Page 21 of The Gods Veiling (The Valorian Veil #1)

It’s abundantly clear that the Defenders get the most power released every year. Those who have shown remarkable skills or usefulness in the other Designations will get a little extra as well. For the most part, though, they only give enough for everyone to notice and not cause an uproar.

If they weren’t so dick-whipped by the Beginning and Domain Gods, they’d see the truth for what it is.

The High Chancellor turns his head to the wall of white as it grows brighter. His creepy smile reveals that whoever is stepping forward first is someone he liked.

“Our first Chosen of this Veiling,” he shouts as he pivots his body slightly and holds his hand out. A second later, a man steps out in a daze, just as they always do. It only takes him a beat to pull it together. “Albert DeWalsh.”

The DeWalsh guy looks almost relieved to see the High Chancellor and I instantly don’t like him. Anyone who finds that kinda comfort from him isn’t someone I’ll be sharing my fun with.

The High Chancellor takes the parchment from the guy’s trembling hand and rolls it out slowly. The drama and anticipation he attempts to build with this first one every Veiling annoys me.

Like get on with it already. We know what all is listed, just say it.

I’d find much more enjoyment in it if some crazy shit were to be scribbled out and it surprised the High Chancellor as well as all of us.

They should allow me to present the Chosen.

“Albert’s highest Designation is Defender. Followed by Ruler, Guider, Plentiful, then Healer. He had no place in Attendant, and was worthy of one, but the Attendant presented was not worthy of him.”

Albert looks shocked that the High Chancellor is announcing everything he’s been tested on.

He does this every Veiling and never warns them that he’s going to tell everyone everything.

Even the Chosens who place as an Attendant get put on the spot like this.

They’re even more shocked when he starts spitting off their ages, where they grew up, and what they were best known for in their communities.

It’s information he gets the Chancellors to gather when everyone thinks they leave with their piece of the Volreen. Instead, they visit whoever the region’s leader is and dig up what they can on them.

“It looks like you are worthy once again, Albert. Hugh Capri, where are you?” The High Chancellor scans the crowd until he focuses on a group of people who are separating from another man.

“Congratulations. The two of you have been paired. This is the start of your Valtrue. May it be complete in the coming Veiling. Finally, Albert, the answer you have been waiting for most. You have a domain under the God of Endurance.”

A genuine smile lights up his face and the crowd cheers like crazy for him. As I said, the Defender Designation gets a lot of recognition. No matter what.

I only pay enough attention from that point on to laugh at the shock and coloring of dear Albert’s cheeks as the High Chancellor continues on telling us all about him.

After that, I couldn’t give a shit what’s said.

My focus stays on the swirling white wall behind him.

I won’t lie. I stew with jealousy as I stare.

They get to embrace that raw power for a blip in time. If they’re worthy enough for a god to show up, they get to bask in their full strength for a while too. Ugh, I wouldn’t care if anyone showed up. I’d just roll around in the essence of the power that once was and one day will be mine again.

That’s a promise I’ll concoct a fuck ton of chaos for.

Other than us sensing the shift in the air, most Chosen don’t reveal if they were visited or not, or by who. Some are bound and can’t. Some don’t want to tell their personal experience.

What the Chancellor doesn’t tell any of them is that your Beginning or Domain God decides how much power they’re going to give you in this initial releasing.

Typically, they all stay pretty level based on your Designation.

Then if you’re unlucky enough, in my opinion, you get paired, and that grants you a little extra boost.

The idea of being marked and paired with some stranger for the rest of our lives sounds dreadful. The completed Valtrues among us don’t make it seem like it’s pleasurable or exciting.

What if you get paired with some gods fearing stuck-up who wants to abide by every rule and go to every temple gathering?

Gross. No, thank you.

I find the chaos of the unpredictable matching enjoyable, but from a distance. My brothers, I can live with. Some strange woman that I got to dull myself down for, no.

My brothers and I being paired was a sweet little shocker, though. We figured we’d be sticking together of our own choice. Obviously, the Beginning Gods had enough sense not to separate us when we were brought here at fifteen. They were wise to be afraid we’d act like a fool .

We would have.

I groan as the white wall blazes to life again. I want to be back in there badly. I need to feel that pure, raw power coursing through my belly and fingers once again. Fuck, it was so incredible.

Until they took it away.

One of the gods, any of them, needs to give it back before I show my ass. My brothers would probably disown me if I fucked off our long-term plans.

Amick cuts his eyes to me, and I’m tempted to shove my finger in his curled nostril.

“This is ridiculous. I have a plan. We’re—”

“Not a good one,” he cuts me off, but I carry on as Kyzen raises his eyebrows.

“On three, we’re going to rush the High Chancellor and jump in the Veil. We’ll hold hands and do it together.”

“That’s your grand plan?” Kyzen asks.

“Yep. It’s perfect. Creed, you on board?”

My chatterbox of a brother stares right through me. I grunt repeatedly, then try to lace our fingers together, but he snatches his hand away.

“Amazing. Creed had great input and is completely down for this.”

Amick’s face turns a dusty pink and my smile slices across my face in anticipation. My insides grow warm with giddiness, and I prepare for the snap. It’s so rare and it tastes so good when it happens.

Come on, give me your worst, brother.

“Riven—” He starts but stops as Kyzen places a hand on his chest and I pout in disappointment.

