“Are you kidding me? You’re bound too?”
“Not just me or because of my disownment. All of us Beginning Gods bound each other after the barrier to the Abandon slammed in place. Val is the only one of us who’s not. He never returned to us after that.”
The God of Boundaries is a smart piece of shit.
“Okay, so why can’t you free the Veilatara?” Riven asks.
Derivius’s jaw tightens. “That story is history well restricted.”
My nails tap against the table as my anger simmers.
“Let’s finish this up. We have a big day tomorrow,” Ellian says quietly.
He has a big day tomorrow that I’m sure he’s really worried about.
We all nod at him anyway.
“I’ve reassigned four fully powered Healers. They’ll serve rotations in the healing villas. Harriseen allowed them to wander Godsden freely, although they all live in the Godsdawn.That ends tomorrow. We need consistent, capable healers available to anyone who requires them.”
His gaze shifts to Iric.
“I reviewed Harriseen’s records. I’m sorry.”
“No apology necessary,” Iric says. “But thank you.”
Ellian dips his head, then continues. “I’m not destroying the imitation rooms. I want them redesigned and repurposed to truly heal. I’d like you to lead that effort. It’ll take time to unravel and reweave the threads of power there, but it’s worth doing.”
My breath hitches before I can stop it, and Iric’s eyes snap to mine. I hold his gaze until he looks away first.
“I think that’s a good way of turning something horrid into something helpful.”
Ellian nods, then focuses on Rose and Yemi.
“Restructuring the Attendants will be our greatest challenge. I want to call a meeting in the coming days and you two speak to all of them. You’ve proven Attendants and their Attending Gods can have balanced, beneficial relationships. They’ll trust you.”
Neither of them even turns to the other. They agree easily.
“As for now, Doren, integrate into the Godsdawn in whatever manner is comfortable for you. If you come across a role that you’d like to hold, let me know.” Doren smiles and dips his head, and Ellian shifts his attention to Nero. “You’ll continue the role you hold in Valveilious. I have no say-so over that.”
Confusingly, relief and disappointment wash over Nero.
“I’ll also be taking a full-time assistant. Some of their knowledge will be bound, as required, but not all of it. Lambrit, you are that assistant.”
His eyes flare with excitement and confusion. My heart pounds. The thought of him being even closer to powerful beings than he already is unsettles me. I stay quiet, though, as he jumps up and eagerly shakes Ellian’s hand.
“That’s all I wanted to warn you about. I won’t announce everything in tomorrow’s address, but I didn’t want to blindside you. These changes go into effect once the lockdown lifts tomorrow, so if it’s not a bother, I could really use your help, Amick, Kyzen, and Lambrit, with getting new schedules ready and out to the Attendants.”
They each agree. Lambrit with more enthusiasm than the others.
“The following day, we move forward. The rest of you are free to prepare and move around the Godsdawn however you need. Any questions?”
We all shake our heads. The guys aren’t thrilled—okay, well, neither am I—but they’re hopeful. That’s something. I stroke their souls in silent support.
Fuck, I didn’t think I’d ever have to go back to the Court.
“Well then—”
“I have unfortunate news,” Derivius cuts in. “I waited so I wouldn’t interrupt.”
