Page 31 of The Gods Veiling (The Valorian Veil #1)

“Well, good thing you stopped when you did. If you had kept going, you would’ve made it to the Veilatara meadow and been stomped to death. They don’t take kindly to strangers. Havar refuses to even let me go with him to see them. ”

Huh. I’ll let him surprise her then…

We walk for a while, sinking into our own thoughts. I’m not sure how long it’ll take us to get back since I wasn’t paying attention when I was running, but I use this opportunity to observe the forest.

We had gorgeous woodlands in Oddian as well, but you can tell the forest thrives better here in Godsden. It smells sweeter, the trees are taller, and the colors are ten times brighter. There’s power in abundance and it shows.

“I went farther than I thought. You kept up with me the whole time?”

“Yeah, but a couple paces back. I used to love running before I came here. Now they use it as a punishment to see which one of us will throw up first.”

I try to hide my sneer, but I fail. “Well, other than that disgusting side note, that’s impressive. I’ve had to work out every day for as long as I remember, and running was my favorite because no one could talk or yell at me while I did it. I didn’t hear you at all.”

“I’m quiet on my feet,” she says, but her cheeks blush a pink that doesn’t say embarrassed but lie. I decide not to pry.

“So is there…” Do I really want to ask this? I do. “Is there anything you can warn me about them?”

She whistles low and gives me an apologetic smile.

“They’re a brutal bunch. From what I’ve witnessed, they’re easier to handle individually.

Mostly. They were the strongest group here even without being a completed Valtrue.

I don’t know their whole story and I’d never dare ask, but they were left here as teenagers. The name everyone calls them…”

I can summarize that’s where it came from.

“You said individually they’re easier to handle. What do you mean?”

“Right. Mind you, this is all from me observing them. Today was the first day I’ve ever had to be in such close quarters with them.

I watch from a distance. Amick is a Rising Chancellor, so he spends a lot of time in the Athenaeum.

He seems easier to approach in there if you’re asking relevant questions.

He doesn’t seem like a personable person, but not necessarily a mean one either.

Kyzen is a Mediator. If there’re problems or disputes, they call him in. He seems the nicest.”

That makes complete sense and explains everything I’ve seen from both of them so far.

“Riven is a wild card. He’s petrifying and confusing honestly.

I’m not sure what he does, and I stay away from him.

I’ve watched him just lay gods out, laugh about it, then help them up, and pat them on the head.

And Creed…yeah, he’s just scary. Plain and simple.

He spends most of his time in the Gods Court.

He do esn’t speak to pretty much anyone but his brothers or the Defenders.

Riven rumors that they’re quadruplets because they’re all the same age, but I heard that isn’t true.

I don’t know for sure, but they’re definitely brothers. ”

Quadruplets…Gods, their poor mother. If that’s the case.

Couldn’t be me. Absolutely not.

“They’re not happy about this Pairing at all.”

“Yeah, I got that from the shouting.”

“Is there anything else you got from the shouting that I should know about?”

“No, it was basically Riven screaming at the Chancellors, them yelling back. Your whole Valtrue demanded you all go back into the Veil and the High Chancellor denied that, then read them your Deliverance. I also heard it, by the way…”

I sigh. “Yeah, it didn’t give us much, but the High Chancellor sure did a good job making me seem awful. What about their powers?”

She hesitates long enough to tell me she doesn’t want to answer.

“What I know about their powers is only speculation. I’m liable to scare you more than inform you and piss them all the way off by telling you something that’s not true.

I know you’re searching for answers to help you accept this.

I totally get it, I’d be the same way, but I think that’s a question you need to ask them to get to know them and form your own judgment. ”

I get her sound reasoning. I just don’t like it. “Ugh, I guess so. Anything else you can or feel comfortable sharing?”

“No. You’ll learn as you go based on what’s bound and what’s not…Oh, I didn’t think this really mattered, but now that you’ve told me why you’re here, this is probably important to you.”

Chill bumps break out across my skin. Her tone is laced with dread, and it sinks into my stomach. “What?”

“Mellcom and Jeremiah are in a Valtrue together. I’ve never seen this before, but two kinda phenomena happened.

One, them being paired together. It’s almost unheard of to be from the same region, same Veiling cycle, and apparently close, then match.

