“Since they were strapped, but it isn’t impossible. I can assure you. We just haven’t been able to solidify our connection because of the contraptions.”
There’s no hiding the heat in my tone. He picks up on it easily.
“I had no say-so in their entrapment, and I spoke out adamantly about it. There’s only so much I can do.”
I believe that. Unfortunately.
“I understand. The Beginning Gods do as they please and what they believe is right, even when it isn’t. I don’t fault you for that, but I do promise you, I will find out how to remove these restraints.”
He blinks as if he isn’t sure he heard me right.
“And how do you plan to do that?”
“My men and I are still figuring it out, and we will figure it out.”
The God of Creatures studies me like an animal stalking its prey.
“You speak with a great deal of certainty about something you don’t fully understand.”
“I don’t need to understand it fully to know it’s wrong.”
His attention jerks to the restraints, then back to me.
“You’ve brought me here for more than to deliver a declaration of intent.”
Seismet and Verlet shift their hooves. The movement wasn’t…threatening exactly, but a quiet warning about his tone. I latch on to their unwavering support and square my shoulders.
“I need your signature.”
“For what purpose?” he asks as he cocks his head to the side like I’ve completely confused him now.
“To end an agreement. One made on behalf of my Valtrue members when they were children.”
His expression hardens just a fraction as his eyebrows draw down.
“Who are your Valtrue members?”
A beat passes as I gather myself. Seismet’s comforting rumble settles into my chest.
“Riven, Creed, Amick, and Kyzen. The sons of the God of Obliteration.”
His face pales as his head scans around as though he’s afraid Kira may pop up somewhere. Then his gaze sharpens, searching my face.
“You’re asking me to help strip a Beginning God of his authority over what’s his?”
My glare darkens and I take a purposeful step forward. Seismet and Verlet move with me.
“They. Aren’t. Possessions.” Each punctuated word claws through my clenched teeth. I suck down a harsh inhale and will my fury to simmer. “I’m not stripping anything that was rightfully given. I’m undoing what never should have been done in the first place.”
“You’re asking me to involve myself in a matter between a Beginning God and his blood.”
“I’m asking you to acknowledge that being someone’smakerdoesn’t give them the right to control every aspect of their existence.”
That stuns him more than I expected it to. Granted, Seismet and Verlet neighing and tilting their heads up definitely adds to the certainty.
“Otiero, you swore to me after these straps were placed upon myself and my herd that you’d find a way to fix this. That’s been more years ago than either of us cares to acknowledge.”
The God of Creatures’ eyes soften, almost plead, as he stares at Verlet.
