Page 295 of The Gods Order

“You manipulated people. Us. Every choice we got to make for ourselves was already aligned with your wants,” I say.

“We influenced outcomes.”

My eyes narrow.

“That’s the same thing.”

“Perhaps,” Consequence says. The lack of denial makes my anger flare. Before I can say anything, though, he continues. “We did not create your path. The Gods Binding did. We aligned it with our wants.”

A chill runs through me and my breath rushes from my lungs.

“The prophecy? My powers? My men’s? How everything unfolded the way it did. You’re saying the Gods Binding decided all that?”

“It is not that simple, nor will it ever be,” Accord says. I don’t need my powers right now to sense her deflection. It’s obvious. “The Binding has evolved. In the beginning, we could influence it. Shape powers, make decisions, but the stronger it grew, the more integrated it became with the realm. It answers to itself.”

My gaze flares.

“You can’t control it anymore.”

Their silence and the blank features on their faces tell me everything I need to know. A low laugh slips through my lips.

“You only know everything you do because of the piece of your power you gave to it. Through that connection, you see the paths and the plans it has for the realm. There’s not a damn thing any of you can do about it unless you decide to end the realm yourselves.”

For a moment, they say nothing. I say nothing. Then a much louder laugh escapes me before I can swallow it down. They literally created everything. Now they control nothing.

The hysteria spilling through my lips has me bending over and clutching my stomach. Tears stream down my face, and I wheeze for breath.

“You have to be kidding me.”

My hand wipes my face clean but breathless chuckles still fall from me.

“All this time…everything could’ve been avoided if you all would’ve just let the realm be. If you had let the very creation you gave yourselves a piece of, lead your other creations, the realm would’ve been thriving. You just couldn’t help yourselves, though. And it all started because two people fell in love.”

Another crazed laugh belts from my chest. It eventually tapers off as I stare at their unnerving and unwavering stare.

“So what happens now?” I ask.

The Valories glance at one another.

“You have a choice.”

My eyes lock on the Boundaries Valorie. This is the first time he’s spoken, and my throat closes for a fleeting second.

“I assume that choice involves either going up those stairs or returning to the realm.”

“Yes.”

My gaze drifts toward the staircase behind me.

“You all stopped me before I made that choice moments ago. So it’s easy to assume you want me to return to the realm. Why?”

“We want the realm to continue.”

I study all seven of them.

“That’s not an answer.”

“It is the only one that matters,” Consequence says.