Two, they were paired with Gladian, a Domain God.

He’s the God of Strength. Awful man. He’s so vicious.

The other two are almost fully powered. Well, actually, they may be now after this.

Chasin, his domain is under the God of Endurance, and Mara, hers is under well…

Gladian himself. She’s ruthless, to put it bluntly. ”

My hands immediately begin to shake. It petrifies me knowing it wasn’t Derivius who orchestrated this. When I first believed it was him, I was hurt and mad. Now it’s terrifying knowing a mystery god that I know nothing about is pulling strings not only with my life but obviously Mellcom’s.

My voice trembles despite me trying to stay calm. “What about their domains?”

Her frown deepens. “Both have a domain under the God of Pain.”

I stop walking and put my hands on my hips while I breathe. My eyes fall closed as I pull the panic back in. My mind goes straight to the worst of the worst.

How can they use that against me? If I don’t speak to them, will they force me to with their power? What about training? Will I have to face off with them again while they have this astronomical upper hand now? How can I avoid them?

“You okay?”

“No. Not really. Things were really bad between the three of us when we left Oddian. I’ve been the biggest bitch to them because of their betrayal.

Mellcom more than Jeremiah has tried to talk about it with me, but I don’t want to hear it.

Them having powers, and it’s in a domain of pain, will not bode well for me if I piss them off. ”

Some more context to my life prior to coming here would probably fill in the blanks for her and she wouldn’t look so confused. I don’t have it in me to do that right now, though. I’m ready to call it a day. It’s bad news after worse news and I’m at my limit.

Thankfully, my somber face must speak to her because she doesn’t push. It’s only a few more minutes before we break out of the tree line and the houses come into view.

Instead of relief, my shoulders slump with defeat.

I don’t want to go in there either.

“How about Lambrit? He’s the one who accepted Rose. Was he okay after his test and do you know where he went?”

A smile crosses her face that makes me feel better. “Smart one that one is, huh?”

“Very. He’s my best friend, and he isn’t the best in crowded, social situations. I’m a little worried about him.”

“He and Rose left to find the housings after you passed out. She doesn’t do well in crowds either. He did try to come to you but was stopped. I only got to see them for a second before I followed you to the healing villa. His domain is under the God of Scripture.”

A huge, sincere smile spreads across my face. That doesn’t surprise me one bit and I’m so proud of him. “The god that remembers everything he writes. That’s not a shock to me. I’m positive Lambrit can already remember anything he reads. He’ll be fantastic.”

“He seems really sweet, which is different, that’s for sure. But I won’t overwhelm you with anything else after this.”

“After what?” I groan.

She takes no offense and laughs me off. “I’m technically supposed to check with you about all meals.

So dinner tonight and breakfast in the morning.

It’d be my responsibility to bring it to you from the dining hall, or we go there.

If you don’t want to eat there or in your house with them, you can come over in the morning when you get up and we can go over some rules.

I actually enjoy cooking, but I don’t have anything to prepare tonight, so I’ll have to go to the dining hall in a few, regardless. ”

“Really?”

She chuckles. “Don’t sound so surprised by my invite.

It’s both sincere and selfish. I really don’t want to be around your Valtrue but will learn to suck it up.

Bringing you breakfast would make me have to come in there with all of them again, though.

Then if they wanted something, I’d have to get it as well. ”

“The fuck you would. I’d like for one of them to attempt to tell you to get them food. Grown-ass men. They can get it themselves. You can always just use the door directly to my room, by the way.”

Her head whips between the two houses and I snicker at the worry on her face. “That’s a decree you’ll have to lay down, not me. But so, food?”

I’m starving honestly, but the thought of her going to the dining hall to get me food doesn’t settle well in my stomach, but I’m sure as fuck not going there tonight. “I’m fine for tonight, thank you, but breakfast at your place sounds great. What time do you get up?”

“Before the sun. That’s when all the Attendants rise. I hated it when I first got here, but now I kind of enjoy watching the sun come up. The beauty of this place is still something I really appreciate.”

I won’t bore her with the fact that I’ve had to wake with the stars for quite some time now, so I’m an early riser as well. I actually love watching the sun come up, so at least that’s one experience I can look forward to.