Page 62 of The Gods Veiling (The Valorian Veil #1)

Thayla

“Gods, I keep forgetting you can’t starshoot,” Riven groans for the fourth time as we walk down a long path that will supposedly leave the Godsdawn and take us into the heart of Godsden.

“Thank you for the millionth reminder.”

“We should’ve stopped at the temples so I could pray for patience.”

When we passed that little path that broke off from this one, he asked then if I needed to go thank any gods for giving me another glorious day in his company. I responded that they’re punishing me for something.

He winked at me, then starshot away. I stood there dumbfounded, and it took him two minutes to return. He put his hands on his hips and proceeded to bitch about how far we’d have to walk when he realized I couldn’t do that yet.

I cut my eyes over to him. “You do remember you’re the one who invited me on this little adventure, right?”

“Yes, I recall.”

“What were you even supposed to be doing today?”

“Nosy little thing, aren’t you?”

“Would you rather me just be quiet this whole walk? I can only listen to so much of your humming. I can’t even hum with you because you keep making up random songs.”

“Oh, those aren’t just songs. They’re the melodies to the thoughts running around in my head. ”

My feet stop moving as I stare at him. I don’t know whether to laugh or be horrified. One second, his humming is upbeat, contagious. Some moments even sensual. The next, full of melancholy. Then it’s like a dark, foreboding tone that gets your heart racing.

“That’s concerning. Should I take you to see someone?”

“No need. I’m a perfect specimen of a god.”

My mouth parts. “Right.”

“Anywhos, to avoid the wrath of my brothers and the High Chancellor—again—we’re going to behave today.

I’m going to show you around Godsden, maybe a meadow.

Very romantic. Now, if you look to your left and your right, you’ll see the exact same gorgeous trees.

This will be our view for the next half mile or so. ”

I try to cover up my snort as he proceeds to literally point out the same kind of trees repeatedly. Granted, I do take in their height and beauty. Just like the forest behind our house, I’m shocked by the abundance and liveliness of the woodland.

From the times I traveled through Abernie and Edistoia when I was young, I’d always assumed Godsden would be much of the same. Towering buildings, luxuries, streets, and overcrowding everywhere you turned. Those sorts of features.

The godly made structures here, though, seem to blend in with the natural environment rather than take it over.

“Are you even listening to me or am I rambling to the wind?”

My lips tilt up. “Both. Your rambling made me drift into my thoughts.”

“Ah, tell me all the crazy conversations you have with yourself.”

“Just because you have those kinds of conversations with yourself, doesn’t mean everyone does.”

He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Of course they do.”

“Okay, Riven.” I chuckle. “I wasn’t having a crazy conversation.

I was thinking about how Abernie and Edistoia are more innovation-centered.

The only natural environments are on the outskirts and they’re scarce.

I always assumed they were trying to mimic Godsden.

The abundance of woodlands and nature, plus the power I sense flowing through it all, surprises me. ”

“Oh, yes, those poor saps right below us want to be here so badly they fabricate what they believe we love. You’re welcome for all these breathtaking views and lack of overpowering monstrosities.”

“Are you really trying to take credit for nature?”

“Yes. It’s my Designation that makes sure it always prospers. ”

My head jerks. That completely slipped my mind.

“Well, shit. That’s what the High Chancellor meant by that Plentifuls ensure we have resources, substance, and prosperity.

I didn’t even think about relating that to nature.

Is that why you’re so close to the Veilatara?

Because they play such an intricate role in the environment? ”

He sneers over at me, and I match his glare. “My, you’re a nosy and talkative thing.”

“It’s called a conversation. Is that your defensive mechanism? Be a dick when someone asks you something personal?”

He snorts, but it isn’t from humor. It’s dismissive.

My cheeks heat and I shove my hands into my pockets.

I rub the fabric between my fingers to try to calm my rising annoyance.

The mood swings and multiple layers to the men in my Valtrue give me whiplash.

It’s a good thing I’m immortal because these first few days in my new, unescapable life have kept me in a state of high emotional confusion.

If I were mortal, I’d have aged years in these few days.

As the silence between us stretches, the calming sound of the wind traveling through the trees and animals going about their day soon gets drowned out. Unfortunately, it isn’t my own thoughts that block them.

