Thayla #2
Ellian heads directly for Annalise, capturing her in a kiss that has my men gagging and me hiding a girly giggle.
That’s so cute.
“Proper introductions are in order,” Ellian says as he smiles down at her.
He goes around the room, introducing Yemi’s Valtrue, Lambrit, and Rose to Annalise. She hugs each of them all the same, and they can’t help but reciprocate. Even Sevryn smiles softly as she hugs him.
“Us ladies are going out and relaxing. You men can handle it from here.”
“Enjoy yourself, my love,” Ellian easily agrees.
Riven groans, then gasps as Kyzen elbows him in the stomach. Creed has no complaints. He’s already moved to the stove and started stirring whatever Annalise had started.
I peer over at Yemi’s men to see how they take being left in here without her. It’s no surprise Doren is nodding enthusiastically while the other three shift on their feet.
Lambrit gives Rose a quick kiss, then moves right to Ellian’s side.
“I’m staying with the men,” V hoots as he flies over and perches himself on Creed’s head. I fight back a snort.
“Thayla, dear, grab that bottle for me, will you? Then come with me,” Annalise says.
I do as she asked, then Yemi, Rose, and I follow behind her with smirks and winks at the men.
“What stage in life do we have to get to, to be able to command all of them like that and they listen?” Yemi asks with a faux whisper.
“Train them right from the start, and it gets easier.”
The three of us chuckle as Annalise leads us through the kitchen and out the back door. My mouth parts the second we step out on the threshold.
I don’t know what I expected, but a ginormous backyard and a beautiful, long porch with a table that can—will—fit all of us, wasn’t it. We make our way to the far corner where several rocking chairs are spread out.
The children are running around the huge stretch of green grass, and my gaze roams across them, their toys, obstacle courses, and all kinds of other stuff.
This is a kid’s dream yard.
“Okay, my boy, are you ready to eat?” A sweet coo follows Annalise’s question.
“May I feed him?” Rose asks as she steps closer and smiles down at him. “He’s so precious. I haven’t seen a baby in years.”
“Of course. Baby Ezra is a sack of sugar. I was wondering if your power was going to push you toward him.”
Rose grins brightly and expertly takes the baby, then the bottle I pass her like it’s completely natural.
“How do you know what her power is?” I ask as Annalise relaxes into the rocking chair.
“It would be impossible not to. Her domain falls under mine.”
Yemi’s and my chairs stop rocking as we stare between them. Rose shrugs like we should’ve known.
“I’m confused,” Yemi says. “I thought the Goddess of Affection’s name was Esmerie?”
“It is. She holds the official title in the eyes of the gods, but paper doesn’t define power.” She eyes my narrowed gaze. “Oh, I know that look. I wear it often when Ellian doesn’t tell me everything. The boys didn’t tell you because we don’t dare acknowledge it.”
“So…” I tilt my head. “Actually, I’m not sure what to say.”
She pats my hand, calm as ever.
The Goddess of Affection.
The gravity and natural relaxation around her make a lot more sense now. So does her ability to take care of this many children.
“A great deal is about to change, and I wanted to speak with you three—goddess to goddesses—before Ellian does. I don’t know you all well, but his faith in Amick, Creed, Riven, and Kyzen has never wavered.
He sees that same loyalty in Lambrit, and now in your Valtrue, Yemi.
Since he trusts you, I will too. I figured starting with who I really am was the best place to start.
“The role he’s stepped into is dangerous.
Now more than ever, he must keep those he loves close.
I will do whatever I must to protect my husband, my children, and the people we hold dear.
That begins with honesty, and according to Ellian, all the men inside—aside from perhaps Sevryn—understand how the higher gods operate.
You know what his parchment meant during the Chancellors Choosing, yes? ”
I glance at Rose’s worried expression and her mumbled no.
“Amick was meant to be High Chancellor,” I say. “Ellian prayed for him to have more time, so he assumed the responsibility until Amick is ready to face that fate.”
Her jaw drops. “Oh.”
Yeah…oh. It fucking sucks no matter how you look at it.
“That position exists on paper, not in power. It’s much the same for Esmerie and myself. The realm knew the moment my power surpassed hers. She was meant to step down, but I refused to step up.
“The higher gods didn’t want me either. I don’t fit their mold. I never wanted to live in Valveilious or entangle myself in their politics. I wanted a family. A life. Love. I have that, and I would prefer it remain intact.”
Sadness shadows her eyes. I can’t imagine how much more Ellian’s going to have to work now, which takes him away from his family.
