Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance (Legacy #3)

31. Tessa

31

TESSA

“ B y the gods, Dex. I’m going to bathe. You’re not following me into the bathroom,” Tessa snapped when he trailed her into her rooms.

After she’d lied about napping and instead gone to see Eviana a few days ago, Dex rarely let her out of his sight. She hadn’t been able to go to Luka’s room to sleep, let alone sneak off anywhere else. Rordan hadn’t been lying when he’d said Dex was to watch over her, but that was supposed to be whenever they left the palace. Not inside of it. This was no different from when Theon wouldn’t leave her be, but at least Theon came with orgasms.

Wait. No. She was not going to sit here and think about how being at Arius House with him was better than this .

“Then I’ll get Oralia,” Dex argued. “She can sit in there with you.”

“What do you think I’m going to do in the bath, Dexter? You won’t let me go find a mortal, so I have to take care of things myself,” she spat.

“Tessa, the last time you said you were going off to fuck someone, you killed two Legacy. Then you went back a few days later and desecrated the Villas.”

“There is no proof of any of that,” she groused.

“Proof or not, this is your own fault. You created this mess, and once again, I’m cleaning it up.”

Her power slammed into him, sending him flying across the room and into the wall. Sliding down the wall, he cursed, rubbing the back of his head. Tessa stalked forward, and he tipped his head back to look up at her.

“I didn’t ask you to clean up anything,” she said, her voice too calm. “You took that role on yourself. You always have because for some reason you took it upon yourself to make me your responsibility.” She tipped her head to the side, holding his dark stare. “But that’s not true either, is it?”

“What are you talking about, Tessa?” he sighed, his arm dropping to his side. “I know you suffered a lot in the Arius Kingdom, but did he really drive us this far apart? You think I’ve been working against you?”

She huffed a humorless laugh. A part of her had hoped his wings would appear with that small attack, or perhaps some hint of the power he’d stolen. He hadn’t even used his supposed air magic to catch himself. That was something he was supposed to be proficient at by now.

“ You did this to us, Dexter,” she hissed, pointing a finger at him. “You did this to us every time you spoke down to me and made me feel like an uncontrollable mess. You did this to us when you held me down under the guise of ‘fixing my mess’ instead of letting me stand back up. You continue to do this to us with every lie that spills from your lips and secret you keep from me.”

His dark eyes were wide at her outburst, but now they filled with ire. “What lies have I told you, Tessa?” he demanded, getting to his feet so quickly, she stumbled back a few steps.

“What lies haven’t you told?” she countered.

“Everything I have done is to keep you safe and coddled,” he sneered. “Everything I have done is to prepare you to be what you were always meant to be.”

“By keeping everything from me!” she cried. “By letting me think I was worthless and unwanted. By letting me believe I was a mess and everything I did was wrong. Even now, you sit here and berate me, tell me how you have to fix things for me yet again.”

“Because I do!” he bellowed. “I’ve been fixing your shit long before you even knew who I was.”

And there it was.

The slip-up she’d been waiting for, and he knew it too.

Her smile was pure hatred as she looked up at him. “Tell me again about how you haven’t been lying to me,” she said in a tone too soft and lethal.

“To protect you,” he snarled.

She barked another joyless laugh. “Now you sound just like Theon, only he never pretended he was anything other than what he is.”

Light flared, a portal appearing behind her.

“Tessa, you can’t leave without me,” Dex said, lurching forward, but her power slammed into him again. He hit the wall harder this time, frames rattling with the impact. “The Achaz Lord?—”

“Is not my master,” she sneered, stepping backwards through the portal.

She turned, taking in the gardens behind Arius House. She was just down the path from the stables and the kennels, and all she wanted to do right now was to sit with Roan. Her shields were in place, blocking the bond so Luka and Theon wouldn’t know where she was unless they used the Tracking Mark.

Still in her training clothes, they stuck to her with the chill air. For once, she was wearing boots as she made her way down the path. She’d take them off once she found Roan.

Rounding the corner that would take her into the kennels, she went utterly still. Beyond the kennels was an open field that led up into the mountains. She knew that field. She’d run through it the day she’d tried to run from Theon what felt like a lifetime ago. But Theon stood there, two of his hounds prancing around him, while Roan sat off to the side watching. Her wolf turned to her, but she shook her head as she darted behind a nearby tree. Keeping out of sight, she crept closer, unsure what she would do if either of the hounds spotted her, but they seemed to be busy with their master.

