My face heats, and my soul shivers in my chest from the looks they give me. I can’t tell if they’re turned on, proud of me, or pissed. It might be a mixture of it all.
“Amick’s already worked out the change of how you all will be getting to the Abandon’s barrier,”V says.
I cut my eyes over to my anxious genius, who immediately took over the conversation with Gladian. I don’t hide my smirk as he lays down the law of what’s going to happen. Derivius is beaming as he steps up beside him, ready to do what he needs to do.
“He doesn’t waste a second, does he? That poor mind of his.”
“He’ll be better once he has his brother back.”
Same.
“I’m so torn about you staying behind.”
“I’ll come. All you have to do is say so.”
“No, absolutely not. I…can’t lose you, V. The realm can’t lose you. Riven would kill me if I asked you to come with us.”
His small laugh makes my chest pinch tight.
“He’s quite possessive of the beings and things he cares about.”
The saliva pooling in my mouth burns like acid as I force it back down my throat.
“Yeah. Yeah, he is.”
“You all are going to bring him home, Thayla.”
I blink away the burning in my nose and behind my eyes.
Yes. Yes, we are.
Riven
5
Finally.
The quiet reasoning inside me finally fucking fractures.
My Harmony gives way, and a smirk splits across my lips.
Sweat pours from my forehead. Some slips between my teeth, while the rest drips into the shallow puddle forming between my knees.
I’m fucking drenched.
I can’t wipe the sting from my eyes, and that pisses me off so damn bad. I want to rip someone’s head off.
Harsh flashing lights above me catch every curve of muscle, every rise and fall of my chest. The smooth black floor beneath me gleams with moisture—mine—evidence of the hours that bitch has had me chained up here in the spotlight.
The spotlight…I’ll give that fucking cunt a show.
A low giggle rumbles in my throat, and I wink at myself in my puddle as my blue at fucking last, swirls burgundy.
“The powers in my belly go round and round.
Round and round. Round and round.
The powers in my belly go round and round.
