Page 109 of The Gods Order

I shush him.

“Keep your voice down. They don’t know I told you everything. We just clued Gladian and Mara in today.”

“Mara?”

“Right. Your Binder. I don’t care much for her, but she isn’t the worst goddess. Vicious thing. Knows how to handle a sword. My angel is starting to like her, so I guess I have to put up with her.”

Unfortunately. Personally, I have much better taste in friends.

He blinks, but his gaze goes distant. I groan and stomp over to him. His feet drag as I spin his chair to face me and squash his cheeks between my hands.

“Look, Vullie. I get it. This is big, scary, shocking news, but we don’t have time for you to process it. If you’re running, get your shit together and go. I’ll buy you time.”

“I…no,” he says.

I release him, tilting my head.

“No? No what?”

“I’m not running.” He jumps up, laughing. “Think about it, Riven. With Harriseen gone and Ellian as High Chancellor, you were already dropping hints that I was alive. Now I’m in a Valtrue with the God of Strength, who has good standing in the Godsdawn. I…maybe…”

My shoulders slump as his eyes dart from side to side, trying to keep up with his own thoughts.

“Maybe you can reenter society,” I finish.

“Yeah.”

Harmony swirls beneath my skin. I mentally huff.

“If that’s really what you want…but, Vullie”—I lower my head before meeting his hopeful stare—“I mean this with no offense, old friend, but you didn’t handle society’s rejection well last time. If—once—you commit to a Valtrue, there’s no turning back. No hiding in a chime tower.”

“Last time was different. Last time—” He cuts himself off, taking a deep breath. “Last time Harriseen marked me as a madman. I am not mad.”

“I know,” I say softly. “I’ve always known.”

His chest rises and falls, and the longer I hold his gaze, the more he steadies.

He’s not mad. He’s just…different.

His mind works in mysterious, fascinating ways.

“So,” I say, clapping my hands, “is that your decision? You want to meet your Valtrue?”

Air whooshes out of him and he slumps. That’s his answer.

“Well, come on then. We’ve got a busy day ahead.”

I spin toward the door and nearly rip the handle off trying to open it. He rushes over and unlocks the ridiculous number of deadbolts.

Those locks have always confused me.

He has vials in here that could keep someone out better than any of those things.

I take the stairs two at a time, glancing back every few seconds to see if he’s changed his mind. He hasn’t. He’s twisting his fingers together, though.

“Remember, Vullie—don’t mention anything I wasn’t supposed to tell you. No Gods Binding, no Valories, no Beginning God manipulation, no pathetic prophecies. Got it?”

“Right. Got it.”