“Riven,” I mumble. The louder he shouts, the more Derivius slouches in on himself. “I know you’re upset. I’m upset. His story is for him to tell, though. Don’t say something you’re going to regret.”
He balls his fists at his sides.
“Fine. I’m done with this conversation. Thanks for the fucking warning.”
I spin on my heels as Derivius calls for Riven to come back, but it doesn’t matter. He’s already out through the threshold and if the door wasn’t made of pure stone, he’d slam it shut.
The only thing that keeps my feet from following him is the frantic caresses he’s sending down my soul. I respond to each one.
“I’ll go after him.” Creed grunts, giving Derivius the realm’s smallest nod and me the realm’s quickest kiss.
“So you’re warning us this because you’re worried how our mothers are going to react? As in you think they care enough to come down here and actually lay their eyes on us. Or will it be simply from concern because of Thayla? What?” Amick asks.
“All of that. I’m also worried K is going to convince them you all are too strong not to be more closely monitored.”
“Closely monitored? What the fuck does that mean?” Kyzen asks.
“It—”
“There’s a clause in the agreement made on our behalf that states if it seems our powers are growing closer to what they were when we were in the Abandon, we may need to be relocated out of the Godsdawn and be placed with one of them in Valveilious or return to the Abandon.”
“What?” Kyzen and I ask as we stare at Amick’s cold, calculated face.
“Whose side is the God of Consequence truly on Derivius?”
“On ours. He knows K and Seduction are too far gone.”
“You’re one hundred percent certain about that?”
Kyzen and I continue to flick our gaze between the two of them. We’re now equally lost on why this is even important.
“Yes. Why are you asking, Amick?”
My face flushes as nerves cascade down my body when Amick looks at me with so much…worry, admiration, devotion. Hell, the man is staring at me like I’m his reason for breathing.
I move to his side without a second thought.
“After our results come through, inform the other Beginning Gods that my brothers and I are invoking our right under the Law of Doppia Disaccord.”
A slow, mischievous smile curls across Derivius’s lips. His steps toward us are calculated and precise. One of his handslands on Amick’s shoulder while the other cups my cheek, then he tugs Kyzen closer to us.
“I knew you’d figure it out, my boy.”
“Took me long enough.”
“Perfect timing.”
He slowly backs away from us with a whole new attitude than the one he’s had the entire time since we walked in here.
“You best be going. You don’t want to be late and give ol’ Harriseen any excuse to use against you. I’ll see you all soon.”
With that, he starshoots away. I don’t do anything but stare at the spot he was in, then around at the rest of his last remaining temple.
This is depressing.
I really, really want to know what happened that landed him in this predicament.
“What have you done, Amick?” Kyzen asks.
