Page 37 of The Gods Veiling (The Valorian Veil #1)

Thayla

It was foolish of me to think my annoyance was bad this morning.

My nerves right now have me wanting to crawl out of my skin.

For the past three hours—that flew by in the blink of an eye—I’ve truly plundered through my room now that there’s enough natural light pouring in to see. I, for the life of me, can’t figure out how to work the lighting in here and I add that issue to my mental list of questions.

The biggest differences between how I created my dream home to how my personal bedroom has been designed are the two doors that lead to my very own bathroom and a closet.

The closet is most certainly what Chancellor Gulliver was referring to when he said everything would be provided for us. It’s packed with anything I could think of or ask for. Pants, shorts, shirts, gowns, shoes for every occasion. You name it, it’s here. In my size, ready to be worn.

The assortment overwhelmed me. Never in my wildest dreams would I see myself needing this much wardrobe. I even spotted different armors at the back as well but ignored it to the best of my ability.

I was hoping my days of that would be over.

Na?ve, wishful thinking.

The shirt I had stripped off slipped from my fingers with my shock and as soon as I bent down to grab it, it disappeared, then reappeared hanging up. The stain I’d gotten on it when I dropped my egg off my fork was gone and it smelled like fresh linen.

I forced my racing heart to settle, walked out of the closet, then shut the door. There’s obviously some form of self-cleaning in there and my mind couldn’t process it.

After that experience, I told myself to be prepared for a luxurious bathroom as well. I didn’t prepare myself enough, though.

I paused the second I walked in and closed my eyes as I took the realm’s largest breath. The scent of the gorgeous purple angel orchids and wild meadow grass assaulted every sense and my heart. The longing that hit me square in the chest hurt just as much as this constant jerking.

Both confusion and homesickness followed when I took in the rest of the bathroom. My head tilted to the side as I asked out loud, “Why in the realm is there a hot spring in my bathroom?”

Obviously, no one answered me.

At first glance, I thought maybe it was a bathtub. Lambrit’s family had one in their home, but it sits on top of the floor, not in it. This, well, thing, is built into the foundation much like the hot spring I used to visit all the time.

I’ll admit that the steam floating off the clear water was incredibly tempting, but I decided not to test my luck with the unknown water hole just yet and I took a shower in the open design instead.

It was a little off-putting at first not having any sort of door or curtain blocking me. It’s just three gorgeous obsidian-layered stone walls with a waterfall-like showerhead coming out from above me.

I got over it quickly enough when the hot water hit my head. It felt like I was showering in the heart of nature when I closed my eyes.

A screech fell from my mouth when I stepped out and caught movement in the large, gilded full-length body mirror on the wall. It took me far longer than I’m proud to admit, to realize it was only my reflection.

I’m pretty sure no one can pass through my door without my say-so.

And I have no clue how to say…so yeah.

Since then, I’ve changed into four different outfits in preparation for this lunch, brushed my hair at least a hundred times, and have placed my ear to the door repeatedly.

Now I’m back in the bathroom, just staring at the reflection in the mirror that doesn’t look like me.

Well, it does, but a different me .

My skin is clearer than it was yesterday, my hair is shinier, and there’s somehow more dimension in the rose gold coloring. I’d blame it on the water here and that silky soap, shampoo, and conditioner that was in the shower waiting for me, but that doesn’t explain my eyes.

Even if I don’t feel like I have any power, the obvious changes I see in myself prove there’s something going on.

I exhale as I run my sweaty palms down the sides of my pants and make sure the V-neck T-shirt I’m wearing doesn’t reveal too much. I’m going with the ‘casual, but if I need to throw a punch, I can’ outfit.

I chuckle to myself as I think back to a conversation Lambrit and I had once about how clothing trends changed throughout time in the Valorian Veil.

I’m happy the gods who went to the other realms brought back so many different things. Food and styles of wardrobe are at the top of that list. I can’t imagine myself walking around in gorgeous gowns and oversized robes all day every day.

The memory lightens my fear of the conversation to come, and I leave the small smile lingering on my face as I lay my palm on my door. As soon as I step through, I pause for just a second to listen.

Quiet conversation floats down my hall and I take the lack of shouting as a good sign. Maybe last night, the shock and disappointment in all of us had emotions higher than normal.

