Page 254 of The Gods Order

I probably should have.

“I agree it’d be good to cleanse our father’s Binding tonight since it’s in bad shape, but we don’t know if Derivius has Rella’s or not. Other than promising he’d have it in time, he’s been secretive about how he’ll acquire it,” Amick says.

Yeah…I’m aware.

“Why do you want to talk to him alone?” Kyzen asks.

A low laugh escapes me, rolling into a sigh.

“We’ve been off since that night in his temple, and it’s my doing. I need to clear the air.”

They don’t press, and I appreciate it. It’s not that I don’t want them to know what I’ll say to Derivius. I just want to do it alone.

“Let’s starshoot. I’m tired of being on my fucking feet,” Creed grunts.

“Grouchy, grouchy. You definitely need time relaxing in the water,” Riven teases, earning himself a fierce, adorable sneer.

“Yes, my sweetling, let’s starshoot,” I say, laughing as I wrap my power around me.

A couple seconds later, we pop up one after another in front of Derivius’s temple. My fingers flex at my sides as I try to ward off my sudden nerves.

“We’ll be right here, little goddess,” Kyzen says before laying a kiss to my forehead.

I nod a couple times and force my feet forward.

Light flickers across the floor from the torches, casting Derivius’s statue in a yellow glow. I twirl as I walk and admire my handiwork again.

I did do good, but he deserves more.

“Well, what a nice surprise, little troublling.”

I hold in my shriek as I whirl around. The teasing smirk on his lips has me rolling my eyes.

He looks tired.

“Have you been busy?” I ask.

“Always.” He laughs, forced. “To what do I owe this pleasure? I didn’t expect a surprise visit.”

For a breath, I just stare at him. My mind races over everything he’s done, everything he’s taken the blame for, every secret he’s kept to protect us.

He deserves better.

“It’s time to hand it over,” I whisper.

His humor fades and he tilts his head.

“Whatever do you mean?”

“Your Binding. It’s time to let it go, Derivius.”

His eyes flare for a second before he tosses his head back laughing and stands from his throne.

“You’re mistaken. You already have my Binding. I’m doing everything I can to procure Rella’s.”

My mind hums and a sad smile dusts my lips as I step closer. He keeps a straight face, but barely.

“We both know that isn’t true. That day you stole Sabe’s, it wasn’t yours you took to the nonmagical realm. It was Rella’s. You took what little piece of power you could back from the two women who hurt and held power over you.”