Page 256 of The Gods Order

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” he says with conviction.

“I do. I’ve been distant with you since the night we were here when the guys had been taken. I put up an emotional barrier between us that night, and when I took it down, I had to face the truths of why I did it.”

“Why did you put one up?” he asks quietly.

“Because I was angry at you. You wouldn’t admit what Sabe did to you, and after everything, you still loved Rella. When I took it down, I had to face the fact I reacted the same way you did. I refused to admit for a long time what Jeremiah did to me, and after everything, for far too long, I held onto my love for Mellcom. Your truth forced me to face my own and I didn’t want to do that.”

“That was never my intention when I drunkenly told you the truth.”

“I know that,” I say, giving him a small smile. “That’s just what happened once I heard it. It needed to happen. Just like you need to hear what I have to say next.”

A light laugh escapes me as he winces.

“Mom told me the truth about the guys’ conception.”

His lips part and a breath rushes out.

“She did?”

“Yeah, and I told them. You don’t have to be the bearer of bad news.”

“I would—”

“You would have. I know that. But now that I know the truth, it had to come from me. I also know another reason you split my soul was so we could experience a sensation that mimicked our Starwoven bond. And I can’t thank you enough for that.”

Tears glisten in his eye as he smiles.

“Don’t thank me. I would do anything for the five of you.”

“I know. You’ve been doing for us our whole lives. Probably far more than we realize. And I swear to you, Derivius, in a matter of days, we’re going to do everything we can for you. We’re going to take Kira’s power, Sabe’s—hell, I’ll take Rella’s and Creation’s too if you want me to.”

A pleased chuckle falls from his lips as he scrubs at his face like he can wipe the emotion away.

“I can’t tell you how and when to fall out of love with her, but what I can tell you is we love you. It’s a different love, yes, but we do love you very much. We’re your family and we’re going to protect you now like you’ve been doing for us for so long. You just have to trust us.”

He lets my words linger. I hope he takes them to heart because they came from mine. I’m so truly grateful for him. There has always been a method to his madness, and I understand that more than ever.

Wordlessly, he holds his arms open, and I go into them with ease. My eyes flutter shut as I press my ear to his chest and listen to the erratic beat thudding beneath my cheek.

“Thank you, little troublling,” he whispers.

He lets me go after a tight squeeze, and when he steps back, he reaches behind him. A small smile stretches across my lips as he holds his Binding between us.

“It’s already cleansed,” I say as I take the last missing piece in my hands.

“I’ve never used it. I was the only one who told them from the beginning it was a bad idea. No one ever listens to me.”

A loud laugh bursts from my chest and I shake my head.

“You sound like Riven. Or maybe he sounds like you. Regardless, I’ll be sure to tell everyone we need to start taking the two of you more seriously.”

“As they should. We’ve beyond proved ourselves.”

“Yeah,” I mutter. “Yes, you both have.”

He holds my gaze as he cups my cheek.

“Go on and do what you have to do, Thayla. Get ready for the change that’s coming.”