Page 49 of The Gods Veiling (The Valorian Veil #1)

I have just enough time to raise a sword to block one strike and I swing out as hard as I can with the other. The one I hit screams as her knee makes a godawful popping sound that turns my stomach, and her leg gives out beneath her.

My body swivels as a foot heads straight for me. I kick my leg out and it connects with that girl’s other ankle. Her back hits the dirt as soon as I force myself to stand.

She doesn’t stay down long, and the other two that were standing with Mara join the fight.

I don’t think about anything other than my reactions and breathing.

The strikes from the men I’ve faced off with were harder, more painful, but these females are faster.

They have more stealth and stamina. It’s taking more energy for me to stay in this right now than it ever did back in the arena at home.

Their fluid and swift strikes are coordinated, precise, and would be deadly if these were real weapons.

I’d be mesmerized if it wasn’t me who they were facing off against.

They’re so fierce.

Even as I block two strikes from the front, another comes from behind. Around and around we go as I take a hit, deliver a hit. My muscles beg for a break, but each time I’m struck somewhere my armor isn’t protecting, the pain forces them to suck it up.

Don’t surrender.

One at a time.

Take them down one at a time.

Both my fist and the handle I have clutched smash against one of the girls’ noses. She shrieks as her sword drops from her raised hand, and she cups the bloody mess.

I twirl around and with all the strength I can muster in my nondominant arm, I nail the girl behind me at the junction of her shoulder and neck. That would’ve been her head had this been steel and not wood.

Thankfully, I don’t hear the crack of anything, but she’s out cold before she even hits the dirt.

A fist straight across my nose has me seeing stars and the tang of blood touches my tongue. I choke on a gasp, blink away the spots, and force myself to stay standing .

We’re vicious with our attacks. Neither of us holds back even as our training swords start chipping away. Her foot catches on one of her unconscious friends behind her and I don’t waste a second.

I plunge one weapon into her stomach, and the other, I turn at an angle. The flat side of the sword slaps across her face and the clap of it echoes louder than her bellow.

My shoulders rise and fall with my rapid pants as I take a staggering step back. My fingers are killing me with how tightly they’re wrapped around the smooth handles.

I tilt my head to the sun when a slow clap and a chuckle sounds from behind me.

Damn it. I forgot about the one who started this.

Every single fiber in my body hurts as I force it to rotate around.

“I’ll admit that was incredibly impressive. Mellcom did a fine job with you just as he claimed.”

Mara kicks the girl I hit in the neck until she rolls over. She bends down to grab the discarded sword and slashes it through the air a few times to get a feel for it. She expertly adds the second one, loosens her arms, and cracks her neck.

I swallow harshly, then choke back the gag that threatens to come up when I realize that was a glob of blood that just went down my throat.

“Let’s see how much more strength has settled since the Veiling.”

Fuck me. I also forgot her domain is under Gladian.

The cry that tears through her throat as she charges me has my eyes widening and my body screaming at me to run as far and as fast as I can. My stubborn mind, on the other hand, bellows I don’t think so.

I can’t surrender now.

My chest pulls taut, and I lock my jaw to ignore it.

She’s coming in quick, and her fierce determination is evident. Hell, maybe she’s afraid of how Gladian will react if I were to get the best of her. Whatever it is, my soul calling for me can’t be a distraction right now.

If I’m going down, I’m going to take this ass beating like a champ.

Our four swords clash together above our heads and splinter to pieces. The wood chips rain down on me, but neither of us relents with the scraps we hang on to.

Holy shit …

The difference in strength between Mara and the girls I just faced off with is astronomical. She’s most certainly the strongest person I’ve ever encountered in my life.

A scream rips through me when she rotates her wrists and slices me across the knuckles with the jagged wood. My feet begin to slide from the force she’s pressing down on me. My bellow becomes one not of pain but pressure. All the air in my body escapes me as I try to push back as hard as I can.

She grunts in frustration, then slings our arms apart and I stagger back. The shards of wood pierce the ground where she throws them, and she balls her fists in front of her.

Fuck. She’s about to pound my face in.

My lungs shrivel in my ribs when strong arms wrap around me from behind. Across from me, Gladian snatches Mara back. I buck against the chest holding me, then fall still when his lips touch my ear.

“That was so hot, sweet T. I’ve always wondered how you’d fare against other women.”

With a disgusted grunt, my heel slams into Jeremiah’s shin. He drops me, and I turn around and punch him right in his smug smirk.

