A week has passed since the dreadful meeting with the God of Obliteration and every day since, Lambrit’s, Yemi’s, Rose’s, and Havar’s lists of questions continue to grow.
It’s made being able to communicate and plan effectively difficult, according to Amick. He announced yesterday he’d be telling them the truth so the nuisance of only giving half-truths and directions would be over.
My heart nearly fell out of my chest, and I slammed his office door shut before he literally could go out into the Athenaeum and retrieve them.
“There may be no need, but she obviously is. She’s fidgety and has been quick to anger for the last fifteen minutes.”
My glare cuts to Amick, who of course has no idea why I’m looking at him this way.
“You have no one to blame but yourself. You’re the one who demanded you have this conversation all on your own when you could’ve just let Amick do it yesterday and it’d be done.”
My vicious scowl moves to Riven.
“What the hell are you all playing at, ganging up on me like this? Yeah, I asked if I could do it on my own because I didn’t want to drop all this shit on my childhood best friend like it’s a normal conversation. It may be weirdly fucking normal for us but not him. Or the others.”
I huff and rub at my forehead as I attempt to get the unnecessary attitude under control.
“I don’t mean to be so snippy, but you all teasing and calling me out right now isn’t helping. Yes, I’m nervous.”
“Obviously,” Riven snorts, then screeches when I throw the closest thing to me at him. Which happened to be the wooden spoon I snatched out of Creed’s hand.
“I was using that.”
“Sorry.”
“Bad angel. You’re being rude to me for nothing. It’s not like Lam-man is going to cut you out of his life cause you drop some fucked-up shit on his lap.”
The room descends into a quietness that has my heart thundering in my ears. Even Riven has the nerve to sense that he just hit a little too close to home with his words and his mouth forms an O.
It takes everything in me not to haul ass to my room the longer they all stare at me and my rapidly rising chest.
Kyzen and Amick round the counter as one, cornering me against the icebox. My hands flex into fists as I try to get control, once again, of my breathing.
“Is that what’s really bothering you? Are you afraid Lambrit’s going to cut you out of his life after you tell him everything?”
Kyzen’s understanding question has me nodding once, even though I refuse to look at him.
“Is it all your truths you’re worried to tell him or ours as well?” Amick asks.
“Both. I think he’ll take mine harder, though.”
“He probably will, but it’ll be out of worry, not fear. I understand that you’re nervous right now, but I think you’re greatly undermining Lambrit and what he can handle. He’s an incredibly smart individual, with fierce love and devotion to you. It also wouldn’t surprise me if he’s already begun piecing some things together for himself.”
I release a heavy breath as the restraints around my chest lessen. “Have you been leaving him more hints?”
“Yes and no. Extra readings on the God of Obliteration here and there. The Abandon. I was attempting to get him more familiar with both topics so he wouldn’t come to you with questions you couldn’t answer.”
“Thank you, Candyman.”
I give him a grateful smile, and my eyes drift shut as he leans down and kisses my forehead. He’s been doing that more lately, as though he’s getting himself comfortable with physical touch as intimate as that.
The day he actually kisses me, I’ll probably pass out from being so worked up. Or pounce on him. Maybe both.
As soon as he retreats, Kyzen lays his lips to mine without a care in the realm that the other two are in the kitchen still. He, as well, has been showing more affection in front of all of them.
I swear part of me thinks he’s doing it to get a reaction out of Creed and Riven. Anytime either of them grunts, groans, or makes a sly comment, he smiles smugly.
“What can we help with right now?”