Page 134 of The Gods Order

Her hesitation is understandable. In a short time, she’s gone from avoiding Val to agreeing to train with him and Meridamus a few hours a day, to now spending all day with them for a week.

It’s pushing her into territory she isn’t ready for.

“I think physical training should wait until tomorrow since you and Gladian are heading to Hell,” I say. “We need to know what’s going on with their Valtrue, then form rotations. We’ll introduce their newest members to everyone—including Val and Meridamus—then all three groups will meet in the Court in the afternoons.”

“At least I get a day before everything switches,” Thayla murmurs.

Her arms fall as she catches the look on Valthaneus’s face.

“We start now,” he says with a small, understanding smile.

She doesn’t let disappointment linger. She nods, shakes off her apprehension, and steps toward him.

That’s not the only thing starting now.

The plans are already running through my mind.

Thayla

16

My ass hits the ground beside Yemi and she has the audacity to laugh at my annoyed huff.

She can tease all she wants. Her exhaustion is just as obvious as mine.

Our powers of Boundaries flow from us and cocoon us in a bubble just like Val instructed. Recharging like this isn’t nearly as fast as other Domains of mine—hint, hint, Seduction—but it works wonders for Yemi within minutes.

Her appreciative sigh tugs my lips into a smirk, but I never take my gaze off Val and Meridamus talking quietly several feet away.

They…I don’t even know.

Meridamus was acting strange yesterday when he finally joined us for training after leaving the Neutral. His smart-ass comments were gone and he didn’t have much helpful advice. When I asked how it went, he said pointless as usual.

I don’t believe the Beginning Gods’ little meetings are pointless. I think he calls them that so he has an excuse not to go and be around Sabe.

My power of Accord agreed with that thought yesterday. My mind hummed when he said that about the meeting. Then again this morning my awareness flared when I asked if he was okay and he said I’m fine.

‘I’m fine’ my ass.

“You’re staring so hard there’s no doubt they feel it on their faces.”

I startle and purse my lips at Yemi.

“I’m trying to read their minds. It’s not working.”

She laughs and bumps me with her shoulder.

“Now why in the realm would you want to do that? I’m sure there are equal amounts of things you don’t want to hear along with everything you want to know.”

“That’s probably very true,” I grunt. “It’s just frustrating. Everything about this is getting on my damn nerves.”

“Hey, training went really well yesterday and today. Yes, sight was a touch more difficult than sound, but we got it. Our one failed attempt at separating the perception of power was just the beginning.”

My lips curl tight between my teeth as I pluck a strand of meadow grass and twirl it around my fingers.

“I’m not just referring to the training,” I whisper.

After Doren discovered the Bindings yesterday and training began, Val made us jump right back into separating sound. It took about three hours to get it down to the point he was happy and ready to move on to sight.