Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance (Legacy #3)

11. Tessa

11

TESSA

“ Y ou are so much like her,” the male mused, sapphire eyes still watching her carefully. “Did you know she threatened to burn a realm to nothing for you?”

“How would I know that?” Tessa retorted, moving up to the glass. “And who is she?”

“Your mother.”

Tessa went so still, she forgot to breathe.

Her mother?

Her mother had threatened to burn a realm to nothing for her?

Then where was she?

“You know my mother?” she asked.

“I do.”

Tessa waited, but when he didn’t elaborate, she said, “Well, who is she?”

The male smiled, and it was so much like his son’s that she felt her stomach do that little flutter thing she hated so much.

“We made a bargain,” Tessa said. “You must tell me.”

“There were no timeframes specified,” the male said. “It was only stated that I must tell you truthful and accurate information.”

“I— You?—”

A scream of frustration left her.

“She is impulsive when lost to her fury as well,” he said knowingly.

Tessa slammed her palm to the glass, power skittering along the pane. “You and your son know how to manipulate us so we become reckless in our decisions.”

“That is likely true,” he said without concern. “We look for weakness to capitalize on. It is in our nature, both in what we are and in our bloodline.”

“You will not tell me what I wish to know?” Tessa demanded, power hissing under her fingers.

“I didn’t say that, but I will tell you in my own time.” As an afterthought, he added, “And some things I will only tell you when you no longer side with the Light King.”

“I will not go back to Theon,” she snapped.

“I never asked you to.”

“Then what do you want from me?” she said, and it was almost a cry.

Another person who wanted something from her.

But his answer was, “Nothing.”

She hadn’t realized her hand was in her hair until she paused, the strands wrapped around her fingers. “What do you mean nothing? You just told me you wanted me to not side with the Light King. Who is that? Rordan?”

“No.”

“Achaz then?” He said nothing, and Tessa placed her palms on the glass once more. “How did you come to be in this cell?”

“I was detained for information.”

“That you have refused to give. Glad to know it isn’t just me you withhold information from,” she drawled.

“But I withhold it for the same reasons,” he replied.

“Yes, yes,” she sighed. “Because we are loyal to Achaz.”

“Not at all,” he answered. “I made a vow to keep you safe, even at the cost of my own life.” When Tessa only blinked in surprise, he added, “It is not only my son I have endured torture for.”

She didn’t know what to say to that because why would someone who didn’t even know her be willing to suffer so greatly for her? Be imprisoned for years? Leave his own son?

“He thinks you are dead,” she blurted.

A sadness flickered on his features. “I assumed that was the story he was told.”

“The Arius— Valter said you brought me to this realm. Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“To hide you from Achaz.”

“In a world the gods could not go to,” she murmured, pacing before his cell, fingers dragging on the glass.

The male nodded slowly. “But like so many others have discovered, one does not need to physically be in a realm to deliver chaos.”

She stopped suddenly. “Everyone is always trying to protect me. They think they know what’s best for me. But no one ever asks me. They just shove me into the dark and lock me in?—”

“Tessalyn.”

Her name was somehow both a command and a soft reminder, and his voice was so similar to his that it stopped her spiral into the madness that was slowly eating away at her.

“She loses herself to the chaos at times too,” he said just loud enough for her to hear.

“You speak as if you love her,” Tessa said, startling when Roan brushed against her legs. Always beside her, comforting her, keeping her grounded.

“Not in the way Temural does, but she is endeared to me, yes,” he answered.

“Then don’t you think I should know your name?”

“Ask me the next time you find your way down here.”

Tessa rolled her eyes. “Or you could just?—”

People are looking for you, Tessa, came a growl down the bond.

What people?

Does it matter? They are accusing me of hiding you away, Luka retorted.

That’s not my problem.

Except that it was. Because she’d made the stupid bargain with the male in the cell that she would keep his son safe from harm.

So godsdamn reckless.

“I have to go fulfill my end of our deal,” she said, the male watching her with a look of intrigue.

At her words, he arched a brow. “You can sense him in trouble?”

“No. I mean, yes, but I—” Tessa pursed her lips, her hands clenching at her sides. “If you will not answer my questions, I see no need to answer yours.”

The male’s head tilted, a newfound interest she didn’t understand staring back at her. “An answer for an answer before you take your leave then.”

She barked a humorless laugh. “I will not be making another bargain with you.”

“No bargain,” he said, shifting against the wall. “A trade. An answer for an answer.”

“No.”

His brows shot up. “No? But all you’ve wanted since the first time you spoke to me is answers.”

“And you’ve either never provided them or tricked me into a deal.”

