Page 315 of The Gods Order

“I, Thayla Godrun, God of Order, strip you—Calista, Goddess of Creation; Rellannaver, Goddess of Accord; Sumadirem, God of Consequence; Derivius, God of Chaos; and Valthaneus, God of Boundaries—of your Valories-blessed title of Beginning Gods. May the Gods Binding measure your worth.”

The final word leaves my lips.

The realm answers instantly.

Every breath around me catches as brilliant white light erupts around the five remaining Beginning Gods.

“No,” Calista breathes.

Her whisper becomes a scream as their wings burst from their backs all at once. Five magnificent sets—gold, burgundy, bronze, blue, and white—stretch toward the sky.

Then…the feathers begin to crumble. Flecks drift into the air. More follow. Then more. Until entire feathers disintegrate before our eyes.

“My power!” Calista shrieks, clawing at her chest. “No! No!”

Rellannaver’s horrified cry joins hers as the glow around her fades.

“My Accord…” she whispers, staring at her trembling hands. “It can’t be…”

Meridamus doubles over again, but this time the pain eases almost as quickly as it comes. His breathing steadies. The overwhelming pressure that always surrounds him fades into something normal. There’s still an amber glow in his eyes, and a shudder escapes me.

Derivius slowly straightens, patting himself down. A slow smirk dances across his lips as his blue eye swirls, and a rush of air leaves my lungs.

My father reaches behind his back. His fingertips brush empty air where his wings had been moments ago.

He smiles, small and proud.

“It seems—” He cuts his eyes toward Rella’s and Calista’s weeping and waves his hand. Relief pours through me when the sound disappears. “Our reign has come to an end.”

The last fragments of their wings dissolve into the wind, and utter silence follows.

Everyone…stares. Waits.

My vision blurs beneath fresh tears as Meridamus, Derivius, and my dad rise to their feet. A choked sob mixed with a laugh escapes me.

“You still have your powers.”

My dad takes a few unsteady steps, rolling his shoulders as he opens his arms.

“They aren’t what they were, but they’re more than enough.”

I crash into his chest, and my tears come harder when Derivius and Meridamus join him. Four throats clear close to us, and a snort escapes me when I catch the glares on my men’s faces.

“If you all wouldn’t mind, we’d like to check on our wife,” Riven says, sneering.

My father grumbles but steps aside. They immediately surround me.

“What was that?” Amick asks, tilting my face up.

“I have so much to explain, but that—”

“Come to me, God of Order. Bring your Starwoven.”

I stagger into Amick’s chest.

My breaths fall heavy and uneven as my eyes scan how my men have gone still.

“Did…you hear that?” I ask.