Esmerie scoffs with a smirk, then pulls Annalise in for a hug.
She’s gone in a flash and I arch a brow.
“You two have a very strange dynamic,” I say.
“I suppose we do, but it’s more of a mutual agreement. Like I told you, we’re both where we want to be. She just has to be reminded from time to time that that could change the moment I wanted it to.”
I cross the room toward her, and she opens her arms for me before I even reach her. My body melts in her embrace.
“Thank you for doing that for them.”
“Oh, not just them, Thayla. You as well. I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now, but I have complete faith in you.” She pulls back and cups my cheeks. “You give Valveilious hell, my girl.”
I match her mischievous smile.
“I will.”
With quick goodbyes to everyone, she leaves and a few moments later, Ellian and Lambrit return, both wearing comforting smiles. Pretty sure Ellian’s is thanks to his wife, while Lambrit is over the moon he met and spoke with the God of Scripture.
“One to go, Thay,” he says, but before I can respond, Ellian cuts in.
“Yes, and she will be here momentarily. I believe it’s best if Thayla and I speak to her alone. If you all would like, you can wait in my old office. Lambrit can show you the way.”
He gestures toward the door, not really giving anyone the opportunity to argue, and a frown tugs at my lips.
Yemi and Rose give my hands reassuring squeezes as they leave, while Lambrit grips my shoulder. Ellian refuses to look at me.
“Who is this goddess?” I ask once the door shuts behind everyone.
He sighs as he closes his eyes. “The one whose weight will be the heaviest. I…Annalise and I have a very estranged relationship with the being about to walk through the door. One that will never be mended, so I can’t promise for sure how this meeting is going to go, but I knew we had to try.”
My breathing labors as I stare at the sincerity in his eyes. He looks far more worried now than when we arrived at his office, and that makes everything within me rebel.
Unfortunately, I don’t have time to question him anymore.
“Ellian, High Chancellor of the Godsdawn. I never thought I’d see the day.”
I whirl around at the unfamiliar feminine voice. My eyes widen at her…well, indistinguishable features. Every step she takes toward us, something about her changes. Whether it’s her hair, skin tone, eyes, lips. Every move she makes, something shifts.
Valories…no.
“You’re the Goddess of Illusion,” I whisper.
The ground beneath my feet threatens to give out. One moment, I’m in Ellian’s office. The next, that stark white room. No matter how much I blink, my sight stays trapped in the illusions the imitation room brought to life.
The Goddess of Illusion doesn’t spare me a glance as she stops walking, leaving a few feet of distance between herself and Ellian.
“After centuries of silence, what could my dear son-in-law possibly want from me?”
Her what?
Some mothers don’t know how to be mothers. They can’t even create a proper illusion for the role.
Oh…gods.
She’s Annalise’s mother.
“Mayaline, this is Thayla Godrun.”