From her.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. Ellian doesn’t regret his choice.
Those four boys were the first children we ever cared for.
Many Domain Gods, any higher-powered gods really, struggle to have children of their own.
Then some are blessed when they’re unworthy.
I prayed for years to the Goddess of Creation for one.
” She smiles faintly. “In her own way, she answered.”
Yeah, with her children she couldn’t be bothered raising and protecting.
I swallow my anger, but Annalise notices. She squeezes my hand.
“Some mothers don’t know how to be mothers.
They can’t even create a proper illusion for the role,” she whispers, then clears her throat.
“The gods have been manipulating power for many years. I’m only one example.
There are others walking among us who should hold titles their power warrants but don’t.
Valveilious is no longer about worth. It is about alliances and ambition.
“The political battlefield will be one of the most dangerous arenas Ellian faces. It isn’t like racing to the Abandon with swords drawn. It requires strategy, restraint, and precision. Conquer there first, and bloodshed may not follow.” She pauses. “That doesn’t make it easier, though.”
Worry etches across every feature in her face. There’s more she wants to say but isn’t. I know this was a warning to us, though, in preparation for whatever Ellian is going to talk to us about.
“Momma, watch this!”
“Oh, Rowden!”
Annalise hollers as she hops up, but there’s nothing she can do. The wild child cuts a flip off the top of their obstacle course before she makes it to the steps. Yemi’s, Rose’s, and my gasps echo across the porch.
His body freezes mid-flip in the air, and I whip my head toward the back door.
“I don’t understand how that kid hasn’t broken something yet.”
Kyzen’s arm stretches out as his eyes blaze, and I release a deep breath.
“Sheer luck. Thank you, Kyzen,” Annalise breathes as she races down the steps and plucks Rowden out of the air.
“Zymir, don’t even think about it,” Ellian says as he sets down a plate of delicious-smelling roast, then he places his hands on his hips.
My eyes widen at the little boy who was about to attempt his own stunt. Luckily, he doesn’t argue. He does grumble a quiet, ah man, but he does as he’s told.
“Rowden Akova, you know better. We’ve talked about this, son.” Annalise sighs.
“I could’ve landed it this time.”
Fuck, kids are so scary.
“You all should’ve just let him do it. You gotta live and learn,” Riven scoffs as he sets down two plates.
All of Yemi’s Valtrue pile out the door with their own dishes in hand, and my stomach growls again. Yemi and Rose smirk over at me, and I shrug.
I’m going to stuff my face.
“Come sit down,” Creed barks at the kids and not a single one of them flinches.
They come barreling up the steps and take their seats in front of the plates already prepared for them just like they were told.
“You too, ladies. Let’s eat,” Ellian says, and Yemi, Rose, and I hop up.
Rose waves Annalise off as she offers to take Ezra back. She’s apparently loving those baby snuggles. I bite my lip and hide the fact I just caught the gaze Lambrit gave her.
Gods, I’m too young to be an aunt.
Thankfully, I don’t have to worry about taking on the role of cool aunt for hundreds of years.
He proceeds to fix her plate, and I cut my gaze toward Kyzen’s small laugh. He just watched that unfold as well, and he shoots me a wink as I bite back a chuckle.
My eyes are definitely bigger than my stomach, but that doesn’t stop me from piling on the roasted vegetables that are glazed in something sweet and sharp. The fragrance alone has my mouth watering. The meat I go for next is so tender it’s falling off my fork before it reaches my plate.
Groans sound throughout the air as we all take our first bite.
Yep, this is the kind of food that makes conversation pause for more than a few moments. If the children weren’t laughing and playing among themselves, the porch would be silent.
Eventually, though, chatter rises across the table.
It’s so strange seeing Ellian out of robes, but as he rolls his sleeves back with a smile that reaches his eyes and endures the playful teasing about his cooking, it’s easy to see him as…just a person.
Not High Chancellor, not a powerful god.
Just Ellian.
Everyone, even Yemi’s Valtrue, participates in the conversations and jokes. Sevryn, surprisingly, tosses a stray piece of bread back at the kids when it accidentally lands in front of him.
A warm but tight squeeze spreads across my chest.
This is really nice.
Four strokes respond to that sensation that I didn’t mean to send, but my men don’t draw attention to it.
Faster than I would’ve liked, my belly stretches to the point it’s about to pop, and I release a deep, satisfied sigh.
“That was absolutely delicious.”
“You didn’t save room for dessert?” Creed asks.
I’m pretty sure he’s talking about the pie he made, but the way he asked that all low has my mind going straight to something else.