Just observe them. Figure out the threat now, Thayla.
“You’re in so much trouble, princess,” one of them says low as he pinches her chin and tilts her head back.
Princess? Didn’t the mortals have people who held those titles?
“Nonsense, your highness. I warned all of you it’d be a minute before I could let you through.”
“A minute, my ass, Primary. That was over ten,” another one says.
He and the first are twins, I think. Possibly.
They resemble each other greatly, aside from a few features and their voices.
“You may want to introduce us to your…friends, Will. They’re contemplating killing us.”
Another—for the Valories—that man is huge.
He isn’t quite as big as Gladian, but pretty damn close.
Our words didn’t give him that impression, but our body language must have.
Creed stands in position, spinning one of his death swords at his side.
Riven’s cracking his neck with a smirk on his lips and his fingers are tapping his thighs.
Amick’s gaze roams over each of them in measured passes.
Kyzen is still as a statue, two swords clenched in his hands with his time sitting on his skin.
My gaze holds Willow’s, although the pressure from the glares of the men surrounding her weighs on me. On all of us.
“Thayla, Riven, Creed, Amick, Kyzen, it’s nice to officially meet you,” she says as she steps fully out of the circle of men. My scowl deepens as I realize her gaze bounced to each person correctly. “Again, I’m Willow. This is Corentin, Tillman, Caspian, and Draken Vito. My Nexus. We’re from Elementra, and we’re here to help you.”
Nexus…Elementra…
Holy shit.
Thayla
2
My mind whirls as I map the names and faces to my memory.
It’s difficult to do with the million fucking things running rampant in my brain. The thing sticking out to me the most is that the men’s stances and reactions to her make more sense now.
Perfect sense.
Derivius brutally taught me the importance of the structure of a Nexus.
Her soul ties them together as one.
They aren’t just willing to protect her life. They’re protecting her soul.
I understand that.
My Valtrue understands that.
I release a deep breath, and collectively, so do my men.
