Page 142 of The Gods Order

Without warning, I wrap my hands around his neck and tug him down until my lips collide with his. His soul morphs from damn near strangling mine to the realm’s sweetest cuddle.

“You’ve done something, my endling.”

“Don’t ruin my surprise.”

His miserable groan tickles me. I spin from him, not giving him answers, and face the last of my men. Kyzen’s breathtaking smile literally takes my breath away.

Great gods. That look alone could fix this realm.

“Missed you, little goddess,” he says, leaning down slowly until his lips brush mine.

His small tease of an embrace pulls a displeased sound from me. The maddening flirt winks.

“The Court wasn’t the same without you this morning,” he says.

“Oh no. Everything was okay, though, right? Mara did okay?”

“I did fucking perfect. No one died.”

I poke my head through my wall of men and meet Mara’s glare. She looks just as pissy as normal. Judging by the beings behind her, I know they have more to do with her attitude than anything else.

A voice clears behind me and I almost jump out of my skin. Ice threads through the fire my men lit in my body and no part of me wants to turn around.

Riven catches the reddening on my cheeks immediately and I glare at him.

“Don’t you dare,” I whisper.

“Ugh, fine. You should see how uncomfortable they are right now, though. Priceless.”

Fuck.

“Okay, one of you take over,” I say, bouncing my pleading gaze between Amick and Kyzen.

Amick has no problem doing just that.

He calls for everyone’s attention, and the others part the wall they made in front of me. Now that I can finally see everyone is here, I offer Yemi’s Valtrue—who already have her cocooned between them—Lambrit, Rose, and Havar quick waves.

The scowls are still firmly in place on Val’s and Meridamus’s faces as they make their way around us and stand to the side.

Oh, that is so awkward.

“Vulius, Prath. You remember Thayla, Yemi, and Rose,” Amick says, and I shift my attention to the two men as they dip their heads.

Honestly, I think they’re going to be good for Mara.

If for nothing other than giving her a break from Gladian’s ass.

“This is Iric Obi and Nero Valadi, the other two members of Yemi’s Valtrue you didn’t meet the other day. Over there is Havar Andino, her cousin,” Amick continues. “That is Lambrit Armend, Rose’s significant other and Thayla’s pseudo brother.”

I smirk at the title.

“I’m not sure who has and hasn’t met the member of your group who wasn’t with you the other day, but for the sake of saving time, everyone, this is Barir, God of Treachery,” Amick says, and all attention shifts to Barir.

His eyes scan across us in a slow, calculated observation. He finishes by holding my gaze.

“Goddess of Death. It’s good to see you again,” he says, dipping his head, and I nibble my cheek to stop myself from laughing. “You seem to be in a much better mood now that your Valtrue is back safely at your side.”

That comment does pull a smile to my face.