“I didn’t trick you?—”

“Yes, yes. He said the same thing,” she interjected, waving him off.

“You will not even hear my question?”

“No.”

“Then I propose this,” he said. “You ask your question first and get your answer. Then I will ask my question, and you can simply walk away if you do not wish to answer it.”

“Just walk away,” she repeated dryly.

“It’s not as if I could stop you.”

He had a point.

She stepped closer to his cell once more, debating her options. Her mother’s name? Where she was? Where her father was? How they got here? But the question that came from her lips was none of those things.

“If you brought me here, and you were supposed to be protecting me, how did I end up at the Celeste Estate, alone and abandoned?” she asked, her tone harsh and accusing.

The male clearly hadn’t been expecting that question. Not as he jerked back, then winced when the action caused some type of reaction inside the cell.

“I didn’t abandon you,” he replied.

“My time spent in dark places without food or companionship begs to differ,” she retorted. “But that is neither here nor there. You did not answer my question.”

“I did not know where you ended up,” he answered, and she had to believe him because the bargain required him to answer truthfully. “At that time, the Achaz and Arius Lords were still working together. An Augury attack was planned. I was brought here. Valter took my son, and you were… Well, from what I’ve gathered, you were lost among the chaos. Both Lords spent the next two decades searching for you.”

“That’s what you believe?”

“Based on the information they’ve tried to torture out of me over these last years, yes. That’s what I believe.”

“What is your question?” she asked coldly.

“My son is here with you? Separated from his Ward?”

Tessa blinked in surprise. “That is your question?”

The male only nodded, his eyes never leaving her.

“Yes,” she answered. “He said Theon sent him to me, but I do not know if I believe him.”

“Either way, there is only one instance that would allow him to put another before his Ward.”

“And what is that?”

The male tipped his head back, his eyes falling closed. She could swear a small smile played on his lips as he murmured more to himself than her, “She is going to hate this.”

“What, exactly, is this ?” Tessa snapped.

“I thought you had to go?”

She swallowed her scream of frustration before spinning on her heel and making her way back up the stairs, her wolves on her heels. She slipped through the door and into a deserted hall. There was truly nothing remarkable about the passage or the door. It was why she’d stumbled upon it by accident, but it was still odd to her there were no sentinels guarding this door. She could only assume it was warded, which was why she was able to pass without detection.

Nylah was in front of her as she often was, while Roan prowled at her side, always staying close. When the darker wolf paused, her ears perking up, Tessa paused too. Seconds later, Luka rounded the corner.

“Where have you been?” the dragon demanded.

She took her time looking him up and down. Which was a mistake because he was in black pants and a black button-down, both of which hugged muscles she didn’t want to be looking at. And why the fuck was this suddenly such an issue? She’d spent months with this male. Sure, she’d noticed he was attractive, but it hadn’t been like this, even once the three of them had been bonded. She hadn’t been constantly drawn to him. Theon had always been there, demanding her attention.

“Tessa?” Luka snapped. His hand grabbed her wrist, spinning her so her back was against the wall.

Then he went still as deep growls reverberated through the space. Nylah was a few feet away, her paws planted, head down, and the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. Her teeth were bared, but Roan was right next to them. His massive jaws were snapping, and he was already crouched, preparing to attack.

And Tessa smiled, something dark and serpentine. Her head tilted, waiting to see what Luka would do next. His eyes shifted to those vertical pupils, and he stared down Roan as he exhaled a stream of smoke. Tessa was kind of impressed.

Okay, she was more than kind of impressed as Luka held his ground against her wolves. It did things to her, and?—

Gods-fucking-dammit.

If Luka felt any of her inner turmoil, he didn’t let it show. His eyes were still on Roan, his muscles coiled tight as he gritted out, “Call them off, Tessa.”

“Let me go,” she sneered.

She felt him hesitate, his fingers flexing where they still held her wrist against the wall by her head. With another shuddering breath, he released her and took a step back. Roan immediately moved forward, putting himself between them.

“I didn’t mean to— You get lost in your head sometimes,” he finally said. “I was only trying to bring you back. That’s all I’m trying to do.”

“I don’t get lost to fury,” she said tightly.

Luka blinked, those vertical pupils studying her. “I didn’t say you did,” he said slowly, as if unsure if he should say anything at all.

“I can’t— I don’t— What do you want anyway?” she stammered, reaching for her hair. But when Luka tracked the movement, she buried her fingers in Roan’s coat instead.

“People are looking for you,” he said.

“Why?”

“I’m assuming they want to keep track of their unpredictably powerful possession.”

“Fuck off, Luka,” she spat, shoving past him and continuing on her way, but he easily caught up to her with his long strides.

