“Best decision you ever made, thank you very much.”
Riven gasps in what I believe is offense. I’m not sure if he’s really offended by Yemi’s claim or if he’s trying to participate in their anxious teasing.
“I’m the best decision she’s ever made. Get that straight.”
“If my memory serves me, Riven, she didn’t have a choice in choosing you. I was a willing decision.”
I peer over my shoulder.
“Your memory serves you correctly. Now, though, she chooses us willingly every day.”
“Yeah, I do.” She blows me a kiss, and I force myself to stay still.
I desperately want to reach back there and pull her to me.
If I had it my way, my lips would be pressed to hers so this entire room could witness the place she holds in my life. Her place in our Valtrue as the most cherished and important member.
As though Creed can read my thoughts, he chuffs a small sound from beside me and his lips twitch. They instantly turn down into a frown as company joins beside us.
“Go find somewhere else to stand. There’s a whole fucking room of spots you could choose from.”
“Orders of the High Chancellor to be beside your Valtrue, Creed. We’ll be closing the show.”
I cut my eyes at Gladian. I’m positive that was sarcasm, but it’s highly unlikely. He’s never been one to joke about the orders the High Chancellor gives him.
His Valtrue, like ours, takes a formation with two in the front, Binder in the middle, and two in the back. With the exception that Yemi is also a step behind Thayla.
That was Yemi’s decision that Thayla didn’t like at all.
“Where are your pests at, Gladdy?” Riven asks.
I don’t glance over my shoulder to check, but I take note that it’s Chasin standing in the front beside Gladian.
“They’ll be here in a minute.”
“Thayla. Yemi.”
“Mara.”
Both respond with less ire than I expected. Their interactions are usually never exactly…pleasant.
“How are you?” Mara asks.
“Fine. You—did you have a rough training?”
Thayla’s tone changing from bored to borderline angry gets our attention instantly. Creed and I glance behind us while Kyzen and Riven shift forward.
“Something like that.”
“Something like that? You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. I’ll cut his gods damned—”
“Don’t,” Mara says low.
“It was a misunderstanding,” Gladian says as he turns, stares at Mara, then at Thayla. “Not that it’s any of yours or your Valtrue’s business, I took care of it.”
“Every time I think there’s a hint of decency in you, you prove me wrong. The fact you just called your Binder having a black eye, undoubtedly given to her by a member of your Valtrue, amisunderstanding, is disgusting and pathetic. It won’tbe a misunderstanding when I carve her fucking name in your forehead.”
Creed, Riven, and Kyzen chuckle, causing Gladian’s eyes to narrow.