Finally reaching the kennels, she edged along the building until she could peer around the corner. Not only could she see better from here, but she could hear what Theon was saying too.

“Let Rigel get this one, Kacela,” he was chiding.

Tessa expected him to throw a ball or stick, and he did. Sort of. His darkness converged, an inky orb in the air by his shoulder, and then a ball shot out of the magic, sailing off into the distance. Rigel yipped excitedly as he took off, Kacela giving a disgruntled whine from where she sat beside Theon.

He crouched beside her, scratching behind her ears.

“We all know you’re the best,” he consoled. “Let’s just give him this one, yeah?”

She whined again, leaning into his hand before she leapt, knocking him onto his ass. Theon landed with an oomph and a muttered curse, and Tessa swallowed her laugh before it could give her away. The hound’s front paws were on his chest, her tail wagging as he used his magic to tease her. Wisps of black playfully tugged on her tail, her belly, her ear. She yipped, snapping at the magic, and Theon… laughed while he played with her. It was another minute before Rigel reappeared with the ball, dropping it at his feet. Kacela sat back, allowing Theon to sit up and praise the other hound for retrieving the ball. He didn’t get up though. He sat there with his knees bent, elbows resting atop them as he stared out across the field. What was he doing?

Kacela drew closer, nudging at his elbow before she tucked her head under his arm and sat beside him. A steadfast companion. The same way her wolves were with her. Tessa watched while the two sat, Rigel lying at his side. A soft whine came from Kacela, and Theon sighed.

“I don’t know when we’ll get to hunt again,” he said, as if the hound had spoken to him. “You could track down Axel, but he made his choice. I can only protect him for so long, even if it feels wrong to let him do this.”

Had he spoken to Axel? Seen him? Tessa had given him information, but had he acted on it? Luka hadn’t said anything to her, but then again, why would he?

Kacela gave another low whimper, and Theon huffed a bitter laugh. “I’m out of time for everything these days. Too many new responsibilities and worries. Even hardly sleeping, I don’t have enough time in the day. I’m out of time to help Axel. I’m out of time to help my kingdom. I’m out of time with her.”

Sighing again, he patted the hound’s head before he pushed to his feet, swiping up the ball as he went. He made his way to where Roan was lying down now, and the wolf raised his head at his approach.

“What do you say, Roan?” Theon asked, tossing the ball in the air a few times. “You going to try today?”

The wolf stared back at him, glowing eyes unblinking.

“I’d love to give her news other than the same old, same old,” Theon added. “You don’t even have to run. Just walk and get it.”

Roan’s eyes flicked to where Tessa was lurking, then back to Theon before the wolf stiffly got to his feet. Tears welled in her eyes as the wolf limped forward, moving slowly.

“That a boy,” Theon praised softly. He looked at the ball, but then a swirl of darkness had it disappearing. “You know what? Let’s just walk a little, yeah?”

Roan huffed a sound, and Theon reached out as though he was going to pet him but then thought better of it, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket. He looked so different out here with the hounds. He was in jeans, something he never wore. His boots crunched on the frozen grass while they walked, Kacela and Rigel trotting over to join them where they made their way across the empty field. Theon kicked large rocks and sticks out of Roan’s way as they approached, and Tessa felt her chest doing something it definitely should not be doing.

He didn’t need to be out here in the cold looking after her wolf. He didn’t need to be tending to him himself. There were people he paid to do that, yet here he was. Taking time he was just telling Kacela he didn’t have to walk with her wolf.

“She’s going to be proud of you, you know,” Theon said to Roan as they continued their slow path. “She’ll get that smile on her face that she never lets anyone see. It’ll be a real one. She doesn’t do it often, so you better burn it into your memory when you see her again. It’s the most beautiful thing you’ll ever see, and I hope I’m there to witness it. Selfish, I know.”

Tessa swallowed thickly, reaching up to swipe her fingertips under her eyes as she stepped back. Moving as fast as she dared, she went back the way she came until she was far enough away that the light from her portal wouldn’t give her away, but she needed to leave because she was feeling too many things.

Stepping back into her room, she gasped as emotions assaulted her, and she didn’t know what to do with them. She’d never had to deal with them. Never wanted to. This is when she found alcohol with the others or sneaked out to find a mortal to occupy her. This is when she shut down, shoved everything down so deep she was nothing. Just an empty shell. It hurt less than feeling, and all she’d ever wanted was to not fucking hurt all the godsdamn time.