“Come now, Tessa,” he said, a hint of mocking to his tone. “You can’t see this for what it is?”

“Theon viewed me as a possession. That’s not how it is here. No one fucking owns me here.”

Luka didn’t answer as they turned another corner, and she winced when she spotted Dex, Oralia, and Brecken at the other end of the hall. It was a wince Luka clearly felt down the bond because he looked down at her with a sardonic curl to his lips.

“No one owns you?” he said, a questioning arch to his brow before he put a few steps of space between them.

“I hate you so godsdamn much,” she muttered as the three Fae came towards them, a stern scowl already on Dex’s face.

“We’ve been looking for you,” Dex said before they’d even come to a stop. Then his attention shifted to Luka. “I thought you said you didn’t know where she was?”

“I found her two minutes ago,” Luka answered in his usual bored tone. “I told you she didn’t show up for training.”

“And yet we still find her with you,” Dex sneered.

“You’re welcome,” Luka replied.

Dex’s eyes narrowed, but Tessa said, “What do you want, Dex?”

“This bratty side of you is so becoming, Tessie. I think I like it,” Brecken said, dark eyes holding mischief.

“Shut up, Brecken,” Dex chided. “We don’t need anything, Tessa. We’re just a little more cautious with another kingdom’s advisor here for the foreseeable future.”

“If Rordan was that worried about it, he wouldn’t have let him stay,” Tessa countered.

“It seems there wasn’t much of a choice because of a bargain you made.”

She pursed her lips, knowing she couldn’t counter that without letting it be known Luka had lied about the training. Even without this bargain she’d made with the male in the cell, she wouldn’t have done it. She should. She should have told Rordan the moment she found out about the whole damn thing, but she’d wanted to talk to Luka first for some unknown reason. That had led to sleeping beside him, which had led to the lecture from Dex, and now here she was again.

“I don’t need protection from Luka,” was all she could think to say.

“Even if she did, protection follows her everywhere,” Luka added, looking pointedly at Roan, who was still at her side. Nylah was sitting a few feet away, watching everything.

“No one knows where the wolves came from,” Dex said, eyeing the beasts.

“It doesn’t matter,” Tessa said. “The point is there’s nothing to worry about.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Tessie,” Dex said. “I made the mistake of thinking there was nothing to worry about once. I won’t be making it again.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“My gods, Tessa,” Oralia chided. “We all know how the Emerging Ceremony turned out.”

“You still blame me for that?” Tessa asked incredulously.

“Of course not,” Dex cut in before Oralia could answer. “We just don’t want any more surprises, but it seems they are unavoidable with you. Anyway, we are being sent into Faven on some errands for Lord Jove. I thought you might like to join us. Get out of here for a while.”

“Yeah, sure,” she muttered, the bond already making her anxious at being separated from Luka.

Which is exactly why she didn’t look back as she followed the Fae and left him behind.

“Is your meal to your liking, Tessa?”

“What?” she asked, startled from her thoughts at Rordan’s question.

The Achaz Lord glanced at her plate, then back to her, smiling warmly. “You’ve scarcely touched your food, my dear.”

Tessa looked down at her plate where the finest cut of meat sat, with garlic potatoes, a vegetable medley, and two buttery rolls. It was the type of meal she’d never been provided when everyone had thought she was Fae, and she found herself wondering if Theon would have let her eat it even now. As it was, she’d only managed to push her food around on her plate amid the few bites of meat she’d taken, and it had everything to do with the male seated at the table with them.

“The meal is lovely,” she answered with a half-hearted smile, picking up her knife to cut another bite.

“I can have something else prepared if you prefer?”

She felt her eyes go wide at the mere idea of forcing a Fae to make her another meal. “That is not necessary,” she said quickly, scooping up a bite of potatoes. “I am merely tired from the day.”

“Did you not sleep well last night?” Rordan asked, holding Tessa’s stare, and gods, she knew then that he knew she’d spent the night in Luka’s bed. She felt her cheeks go hot, and she shouldn’t care because caring meant Luka was right. This Lord owned some part of her to make her feel like this.

“Are we still planning the trip to the Sirana Villas?” Dagian asked after the uncomfortable silence stretched on too long.

“Yes,” Rordan answered, taking a drink from his wine glass. “Desiray said she has some new information on that issue we’ve been having.”

“I assume there are new younglings to sign off on?” Dagian continued.

“There always are,” Rordan answered.

“How often do you go there?” Tessa interrupted.

Dagian dragged his gaze to hers as Rordan answered absent-mindedly, “Once a month.”

“I would like to go with you.”

The Lord didn’t even look up from his plate as he waved her off. “It is a routine visit. Nothing exciting.”

