Page 271 of The Gods Order

Hard to talk shit after an answer like that.

Kyzen and Nero are chitchatting. Probably about stupid shit like negotiations tomorrow.

Waste of breath.

Amick’s quietly staring at Thayla, but something’s different tonight.

He’s lighter. His neck isn’t even a little red.

Not like when he was being a damn pansy on the back of Verlet.

Creed and Sevryn stand in front of our Veilatara, pretending they aren’t amused at the youngling trotting around their feet. The curves of their mouths betray them.

It’s an adorable sight.

I’ll admit, I was a touch upset when I realized our bond with Verlet wouldn’t fully connect. My angel knew it too but left it alone. After a quiet conversation with my Harmony, I decided to be grateful for what we do have.

I’m not giving up hope. We’ll figure something out.

Bestie, Iric, and Hay-Hay are surrounding Seismet, obviously chatting with V and Lestari, who are sitting on his head like that’s where they belong.

It’s bittersweet.

And then there’s my little burden.

She’s lying across Seismet’s back, staring at the stars and doing that leaping thing with her fingers. She’s smiling in a way I wasn’t sure we’d see tonight, despite how amazing today was.

It’s not the smile she wears to convince everyone she’s fine. It’s a real one. The kind that reaches every part of her. It reaches into my chest and hugs my soul. I find myself smirking without realizing it.

This is her doing. She brought together this weird little group of people, and somehow this shit works.

She’s the most magnificent little burden I’ve ever seen.

She gave us this tonight.

A moment of peace and happiness.

A moment where none of us had to pretend tomorrow wasn’t coming.

She freed those Veilatara, and I swear the realm released a breath that blew the tension from our shoulders.

Tomorrow belongs to blood and sacrifice and whatever fate waits for us on the other side of the battlefield.

But tonight? Tonight belongs to this.

To us.

My attention drifts upward toward the endless stretch of stars above. I squint, trying to find our Starwoven constellation, but that shit is impossible.

It’s up there, though.

“You’re being awfully quiet tonight.”

“Discovery,” I say, patting the grass beside me as he sneaks up behind me. “Where have you been, buddy?”

“Wandering around, relaxing my mind.”

“Uh-oh. That can’t be good,” I say, arching a teasing brow at him.