Page 55 of The Gods Veiling (The Valorian Veil #1)

“All right, enough, we’re coming up on the meadow.”

Kyzen’s words have a smile replacing my frown and I put a little pep in my step to catch up to his side.

A gorgeous stretch of green grass sits at the end of the tree-lined path not too far in front of us. Excitement thrums through my blood at the thought of seeing a herd of Veilatara.

Granted, yes, the situation that’s brought us here sucks, that poor Veilatara, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m going to cherish it .

A squeal tries to escape me when we reach the end of the path and Kyzen guides me to the right with a hand to my lower back. The sight at first is breathtaking. Then I realize how breathtakingly terrifying it is.

The beautiful meadow has been divided in two.

On one side, gods line up as they face rows of Veilatara, young and old, on the other. Each of them is standing with their heads held high, showing off their majestic height and stature. The sea of black and gold is stunning.

“Oh, this isn’t good,” I whisper.

“Everything will be fine. Remember everything I told you at the house.”

I nod to Kyzen. I didn’t bother telling him then that I knew plenty about the Veilatara. I didn’t want to let anything about my trip here slip, so I just smiled and listened.

A wave of peace flows over my skin and my chest jerks. I try to push it off as anxiety, but I can’t ignore the true reason for it. My eyes cut over to Riven. He’s strolling along with his hands in his pockets, but there’s definitely something different about him right now.

Part of me wants to snuggle into his side. I damn near bite through the flesh in my cheek to ignore that weird-ass sensation. My fists ball at my side and I breathe softly until I grow used to whatever’s going on with his power.

Yemi comes up beside me and lightly bumps my arm. I follow the direction her finger’s pointing, and our attention must have a weight to it. Havar stops his pacing, and his eyes lock on us before we even make it to the deadly circle that’s formed.

We slow our paces as he rushes over. “What are you doing here?”

He directs that at Yemi, and she crosses her arms over her chest. “It’s lovely to see you as well, cousin.”

“Yemi, now isn’t the time. Why are you…” He looks between the two of us, then at Kyzen and Riven. “Well, shit. The rumors are true.”

“Not sure what rumors you’re referring to.”

“It doesn’t matter right now anyways. We’ll play catch-up when we can. It may be for the best that you’re here.”

That causes me to lose my attitude quickly. Even Yemi drops her arms at the desperate tone. “Why would it be best I’m here?” I ask at the same time Kyzen asks, “What does she have to do with this?”

Havar bounces his gaze between the two of us before settling on me. “I’m sure he’s informed you of what’s happening. The Veilatara that escorted you here is the one pinning Ike down. The youngling that was struck is from that Veilatara’s direct line.”

Well, shit, Seismet. You protective little badass.

“I’m not sure how much help I’ll be, Havar. That’s really the whole point of Kyzen coming. I’m just supposed to watch and learn.”

“Well, will you try?” His voice rises with his question and I stare blankly at him. “I get it. I already see it all over your face. I know what Ike did was fucked up, okay? He should be punished and most certainly removed from the meadows forever, but death? Like this? That’s a harsh sentencing.”

It’s easy to guess that this god is a friend of his. There’s pain and desperation etched into every feature across his face. I won’t give him any false hope that I can or even want to do anything about this, but I won’t exactly shut him down completely either.

“I’m not the one who will be making decisions today. We can see if the Veilatara responds to me again, though.”

“Again?” Riven, Kyzen, and Yemi ask at the same time.

“This Veilatara took an interest in me on the trip here.”

“You’re dulling that down on so many levels. The Veilatara met her bow and allowed her to touch them.”

I sneer at him when all three of them whip toward me. “You’ve got a big mouth.”

“You should be bragging about the fact a Veilatara embraced you. Not acting shameful.”

“I’m not shameful. I just didn’t want any more damn attention on me. I’ve got enough of that now thanks to my Valtrue and my grand entrance into the Godsdawn.”

“Well, it’s not like it’s going to be foreign attention for now. The Veilatara respond to your Valtrue the same way, so it makes a lot more sense. I’ve just never seen this one embrace anyone the way they did you. Can we just get over there and try, please?”

It’s my turn to let shock color my face. Kyzen and Riven pointedly ignore me as they glare at Havar. “You do have a big mouth. Come on, let’s see what can be done, if anything.”

Kyzen motions for us to start walking without another comment or any explanation. I don’t push, though .

I hadn’t decided if I was going to share this information. I planned on seeing if Seismet embraced me again before I mentioned my trip here. If he didn’t, I was going to keep it to myself.