“Don’t ever fucking touch me again.”

“Thayla.”

My feet practically leave the ground when Mellcom snatches me around. I shove against his chest until he lets me go. I’m tempted to clock his ass as well, but the furious glint in his eye, paired with the knowledge he now has a domain under the God of Pain, holds me back.

That thought didn’t really run through my mind about Jeremiah, but I can now see the error of that.

“What was this, Mellcom, a fucking test? Did you two tell her to do that to me?”

“What? No. We’re the ones who just put a stop to it.” His face flinches. “All we did was tell them about you. I mean, I may have said no one had to go easy on you, that you could hold your own, but that’s it.”

“Seriously? You told the God of Strength, and obviously the girl version of him, that I could hold my own. Against them? Gods? You stupid asshole.”

I try to stomp—limp—away from him, but I don’t make it a step before he’s grabbing me once again and pulling me to him.

“Thayla— ”

“Uh-uh-uh, Golden boy.” To my shock and relief, Riven grips Mellcom’s arm that’s holding me in place. His appearance has me searching for the others.

My eyes widen and my heart rate spikes. Creed’s standing face-to-face with Gladian, Amick with Jeremiah, and Kyzen against who I assume is Chasin.

What’re they doing?

“Daddy Gladdy over there never should’ve released you three without letting us all out. That was his mistake. But you…what do you think you’re doing touching my little burden?”

Mellcom’s fingers twitch around my arm. “What the fuck did you just call her?”

“Ah, my mistake. I confuse burden with Binder. Regardless, you didn’t answer my question.” The smile slowly fades from Riven’s face, and a shiver passes through me. “What. The. Fuck. Do you think you’re doing with your hand on her?”

Mellcom’s eyes narrow and his grip tightens. “I don’t answer to you when it comes to her.”

“That’s inaccurate,” Amick calls mindlessly over his shoulder.

I get whiplash from looking between all of them.

“My brother may be too ambiguous for you to understand, so let me say it clearer. Let her fucking arm go before things get really…chaotic.”

Mellcom lifts his chin in clear challenge. The giggle that leaves Riven as his eyes start swirling has my body heating.

“Mellcom,” Gladian barks.

If I’m being honest with myself, I’d actually love to see him and Riven go head-to-head. I’d also love to see Amick beat Jeremiah’s ass. They deserve it after what they’ve done.

Mellcom finally moves his glare from over my head to meet mine. There’s a touch of anger that I’ve never seen before. I don’t allow myself to cower under the intensity.

“Your time avoiding me is coming to an end, Thay. You will talk to me sooner rather than later.” He releases me and snatches his arm from Riven. “If you ever touch me again, it’ll be the last thing you do.”

Riven blows him a kiss. “It’s a date, Golden boy.”

“Men, back to the center. Females, your day is over,” Gladian bellows as he stomps over to his Valtrue and the men gathering together.

Creed faces us and nods in the direction of the Court’s exit. I don’t move from my spot, and I jerk my arm away when Kyzen gently brushes it with his .

“What the fuck was that?” My question’s directed straight at Creed.

“Thayla.”

I scowl at his warning lacing my name.

“Don’t Thayla me. What kind of training was that? Was it to single me out or does he get some sick fucking pleasure from watching his Defenders tear into untrained gods? Female gods, to be more specific.”

His eyes brighten dangerously as they cut over to the God of Strength, then back to me. The stride he takes toward me causes my stomach to bottom out, but I pull my shoulders back.

“Be mindful of your next words, Thayla. This isn’t the time or place for this conversation. Drop it. Now or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and march you out of here.”

“I wish you fucking would. You better make it the time and the place, Creed. That was taurnshit and you know it. If you don’t, I’m going to make sure you learn it. Quick like.”

The energy seeping off him would have me trembling if I weren’t so damn pissed. The pain and exhaustion pouring through me only make it worse. I can’t even react when Riven bends down close to my ear.

“Are you itching for another fight, angel? I’ll gladly sprinkle some chaos about if that’s what you’re looking for. If not, I’d keep that tempting little mouth of yours shut until we get out of this Court. You’re about to rile everyone up once again.”

The Court is silent as though everyone really is waiting for my answer. The attention is gliding across my skin.

Every part of my body is screaming in agony, but I don’t let it show. Or at least I try not to, but there’s no way I can go another round.

I won’t be admitting that, though.