Page 19 of The Gods Veiling (The Valorian Veil #1)

“I have nothing to say to you right now, Mellcom. If there comes a time when I’m ready to face this problem and you, I will.

For now, your emotions and feelings about how I’m acting toward you aren’t my concern.

You’re going to have to deal with the consequences of your actions and when I’m ready to deal with them another way, I will. ”

“And when will that be?”

“Gods if I know.” My voice rises in irritation, but I take a calming breath when the Chancellors look at me. “Maybe next week, maybe never. You pushing the issue isn’t going to make it happen any faster.”

“Jeremiah Etain.”

“I’ll see you on the other side.” He smiles, pulling Mellcom in for a quick hug. “Don’t fuck up and get yourself killed, sweet T. It’d break my heart.”

I sneer as he pats his chest, then blows me a kiss. Unlike all the other Chosen, he of course has to be dramatic and bows low in return to the Chancellors with his arms splayed out and feet crossed.

They find humor in his antics, while I find disgust.

If I had done that, I would’ve been kicked over, I’m sure.

“I understand you being upset with me, I do, but come on, Thayla. You have to see that I chose this for us. Look at what we’re about to gain together.

We haven’t let a fight go longer than a day in our lives.

I don’t want to step through that Veil, into our new reality, knowing that on the other side my sister is hating me. ”

Hate is such a strong word.

I never thought in my life I’d ever say or feel that regarding him, but that’s all I can come up with right now. That might not truly be what I’m experiencing, but I don’t have another word to describe it.

My heart and mind are shielded by my hurt and anger. Those two emotions combined create an armor that’s attached to me like an extra limb. I couldn’t cut it off if I wanted to.

Other than that, it isn’t lost on me that he hasn’t actually apologized. He’s just trying to justify what he selfishly did. It’s making his situation worse because I detect the manipulation a mile away.

It’s not going to work on me.

I’m not just going to forgive him because it’s over and done with.

“Let’s just wait till we both get on the other side and see where we go.”

That’s as good as I got. And it’s a lie.

I’m about to avoid him like a poisonous plant.

“Mellcom Bellame.”

“I’ll wait for you out there.”

It takes considerable willpower not to snatch my elbow from his grip, but I don’t want to make yet another scene in front of the Chancellors. I nod without meeting his gaze and that works for now.

When he steps through the Gods Veil, I release a breath that’s loud enough to draw all remaining eyes to me.

“You’ve made quite the impression on your first day, Thayla Godrun.”

I take a few steps closer to them and bow. “I try my best, Chancellor Gulliver.”

Apparently, I don’t know how to read a room either.

Their sneers are unkind, and I pinch my lips together to keep from laughing. I’ve had a very overwhelming day and am running out of fucks to give.

“I should’ve known when I had to repeat your name at the Veiling you were going to be an issue. I should’ve instructed the Escort to leave you in Oddian.”

Oh, the double standards. One second, they’re praising the gods, next, making comments that contradict their wishes.

“Careful, Chancellor. That sounds mighty close to you disagreeing with the gods’ will. They wanted me here after all.”

He takes a purposeful, pissed off step toward me. “Blasphemy. I shall have you punished for accusing me—”

“Calm yourself, Gulliver. Let the young girl voice her thoughts. I, for one, am anxiously waiting to see what the Gods Veil makes of her. The gods will do what’s necessary with her.”

The deep tone wraps around me. The Chancellor who gave the names of the Abernie Chosen observes me closely and I do the same in return. There’s a twinkle in his eye like he is enjoying seeing me and his fellow god get so worked up.

“You’re right, Ellian. They’ve no doubt witnessed the disobedience and ignorance from her. And it’d seem they’re eagerly ready to address it with her.”

I follow the Chancellor’s line of sight down to the parchment gripped in his hand.

The answer to how they know when to call our names is scripted right there for me to see. Mine is elegantly written and glowing below the dull ink of those called before me.

“I’ll be sure to pray for you, Thayla Godrun.” Chancellor Gulliver laughs darkly as he rolls the parchment up and holds his hand out toward the Gods Veil for me.

I scan the other Chancellors, who are all wearing condescending smirks. I won’t be receiving any guidance or helpful motivation from any of them, so I face the object of my fear.

The swirling white does, in fact, draw me in. Its allure is powerful and promising. It’ll be welcoming and so comforting the moment I’m inside.

My feet move of their own accord and my thoughts are no longer my own. As soon as my body is fully engrossed inside, warmth spreads through me like I’m lying under the rays of the sun.

At first, it’s relaxing and just right as it warms the chill that cold, dark room left on my skin.

Then it becomes painful.

My eyes fly open wide as I gasp in panic and blinding white light steals the sound and my sight.