Page 350 of The Gods Order

“Just checking.”

His quiet laugh moves through the room as he takes a step back. I swallow back the pesky emotions trying to claw up my belly.

“You four—” He clears his throat and links his fingers behind his back as he looks at his feet. “I know I’m not really your father—”

“You are,” I immediately correct. “You’re the father who was there in the way it mattered.”

His gaze meets mine, then moves over the others.

“I am so very proud of the men that stand before me. You all have become more than I ever dreamed of being. I’m so happy and thankful that I get to be a part of this special day.”

Kyzen, the big softie, moves in and swallows him in a hug. Creed and Amick follow right behind. I rock back and forth on my feet as I clear my throat before my emotions betray me.

“Well, fuck me,” I say and everyone looks at me as I blink at the ceiling. “I said I wasn’t going to cry today. I refuse to give Creed that satisfaction.”

The corner of his mouth twitches and that helps fight back the stupid waterworks.

“You boys are most certainly going to shed a few tears when you see her.”

Great. Lovely. A whole crowd will get to see me blubber like a baby.

“Are you all ready to go?”

The four of us glance at one another and nod.

I’ve never been more ready.

Our powers wrap around us and carry us away to the hot spring.

Ellian stands at the edge, waiting to officiate with a brilliant smile on his face. The meadow in front of us is bustling with happy chatter from our entire weird little group. The many faces smile at us, but I can’t remove my eyes from the back of the path they’ve created.

Yemi stands back there, ready and waiting to pull open the curtain they’ve placed in the meadow.

My angel’s hiding behind that.

A long breath pours from my lips as the utter and absolute excitement that was thrumming through my blood slows to something far harder to manage.

I…

“I just had a very amusing thought,” Amick says, and my attention turns to him.

“That’s dangerous,” I say.

“Possibly.” He smirks.

“What was your thought, Amick?” Kyzen asks with a chuckle.

“Riven tried to trick Thayla into marrying him five years ago, and now, today, the day of our wedding, he’s more nervous than all of us.”

“Uh,” I gasp, holding my hand to my chest. “First of all, I’m not nervous. I’m ecstatic. Secondly, I didn’t try to trick her.”

“You most certainly did. Her power of Accord sent you flying across the road. What do you call that?” he asks.

“A creative proposal.” He shakes his head at me, still wearing that smirk. “I’ll have you all know, the truth is, her Accord didn’t send me flying because I was trying to trick her. She agreed to spend her life with me. Willingly.”

“Then why did her power push you away?” Creed asks.

I take another breath, staring at their three handsome matching faces.