Page 129 of The Gods Order

“Speaking of our friends and allies…”

A millisecond later, Creed’s sunsetter chimes and I push my chair back.

“Time to find another Binding,” I say, rounding the table and offering Thayla my hand.

She takes it, smiling beautifully as she stands. V steals her attention as he glides to her shoulder.

“Thayla…” he trails off. She halts and tilts her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Your—Val would like your permission to be there while Doren tracks.”

“Why? I can tell him how it went at training this afternoon.”

“I believe he simply wants to observe and is restless since Meridamus is going to the Neutral with Derivius.”

She huffs and glances at each of us. We all give her the same supportive look.

“Fine,” she grumbles. “It’s not like he doesn’t know where the hot spring is anyway.”

“I’ll let him know you said yes,” V says, far too enthusiastic. His tone earns him a small glare. “The others are on the back lawn, waiting for you.”

He gives us a hoot and vanishes through a starshoot. Thayla rolls her eyes.

“He was so subtle,” she scoffs.

“Meddling little thing, isn’t he?” Riven asks, chuckling as he laces his other hand through hers.

She grunts in agreement as we head down her hall and out through her room. Just as V warned, Yemi and her Valtrue are already waiting. The rest of our ever-growing group knows we’re doing this today, but there’s no point in all of them being here.

“Are we ready?” Doren asks, smiling wide.

“Are you ready?” I ask instead.

Obviously, we’re ready. We’re not the ones doing anything taxing.

“I am. I slept great, had a good breakfast, and spent quality time with my Valtrue. My power is ready.”

“Great, then let’s go,” I say, motioning everyone forward.

Thayla smirks, rises onto her toes, and plants a kiss on my cheek.

“See you there, Candyman.”

My power wraps around me and I follow her through the starshoot. The familiar warmth of the hot spring greets me instantly.

All ten of us arrive within seconds, and as though he’d been waiting, the God of Boundaries materializes near the tree line without a sound.

Fascinating ability. One I hope Thayla picks up quickly.

The greetings are brief and awkward for her. She responds to Valthaneus’s hello with a tight smile and a dip of her head. No one seems sure what to say next, so I cut the discomfort short.

“Doren, we believe the Binding is at our father’s residence if he isn’t carrying it. Would seeing his home help you pinpoint the exact location if it’s in the Abandon?”

His eyes widen. “Yes, of course, but ho—”

“V, would you assist with that?”