Dex was gone, thank… Not the gods, because fuck them. The Fates? No! Fuck them too and their fucking purpose for her. Fuck sacrifices and demands. Fuck beginnings and endings, and fuck all these godsdamn fucking feelings!

Her hands were in her hair, tugging on the ends. Anything to keep her grounded, but there was nothing but fury and confusion, madness and desperation.

Tessa? Tessa, what is going on? Luka demanded down the bond.

At the same time, Theon’s voice sounded. Little storm? Tell us what to do.

Tell them what to do? As if they were hers to command. No. That was another trick. Another choice of pretty words to calm her, tame her.

She needed…to breathe, but she couldn’t get air down.

Luka, go to her now! Theon ordered.

She needs to feel these things, Theon, Luka argued. If she doesn’t want ? —

She doesn’t need to feel them alone, Theon cut in. And I can’t go there. Luka, now!

Then he was there, standing before her, and Tessa glared at him. “I don’t want you here just because he told you to come.”

He was staying back, glowing sapphire eyes watching her. “Tell me what happened, Tessa.”

“No,” she snapped, the light around her wrists spiraling out from her. Reaching for him yet recoiling at the same time. “Just go, Luka.”

Tell him what you need, Tessa, came Theon’s command down the bond, and gods, that was what she needed right now. Someone to tell her what to do so she didn’t have to think. Didn’t have to feel. But Luka wouldn’t do that. He’d told her if that was what she needed to go to Theon, and she couldn’t do that either. She was stuck. Trapped. Only this wasn’t a cage someone else had put her in. It was one of her own making.

“Tessa, just take a breath,” Luka coaxed. “Just one. That’s all you need to do right now.”

One breath.

She could do that.

Until the door flew open and Dex stormed in.

“What the fuck are you doing in here?” he sneered at Luka.

“She asked me to come,” he answered, and that was a lie, but she didn’t care. Of the two of them, there was only one she didn’t want to see right now.

“What are you doing in here?” she demanded of Dex, her power switching paths. It had been tentatively reaching for Luka. Now it was snapping out at Dex, making him lurch back.

“By the gods, Tessa. Haven’t we had enough dramatics today? I brought you tea from Elowyn,” Dex said, his displeasure with all of this clear.

“Tea?” Luka repeated. “It’s midday.”

But Tessa didn’t care. That tea made her tired. Let her sleep. And in sleep she didn’t have to feel.

She lurched forward, taking the tea from his hand and taking a healthy sip. It burned her tongue and throat on the way down, but she didn’t notice as she took another gulp.

“Tessa, stop!” Luka said, trying to take the cup from her, but she was already tipping it up and draining the entire thing.

Then her world was spinning.

The cup slipped from her hand, the porcelain shattering as it hit the ground. She stumbled, tiny shards cutting up the bottom of her feet. She didn’t feel them as she started to drop to her knees. Large hands caught her, scooping her up and holding her against a broad chest.

“What did you give her?” Luka snarled.

“She didn’t give me a chance to say that Elowyn increased the ingredients,” Dex said. “She drank it too fast.”

“What is it going to do to her?”

“She’ll just sleep. Deeply,” Dex said, sounding unconcerned. “She’ll be fine.”

“She is anything but fine,” Luka retorted. “Get out.”

“You can’t kick me out,” Dex said, and Tessa watched him straighten to his full height. “I was assigned to watch her. You get out.”

“I am not going anywhere.”

The words were laced with a deep growl she felt rumble in his chest. Looking up, there was a trace of smoke, and she tried to push away from him.

“Just put me down. I’ll be fine,” she murmured.

“I am not going anywhere,” Luka repeated, carrying her to the bed. He held her while he toed off his shoes before he gently laid her atop the blankets. She started to protest when he climbed onto the bed beside her until Theon’s voice echoed in her mind.

Let him take care of you, Tessa. For once, just let someone care for you.

Do you wish it was you instead of him? she asked, sleep clawing at her and dragging her down.

Desperately.

Then there was nothing but blessed darkness.

And she loved it there.

The dead lay all around her, the rain turning to a faint sprinkle as the storm slowed.

“This way, Tessalyn.”

