Page 99 of The Gods Order

“This is the dumbest fucking idea you’ve ever had,” Sevryn says, and I arch a brow at him.

“I’m not sure why you all have allowed your panties to get in such a wad over this. I never said you all had to be best friends with him. You’re simply going to tell him the truth and help him find his Valtrue members.”

He and all my men begin, once again, speaking over each other. Their arguments go in one of my ears and out the other.

Poor Nero and Iric share an exhausted look with one another while Lambrit rubs soft circles across Rose’s back.

“Why don’t you and Rose go ahead and take everything to the hot spring? I’ll figure out a way to get everyone out the door,” I say as I lean into Yemi.

“Yeah, good luck. I’ve never seen any of them pitch fits like this.”

I snicker under my breath as she holds her hand out to Rose and nods toward my door. Iric, Nero, and Doren give her quick kisses. Sevryn’s ass is going to be pissy that he was too busy bitching to tell her bye.

V nuzzles into my cheek and I let out an annoyed huff.

“Got any sage advice for me? They’re being ridiculous.”

“Yes, actually. Simply walk out the door. They will follow.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The longer you allow them to linger in here, the more pointless nonsense they’ll come up with. What will they do if you just walk out? Stop you?”

His mixture of a hoot and snort draws a chuckle from my lips. I shrug and do as he says.

Funny enough, Doren cheerfully follows right behind me, mumbling, “About time.”

“Get back here, little burden. We aren’t done discussing this,” Riven calls and I wave over my shoulder.

“I’m done.”

I stroll through the lawn and follow the directions Doren’s finger is giving me. I’ve never been to Mara’s house but do know it’s over here with the rest of the gods’ housing. Just a touch more secluded than the others’.

My lips curl at the corners as snide comments and grumbles reach my hearing and I peer over my shoulder at my men. They and Sevryn march toward us, not exactly in a rush to catch up but also not dragging their feet.

“You’re going to have your hands full today, Iric. You as well, Nero. Hope you got a good mediation speech ready to go,” I say as I laugh at the scowls on my men’s faces, then focus back forward.

“I’m simply here for moral support. Attempting to talk to your Valtrue or Sevryn when they’re like this is absolutely pointless and a waste of breath. There’s no telling how the God of Strength is going to receive uninvited company. They’ll all eventually listen to you far faster than they’ll listen to me,” Nero says with a smirk.

“They’ll get over it soon enough,” Iric adds. “Sevryn’s simply trying to deny the relation between them. Your men have all already realized that the treatment Gladian gave them and vice versa was petty. Hierarchy nonsense if you will. They’re struggling with that, though, because they’re truly bothered by what he did to you.”

My smitten little soul swells in my chest.

“I know. It’s confusing for me as well. You don’t just get over the fact that someone whipped you unjustly. Every time I look at him, I want to punch him in the face, but I also realize how not having an alliance with him at a time like this is more harmful than helpful. Even knowing his past now, I don’t make excuses for him. I can put my disdain on pause for the time being, though.”

“Did you ever think one day you’d be the bigger person in a situation such as this?” Iric asks, and I let out a booming laugh.

“Fuck no. It still shocks me. Honestly, though, if Yemi had never forgiven Mara and our relationship with her never turned around, this wouldn’t be happening. I’d just hate their entire Valtrue. Mara complicates things.”

“Yemi’s both nervous and excited to see her. She’s hoping that Mara seeks her advice rather than be discouraged about her new Designation declaration,” Doren says.

“That’s my hope as well,” I admit. “She has Yemi and Rose to turn to for advice. She’s not alone and that’s what we want to show her today.”

Doren, the sweet softy, gives me a genuine smile as he directs me toward a small path through the trees. I’m honestly a little jealous of the privacy their Valtrue obviously gets.

Don’t get me wrong, I do love our home, and we are a good distance away from the other houses, but not like this. We don’t have trees shielding our door from curious eyes. Just a big-ass front lawn.

A hum slips through my lips as the path opens up to a decently sized yard and a brick house that’s a touch bigger than ours. There’s nothing elaborate about it and it isn’t marbled with gold streaks or anything like that.