“Nevertheless, I would enjoy visiting a place that I’ve never seen before.”

Rordan did pause this time, setting his silverware aside. He folded his hands, resting his chin atop them as he studied her. She did her best not to fidget, all the years of Mother Cordelia forcing her to sit for hours coming into play.

“There is nothing of interest in the Sirana Villas,” the Achaz Lord finally said. “I fear you will find yourself incredibly bored, and your time may be better spent in training to fulfill your bargain.”

Her eyes darted to Luka, who was feigning his usual boredom, but she knew he was cataloging this entire exchange. It would be one more thing for him to taunt her with. Tell her how this was just another cage, and how they only want to control her.

Those thoughts alone had her turning back to Rordan and saying, “I am sure a day or two without training will be fine.”

“Well, then,” Rordan said, picking his flatware back up. “I will let Desiray know to expect additional visitors for this visit.”

“You can’t be serious, Father,” Dagian cut in with dismay.

“If Tessalyn wishes to go, who are we to stop her?”

“You are the Achaz Lord,” he fumed.

“And you are the Achaz Heir ,” the Lord replied pointedly. “If you wish her not to go, you stop her, but we both know that’s not possible based on recent performance in the training arenas.”

Tessa watched as Dagian swallowed his retort. Valter would have physically tortured his son for not being the most powerful in a room. Rordan, it seemed, found other ways to torture his offspring.

A tense quiet settled over the dining room, the two Sources dutifully eating their food. Dagian’s mother was rarely around. In fact, she’d only been present at their meals twice. Rordan said she preferred to take her meals in private. Dex and the others weren’t at the table since they were Fae. They were, however, standing along the wall, while Luka sat across the table next to Dagian.

Tessa wasn’t sure why Luka was dining with them in the first place. Not until Rordan spoke again, breaking the awkward silence.

“So, Luka,” he said, taking a drink of his wine. “Is Theon going to be able to take time out of his busy schedule to attend the Sirana Gala?”

Tessa’s fork was halfway to her mouth, and she stilled. She’d completely forgotten about the Gala.

The Gala was held at the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. It was just another grand affair for the Legacy, although they claimed it was to honor Sirana, the goddess of love and fertility. It never made any sense to her if the gods didn’t care about this world, but it was an event she’d always looked forward to anyway. Not because Fae were allowed to attend, but because the Estates were often left to their own for a few nights. It was easier to sneak away, and she knew there wouldn’t be any unexpected lessons.

Well, except for that one year Mother Cordelia went to the Sirana Gala and left her in that cupboard for those days, but still.

Luka finished chewing his bite of bread before he answered, but his eyes were pinned on Tessa. “I don’t know what his plans are or if he will be able to attend.”

Rordan made a sound of disapproval. “As his advisor, I would strongly suggest advising him that it would be wise to attend.”

“I will take that under advisement,” Luka said dryly, and Tessa had to stifle her snicker at the retort.

Rordan’s eyes narrowed, and he pushed his empty plate to the side. “Continually shirking his duties is not a wise start for someone who has not officially been given his seat yet.”

“With all due respect, he is tending to his people. His people are his duty. Or are you suggesting his priorities should lie elsewhere?”

“Do not get smart with me, Mors,” Rordan said, his voice going low as light sparked at his fingertips. “How can we present a unified front if one kingdom refuses to be part of it?”

Tessa’s head canted to the side as she studied his magic. She hadn’t realized the subtle differences from her own. Her power sparked into something like lightning, chaotic and unpredictable. His light coiled and arched, the sparks like gold-flecked mist.

“Let’s speak plainly, my Lord,” Luka replied, sitting back in his chair, a hand resting on the table. “The unity you speak of is hanging on by a thread.”

“And it will not get any better if he refuses to attend meetings and events,” Rordan snapped, his light flaring. The Sources flinched back, but none of the Legacy did.

“I will be sure to pass along your concerns,” Luka said, picking up his glass of wine and draining the last of it.

Rordan appeared to have regained some of his composure as he held out his glass to be refilled, a Fae immediately appearing with the wine bottle. “All of these young heirs are so eager to uproot their parents and take their seats, yet they have no godsdamn idea what they’re doing. They think they are ready to rule. Have it all figured out and know how to do it better.”

Tessa watched as Dagian scowled down at his plate, scraping vegetables into a pile.

“Yet when it comes to making the necessary sacrifices?” Rordan went on, sitting back so his dessert could be placed in front of him. “None of them are ready for that , are they? When sacrifice demands? Then we will see who is ready to have those thrones and make the hard decisions. Then they will understand the cost of the power they so desperately seek.”

No one else spoke for the rest of the meal.