Page 166 of The Gods Order

“Need me to talk Creed into baking some cookies?”

I snort when Creed grunts.

“Annalise literally had to call you down before you ate all the kids’ cookies. I think you’re good for the night.”

“You can never have too many cookies, but I digress. What do you need, my little burden?”

“Will you make the ceiling stars?” I ask low.

“Like the night you took my precious virginity?”

His brothers groan, but I smile to myself.

“Yes. Just like that night.”

That magical, perfect night.

He hums softly as his Chaos dances across my skin and around the room. My curtains flow completely shut, blocking out the last remaining light from the setting sun. Next, the glow from my lamps and fireplace cease to exist. Then…we’re thrown into darkness.

My heart flutters as where my canopy hangs over my bed transforms into bright dots and a breathtaking moon. I roll until I’m lying flat on my back, staring up at the stars.

His Chaos created exactly what I wanted to see.

A small smile plays on my lips as I squint one eye, then hold my fingers above me. They jump from star to star, racing toward the moon.

My breath catches as four more arms lift into the air, and eight fingers mimic what mine are doing. The completeness that settles across my soul damn near has tears prickling my eyes.

I’m not sure how long we jump from star to star together. Every now and then, the guys will flick each other’s fingers away when the other gets too close to them. Countless laughs echo around my bedroom without a word or joke even uttered. It’s peaceful in a way I can’t even explain.

My arm eventually grows tired, and I slowly lower it to my chest. One by one, they each do the same. I swallow once, debating whether I want to break this moment with a question. I decide that I’d really like to talk about it.

“Can I ask you all something?”

“Anything,” Kyzen says immediately.

I’ll always appreciate his steadiness.

I keep my eyes on the stars above us.

“Do any of you have any happy memories from your childhood home?”

Silence follows, but it’s not heavy, just thoughtful.

Then Kyzen exhales.

“You won’t be able to see it tomorrow, but from the balcony off my bedroom, you could step on the railing, then jump to the roof…” He lets out a small laugh, then clears his throat. “Early one morning, I made the jump like I had so many times, but somehow, I didn’t get a good grip on the overhang. I remember my heart thrashing around in my chest as my fingers started slipping.”

Mine pounds now thinking about that. From the design Amick drew, the roof is too fucking far from the ground for him to be doing shit like that.

“I was able to pull myself up, and I slung myself against the shingles. After minutes of taking deep breaths, I fell apart laughing at myself. I think it was the first time in my life I had felt that rush of adrenaline, that true test of time running out, and death didn’t follow. I just sat there…laughing, and watched the sun come up. That was also the last time I ever climbed up there.”

A small snort escapes me. I bet that was a lesson learned.

I would’ve pissed myself.

“The elation I felt the first time I snuck into the library and spent the night there,” Amick says, and I turn my attention to him. “You know, after our father declared all the roles we’d take on, and he began dictating what I could and couldn’t read, he also took away my privilege of going to the library whenever I wanted. I took a whole month to plan that night out.”

I hear the smile in his voice, and I lace my fingers through his to stop myself from caressing his cheek so I can map out his dimple.