Page 118 of The Gods Order

“She’s not at Rose’s house. The girls are…at our house. Still enjoying their day.”

That sounds way more fun than this.

“Then that’s where I’ll be. Later, losers.”

My power wraps around me and drops me at our front door. I creep in silently, holding back the giggle threatening to explode. That tickle becomes impossible to swallow when gods-awful singing reaches my ears. I slap my palm over my mouth.

Oh my. They’ve definitely had a fun day.

Slowly, I backpedal out the door—straight into someone’s chest—and finally let the laughter rip free. I don’t know how long I fall apart, but long enough for everyone to scowl at me as I wipe tears from my eyes.

“What’s going on?” Kyzen asks.

“Oh, nothing. The girls are in fantastic moods and can’t wait to see everyone. They told me to come get you.”

“Even Mara?” Gladian asks.

“Yes, yes, of course. Her reservations are gone.”

V hoots and flies to my shoulder.

“What are you doing?”

“Oh, come on. Give me this. It’s going to be brilliant. Trust me.”

“Riven…” he warns.

I smile at everyone.

“Well, what are we waiting for?”

Thayla

14

The words to the song I don’t even know belt from my chest. Add in Yemi’s, Rose’s, and Mara’s voices and we have the windows rattling.

I’m not exactly sure whose idea it was to dance on the couches rather than the very flat floor where I have balance, but Yemi and I almost tumble off for the hundredth time as our hips bump into each other a little too hard. Our hands grip one another for safety and laughter tears through the chorus.

“Damn it, Thayla. You made me spill my drink.”

“Me?” I ask her, pointing at myself. “You crashed into me.”

“Neither of you needs any more drink. You’ve had”—a hiccup and giggle cuts through Mara’s comment—“too much anyway.”

Yemi, Rose, and I share smirks with one another.

Then launch the decorative couch pillows at her.

Her squeal echoes through the house and her already pinkened cheeks flame brighter as she throws her head back. She nearly falls off the back of the other couch but catches herself.

She does not save her drink.

“Oh no.” She pouts, holding the empty glass up to her eye and looking through it.

She really started pounding back glass after glass when I told her there was no getting out of meeting her Valtrue. She found a loophole, though, and I truly find it hilarious that she’s going to hide at Rose’s house.

I wouldn’t say the three of us encouraged her to drink her fear away, but we definitely haven’t stopped her either. I slowed my sipping down when my body grew all warm and fuzzy. I’ve been sitting in this very comfortable, happy place ever since.