.
Think of it like you’re filling a glass with water from the faucet.
The glass is the Binding. The water is your power.
Let it flow until it’s full. You’ll know because it will feel as though your stomach is becoming empty.
“At that moment, you speak the start of the Valories prayer, mentally or out loud, whichever you’re more comfortable with, and you’ll fill in the rest with what you want. End with saying the five of your names.”
Oh gods. I have to come up with the prayer? I don’t pray. What in the realm am I supposed to say? Why didn’t he tell me this—
“Stop your thoughts, Thayla. Now. The words will come to you.”
Damn it. Okay. Everything’s going to be A-okay.
I inhale and exhale until I feel myself calm down. I swear the things I’d do to Riven if he just decided to lather me in his power right now.
That won’t work. Focus.
Breathe.
I grip my power a little tighter, beckoning it to come forward. Usually, I’d picture it expelling from my belly button in four different directions, but I don’t think that’s the best thing to do here.