Page 24 of The Gods Veiling (The Valorian Veil #1)

“The High Chancellor didn’t mention this in his explanation. Which means you’ve never told the other gods, but you’re telling me. Why?”

“You’ll soon learn, Thayla, not all the Beginning and Domain Gods get along. And I don’t just mean they don’t see eye to eye. There’s a realm of mess and danger that you’re preparing to enter. Secrets Godsden holds very close.

“One of those secrets is an incomplete Valtrue here at the Godsdawn. I’ve known them longer than I’ve known you, and they know me just as well.

They’re the only group to ever be paired with differing Domains and Designations yet hold the same strength.

I’ve been patiently waiting to complete their Valtrue.

You’re their complement. Your soul will seal itself to theirs perfectly. ”

I backpedal away from him and jerk my head in denial. I don’t even fully understand what this means, but I know I don’t want it. I don’t want to be tied—my soul to be tied—to four men for the rest of my existence.

That means forever.

No.

“Derivius, what you’re saying is crazy and…and impossible. You can’t do anything to people’s souls. You can’t tie my soul to other people. Do they know you want to do this? Why would you do this?”

“There’s much to a god’s soul that you don’t know yet but will.

The boys are as unaware as you and it’s not only my choice, Thayla.

There’s much at play in our realm that you don’t understand.

Our downfall started more than a millennium ago and over the last two-hundred-plus years, has escalated. The peak of our problems is coming.

“Know this, the Valories have abandoned only but a few of their original creations and I am one of those. The gods may have turned their backs on me, but the creator has not and they’re trying to right the wrongs they made with their creations without disrupting our balance once again.”

My back hits the railing on the other side of the porch and realm-quaking tremors surge through me. Panic ignites everywhere within me now that I have nowhere to go, and my watering eyes stay glued to the god inching toward me.

His hands are held up in an innocent gesture, but I couldn’t care less. There’s no way for him to spin this to make it any better.

“Why? Why the fuck me? I don’t understand any of this.

I don’t want any of this. I never wanted to be with the gods and follow their way of life.

Now you’re saying I’m some…some chosen freak.

A pawn for you and the Valories,” I shout as he finally stands in front of me and lays his hands on my shoulders.

“I know you didn’t, but that’s what makes you perfect.

Your distaste for the gods is what we need.

You’re not some chosen freak. Many, many of us have our roles to play.

Some have already accomplished their duties, while others, you, the boys, me, and many others, still have work to do.

I’m so sorry. Many of us who have guided and protected you are sorry. ”

Many…I haven’t been around many—

The air in my lungs hardens to stone. “Them. They knew. Meridamus…my parents. My parents knew.”

His eyes soften even though they swirl with his powers. The colors within them start to blend as one as his full strength roars to the surface .

“They bought you as much time as they could by telling you to never enter yourself into the Veiling. Otherwise, they did as they were told. Now it’s time for what we’ve been warned of to unfold.

You’ll learn as you go, and I’ll aid where I can.

Your Attendant will be unbound, and you’ll see her strength and the need you have for her.

And she you. Learn to trust, Thayla. Not everyone will abandon you. I have not and will not abandon you.

“Your Valtrue will be strong and the five of you will grow together. Work together as you are meant to. Their souls will take care of yours. Try to understand, there’s purpose behind any brand of chaos. And please forgive me, little troublling.”

My arms shoot out and grip him by his shirt as a mixture of warmth and pain sears through me.

“Never. Not for this.”

The sensation continues to build to the point of suffocating me. I hold it in as best as I can, but within seconds, my scream rips through my throat and echoes through the mountains.

Everything within me tears to shreds.

Nothing could’ve prepared me for this sort of pain.

My knees grow weak and the only thing holding me up is Derivius. His softly murmured apologies are nearly drowned out by the bellows falling from my lips.

“We’re immortal gods. I’ll work for eternity to earn your forgiveness.

One day, you, them…you all will see, this was meant to be done.

But even when that time comes, I’ll continue to build our trust because you spent years building me in my darkest hours.

For now, I, Derivius, Beginning God of Chaos, deliver my will. ”

Beneath my tightly clenched fingers, the material of his shirt transforms into a velvet piece of parchment. He gently grabs my wrists and separates himself from me.

I stare into a cosmic swirl of black and blue as I sway. There’s no regret on his face. There’s maybe an ounce of guilt for the pain that’s plaguing my body, but more than anything, there’s a fierce determination.

My wobbly knees try to give out again, but I lean back against the railing to hold myself up. His fingers twitch as though he thought about helping me but changes his mind.

Instead, he steps back, then back some more.

When there’s enough distance that neither of us can reach each other, he bows low. A choked sob bubbles out of me .

Beginning Gods bow for no one. That’s his way of pledging his allegiance and his apology.

Both of which I don’t want.

I never wanted to do the gods’ bidding to get my power.

A bright flash of white light conceals his body, then fades, leaving the spot where he just stood empty.

Everything around me grows hazy as my perfect creation starts to dissolve. The calming swing, peaceful nature, and beautiful shades of green brighten blindingly. I want to run back into my dream home, where everything was right.

A wall of nothing but white forms in front of me. It beckons me forward and I have no choice but to listen. My unsteady feet slide beneath me, no matter my resistance.

I don’t have the strength to cover my eyes as the scene rapidly shifts back to reality. This version of reality, that is.

All my focus is on the pain pounding through me and the searing hot water falling down my cheeks.

There’re murmuring voices, but they’re only distant echoes.

“Thayla Godrun.”

My name bellowed beside me has my head lethargically following the sound. The High Chancellor stands just a foot from me with his hand held out expectantly, a pissed off scowl scripted across his face, and it takes me too long to process what it is he wants.

Impatiently, he snatches the parchment from the death grip I have it in.

A foreign jerk in my chest overwhelms my senses. Sound escapes me, aside from the rapid breaths falling from my chest.

I search the massive crowd gathered in front of me for whatever it is causing my body to be on high alert.

All the beings blur as I spot four hulking forms shoving their way toward me. I blink repeatedly to clear my vision and get a better look at them. It’s pointless, though, as everything goes hazy.

I hiss through my teeth and stagger a step as my arm catches ablaze. An elegant, swirling C takes shape right across the veins flowing under the skin of my wrist.

That mark is the last thing I see before my body crumbles and darkness takes me under.