Page 7 of The Gods Veiling (The Valorian Veil #1)

“After what you said that morning in the arena, I decided enough was enough. It was a lucid dream, my fears just getting the best of me, and the gods would never truly want you now. I swore I wouldn’t make you train at the arena any longer.

I only continued to make you go because Dad told me to.

He’s the one who’s always said you needed to be just as ready as everyone else.

I was going to give in to what you’ve been asking and train you privately.

“That night, though, I had the second dream. Unlike the first where I only heard the voice, this time I woke up in the middle of the arena in the dead of night alone. I wasn’t physically there, but mentally.

That’s when the god approached me.” He holds his hand up, halting Lambrit from asking his question.

“It was most certainly a god. I could feel his power. It was the strongest sensation I’d ever felt.

Even mentally, it brought me to my knees.

He told me you had to enter the next Veiling.

I explained as cryptically as I could that you weren’t interested in gaining your power.

He said this was nonnegotiable. His only compromise was he’d make sure I’d be chosen as well so you wouldn’t go alone. ”

“Let me guess, you’ve prayed every day since that Jeremiah would be chosen as well?”

He doesn’t respond, but his locked jaw tells me all I need to know.

“Who was the god?” Lambrit asks.

“I don’t know. He didn’t formally introduce himself.”

“Let me get this straight—You took instructions from an unknown god about entering me into the Veiling. As well as bargaining a way in yourself plus Jeremiah’s ass, when our parents made us promise we never would. Are you fucking kidding me, Mellcom? What are you leaving out?”

“For fuck’s sake, Thayla, get over what our parents said,” he bellows as he throws his hands up, causing everything inside of me to go cold.

“There’s no credible reason for yours or their disdain toward the gods.

The Valories took the power from the people but left it for the Beginning Gods and others of their choosing.

That was their decision as the creators and now the gods are trying to make it right by the Veiling’s.

So who the fuck am I to question a god when they give me a message? ”

“Messages aren’t laws, Mellcom. Nor did you have to keep this from her, but you chose to. My upbringing is far different from either of yours, but these beliefs are something all your parents shared for a reason. You should’ve talked to Thayla about this,” Lambrit says firmly.

The remorse that had been etched into Mellcom’s features fractures. Behind that mask, a truth peeks out that I catch. He doesn’t try to cover it up when he meets my stare and the weight behind his real why he didn’t say anything slams into me.

“Gods. Our parents…” I murmur. “That’s the truth of why you did it. You didn’t enter me because the god told you to, you damned liar. You did it to gain your power and find your dad. I was just your way to Godsden.”

He places his hands on his hips and sighs deeply. My heart drops, as does his head. The truth lingers in the air like toxic fumes, choking me until I’m dragging in ragged breaths.

“Our parents. We can find all our parents now.”

I snatch at my roots and my voice bellows out of me. “That’s the opposite of what they told us to do, Mellcom. ”

His closed off, blank stare stabs through me. He doesn’t care. He’s standing behind his decision.

“We don’t have long to get our things. Come on, Thay.” Lambrit’s soft tone eases the tension-filled silence. He doesn’t give Mellcom or me a chance to say anything else as he drags me to my room.

I head straight for my bed and plop down on the edge as he goes to my closet and grabs my bag. I bury my face in my hands and groan. “This isn’t happening.”

“I’m sorry, Thay. I know this isn’t what you want, but what’s done is done. Your blood is tied somehow. If you don’t go, they’ll come for you. I can’t imagine if a god told Mellcom to enter you, he’ll take kindly to you avoiding this.”

His sad smile doesn’t make me feel better. My lips pinch as I snatch the bag out of his outstretched hand. If there’s one thing I can always count on Lambrit for, it’s him being very literal.

Obviously, this is happening.

And I know which fucking god to blame for this.

“Go pack. We’ve got to get going,” I demand as I stand and start shoving shit mindlessly into my bag.

“I packed last night. We’ve got a little time until the carriage arrives.”

