Page 253 of The Gods Order

She negotiated when she’d leave, of course.

She wanted the day to pack for the kids, spend time with Ellian, and cook one last meal in her home. I couldn’t deny her that.

It took everything in me to keep a brave face when I said goodbye to Laney this morning. She was so excited about going on vacation for the first time. It tickled her when Lambrit and I admitted we’d never been on one, so she was doing something we hadn’t.

As she hugged me with that bright smile and all her excitement, my stomach cramped with fear that it’d be the last time I saw her. I shoved the thought away.

I nearly broke when she held my dad’s hand as he starshot them away.

After that, the day didn’t stop.

The Court filled with Defenders and Attendants squeezing in as much last-minute training as they could. The newly cleared land at the barrier became a sea of drills, formations, sharpened steel, and shouted orders. Every spare moment went to preparing someone, moving something, or solving a problem I didn’t know existed.

A lot goes into planning a war. It’s a damn strategy game I don’t know how to play, but thank fuck my men do.

They made sure everyone had a job.

Amick, Yemi, and Lambrit are in charge, keeping everyone on track. Rose is too damn sweet for any of this, but she refuses to sit it out. So she’s keeping everyone calm and focused.

Iric and Prath are assembling healers. Doren and Nero have been bringing in allies. Alamar and Evani arrived around lunch. Otiero will be here tomorrow. They’ll all contact the gods they trust to stand beside us.

Vullie and Riven are whipping up shit I honestly don’t want to know about. Havar is rounding up the Veilatara that can be freed. Creed, Kyzen, Sevryn, Mara, Gladian, Barir, my dad, Meridamus, and I are readying the army. Mara is also spending every spare moment working on her power.

According to Amick, I’ll need her to Elevate me once the war starts.

By midday, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had water. By afternoon, I wasn’t sure I’d stopped moving long enough to think straight. Strangely, I found comfort in staying busy. Comfort in knowing everyone around me chose to fight beside us. For the realm.

“We just got home. Why are we leaving?” Riven groans dramatically as he throws himself on the couch.

“We aren’t leaving. I am. I need to go speak with him,” I say, hands on my hips.

He faces me with an offended sneer. “You’re not going anywhere alone.”

“It’s literally Derivius’s temple. I’ll be fine. Some help here.”

Traitors.

Kyzen, Amick, and Creed all stare like I’ve lost my ever-loving mind.

“Can’t this wait until morning? He’s busy sweet-talking my egg donor into giving over her Binding like he’s supposed to be doing.”

That’s exactly what I need to speak to him about.

“No, this can’t wait,” I say, heading for the front door. “Also, I wasn’t asking for permission. I was letting you know I was going.”

A smirk crosses my mouth when four sets of footsteps stomp behind me. If they’d listened when I tried telling them I needed to see Derivius before we left the Court, we wouldn’t have had to come home just to turn back around.

The cooling night air greets me as I push through the door and take a deep breath. The sun had just set when we dismissed everyone from the Court. Now the sky is darkening, stars poking out.

I swear the sun rises and sets faster these days.

“You have something planned you aren’t sharing,” Amick says, falling into stride.

I chuckle at the small scowl on his brow.

“It’s not some crazy plan, but yes. I’ve decided to cleanse the Bindings tonight. Tomorrow’s a big day. I want all my power saved up and ready. So I’m talking to Derivius—alone—and then going to the hot spring. It’ll be good for all of us to soak our muscles anyway.”

“Now you’re talking,” Riven cuts in, slinging his arm over my shoulders. “Why didn’t you lead with the hot spring plan?”