Page 11 of The Gods Veiling (The Valorian Veil #1)

“Why are you gods using a Veilatara as a means of towing carriages?”

“You say ‘you gods’ as though you yourself won’t be becoming one soon enough.”

“I’m not one yet. Plus, I’d have immortality without my power. You lot are trapping theirs by strapping their wings. Why not use an oxid or taurn? An animal created for labor or food with no power. ”

“Those creatures aren’t allowed to live in Godsden. The green lands and meadow fields there are for creatures such as the Veilatara. They have a safe place to live, and we have a means of traveling the realm with beings who have no other option.”

“So when we return to Godsden, these contraptions come off their wings?”

His jaw locks and his lips pinch. That’s all I need to know.

“Doesn’t seem that safe then,” I whisper to the Veilatara before bowing low.

If this god boy and any of the others won’t show it respect, I will.

Gasps echo through the area. I glance down at my feet and peek through my few loose strands to make sure I’m not doing it wrong. My heart jumps to my throat as a hot brush of air moves the hair from my face.

Everything within me trembles as the warm touch of coarse fur rubs against my forehead.

Holy stars, the Veilatara is meeting my bow.

“Those who think as you do are killed for less, Thayla Godrun. Let’s hope you’re as strong as you feel.”

The deep voice that penetrates my mind holds me in place. I couldn’t free myself from his power no matter how much I wanted to, but he doesn’t keep me locked up for long. As his forehead lifts from mine, my hands shoot out to grip the ground for balance before I eat dirt at his hooves.

“You may call me Seismet. I look forward to seeing the Valories’ plan for you unfold.”

I stand, back straight, and try to hide the shaking in my hands by wiping the dirt off them.

Shit, what do I do? Do I speak out loud? Do I ignore him?

What is happening right now?

“All you must do is think and I’ll hear it. You don’t have to be so loud.”

Oh…

There’s no hiding the mental tremor in my voice as I try to send my thoughts back to him. Not so loud. “Thanks for that very ominous warning, Seismet.”

“Much better. And you’re most welcome.”

The glares and glances sear into my skin. I sense them crawling all over me from both the crowd and the god escorting us.

“Thayla, correct?”

I swallow harshly and gather the composure Seismet just knocked right out of me. “That’s me. And you are?”

“You weren’t listening at all when I stepped out of the carriage, were you? ”

“Oh, um…no.”

He smirks and sticks his hand out toward me. “I’m Havar. My power domain falls under the God of Creatures. Maybe yours will as well. The Veilatara aren’t typically accepting of any who don’t have some form of power that aligns with theirs.”

“Young Havar is wrong. We don’t align ourselves with anyone who doesn’t hold the same values as we do. Your power doesn’t matter to us.”

No changes cross Havar’s face, so I assume Seismet shared that with me privately.

Lovely. I have a meddling god coercing my way to Godsden and an ancient, obviously omniscient, revered creature gossiping in my mind.

Anything else?

“Much, much more, Thayla. Although we Veilatara aren’t all-knowing. We know everything the Valories want us to know.”

“So you know about me and the god who caused this? Is that why you’re talking to me?”

“I do know and no, that’s not why I’m talking to you.”

“Care to share?”

“No.”

I hold in my annoyed huff and focus back on the god who’s trying to have a conversation with me. “I guess we’ll see.”

He nods like the thought excites him. “Go say your final goodbyes. It’s time to go. We’ll have plenty of time to talk on our trip.”

I give him a polite smile and hustle away. I completely ignore Mellcom’s and Jeremiah’s attempts to stop me as I snatch my bag up and move to Lambrit’s side.

“That was remarkable. I’m so jealous right now.” He leans over and whispers.

“That was petrifying. I don’t know what came over me.”

“The presence of the Veilatara can be alluring or forbidding. Apparently, it wanted you to pay attention.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“Usually, I’d say amazing, but…”

Yeah, he doesn’t have to finish that. I get it.

Despite the excitement of the last few moments, I’ve allowed my mind to pretend this wasn’t actually happening. I mentally kept telling myself I’m just going on a little day trip .

The unsynchronized sniffling behind me shatters that delusion. The three moms here waiting to send their sons off can no longer hold back their tears. Fear of my past flashing across my mind keeps me from glancing at them.

My mom didn’t make a sound or shed a tear, but her heartbreak was clear across her face.

They’ll look the same.

“Garish Foremus,” Havar calls and my chest clenches.

I reluctantly take a step away from Lambrit as he turns toward his parents. Even though I refrain from looking, all the softly murmured words pierce my ears. Mrs. and Mr. Armend’s constant reassurances about not worrying about Laney gut me.