It’s Seismet’s words. Or warning. Whichever way I decide to look at it.

I’ve thought about them obsessively if I’m being honest.

I had myself convinced last night while I was lying in bed that when I woke up today, I was going to be more open. I was going to ease into telling them the truth of how I got here, my soul, and then we’d move forward from there.

Creed’s and Riven’s reactions today, though, slam a wall in my way of starting to trust and get to know them better.

Creed’s made it impossible to even have a full conversation with him.

Then he drops a truth the size of Godsden on my head like it was the only way to shut me up.

His main focus is my soul, which I’m not complaining about, but obviously getting to know me past that obstacle isn’t something he cares to do.

I never know which version of Riven I’ll ever get.

Just now he led me into a false sense of bonding.

Then the asshole version of him came out.

I naively believed that since he picked up on my about-to-boil-over anger, he was trying to do something nice and normal.

Maybe teach me something and get to know me.

Hell, I really don’t know what his intentions were bringing me along with him .

Kyzen is by far the easiest to get along with already and I begrudgingly enjoy his flirty company. It’s easy for me to forget he’s only acting the way he is with me because he’s trying to play Mediator and keep the peace.

Amick I don’t think has an emotional bone in his body.

He’ll learn all he needs to about me through logic and reason.

I originally thought he’d be much like Lambrit.

If I relate to what he enjoys, he’ll reciprocate eventually.

But I don’t know if he has the emotional capacity to even realize that’s what I’m doing.

This right here is why I don’t step out of my comfort zone.

Warmth spreads from my toes to the top of my head. The sensation is overwhelmingly relaxing and my shoulders slump. A small sigh passes through my lips and my eyes drift shut.

They’re only closed for a second before awareness blasts through me and I whip my head toward Riven. “What are you doing?”

“The chaos coming off you right now is strange. It’s not like mine, not like any other I’ve felt. It’s mad, volatile. I don’t like the way it feels when it crawls across my skin.”

“What? Your chaos? My chaos? You think that’s my power and you can feel it?”

“I am chaos. That’s half my domain. The other half, the one you’re experiencing right now, is my harmony.

I’m a being of Duality. I don’t know what’s wafting off you right now, but my harmony side is about to go mental to fix it.

Fix you. So whatever it is you got going on in that mind of yours, I’ma need you to settle it, angel.

Today was supposed to be fun. It’s never fun if my harmony is in control. ”

Shit. Duality. Chaos and Harmony.

Fuck me. Valories, are you kidding? I’m going to have to spend my life never knowing which side of him I’m going to get.

Damn it, that makes so much more sense.

Can’t I catch a—

Riven stands in front of me, halting my steps, and his hand grips my whole jaw. His eyes are swirling, but they’re different. Instead of them being predominantly burgundy with small icy blue streaks, they’re the opposite.

“Thayla, stop thinking. Just feel.”

His smooth voice wraps around my body like a gentle hug. I free-fall into the comfort without a thought. All the negativity that was brewing in my chest escapes me. My lungs fill fuller than they have since I stepped foot in this region.

On my exhale, he smirks triumphantly. “Very good, little burden. ”

The insulting pet name doesn’t faze me. There’s nothing that could disrupt what I’m feeling. Sunshine and rainbows are flowing through my veins right now.

His harmony half is like a toxin I could easily grow addicted to.

“I got half a mind to ask you to use your powers on me every morning. Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to feel like this every day.”

“Don’t put those tempting ideas in my mind.” He releases my jaw and steps beside me. His shoulders slump in defeat and I arch a brow. “Well, this is going to be an utterly boring trip now. Welcome to Godsden.”

He throws his hand forward as though he’s pointing at something with a huff and bored tone. I burst out laughing but also cock my head to the side in confusion.

“It’s the same path and trees.”

I attempt to mimic his poor pouting face but fail. My smile doesn’t waver even as he places his hand on my back, grunting about walking forward.

My body shivers as we pass through what feels like another one of those illusions. The difference is obvious. It’s not a wall, door, or anything visible.

A gasp falls from my lips, and I lay my fingers against them as I take in the whole new realm in front of me.

This is Godsden.