Page 4 of The Gods Order

Iric, of all people, had stolen the Goddess of Creation’s Binding from her home.

Three down. Four to go.

As I walked Yemi out, she gave me a well-deserved lecture about the consequences of putting up an emotional barrier.

And now I had to face it.

It was gut-wrenching. Every feeling I’d had about the guys over the last two days—worry, fear, love—crashed down on me. I destroyed my entire room, then rebuilt it while my men held me together through all of it.

I’ll never put another barrier up again.

We barely had time to breathe before devastation struck.

Kirabaddon attacked Oddian.

My men and I rushed there. I was terrified we wouldn’t reach Laney in time. What I found instead was heartbreaking.

I didn’t make it in time to save Lambrit’s parents. I held Mrs. Armend in my arms as she died. I promised I’d take care of Laney and Lambrit.

We found them in the arena.

Jeremiah held a sword to Laney’s throat. They had betrayed us—betrayed their Valtrue, the Godsdawn. Mellcom stated he couldn’t wait to break the tie he had with Gladian and the others and told Gladian he was a fool for not realizing he didn’t have a domain under his brother.

The comment stunned all of us.

Gladian and the God of Pain were siblings.

Mellcom tried to tell me that if I wanted Laney safe, I had to go with him back to the Abandon. Laney would come with us, and I’d take care of her there.

That’s not how it went.

My men moved as one and killed Jeremiah where he stood.

A dagger—my dagger—straight to the heart.

It happened fast. Too fast.

Mellcom and I charged each other, fighting and arguing in the middle of the arena we’d spent our lives training in. As we battled, I pieced together that he had the power of Manipulation. It made far too much sense.

Out of nowhere, Meridamus appeared. He stepped between us. The few words exchanged were clipped and furious, and before I could stop him, Mellcom starshot away.

I refused to speak to Meridamus after that.

I had something far more important to do.

Laney broke in my arms when I told her that her parents had gone to be with the Valories. All I could do was hold her through her heartbreak.

Then…I had to tell Lambrit.

The three of us cried together in Lambrit’s front yard as I apologized over and over. He told me I had nothing to be sorry for just as many times.

The rest of the night and the next day were an absolute whirlwind.

Some of the guys went back to Oddian to collect Laney’s things and bring Mr. and Mrs. Armend’s bodies home. The rest of us stayed with Lambrit. He threw himself into trying to understand everything and figure out what came next.

Laney had a breakdown when they returned with her things. Once she fell asleep, I had to take a breather outside.

Well…at the hot spring.