“Yes. I want to take the power out of Obliteration’s hands as early as possible. If I don’t announce it, then he later says something or asks who Thayla is to us, it’s going to seem like I was trying to hide that.”
“So we are, or at least you, are going to admit to them we have a Binder, but not go into any more detail than that, right?”
He gives me a nod before focusing on Thayla. “I don’t want you upset that we’re not announcing our real relationship, but—”
She holds her hand up. “I completely understand and am on board with not telling them that. I’d rather they not know.”
“May I cut in?” Nero asks and we all turn our attention to him.
“Of course,” Amick says.
“When it comes to not only getting by the power of Accord, but trials in general, you all or anyone who’s speaking needs to only say what’s necessary. Truth to an extent. Don’t add details or additional information that they don’t ask for. You answer the question short and honest.
“Yemi, you are one hundred percent going to be asked if that’s your power surrounding those bodies. You don’t say anything else other than yes, it is. Same for you, Amick, or anyone who’s asked something. If you don’t know or don’t have an answer, you say that. Don’t work in pieces of the puzzle for them.”
Not going to lie, I’m shocked.
I didn’t expect that sort of advice to come from him.
My brothers and I have been in front of these gods and goddesses—aside from the God of Consequence—many times in our lives. This will be the first, though, that we’re in such a formal capacity.
It’s very helpful to know a little bit about how they work in a political sphere.
A tinge of respect spreads across my chest, and I nod at Nero when he meets my gaze.
“One last matter I’d like to address is,” Amick hesitates, then clears his throat. “I ask that everyone not talk if possible. Silence will work best in this situation.”
“You’re talking about Thayla and me, aren’t you?” Riven asks, and I snort before I can stop myself.
I blow Thayla a kiss when she frowns at me.
“I do know how to watch my mouth. It’s a matter of when I want to or not. Thank you.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” Amick says as he reaches over and grabs her hand. “This trial isn’t like standing toe to toe with our father in the Abandon. One wrong word here and they canlawfullypunish you.”
Her eyes soften at the true concern that’s lacing his tone and his gaze.
“I understand, I swear. I’ll keep all my comments in my mind. So will Riven.”
“I didn’t agree—” He slams his mouth shut when she picks up her fork. Everyone but him at the table chuckles. “Very well. I’ll behave.”
“Good. That was all I needed to cover. We’ll meet in the morning, then meet Derivius at the Sanctum together,” Amick says as he stands from his seat. “I…truly thank all of you for supporting me through this.”
He turns and takes one step toward his room before Thayla’s chair scrapes across the floor.
“Where are you going? You haven’t eaten yet.”
Wordlessly, he spins back around and in a few strides, he pulls her face into a kiss.
“I’m not hungry,Mysenta. Enjoy dinner and company, and I’ll see you at bedtime.”
Her hands linger in the air and her eyes stay shut as he pulls away from her. My gaze stays fixed on him until he passes through his door without a backward glance.
“Well then.” Thayla sighs as she plops into her seat.
“He’ll be fine. You know how he gets when he has a lot on his mind,” Creed says.
“Yeah. That’s the problem.”
