Page 34 of The Gods Order

“I agree, but I believe it varies case by case. We didn’t keep this truth from him maliciously, nor did we know the effects that come from being the bearers of bad news, but I’m glad it worked out the way it did. This was a situation where the truth isn’t just information. It’s destabilizing.”

Sevryn scoffs. “Destabilizing? I’m fine, you asshole.”

“If you say so.” Amick arches a brow, unbothered by the edge in his voice. “I’m just pointing out the fact that if we had told you earlier, without context, without Gladian, without the full chain of events, you wouldn’t have just been angry. You would’ve been forced to choose a side inside a fractured truth. Your father’s story or Gladian’s.”

Sevryn’s nose scrunches like both options displease him.

“There’s a difference between withholding truth to control someone and delaying truth until it can be processed without immediate damage.” Amick’s expression softens just a touch as he carries on. “We’re not claiming the delay didn’t hurt you. Or that you don’t have the right to be angry about it. We’re saying the timing mattered because the consequences of hearing it at the wrong time would have permanently changed your ability to think rationally about it.”

“He means you would’ve gone feral,” Riven mutters under his breath.

Amick doesn’t look at him but shrugs a shoulder. “That’s…not incorrect.”

That earns a sharp glare from Sevryn, but it’s weaker now.

“We understand you’re upset with us. We’d be upset too,” I say, and he lets out a long, exaggerated huff.

Fuck, I can’t lie and say I’m not a little upset still with V, Seismet, and Verlet, but again…I understand.

Unfortunately.

“I can’t stay mad at you all. That’ll make me look like a dickhead. Look at how long Doren didn’t tell you the truth and you forgave him immediately.”

I snort, then cover it with a cough.

“I wouldn’t say immediately. I’m still pissy, just understandingly pissy.”

He scoffs and rolls his eyes at me.

“This doesn’t change anything. I’m not suddenly going to be calling him fucking Uncle Gladian or some shit. Nor are we going to become buddy-buddy.”

“Of course not,” I say. “Blood doesn’t make someone family. You don’t have to just accept him in because of this. The truth doesn’t give someone the right to a spot in your life.”

“Projecting much?” he asks. I give him my middle finger along with a fierce sneer that he laughs at.

Asshole.

“Aww, I can’t call him Gladdy Daddy anymore,” Riven whines. “I’ll have to figure out something that rhymes with uncle.”

None of us feed into his shit as he starts spouting off stupid-ass names.

Amick eventually sighs and laces his fingers in front of him.

“I’m glad we have that settled. We can’t afford any rifts in our dynamics right now. Hopefully, well, I honestly don’t care that much, but for the sake of yours and Yemi’s budding friendship with Mara, I hope she isn’t mad when she finds out I withheld the truth from her.”

I pivot my entire body toward him.

“What are you talking about?”

His forehead wrinkles at my tone.

“Are you mad at me?” he asks.

“I’m not sure yet. I don’t know the truth you withheld from Mara.”

Everyone snickers as Amick straightens his shoulders.

“She’s an Attendant and her Domain isn’t Strength.”