Now I can’t help but wonder why these revered creatures have taken a liking to my entire Valtrue, apparently.

Havar steps closer to Yemi, shielding her practically as we make our way through the parted circle. My eyes continue to widen when I take in the true cause of the commotion.

Seismet’s standing above Ike and his deadly two-toed hooves are pressed firmly into his chest. There’re small speckles of blood beginning to pool through his shirt.

His ragged breathing is barely heard over the powerful huffs that are falling from Seismet’s nostrils.

“Kyzen, Riven, thank you for coming as soon as you could,” a man, I suppose the lead Meadow Hand, says as he comes up and offers them his hand.

The sound surrounding us fades from my ears. I feel like I’m moving in slow motion as I take a step toward Seismet.

“Thayla.” Kyzen’s warning barely registers.

A massive, and I do mean absolutely ginormous, Veilatara comes to stand between Seismet and I before I can reach him. I hadn’t even realized it was multiple steps I had taken, not one.

The stomp of his foot sends a vibration through the ground and into me. Every part of me trembles from the power behind it. My body shakes like a leaf as I force myself into a low bow.

Yemi’s gasp behind me isn’t one of surprise but fear. I hold myself as still as possible as the Veilatara leers above me rather than meeting my bow the way Seismet did.

“Easy, Verlet. This is the one I told you about.” Seismet’s voice penetrates my mind and the fear coursing through me. I don’t release my breath, though.

Hot air blows across my hair and face. My body tries to stiffen, but I forcefully make my muscles stay relaxed.

Shit. What do I do if this Veilatara doesn’t like me?

Who am I kidding? I’ll be dead, so it won’t matter.

“You were correct. She’s very loud.”

Well, that’s a little ru—

My thoughts cease to exist when a muzzle touches my forehead. A shaky, breathy laugh that’s mixed with a sigh of relief escapes me. The Veilatara’s gentle purr sends shock waves radiating through me. I’ve never felt so alive before in my life.

It’s probably a mixture of adrenaline, fear, and admiration.

“My name is Verlet. It is very nice to meet you, Thayla Godrun. Pardon my hostile introduction. I imagine you can sense the turmoil in the air.”

“Uh, it’s no problem. You got a lot on your…hooves at the moment.” I can’t help the stutter in my quiet voice. I don’t even want to look around me right now. There’s no doubt that every eye, god or Veilatara, is on me right now.

“Now she whispers,” Verlet says. Obviously to Seismet.

“It’s because you called her loud. Also, she’s nervous and doesn’t like the attention.”

“Well, attention is something she’ll have to grow used to. The Valories and gods are always watching what interest them.”

“So are nosy Veilatara, obviously.”

My eyes widen the moment the words travel through my mind. Even if I didn’t mean to speak it to them, their rumbling, ancient laughter fills my head.

“We most certainly pay attention to beings like us. Speaking of, I need to excuse myself. Your Valtrue member is growing restless and impatient for my attention. Protective and possessive as usual. Plus, we have much to discuss.”

“Kyzen, really?” I peer over my shoulder, only to find Kyzen glancing at me while simultaneously paying attention to whatever the Meadow Hand is spitting off so fast.

“Not Kyzen. He’s never demanding, only appreciative.

Creed’s very respectful and quiet. Amick’s a wealth of conversation.

Riven’s protective and possessive. He’s always wary when we converse with beings he doesn’t know.

Please excuse me. You may speak with Seismet.

I’m looking forward to hearing more about you. ”

I stand in utter disbelief as Verlet struts around me. Riven drops the glare he was shooting me and opens his arms wide. I nearly fall over when he wraps Verlet in a hug.

What in the realm is going on right now?

“Much. Much is going on,” Seismet says before peering below him and huffing viciously.

“Care to explain any of it? That’s the second time I’ve been told that pretty cryptically.”

I slowly make my way closer to him. I do spare the god beneath him a glance. He’s shaking in his skin. I have a small tinge of sympathy for him, but it gets washed away when a sad little sound travels through the air .

A young, much smaller Veilatara is pacing frantically between two others that I can tell are trying their hardest to calm it down. It’s just an assumption, one I’d be willing to bet on, that’s the young one who was struck.

“All I can say is, the realm is out of order, and it needs to find its place once again.”

“And why do I have this feeling my Valtrue and I will be right in the middle of it finding its place? It’s been hinted enough I get the picture, but no one will flat out say it.”