“I know with the power floating all around us right now, it’s got you feeling…

adventurous. Your creative imagination is flowing, and I really appreciate that, but let’s think a little logically.

We wouldn’t be at the mercy of the High Chancellor in there, but the gods.

They might not take too well to another rebellion from us and decide to take all the power back that they’ve returned to us.

We should probably think this one through a little more. ”

I hum in thought, but clarity seems to return to me when the breathtaking white of the Gods Veil becomes dull. That hypnotic swirl releases the grip on my mind, and I scoff at myself.

It’s still a solid idea. I just need fewer witnesses and to tone it up a bit.

I don’t care for the parental tone he just used on me, though…

“See how Kyzen put that so eloquently, Amick. He used his smarts and reasoning to make me see a better way. He also placated my chaotic emotions. You should pay closer attention to the way he talks.” He makes a small noise, not quite a grunt, and I raise my brows. “You agree?”

“No. I’m impressed you used the words eloquently and placated properly.”

“Stop and pay attention,” Creed warns low when I open my mouth. He always has a scowl on his handsome face, but the one he’s wearing right now seems to be even fiercer.

The three of us turn back to the platform and I zone in on the High Chancellor in just enough time to catch the last tidbits of the nervous-looking god he’s up there talking about.

Kyzen whistles through his teeth. “An entire Designation in Guider. That’s rare.”

“We haven’t seen that since the High Chancellor himself. That won’t bode well for the becoming god,” Amick responds while observing the guy standing up there from head to toe.

“Are you forgetting about yourself?” I ask.

“No. My Designation is irrelevant.”

That guy makes his way off the platform and holds his elbow out to the little Attendant girl waiting for him. I grunt in surprise.

He’s definitely a weird one.

The hair on my arms stands as a few moments later, a cocky little shit steps out. He pumps both fists in the air before bowing dramatically to the High Chancellor and passing him his Deliverance.

I snort and appreciate the show. “That one’s gonna get beaten down a few notches.”

“By the gods. Their attention was truly on Oddian this Veiling…” the High Chancellor states almost proudly.

Damn, we’re already at the Oddian Chosen?

I really lost my mind there for a while.

“The Godsdawn, I present to you Jeremiah Etain. His dominant Designation is Defender. Followed by Healer, Plentiful, Guider, Ruler, then Attendant. He did not have an Attendant, but he’s been found worthy of something far greater. Jeremiah, dear boy, step to the side for me.”

This Jerry character looks just as confused as the rest of us and the minutes pass in an awkward silence that makes me giggle. We all literally just stare at him while the High Chancellor smiles around weirdly.

He finally claps when the Gods Veil spits out its next victim—Chosen. His face is set in a much more serious and grim line than that Jeremy dude’s was.

Relief floods his features when he spots his buddy up there with him, then it clouds in confusion.

“Your Deliverance,” the High Chancellor states, grinning deviously as he holds his hand out.

“I present to you all, Mellcom Bellame. His Designation is also dominant in Defender. Followed by Ruler, Guider, then Healer. No place in Plentiful or Attendant. He, as well, did not have an Attendant, but has been found worthy of something far greater. Jeremiah Etain and Mellcom Bellame, you are in a Valtrue together and you both possess a domain under the God of Pain.”

Shit…that’s one ruthless asshole.

The two of them have to be close. They collide in some manly hugs and shoulder shakes that I’d knock some random-ass dude out over if they did that to me.

“I am not finished.” The High Chancellor holds his hand up to silence the booming crowds’ excitement. “I am pleased to announce on behalf of the gods, the strongest Valtrue to be formed before us. Gladian, God of Strength, Chasin Dellery, and Mara Willmer, please join us on the platform.”

“What?” All four of us grunt. Then I die laughing.

Which one of you cocksuckers is listening to my thoughts?

This is exactly the surprise I was looking for today.

A Domain God being paired with becoming gods?

This is chaos at its finest. Beautiful job.

The five of them stand together like a formidable wall. None of them flinch or anything as they gaze down at the glow suddenly appearing on their wrists.

I don’t know the two new Chosen, but those other three are mean fuckers. Even Mara. Out of the solo women who were Defenders, she was the most cutthroat. It’ll be interesting to see how Gladian treats her now. He never took it easy on her before.

That thought confuses the fuck out of me and I frown. “How was Gladian never paired with Chasin and Mara before? Why are their names coming up with these two?”

“Mara’s pairing makes sense due to the Binder being paired last to the Valtrue. Chasin and Gladian should’ve matched Chasin’s Veiling. Good question, Riven,” Amick says. There’s no hint of sarcasm in his tone.

This just keeps getting better.

I grunt as my power suddenly swells within me. There’s no stopping it as a satisfied moan bubbles up and out of my throat. My eyes swirl as I seek out the source of its heightening .

The only definite place I can pinpoint is the Gods Veil.

Creed’s hand slams down on my shoulder hard enough to stop me from rushing the platform like I wanted to do, anyway. “I felt that. What’s going on?”

“He’s here,” I singsong my little, happy, fucking ecstatic heart out.

I love that ol’ rule breaker.

“What do you mean here?” Kyzen asks.

“He’s here, here. In the Veil. We’re about to see some shit, brothers.”

Come on out, last Chosen.

Let’s see what kind of chaos you’re about to bring to the Godsdawn.