Which is answer enough.
“No, it obviously didn’t. We’re on a highly dangerous, secretive quest set out by the Beginning Gods. At any moment, something could happen. Does it not make even the slightest, most logical sense to you, either of you, that having their wings free gives them the opportunity to get us, our carriages, or even themselves away from the danger as fast as possible?”
My glare pivots from Gladian to his foolish Escort. He looks madder than hell, but he at least has the sense to nod.
“The Veilatara’s wings stay unstrapped. I won’t hear another disagreement about this.”
“I’m fine. Let me go,” Havar tells Yemi as he backs away from her. His fists flex and his breathing is heavy as he stares Collum down. “Regardless of that being cleared up, explain to me and all of them since they’re out here now, why youwarnedme to stay the fuck away from Thayla.”
My brothers’ and my bodies pivot toward him.
“Gods, I beg you, please say something stupid.” Riven smiles, shoving Thayla behind him as he takes a step forward.
“You all don’t have a claim over her just because she’s your Binder.”
I don’t know where his stupid ass is going with this, but it’d be for the best if he shut the fuck up.
Even Mellcom and Jeremiah stop standing in front of him defensively and turn toward him.
I don’t like that shit either.
“I say we leave this conversation where it is. For everyone’s health,” Thayla says, holding her palms out, facing all of us.
My eyes narrow as they move between the two of them. Yemi lets out the realm’s smallest laugh, but I hear it.
“No fucking way.”
Thayla whips her wide eyes to me. She knows I’ve figured it out.
“He’s the god who asked you out.”
“Yeah, and until she formally rejects me, I can ask and express my interest however I want. Again, you all don’t own her.”
He’s lost his fucking mind.
The ship creaks as my brothers and I step toward him.
The sea falls deathly still, and we all freeze as power swells in the air.
“Brace yourselves!”
Brogden’s shout comes a second before the ship lurches so violently the deck beneath our feet tilts and slings us to the side. A low groan of wood straining echoes, followed by the sound of…something thumping against the side of the ship.
“Oh shit.” Havar’s golden eyes blaze.
“What?” I shout as my power shoots out of me.
Time speeds forward only a few seconds in time before I snatch it back to me with all my might.
“Lambrit, move!”
He grabs Rose by her arm, yanks her away from the edge, and hauls ass to the center of the deck.
An arm—no, tentacle—black as night, thicker than the sail post, rises from the water. The dark sea rains off its suckers that are the size of shields as it slams down on the floor.
I try to warn everyone to get to the lower deck, but I’m not fast enough.
Another one crashes down right across the threshold to the stairs to get below and the ship teeters hard to the right.
