How can he say that so seriously, but the meaning behind it be so…naughty.
“I’m sorry,Mysenta. I knew we were stepping into a trap, but no part of any scenario I created would’ve led me to believe what our father did was a possibility to worry about. Then I didn’t ask our visitors nearly the number of questions I should have. I’m very disappointed in myself.”
“Amick, don’t apologize and don’t be disappointed in yourself. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I didn’t do a lot of things right either.”
“You—”
V’s hoot cuts me off, and we snap our attention to him, Seismet, and Verlet.
Damn. I almost forgot they were there.
I was so consumed and thankful to finally be able to embrace my men.
“None of you should be disappointed in yourselves. Everything that happened today was out of your control. The God of Obliteration using his Binding on Thayla was unforeseen or warned.”
“But Willow and her Nexus showing up wasn’t? You knew they were coming?” I ask.
I attempt to keep the bite out of my tone and take Willow’s warning to heart like she told me to. Deep down, I know she’s right. Some truths that he, Seismet, or even Derivius know, I don’t want to hear it from them.
I want to hear it from the people responsible.
Like my parents…
It’s still difficult to accept they’ve got answers we could really fucking use but won’t tell us.
“Yes, to an extent. Their arrival was something I knew would come centuries ago when I left their realm. When was the question. The events today happened simultaneously. The second you were pierced with the power, the portal began opening. I felt the rift from both you and it immediately.”
“Our father knows about your existence now. He more than likely assumes you have a connection with one or all of us,” Kyzen says.
“Yes.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, then my index finger and thumb spread beneath my eyes repeatedly. I don’t know if I’m trying tolessen the pressure building there or just give my empty hand something to do.
“I’d just like to say that my outburst doesn’t seem that bad now,”Seismet huffs, and I peek at him through my lashes.
“Highly inappropriate time for an I told you so moment.”
“Nonsense. These two old, weathering fools need to get on the same page as me. The faster you figure things out, the faster these Valories forsaken contraptions come off my wings, and we can seal our connection. I’ve agreed not to step out of my responsibilities again, but that doesn’t mean I won’t complain and express my disagreement.”
I wouldn’t mind if he stepped out again. I can’t wrap my brain around the point of not telling us everything we need to know.
“Thayla…”V laces my name in regret and I exhale.
“I’m not upset with you. Or at least I’m not trying to be. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want her to give me instructions on what to do with the Bindings, but I do understand you’re a creature with a path and purpose. I assume this deviated from what little of a path you have.”
“It did. Not necessarily in a bad way, but a…faster way. Her telling you exactly what to do, rather than you figure it out on your own, created a sort of shortcut. Taking that shortcut erases the time you would’ve had to continue to grow into your powers and understanding at your own pace. You no longer have that option. Neither do you, boys.”
I wince, and my attention roams over the guys as they stare at V.
“You five can no longer turn a blind eye to the problems in your lives. If you all want your Valtrue to succeed, you must get over any more reservations you may have. You’re now on a set path. Not in the sense that you can keep walking and get to the end unscathed. It’s more so…there are going to be things in the way that you’ll have to navigate around.
“A fallen tree, a rock, a crater. Use whatever imagery you need to be able to see. But I need you to see. If you trip over that obstacle, you must jump right back up and keep going. Each blockade you overcome, another can appear or be cleared. This path will only fork once, and that’s at the end.”
Each of their deep breaths weighs heavily on my soul. There’s nothing I can do to ease the dread in them, though. I feel it too.
“What instructions did she give you for the Binding?” Amick asks.
