She’s been dreading this day since we returned from the healing villas, and she gifted Lambrit and Laney what she made them. There were a lot of tears, quiet promises, and hopefully, a little healing in that moment.
Since then, we’ve spent the vast majority of our time with Laney. We’ve toured the Godsdawn, the Godsden, the Veilatara meadows—which I thought Laney was going to faint when Verlet and Seismet spoke to her—and we’ve spent hours at the Akova’s getting her familiar with everyone.
Ellian told us to take as much time as we needed. He even went as far as closing down the Court and told Gladian to allow the Valtrues at the barrier to handle everything. From what he toldus, Gladian thanked him and said he and the remainder of his Valtrue needed some time.
Shocked the shit out of me.
Amick and Lambrit are going stir-crazy and declared we all were going back to our responsibilities tomorrow.
Thayla and Riven are trying to do anything to get out of that.
For very different reasons.
“I win!”
Laney’s cheer echoes back to us as she jumps up and down in front of the Akovas’ fence. Kyzen finally releases Riven completely from his power, and he perches his hands on his hips, then sneers at him.
“Fucking cheater. I was going to win.”
“Yeah, I know.” Kyzen chuckles, shaking his head. “Hence why I slowed you down.”
“Letting her win isn’t going to teach her anything.”
“Maybe next time,” Kyzen says, patting Riven on the chest as we walk past him.
Thayla opens the gate for Laney, and she goes racing through the yard toward the back, where the voices of the kids are drifting from.
Kyzen, Amick, Lambrit, I, and all of Yemi’s Valtrue, except for Yemi, follow behind her.
“There you all are,” Annalise calls from the swing set where she’s pushing one kid with Ezra on her hip.
“Here we are,” Thayla says with far less enthusiasm.
Annalise takes no offence and gives her a soft smile that melts the grim frown on Thayla’s face.
“Sorry,” she mumbles, then blows out a breath. “Yemi, Rose, and Ellian aren’t back yet?”
“Not yet but should be any minute. You all go put those boxes down and come relax.”
“Don’t unpack anything, though,” Laney yells as she climbs up the obstacle course. “I want to decorate my own room.”
My lips tug in a smirk as I turn and nod for Sevryn, Nero, Doren, and Iric to follow me. Amick and Kyzen are also carrying a box each, but we saw her room yesterday, so they don’t need directions.
We leave Lambrit, Thayla, and Riven in the backyard with Annalise and the kids as we make our way through the house. Up the stairs, to the left, and the new, first door on the left leads to Laney’s new space.
Ellian had the edition ready to go the day after Lambrit spoke to him and Annalise.
I don’t think the man will ever turn a child away.
I’ve literally heard him say, ‘what’s one more’ at least eight times.
All those times were my doing.
This time it’s only partially on me.
“I think Laney is truly going to love it here,” Doren says as he lays his box down and smiles around the room.
“I know someone who hates this shit,” Sevryn counters.
