Ellian gripped him on his shoulders and told him he had no restrictions, to take as much time as he needed, and he’d support him in any way he could.
And obviously he’s fine with Laney being here.
Thayla wasn’t going to have it any other way anyway.
A faint huff of breath leaves me. She would burn this entire realm down before letting Laney go anywhere else.
Ellian’s assurances settled Lambrit down for all of five minutes. Then Derivius showed up, and everything started again.
Question after question.
The first real crack I saw in him—the first flicker of anger—came when Derivius started explainingwhythis even fucking happened.
My hands curl at my sides.
It’s our fault.
Plain and simple.
We got out of our agreement and our father retaliated.
There’s no cleaner way to say it. No softer version that makes it easier to swallow.
There’s no doubt in my mind, Mellcom told him that there were worthy men in Oddian who would benefit him. Not only that, but hit Oddian, and it’d draw us, namely Thayla, out.
Mellcom knew from the very fucking beginning that Thayla would come for Laney.
Our father saw the opportunity to build his army while striking back at us at the same time, and he took it.
Derivius claims that Mellcom didn’t starshoot the Dark Gods into the arena but that he must have been communicating mentally with Kira or the Goddess of Seduction.
We can’t confirm that, obviously, but everything lined up too damn well to try to deny that. Him opening a line of communication with them explains a lot of things. Including his behavior lately and his insistent need to talk to Thayla.
I should’ve slit his throat when that dagger pierced Jeremiah’s heart.
Lambrit didn’t lash out at us. Not once. He’s focused, controlled, and sometimes quiet, sometimes talking something else out.
Thayla keeps looking at him, though, like she’s…waiting.
She’s bracing for the moment he turns and tells her it’s her fault. If she didn’t feel that way, she wouldn’t have apologized countless times even after he told her she had nothing to be sorry for.
I’ve tried telling her the same thing.
Her small, soft smiles and strokes against my soul don’t fool me into believing she believes me.
She and Lambrit were shocked when Derivius explained Meridamus’s sudden reappearance. Actually, it wasn’t sudden at all.
Apparently, the Messenger informed him of their Veiling, and he returned to Oddian right after that. He wouldn’t answer any questions about Thayla’s parents or their whereabouts, but said whenever she’s ready to talk, he’s willing. She’s not willing. She scoffed and rolled her eyes when Derivius asked her to think about it.
Then she scowled at his tender look.
He’s yet to say anything about the new condition of his temple, and she’s not speaking about it with him either.
I have no clue why.
The door creaks open behind me, and the scent hits me before I even turn. My chest expands as the smell of breakfast wafts out and the abundance of fragrances makes my stomach growl.
Annalise showed up before the sun came up with bags in both hands and that look on her face that says she’s already decided what everyone needs.
