“Don’t call him that.”
“Why not? You love my nicknames.”
Thayla rolls her eyes at me then at Lambrit when he expresses he’s fine with me calling him that. “Whatever, you two. Back to you, Amick. What suspicions are you talking about?”
“I strongly believe he and honestly many others still communicate to the Gods on the other side. Had the Abandon taken shape like the rest of Godsden and the Valories had blessed it, many more would’ve followed.”
“The Abandon?”
“No need to act oblivious, Lambrit. I know you’ve already read material you weren’t supposed to yet. I’m the one who left it out.”
I toss my head back, laughing at the shock on Thayla’s, Lambrit’s, Rose’s, and Yemi’s faces. Kyzen glares at Amick disappointedly, contrary to the pride on my face. Creed continues to ignore everyone.
“I know the bit of the Abandon you saw was quite terrifying, but in actuality, the region where the most powerful of that side reside is beautiful. The God of Obliteration has truly tried to replicate the Godsdawn. That much effort, time, and promise of power easily sway beings into believing that one day, it’ll be just like here. Like home. Despite thatgod’scountless flaws and evil tendencies, he’s a master strategist, smart, handsome, charismatic, not to mention incredibly powerful and determined. It’s very easy for beings to be fooled by him.
“Why not leave now and join the stronger side? Those considerations move through many of the gods’ minds. They’re just too afraid of the unknown to abandon the Valories-blessed place in case they’re wrong. Which, they are.”
His words have Thayla’s thoughts moving a mile a second and her eyes continue to widen.
“So what you’re saying or at least what I’m getting is that there are gods, very possibly the High Chancellor, who play both sides. They don’t leave here because of the Valories blessing, but they also hold no ill will to the other side. They’re waiting it out while making sure they have a place in…well, either place.”
“Exactly. Many of the big-name Domain Gods are known for doing it. Some have made their stance clear about which side they’re on, while others cater to both. Ensuring they’re in the middle, with a place to go no matter what. The High Chancellor isn’t supposed to be one of those in the middle. Once you take the oath of a Chancellor, pledge your blood to the Volreen once again, your responsibility becomes the Godsdawn. They’re supposed to be our unwavering, knowledgeable leaders who put the birthplace of the gods before all else.”
“So we have traitors all around us. No wonder none of you have attempted to make any friends.” Thayla shakes her head repeatedly. Not in denial but disgust. It’s written across every feature on her.
“I wouldn’t say we don’t make friends. Look at our odd group we’ve formed already.”
The non-members of our Valtrue look at me with varying degrees of acceptance, surprise, and maybe a hint of being offended that I called them odd. In my own defense, I was talking about us as well.
“That’s very disappointing to hear.” Poor Lam-man truly sounds down about that.
I decide not to tease him for his heartbreak over his dreams of this place being crushed. It happens to the best of them.
Great, this conversation has really killed my mood.
“I’ll meet you all at the meadows.”
I starshoot before any of them can stop me but cringe and slowly backpedal into the tree line as I get a view of what we’re about to walk into.
What the fuck?
“Verlet, what the hell is going on?”
“Harriseen has decided you all will be presented with decisions for the upcoming journey. When he arrived, he made it seem like you all decided this is how you wanted to handle it. I should have reached out to you all sooner.”
“That’s fucking taurnshit. We’ve already told him Havar was going to be our Escort, and we didn’t tell him you and Seismet would be joining us, but we were going to make it clear in a few minutes.”
“Well, he plans on making a show of it. Go warn the others before they arrive. Seismet and I have already prepared the herd for our departure. We will stand with you on your decisions.”
I sneer at the High Chancellor’s back as he walks into the Lead Meadow Hands dwelling, then picture Thayla’s ass as I starshoot back to them.
I appear right behind her and lean close to her. “It’s a trap.”
The air rushes from my lungs as my balls ascend into my stomach. My gasp is as loud as Thayla’s shriek and everyone else’s laughing. I bend over, holding myself as I breathe through the pain.
It all ceases to exist when her panicked eyes collide with mine and her soft hands cup my cheeks.
“Holy shit, Riven, I didn’t mean to. I just reacted. You scared the fuck out of me.”