I drop my bag and ball my fists. “Then go get your stuff. We’re not going to the fucking carriage, Lambrit.”

The multiple conflicting emotions that’re bubbling in me continue to leak out, and I force myself to stop moving before I say something I don’t mean to the only person I have left.

I pick my bag up and walk over to my bed, then dump all the random clothes out I just put in it beside him. He instantly cringes and begins refolding my shirts.

“Thayla.”

“No.”

I stomp into my closet and lean my head against my clothes hanging on the wooden pole. I breathe in the scent. It’s nothing fancy. No fine perfumes or fragrances from the richer parts of the realm, but the smell of the angel orchid fields has seeped its way into everything.

It’s a smell I’m so used to and look forward to every day.

“I’m torn between knowing you need a moment, but also I’m afraid if I leave you, you’ll run.”

My head tilts toward where he’s leaning on the closet door, and I give him a small smile.

“ We will really run. We are running. ”

“We can’t, Thay. We’re going to go to Godsden together.” His words shatter me, but my decision is made.

“You’re a great friend, you know that, Lambrit?”

“Yes, I do, but so are you. So I’m asking you as my best friend who my sister loves more than she loves me, please don’t do anything stupid.

Don’t bring the gods’ fury here to her. I may pray to them, but I’m not na?ve about them.

We have to go to Godsden, Thayla. We’re tied to the Volreen. They’ll know. Please. For me.”

His tone causes my chest to crumble and my teeth grind together. If there was one thing he could’ve said to throw a wall in front of my escape plan, that was it.

Despite how almost all of Oddian has treated me over the past year, I’d never want them to face any sort of wrath because of me. Especially not the sweet, innocent little girl whose life is about to change drastically as it is.

I wouldn’t wish to bring any harm to the beings who are on the other side of the Unclaimed region’s barrier either.

“Fine. I just need a minute. I’ll change, pack, then I’ll come to your house. Since you’re already ready, why don’t you go tell Maria bye?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because she has feelings for you and I’m sure she’s upset you’re leaving.”

“Really? I never got that from her.”

Poor, sweet Lambrit. He cares more about his reading than relationships.

“Then do me a favor before I come over and explain to…” My voice quivers. I don’t even want to say it.

“Mom’s explaining to Laney what’s happening. I’m pretty sure she understands completely, but…she’s going to take this hard.”

“Then just give me a moment. I won’t run.”

His shoulders sag. The genuine fear he has right now cuts me, but I can’t blame him. If him potentially running would cause Mellcom harm, I’d be the same way.

The thought immediately sends fire licking through me.

I would’ve been the same way…had today never happened.

I jerk my head toward the door. “I’ll be out soon.”

He finally takes the hint, and I don’t exhale until I hear the click behind him. I battle the tears that want to fall with each article of clothing I put in my bag.

I finally tell myself enough is enough. Necessities only and nothing here is really necessary. My parents left me with only a bag of clothes, my memories, and my dreams. What I’m leaving behind are replaceable clothes, blankets, shoes, and books.

Hopefully, whoever packs the house gives it all to someone who needs it more than I do now.

My feet stand frozen in the middle of my room.

Disappointment bombards my system.

All these years, I’ve obediently followed the promises I made to my parents and Meridamus. Twenty long years I’ve kept my word and have never prayed, never gone to the gods, and never entered the Veiling.

It only took one taste of power and a step in the direction to find them, for my brother in all ways but parentage to sell me out.

Straight to the god I’ve never prayed to but have blamed every single one of my problems on.

Maybe even that was breaking a rule.

Now I’m reaping what I sowed.

I tug on my long-buried memories. The images of the faces and the voices of the two people who mean more to me than this whole realm surge across my mind. I let their love for me spread throughout my whole body.

Their last words to me, their unyielding love, faith, and promises ring in my ears. It’s another stab to my heart.

I’m so sorry I won’t be here when you return. I’ll be in Godsden.