Page 314 of The Gods Order

Time to make your choice, Thayla.

Follow the Gods Binding’s guidance…

Or become like all those before you and ignore it.

Deep breath.

My Boundaries flow from my fingers, dimming the noise around us.

“I—” I clear my throat and glance down.

The tear in my armor at my stomach is the first thing I see. I know it’s healed—thanks to the Gods Binding, maybe the healers. I don’t know.

I don’t even know what my stomach looks like now.

“I had a choice to make when I was in the Stargate with the Valories.”

Questions erupt instantly. I raise my hands and they fall silent.

“I could walk through the Stargate and…die. Or I could return. It’s obvious what I chose. But that choice led to another one. One I have to make now.”

My eyes roam over them, landing on my men. My bottom lip trembles, and I dig my nails into my palms. They may get mad. They may not. I don’t know. Because I don’t know where this choice leads.

But I have to follow my heart. No matter how much it hurts.

I choose to trust the Gods Binding.

“I’ve made my choice.”

The words ripple through my soul, and not a second later, Derivius stumbles forward, clutching his chest.

“Little troublling…” His gaze waters. “Thayla, what’s—”

Four beams of light flash between us.

Calista, Rellannaver, Meridamus, and my father drop out of starshoots, unbalanced and just as lost.

“What is the meaning of this?” Calista shrieks. “What is happening?”

“You will not get away with this, Thayla Godrun,” Rella bellows, stomping toward me. She doesn’t make it a step as my father grabs her. “You do not get to kill a Beginning God and continue to live among us!”

He shoves her behind him, and she crashes into Calista. They both hit their knees. I don’t spare the two of them any more attention.

The first tear slides down my cheek as Derivius’s legs give out, followed by Meridamus, then my father.

“Thayla…what’s going on?” Riven asks, barely audible.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, holding the gazes of the only three Beginning Gods I love.

I can’t look at my men.

“Dad…”

“It’s okay, my girl,” he says, smiling. “Right the wrongs.”

A sob tears out of me. I let it. Just for a moment.

Then I choke it down and call my power forward.