That’s what I’m going to tell myself, anyway.

The smell of something that holds a hint of spice in it reaches my nose and my mouth waters although I’m not even hungry yet from the feast Yemi made.

Regardless, I take the fact that there’s really food prepared for this conversation as another good sign.

Okay, you got this.

What’s four men when you’re used to battling nineteen every day?

This will be light work.

I nod to myself and take a step forward. I immediately cringe when my shoe makes a sound that sends the house into silence. It’s not like I was trying to sneak up on them again, but I did want to get a look first without all their attention on me.

There’s no point trying to be quiet now, so I pull my shoulders back and walk normally. The darkness at the end of my hallway grows brighter with the kitchen growing closer, and I force my body to relax .

My footsteps gradually fall still as all four men stand together, waiting for me at the counter.

Of course I’d have an unwanted Valtrue with gods that could rival the Beginning Gods for looks.

These men are dangerously gorgeous.

I try really hard to bounce right over Kyzen’s smile as I assess each of them, but my moment’s hesitation gives him an opening.

“Thayla, how did you sleep?”

The block I had on my coloring face fails the second I meet his teasing eyes. The happiness behind them would fool me silly if I didn’t hear everything he said last night.

I do appreciate him trying to break the tension, though. Just wish that teasing didn’t come from the condition he saw me in.

Do not think about it.

The darkness of the room hid you. He didn’t really see anything.

I subtly take a deep breath, then exhale. “Good, thanks. The food was amazing and put me right back to sleep.”

“That dish is a house favorite, so good to know we won’t be dropping it from the menu.”

I grin because I don’t know what to say. An awkward moment passes and Riven chuckles, drawing Kyzen’s attention. He elbows him, then smirks back at me.

“We’d like to take the easy way out and pretend most of yesterday didn’t happen. We’d like to start over with some proper introductions if that’s okay with you?”

Well then…

There’s a lot about yesterday I won’t just forget, but if they’re willing to give this whole starting over thing a go, I’m not going to turn it down. I’ll keep what I already know in the back of my mind and try to judge them fairly from here.

“Okay.”

His smile widens and my stomach does a weird thing. “Good. You remember Amick.”

Oh yes, I remember Candyman.

Those sugar crystal eyes of his see right through me and the twitch on my lips. With a curious scowl, he steps toward me and reaches his hand out. “Thayla.”

“Amick. ”

The forced formality makes me feel even more awkward, and I repress the urge to laugh. Especially when I start thinking about how he would’ve reacted if I called him Candyman out loud again. I don’t know if he’s always like this or if he’s just as uncomfortable as me and doesn’t know how to react.

With a quick, sure shake of my hand, he returns to his line of brothers and laces his fingers in front of him like this is an incredibly important meeting. Which I guess it is.

I arch a brow at Kyzen as he seems to struggle with who to choose next when he first looks at Creed, then diverts his attention to Riven. My focus stays there as I find the asshole smirking and looking me up and down through his giggles.

That wildness that was present yesterday is still here today, but there seems to be a playfulness to it that eases my hackles. Maybe it’s because of the thick strip of blond, red, brown, and black streaks curling together on top of his head that I didn’t notice yesterday. It’s fun. Chaotic.

I guess my staring gives him permission to make the decision for Kyzen. He prowls toward me with that laugh still lingering on his lips and he reaches his hand out when there’s only a small amount of space left between us.

Smooth as velvet, he says, “I’m Riven.”

There’s no way this is the same cruel asshole from yesterday.

“Thay—”

My words are cut off as my hand collides with his shirt. His palm grips the back of my neck and tilts my head back faster than I know what’s happening. My breath can’t even rush out of me as his mouth seals to mine.

The room fades away as I melt into him.

All coherent thought goes flying off the cliff as my tongue tangles with his. That jerking in my chest morphs into a warmth that spreads through every inch of me.

A slip of a moan coming from the back of my throat slaps reality back into me. At the same time, my palm connects with his cheek.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” My chest heaves as I rub my hand.

His fingers caress the side of his face as his irises start to swirl. If I weren’t so confused about what the hell just happened, I’d be hypnotized by how the colors are beginning to blend.

“Do that again. I liked it.”

“For fuck’s sake, Riven,” Kyzen groans.