Page 119 of The Gods Order

My laugh silences as I catch a glimpse over Mara’s head, but my smile never falters. It grows. Riven’s mischievous eyes meet mine and he shakes his head as his thumb traces his bottom lip. Bodies pile in around him and my heart swells in my chest.

“You’re home,” I cheer, taking a step forward.

Completely forgetting I’m on a couch. My arms flail around, but there’s no shit to grab onto. Yemi has somehow stepped out of my range.

Before I can face-plant the floor, strong arms pluck me out of the air and situate me bridal style against his warm, chiseled chest.

“My hero.”

“Always, little goddess.” Kyzen chuckles as he lays a kiss to my forehead and sets me on my feet. “You look like you’ve had fun.”

“The best time. Girls’ day was a success.”

Yemi, Rose, and Mara hold their glasses up, cheering and hollering their agreement.

“Mara…”

That voice silences our mirth, and my gaze widens at the utter shock on Gladian’s face. A few choked chuckles still slip free when he takes an incredibly cautious step toward her.

“Oh my gods, you’re back too.”

Without a fucking care or warning, she launches herself over the back of the couch. He rushes forward and catches her before she splats against the floor. His big ass doesn’t know what to do when she tangles herself around him.

I die laughing. So does everyone else.

The rest of my men make their way to me, and my soul preens as they gaze at me with tender smiles.

Uh, gods. I love them so much.

“Did you all have a great boys’ day?” I ask.

It isn’t any of my men who answer.

“Fantastic fucking time. Let me tell you,” Sevryn grumbles as he takes a seat on the couch, promptly pulling Yemi into his lap.

She giggles to herself and burrows closer to his chest. Doren grins down at them like it’s the sweetest thing he’s ever seen.

“Uh…c-can you believe everything they had to tell us?” Mara slurs, squashing Gladian’s cheeks and forcing him to look at her. “I am not ready to fall in love with four men. You are so, so complicated all on your own. You get on my nerves so bad. I want to punch and kiss you. I can’t stand you.”

I slap my hand over my mouth to hide my gasp, while Yemi’s jaw drops open. Rose plops down on the couch and tugs the blanket she’d been using as a cape over her face to hide her silent laughter.

“I thought you weren’t planning on saying anything?” I ask.

“Shhh, Thayla. We aren’t saying anything,” Mara says, whipping her head toward me so fast, Gladian has to splay his hand across her back to hold her steady.

“You just said a whole bunch,” I say.

“I suppose I did.” She hums as she focuses back on Gladian. “I think I will kiss you now.”

Gladian’s gaze widens in pure, hilarious panic.

“No, nope,” he says frantically and turns his head. “Fuck, this was a bad idea. It’s time to get you home.”

“I’m not going home. I can’t meet my Valtrue.”

She covers her face with her hands and he sighs. My attention follows where he peers over his shoulder.

Uh-oh.