Thayla #3
He narrows those sexy as sin eyes on me.
“Have I missed all the festivities?”
I hold in my jump and whip around toward Derivius. My eyes widen as I take him in as he pushes off the doorframe and joins us at the table.
“Not at all. There’s still plenty to eat,” Ellian says as he nods at him.
“You look like shit,” I say before I can stop myself.
An echoing of gasps rings out in every direction, and my fingers cover my mouth. Every last child tattles on me to their momma, and she playfully scolds me before rising from the table.
“I’m going to round the kids up and start bedtime,” she says as she leans down and gives Ellian a kiss on his forehead.
“I’ll be in soon to help, love.”
“Nonsense. This is important. I can handle them all tonight.”
The food in my stomach attempts to turn to stone, but I refuse to allow it. I knew this talk was coming. That was the whole point of this dinner.
Annalise tells each of us good night before expertly ushering the kids inside. I give her a small wave as she glances over her shoulder and winks at me.
My attention turns back to Derivius, and he smirks as he shakes his head. “Thank you, little troublling. After millennia of working on this physique and skin care routine, that’s exactly what I want to hear.”
I curl my lips between my teeth to stop from laughing. The thought really did slip out, but it’s true. There are bags under his eyes, his hair is messier than normal, and his shoulders are a fraction slouched.
So shit probably wasn’t the right word, but exhausted would’ve worked.
“Why were you late?” Riven asks before shoving a piece of bread in his mouth.
“It’s been a pretty busy twenty-four hours. Would one of you pass me that roast? It smells divine.”
He loads his plate up like we all aren’t staring at him, waiting for some explanation on that. He doesn’t answer. Instead, Ellian clears his throat.
“I know you’ve waited patiently, so I won’t drag this out. I’ll be making changes within the Godsdawn, and I need your support when I do. The last transfer of power wasn’t smooth. This won’t be either.”
“You have our support,” Amick says. “We’ve already discussed changes we hoped you’d make.”
Ellian nods. “I’m sure many will align with that. Some, I’m not sure you’ll all be happy with.”
That’s…un-fucking-fortunate to hear.
“Like?” I ask.
“The boys know many of my stances. For some of you, tonight is our first real conversation.” His gaze flicks briefly to Yemi’s Valtrue.
“So I’ll be clear. I’ve always disagreed with how the division between Godsden and the Abandon is handled.
The God of Obliteration can send his Oblirians and Dark Gods to attack our people, then walk through our gates untouched.
I don’t have the power to refuse him entry, though.
I also disagree with how the gods in Valveilious continue to play loyalist to whichever side benefits them most.”
His eyes lock on Nero. Something tight crosses Nero’s face before he looks away and straight at Yemi. She doesn’t return his smile.
Interesting.
“I have no intention of pandering to the Domain Gods or the Beginning,” Ellian continues. “My focus is the Godsdawn. Godsden. Our people.”
My fingers flex when his gaze settles on Creed.
“I’m adding a rotation to Gladian’s schedule. He’ll train Defenders at the barrier. I need you back in Court. Sevryn will rotate with you as a way of integrating into the Godsdawn.”
Creed and Sevryn exchange a look.
Honestly? Good. Sevryn needs somewhere to bleed that rage out properly.
“Fine,” Creed grunts after Sevryn gives a clipped nod.
“Not only you.”
Kyzen stiffens as Ellian turns to him.
“I’m reducing your Mediator role. You’ll spend time in the Court as well.”
Kyzen frowns. “Why?”
“I’m restructuring how the Attendants are viewed. They’ll have defined roles and dignified responsibilities. As well as proper training. Not everyone will welcome that.”
“Hell no, they won’t,” Yemi says. “Gods who see us as lesser will make sure we remember it.”
I snap toward her. “They won’t do that to you. Or Rose.”
“We aren’t the only Attendants.”
I grit my teeth. She’s right.
“That’s where Kyzen comes in,” Ellian says. “No offence, Creed—”
“I don’t have the patience to train them.”
Ellian’s lips twitch. “Kyzen does. And he won’t be alone. Thayla will train the female Attendants, and any whose primary Designation isn’t Defender.”
“I’m sorry?” I blink.
My men offer no help. They stare, just as shocked as me.
“I’m not the right person for that. I have about as much patience as Creed.”
He huffs.
“Perhaps,” Ellian says evenly. “But you already don’t see the Attendants as lesser. You’ll give them confidence, and they need to defend themselves. Until this shift is accepted, some of them will face resistance.”
Yemi and I share a long look. She isn’t close to many Attendants, and outside of this table—aside from Havar—she really isn’t close to anyone. There’s an unspoken bond among the Designation, though. They all know what it’s like to be treated like shit.
Damn it.
“Okay.”
“Good, thank you. Creed, work out the rotation for whatever works best for all of you, and inform Amick prior to the address and Gladian after.”
They nod to one another, then Ellian turns his attention to Amick.
“You’ve unofficially overseen the Attendants for years.
I don’t want to make you a fully-fledged Chancellor because of the added responsibilities that will bring in addition to this, but I do want your continued oversight of the Attendants.
In a deeper capacity, though. Compile profiles.
Determine where they’d thrive within the Designation. ”
“Already done.”
Of course it is. My proactive genius.
“Still,” Ellian continues, “speak with them. Ask what they want. Identify any issues and who’s causing them.”
“I can.”
“Well, then what the hell am I doing?” Riven asks. “Sitting here looking pretty?”
A collective eye roll answers him.
“I haven’t identified who I think would make a reliable Chancellor for the Plentifuls. Until I do, you’re now an acting liaison for them.”
Riven sneers. “Eww. Fine. What about freeing the Veilatara? You knew I’d ask.”
Ellian stiffens and turns to Derivius.
“My turn?” Derivius dabs his lips with a napkin and clears his voice.
“All High Chancellors undergo a binding more severe than a normal Chancellor’s.
There are matters he can no longer speak of.
Certain histories. Knowledge granted by the Beginning Gods.
If he doesn’t answer you, it’s not a refusal. It’s restriction.”
“You can’t even speak on the Veilatara?” Amick presses.
Ellian’s silence is answer enough.
“Do you know where the original Gods Binding is hidden in the Sanctum?” Kyzen asks.
Ellian’s face darkens.
“My, you all had the hard questions ready,” Derivius says with a smirk that earns him unamused glares.
“Why don’t you tell us?” I ask.
“I can’t.”
“Are you kidding me? You’re bound too?”
“Not just me or because of my disownment. All of us Beginning Gods bound each other after the barrier to the Abandon slammed in place. Val is the only one of us who’s not. He never returned to us after that.”
The God of Boundaries is a smart piece of shit.
“Okay, so why can’t you free the Veilatara?” Riven asks.
Derivius’s jaw tightens. “That story is history well restricted.”