It really is nothing more than a few seconds’ walk, and I approach Yemi’s door with my fingers laced with Thayla’s. Her hand hesitates for a second before she lifts it and knocks.
“You’re here,” Yemi cheers, wrapping Thayla in a hug. “I’m so glad you came.”
Her hand puts bruising pressure on my fingers before she relaxes and pats Yemi on her back.
“You’re so happy to see me, you’re about to suffocate me.”
“Oh shit, sorry.” Yemi chuckles, releasing her. “I’ve just been worried. Between your tight-lipped men and the insufferable ones who live with me, I was going a little crazy.”
“You aren’t crazy. Have they been assholes?”
I snort at the actual temper in her tone.
“Well, Sevryn’s always an asshole, but his attitude has shifted from me to our Valtrue. Doren is the complete opposite. He’s too sweet for his own good. The other two, well, you’ll see. Actually, hopefully, you don’t. I gave them both a good talking-to earlier. Come on in.”
She steps out of our way, and I cover my surprise at what she just said with a smile. Nero I can definitely see being an ass. Pretentious, like Thayla called him, but Iric didn’t give off that energy at all.
If it had been just us five joining them five, this would be so fucking awkward. Luckily, Havar, Lambrit, and Rose beat us here, and they waste no time breaking the silence.
Lambrit reaches Thayla first and she tenses even tighter than she did a second ago with Yemi when he wraps her in a hug.
“For the Valories, Thay. It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever. Are you okay?”
I rub my thumb across the back of her hands, encouraging her to answer him.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Well, what hap—”
“Lambrit,” Rose warns with a smile.
“Right, sorry. Rose told me I wasn’t allowed to ask and had to wait for you to bring it up because you might not be ready to talk about anything.”
I run my hand over my mouth, and Thayla cuts her eye over at me. Her lips twitch playfully as she glances back at Lambrit.
“Not yet, but thank you for checking. Thank you for keeping him in check, Rose.”
Lambrit huffs, drawing a laugh from all of us.
“It’s my pleasure and it’s so good to see you.”
Surprisingly, Thayla doesn’t clam up with Rose’s affection. Which isn’t that shocking given the girl’s abilities, I suppose.
“All right, everyone, come take a seat. I’ve got the table laid out serve yourself style,” Yemi calls from her dining room as she adds Creed’s pie to the array of food.
“Hell yeah. I’m about to gorge.”
“Manners, Riven,” Thayla mumbles and he gasps in mock offense.
“It’d be ruder if I didn’t eat, don’t you think?”
“Yemi, sit. I’ve got drinks. You’ve done enough. Could someone, aside from our lovely hostess, give me a hand?” Doren asks and Riven shoots his arm into the air.
“I’ve got you, dear ol’ Discovery.”
Doren, who seems to be the happiest god I’ve ever met in my life, smiles brightly at my brother like he’s doing him the realm’s largest favor.
I think Yemi may be right.
