Page 226 of The Gods Order

The smooth dark brown wood doesn’t creak or make a peep as my foot meets each landing one at a time. My fingers won’t stop trembling, even though I’m gripping the railing so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t groan.

I pause at the last step and stare down the short hallway. My walk to the single wooden door waiting at the end will be over before I know it.

One step. Two. Three.

Each stride is paired with a shuddering breath.

When I finally stand before the single barrier keeping me from seeing my mother, I hesitate. My finger traces over the beautiful carvings of the night sky chiseled into the grain.

For a fleeting second, I stare down at the pearly white circle scar on my palm. That’s what happened the last time I opened a mysterious door.

This door isn’t going to burn you.

You don’t even need a key to get in.

Just do it.

The dark bronze door handle is cold against my palm as I wrap my fingers around it. With one more breath and not another thought, I push the handle down.

Instead of the door swinging open, I fall through. My feet stumble as I get my balance, then my entire body freezes.

Stars. Stars everywhere.

I turn in a slow circle, scanning the night sky. My hand splays against where I swear the door just was only for my fingers to caress cool glass. A breathy, confused laugh leaves me as I continue to spin in a circle and walk forward at the same time.

No matter where my eyes land, all I see is stars and the moon.

It’s as though I’ve been starshot to the night sky.

The little laugh leaving me dies on my tongue and my twirling ceases in an instant. A being that nearly blends into the room since they’re dressed from head to toe in black, stands on a dais in the center of the room.

That can’t just be any being…

“Mom…” I whisper.

With slow, sure movements, she reaches up and undoes the headpiece she’s wearing. Long, unforgettable rose-gold hair spills out and flows to the floor. A rush of air shoves its way through my throat, and I take three frantic steps forward.

Only to slam to a stop once again.

Eyes as black as night peer at me when she turns around, and I backpedal. Her lids drift shut, and when they open once again, they’re the breathtaking blue I remember.

“What…”

I trail off, letting my gaze roam over her. This room. The stars.

Amick’s voice infiltrates my mind, and I’m suddenly thrown back into our room we shared in the carriage on our quest to find the first Binding.

“It was a large magnifying-glass-like dome that heightened the stars and brought them closer to the being so they could communicate easier with the Valories.”

“This. This is—oh gods.”

A gasping breath rips from my throat as my knees give out beneath me. I sink to the floor, laying my hand against my racing heart. My mother steps off the dais and slowly makes her way to me. She lowers herself right in front of me.

“Hey there, Thayla girl.”

“Mom…”

Tears instantly spring to my eyes and roll down my cheeks. There’s no hesitation in her as she reaches up and wipes them away.