She turned, finding Rordan gesturing for her to follow him into the Pantheon. Hesitant, she took a step, her bare feet squelching on a mixture of rain, mud, and blood. When she slipped and nearly fell, a hand caught her elbow. She looked up to find Dagian there, his features passive as always. Sasha was at his side, her face ashen as she dutifully followed her master.

Rordan led them down passages, and Tessa realized where he was taking them. To the center of the Pantheon where there was a mirror. The same mirror where she’d once spoken to Achaz. When they filed into the chamber, she paused, finding Dex, Oralia, and Brecken already there. All of them with feathered wings arching over their shoulders, the colors varying. They stood with their hands clasped behind their backs, as if they were warriors waiting for their commander. Several of her Hunters drifted around the chamber as well, an excited buzzing filling the air.

“Come here, Tessalyn,” Rordan said, motioning her closer.

When she didn’t immediately move, Dagian tugged on her arm. She tripped over her own feet this time, catching her balance as she came to a stop beside Rordan.

“Call him,” the Achaz Lord instructed.

Her brows knit together. “Call who?”

“You know who,” he said. “You did well. You fulfilled your purpose here. Not a drop of Arius blood still breathes in this realm.”

“I still breathe,” she argued.

He waved her off. “You are the exception, and now that they are gone, he can come here.”

She was even more confused now. “He can’t come here. The gods cannot come here.”

“There is no one to stop him anymore. Call him, Tessalyn,” Rordan ordered again.

When she still didn’t move, one of her Hunters glided forward, extending a hand. “Allow me, my grace.”

She lifted a hand, and in a flash, a dagger was slashed across her palm. The Hunter tugged her forward as she dug in her heels.

“No! Wait!” she cried. This wasn’t right. Something felt wrong.

“This is your purpose, child,” Rordan chastised. “Everything has been leading up to this moment.”

The Hunter forced her bloody palm to the Achaz symbol, but as he released her, she slid her hand down. Blood covered more than one symbol, and the Hunter hissed in dismay.

“You call more than the Light King,” the Hunter breathed. “He will be unhappy.”

The mirror was swirling with darkness and light, fire and shadows. It took a minute, but then Achaz was there. Golden eyes peered down at her, a chilling smile curling on his lips.

“Well done, granddaughter,” he praised, his deep voice washing over her. His eyes left her, fixing on something over her shoulder. “They are all dead?”

“Only she remains,” a Hunter answered.

Looking behind her, she found everyone in the room was on a knee. The same way the Fae had to kneel in the presence of a Legacy.

“And only she can let me in,” Achaz answered, drawing her gaze back to the mirror. “Captain, proceed.”

She didn’t see who shoved her forward. She tried. Gods, did she try to twist around and see, but one hand held her firmly by the back of neck, shoving her towards the mirror, while the other was gripping her wrist, forcing her hand to the mirror.

“No!” she screamed, her power flaring, but little happened. She tried again. Where were Roan and Nylah? Why was her power so weak if they’d just killed hundreds? It should be fully replenished. She should be at her strongest.

She kicked out when they got close enough, planting her feet on the glass and pushing back, but it was no use. With a grunt of effort, her still bloody palm landed on the glass. Directly atop the reflection of Achaz’s bleeding hand.

Sparks of gold and silver skittered across the smooth surface, and Achaz’s smile grew. “I am told you nearly failed in your purpose,” he said, pacing back and forth as the mirror continued to crack. “I am told you nearly chose a bond that would have—” His head snapped up, eyes going wide. “What are you doing here?”

Tessa didn’t know who he was speaking to, his attention diverted to someone in the room with him on the other side of the mirror.

“Who released you?” he demanded.

A melodic laughter that was tinged with madness echoed into the chamber. The Hunters all hissed in unison, and she heard Oralia’s high-pitched voice say, “She will ruin everything!”

“I was summoned,” a female said, and Tessa strained, as if she could see further into his side of the mirror if she only had the right angle.

“That shouldn’t matter,” Achaz spat.

“Ah, but it does,” she said, a shadow falling across Achaz’s features when she crept closer. “Because all magic comes with a cost, including unlocking a realm. It’s all about balance, right, Father?”

Father?

Tessa scrambled forward, both her hands feeling along the glass that continued to crack beneath her fingers. She knew. She knew in her soul that was her mother. Right there. Just out of sight, out of reach.

“He does not want you to know of this yet,” a female voice hissed into her ear, and then Tessa was being yanked away from the mirror, away from the chamber, and out of the dream all together.