This is so unfair.

“Lambrit Armend.”

I’m seriously going to kill Mellcom.

“Thayla, may I have a word, please?”

The tears Mrs. Armend quickly wipes away hurt more than I thought they would. I know they aren’t for me, and this is what she wanted for her son, but still. I’m sure even wanting and praying for what you think is best for your child, then getting it, still makes goodbye hard.

“Of course.”

We step off to the side just as the next name gets called. “Jeremiah Etain.”

She doesn’t say anything long enough that the tension makes me shift on my feet uncomfortably. Finally, I break. “Is everything okay?”

To my utter shock, she pulls me in for a hug and I fall statue-still. “Thank you for how you’ve treated my children. I know Laney can be a bit much, and Lambrit has his, well…quirks, but you’ve never treated them differently. Despite my behavior, I’m thankful for the friendship they found in you.”

I’ve never had a reason to treat them differently. They didn’t do that to me. Ever. Laney’s an excited, free-spirited nine-year-old little girl. Lambrit’s a genius. Both are healthy and happy. What more could you ask for?

I don’t voice that or correct her as she pulls away and holds my hands. This probably isn’t the time to speak my opinion to an upset mother. “They mean a lot to me.”

“Mellcom Bellame.”

Shit. I’m next.

“I know that. And that’s why I have a favor to ask of you. Please look after my boy. He’s…” Her lip begins to tremble un controllably.

Be the bigger person, Thayla. You can’t help what she prayed for now.

Do not cuss her out.

“He’s the smartest person I’ve ever met in my life. He’s going to do amazing things at Godsden. He’ll be the gods’ favorite. Start praying to him and allow Laney to do the same. One day, one day soon, he’ll hear you.”

Her breath whooshes out of her, and she lays her hand to her heart. A huge, motherly smile breaks out through her tears. “You’re right. You’re so very right.”

“Thayla Godrun.”

My name seems to fall from Havar’s lips like thunder cracking across the sky. The storm brewing within me threatens to come out and destroy everything.

No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop the tremble in my voice. “Please tell Laney I love her.”

“I will, I swear. Thank you, Thayla.”

She turns me around to face the carriage, but my feet stay rooted in place. I’m seriously tempted not to move but don’t want a repeat of Mr. Armend dragging me and the power from the god waiting on me forces me to.

“Goodbyes are never easy, but it’ll be worth it when you see your new home.”

New home.

I’m sure that’s easy for him to say. I’m sure going to Godsden is exactly what he wanted in life.

“Let’s hope so.”

“Step in. You’ll get your first taste of what’s to be expected.”

I swallow down the slurs that desperately try to escape me. He doesn’t deserve my wrath, seeing as he has no idea how badly I don’t fucking want this. Plus, his domain may have to do with animals, but I’m sure he could squash my ass if he wanted to.

Deep breath, Thayla. You got this.

On my exhale, I place my foot on the step. I wasn’t expecting there to be any resistance against my skin coming through the door and I grit my teeth at the uncomfortable feeling. Soon enough, though, it releases me, and I gasp.

The four men who entered before me are laughing and walking around the ginormous space.

Walking. They’re walking around the inside of a carriage.

My jaw stays slack as I take an unsteady step farther in. The space is three times the size it seems on the outside.

There’re six large seats. Beside each of them is a table that’s covered with snacks and drinks. The other looks to be a compartment for us to place our things .

I run my fingers over the fine burgundy leather and my toes curl in my dirty-ass shoes that are leaving dust prints across the cream carpet.

“How—”

“The Goddess of Illusion. Her power is embedded in the carriages as well as many other areas in Godsden. Take your seats. I’m ready to get the fuck home.”

The godly, professional persona seems to slip right off Havar now that the attention of the Oddian families is gone.

He plops down in the seat at the front, tilts his head back, and sighs.

The sudden jolting of the carriage has me stumbling into the seat right by the window and I grip onto the armrest for dear life.

Oh, this is a weird feeling.

I haven’t ridden in a carriage or anything for…it’s been years.

“Gods, this is so much better than the squalor we live in. Is all of Godsden like this?”

I can’t help but sneer at Jeremiah. We didn’t live in squalor. Sure, it wasn’t fancy like this carriage, but it was clean, had absolutely everything we needed, and was peaceful.

“This doesn’t even scratch the surface.”

Jeremiah hoots and hollers like the child he is. His grimy fingers run across everything he can touch, and he stares at Havar like he hung the stars.

“Lambrit, switch seats with me.”

“Don’t tell him what to do,” I bark before Lambrit can get a word out himself.