They stare at one another intensely. Long enough that Thayla shifts on her feet and Riven laughs quietly. Half of my Valtrue is gearing up for a fight while I’m preparing to speed up time.
I don’t have to as the Chancellor finally breaks. “Very well. Their lives are your responsibility. Any harm brought forth on this mission, it will be recorded this was your decision. Discuss with Chancellor Gulliver your own plans as any weapons you plan to take from the Court will need his approval.”
“Creed,” I say when his face darkens dangerously.
“Fine.”
“Lastly, and this will no doubt change your planning strategies and be a sensitive subject, so be mindful of your emotions.” The High Chancellor’s eyes move to Thayla and narrow.
“I sent a formal request to the Beginning Gods asking that you not be allowed to join your Valtrue on their quest. The use of your powers on a Domain God should have been punishable by much more than four measly lashes. Alas, Gladian agreed that what you received satisfies him.
“I have no doubt that the Gods will approve my request. In the absence of your Valtrue, you will be staying in a confined room within the Hailtorium where you will spend your days learning to control your powers. By the time they return, I will not have to worry about you being a problem for the Godsdawn any longer.”
My power shoots out of me. The Chancellors freeze in time as my brothers’ movements forward become sluggish.
How dare he threaten to do to her what was done to us?
Has he forgotten how we reacted?
It takes everything in me not to kill him where he stands. He wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.
I’d allow him to slowly, painfully bleed to death right here in his sacred Athenaeum.
I could have every vital artery sliced in less than a millisecond. Then I’d speed time up so he could feel the pain, then I’d freeze it again.
Over and over, I’d manipulate the last remaining minutes of his life to make sure they’re the most agonizing.
I shake my head repeatedly as I cool the murderous rage and need brewing in me. The only thing that stops the madness is the look on Thayla’s face when I peer down at her.
This precise moment in time caught a look I didn’t expect.
Fear.
There’s no telling what could be running through her mind right now since fear outweighed her fury. I have no doubt it would’ve quickly given way had I not intercepted everyone, but right now, it’s pronounced.
I pinpoint my power at her. No one else.
The heavy breaths falling from her chest echo loudly and just as I expected, her face morphs into rage. It washes away to concern the second she realizes she’s the only one who’s moving.
“Kyzen.” She breathes as she turns to me.
“We’ll never let him do that to you, little goddess. I swear to you with my entire soul. We will never leave you behind.”
A harsh exhale falls from her lips as her body relaxes as much as it can. The weight coming off her is visible, but there’s still a shred of something lingering.
My head dips down and I catch her lips with mine. I pour that promise into our kiss.
We…I…will never abandon her.
I pull away from her slowly. The strain around her eyes and her silence tell me she isn’t ready to talk about it, so I won’t push her. For now. First things first is just getting everyone out of this room before my brothers lose any sense of control they have.
Gradually, I call my power from around them.
“Release me completely, Kyzen. Right fucking now. This fool thinks I will allow him to lock her up. I’ll kill him where he stands before he clips my angel’s wings.”
“Riven,” Thayla whispers.
He whips his head to her and it’s apparent he didn’t know that I pulled my power from around her. His face morphs into a mixture of shock and anger.
