Page 10 of The Gods Order

“No. Your name is Meridamus Bellame, and you have no power. You’re not a god. You’re from Oddian, and you have a son named Mellcom, who is a fucking traitor. You are not the Beginning God of Consequence.”

He flinches at the bite in my tone. “Denying the truth doesn’t make it untrue, Thayla girl.”

My body falls still as his words settle into my chest like lead. The ringing in my mind is loud enough to blur my sight.

Everything. Literally every single moment of my life…

Gods, every decision. It all has been built upon a lie.

“One day, truths will be revealed to you. Each one will feel like a betrayal.”

Oh, Willow…you tried to warn me.

A deep numbness spreads through every drop of blood in my body. My veins shiver from the iciness that takes over my insides. The only warmth that sinks in is from the spots where my men’s skin touches my own.

Finally, sound returns, but it’s overwhelming. Not only are my men shouting, but from behind me, so is Doren. Well, honestly, everyone.

Except for my father and Meridamus. They silently observe—examine—the most important people in my life.

“Stop,” I murmur, but no one listens, or maybe they don’t hear me.

Maybe I didn’t even say it out loud.

I don’t know how long I rock back and forth from my heels to my toes. My body is almost too heavy to hold me up while my mind races across everything I know. It’s hard to think straight with all this shouting.

“Enough!”

My bellow slices through the air, sending everyone into a tense hush. I capture the moment of peace and force my thoughts to settle. My father’s softening stare sears into me as if he knows I’m preparing to address him first.

“Why?” I whisper.

That one-word question is so loaded. It’s heavy. It creates a pressure that presses on my shoulders, weighing me down enough that I know if my men weren’t holding me, I’d sink into the ground.

“There’s so much I need and am going to explain to you. Let’s step back inside or go to your house, go wherever. Whatever makes this easier for you, my shooting star.”

My entire body shudders.

That nickname. His calmness. Whatever makes this easier…

It’s too late for easier.

My head shakes back and forth before I can actually get my mouth to work.

“No,” I finally mutter.

His features shatter.

“Thayla, please.”

He takes a step forward, and I stumble back. The strong arms that were keeping me steady move me behind them.

“Back up, pops,” Riven says low. “You heard her and no means fucking no.”

“Son, don’t—”

Riven tsks, waving Derivius off. “It’s best our father-in-law, and…whoever the fuck he is to us, learn their places in our lives here and now.”

“And what place is that?” my father asks with a tone as dangerous as Riven’s. I’ve never heard his voice like that.