Page 358 of The Gods Order

I know myself now, though. I know the people standing beside me.

Thayla would never allow me to lose sight of who I am. Neither would my brothers. My life has never been defined by titles.

It has always been defined by the people walking beside me.

Today, I chose this path.

Not because I was destined for it.

Not because I was forced into it.

I finally trust myself enough to take it.

“Lambrit?” Ellian asks.

I glance beside me, and my eyes widen as Lambrit reaches his hand into the Veil beside mine.

Before I can utter a word, the Veil surges.

The white essence tears away from my arm so abruptly, I stagger back. So do Lambrit and Ellian.

The two of them hold parchments. My fingers are empty.

“What—”

Warmth floods through my soul as my question is silenced, and a voice I’ve come to know enters my mind.

Every hair on my body stands.

The Gods Binding.

“I spoke truth then, just as I do now.” The light around me pulses gently. “A prayer was offered, and it was answered. The mantle would be borrowed until the true Chosen was prepared. He is prepared now.”

My breathing labors as my mind races through everything that was said that day. What was written on Ellian’s and my parchments…

“Lambrit…it was always him. Never me,” I mutter. “You never named the Chosen. Just said takes his place.”

“You, God of Knowledge, are already fulfilling your role. It is time he fulfills his. If he so chooses.”

Their presence leaves me, and I stare at Lambrit with my mouth gaping open.

“Lambrit…” I say.

He turns his eyes to me, and something akin to guilt crosses his expression.

“Did you choose this?” I ask. “Is this what you’ve wanted?”

His gaze drops to the parchment in his hand.

For a moment, he simply stares at it. He hasn’t opened it.

“I’ve always known I was meant to serve this realm.” A small smile pulls at his lips. “I thought I understood what that meant. One day, when the time came, I’d become the God of Scripture. I’d preserve knowledge, protect the words and histories that shape who we are.”

His eyes move over the chamber. Thayla and Rose hold one another, bouncing their watery gazes across us.

“I wanted it to extend beyond that, but I never allowed myself to believe this would really become my purpose.”

A quiet laugh escapes me as I grip his shoulders.