“We need to go there, Thayla girl.”
A desperate groan pours from my throat as I belly flop onto my bed, then roll to my back. I cover my eyes with my arm and shake my head.
“Please, V, another time. I can’t take anything else today. I’m only just now accepting everything.”
“That’s far from the truth, but I’ll let it slide for now. We’ll put this off, but not for long. What I need to say is important.”
I roll to my side and prop my head up on my hand so I can stare at him.
“I have no doubt that it is, and of course I want to know, but maybe on a day I don’t have a million other important facts running through my head.”
“Life is going to be like this for a while, my Vedae. You must realize, you’re surrounded by beings who care not only for you but each other. The realm won’t feel so heavy if you all work together.”
“I’m trying to know and believe that.”
“I know that. Your biggest obstacle is yourself. I’ll give you a piece of advice, then we can leave this conversation be and you can introduce me to your men.”
My men…
“They aren’t…never mind. What’s your sage advice?”
“That right there. Stop arguing with yourself. Choices can be confusing, difficult, and bring forth a never-ending cycle of stress if you allow it. Make a decision and stand by it just as you do when you feel fiercely about something being right or wrong. Decide if you really want to move forward with your Valtrue in a romantic way, then go all in. Decide you want to fully embrace a friendship with Yemi, then stopdoubting her motives. Decide you are ready to become your true self, then accept who you are.
“The constant back and forth in your mind will continue to enable the dark thoughts. It’s okay to get angry about things, but it isn’t something you have to continuously feel within you, then bury it or allow it to explode. There are many other ways to manage it. Being honest with yourself about your past, the things you’ve been through, will help you grow and heal, Thayla.”
My hand flies to my cheek to wipe away the slow tear that slipped out. I didn’t expect his advice to be so soft, yet so brutally honest.
It’s all the truth.
I know I go back and forth and do exactly as he’s claiming. Even now, the temperature in my body is rising with the desire to lash out and defend myself. It’s a battle to force myself to stay quiet and let his words marinate.
I stand from the bed and pull my hair up into a loose bun as I give him a small, grateful smile.
“Thank you, V. I promise I’m going to work on that. Starting now with the guys. I’ll go round them up, then come back to get you. I don’t want to shock them.”
“Nonsense. They’re going to be as thrilled as I am.”He hoots as he flies to my shoulder and plucks my hair tie.
My long strands fall down my back until they nearly touch my butt, and he makes himself comfortable while hiding at the nape of my neck.
“Seriously?”
“Am I too large? I can shrink a little more.”
A chuckle slips free from me, but I don’t force my smile away, although everything else inside feels a little heavy.
“No, I guess you’re fine. We’ll find out how my Valtrue likes good surprises.”
“I love a good surprise.”
I laugh once again as I walk us through my bedroom door and enter the quiet kitchen. My fingers flex as I make my way across the living room. I was hoping at least one of them would be in here so I didn’t have to round them up.
I’m still weird about coming to their doors. That wasn’t something I did back home.
After the breakup and once I finally decided enough was enough, the only time I ever invaded Jeremiah’s personal space—I guess Mellcom’s as well—was if I was flipping my shit about something. That always ended in an altercation I paid for in training.
I shake my head to ignore those ugly thoughts and start at the fourth door, which is Kyzen’s. The third is Amick’s, second is Creed’s, and the first is Riven’s.
There’s no answer after my first knock and I wait a second before knocking once again.
