Rain of Shadows and Endings — Chapter no 35

35

TESSA

“W ho are they?” she asked, her fingertips still tingling with the crackling light. “Night Children?”

“Gods, no,” Axel barked. “While plenty of Night Children are decent enough to work with, they could never be entrusted to rule over entire lands.”

“Then who?”

“There are plenty of Legacy there from the various kingdoms,” Theon supplied.

“They were sent there because they were a threat to Devram,” Tessa said incredulously.

“A threat to Devram? Or to the ruling Lords and Ladies?” Theon countered.

“Does it matter? The ruling families have ruled since the world was created. The ruling families were selected by the gods themselves.”

A dark look crossed Theon’s face. “So much history gets lost when a select few choose what gets to be remembered.”

Her focus dropped to her hands again. Her palms glowed as though she was holding sunlight in her palms. It reminded her of Theon’s shadows, the way it moved and swirled, only bright and full of life rather than dark and full of death. But the light crackling at her fingertips?

Her gaze connected with Theon’s when she raised her palms, and all three of the males

took a step back from her.

“What is this?” she demanded.

The three of them exchanged looks, Luka sliding closer to Theon, before Theon

answered, “We don’t know.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“That’s fine. It won’t change my answer.”

“How do I make it stop?”

“You let me help you.”

“I don’t want your help,” she gritted out.

“And yet you need it.”

She curled her fingers in, fists clenching. “Why is it manifesting now? When I haven’t

been through the Emerging Ceremony?”

“I don’t know,” Theon said.

“You don’t know,” she repeated flatly. When he only shook his head, she said coldly, “Give me your best guess. I am told you are full of theories.”

“My best guess is that you are so powerful it is breaking through the binding on your power,” Theon answered. “But that is only a theory.”

“What binding?

“I will not explain that until your power is under control. You have to let me help you, Tessa,” Theon insisted.

“Either that or I restrain you until it dies out,” Luka added.

“How can you—” Tessa started.

“I thought we agreed Luka and I were handling her for a while,” Axel cut in.

“Handling me?” Tessa repeated, the power in her palms flaring brighter.

“Axel, shut up,” Theon snapped. “Don’t you have shit to do?”

Axel gave him a mocking smile. “Sure do, my Lord.”

“Axel—”

But he was already leaving, the door banging shut behind him.

Theon exhaled a long breath, trying to brush past Luka and approach her, but Luka gripped his arm. “There is a reason we agreed to Axel and I handling this right now.”

“She can’t be walking around like that, Luka,” Theon said, darkness wreathing his hands as he tried to jerk his arm free. “It’s going to be bad enough after the Emerging Ceremony.”

“And we’re preparing for that, but I can’t let you near her right now. You know what almost happened in Rockmoor when she threw you across that parking lot. We are in a small space. I will shift if she loses control. Do you want that?”

Tessa watched as Theon swiped a hand down his face, the tiredness she’d glimpsed earlier already returning.

“What happened in Rockmoor?” she asked, trying to ignore the lightning sparking at her fingertips.

“I almost shifted and attacked you. I was seconds away from seriously injuring, if not killing, you, Tessa,” Luka snapped.

“Fae aren’t easy to kill. Just like Legacy aren’t.”

“Few things can counter dragon fire, and nothing in Devram can withstand it.”

“Oh,” was all she could think to say, her eyes falling back to her hands.

“Our magic mirrors our emotions, Tessa,” Theon cut in. “Your magic has its own personality. It will try to control you unless you control it. These are things you learn in your element lessons after your element emerges, but—” He sighed again. “You may need a

private instructor for that as well.”

“Like who?” she asked.

“We’re still working on that. For now, you need to focus on your training with Luka, and work on keeping yourself under control.”

“Because that’s worked so well in the past,” she murmured.

“Why were you by the river last night?” Luka suddenly asked, and the light in her

palms flared.

“Luka!” Theon snapped.

“We need to know. What’s the point in calming her down if she’s just going to get like this again when we discuss it?”

Theon rubbed at the back of his neck. “Fine.” His eyes came back to her, waiting for

an answer.

“I didn’t mean to.”

“I will need you to clarify that statement. You didn’t mean to disobey direct commands? Leave the Acropolis boundaries unattended and without permission? The private instructor said you were uncooperative,” he said, his voice growing harsher with

each word.

“Of course she did,” Tessa muttered.

“Tessa,” he growled in warning. “I know I have been explicit in my expectations of you, as well as the consequences for failure. You have repeatedly told me you understand.”

“What do you want me to say, Theon? The private instructor ran the Estate where I was raised. There’s history there.”

“I know. It’s why I thought you’d be the most comfortable with her.”

“Be the most…” She trailed off, biting down on the hysterical laughter threatening to escape her.

“I recognize you weren’t prepared for this role like the other Sources were,” Theon said. “That weakness needs to be taken care of, and none of us have the time to deal with

it.”

Too disobedient.

Too much of a hassle.

No one will have the time to bother with you.

“Of course,” Tessa said, the light in her palms dying out.

“Tessa?” Theon asked, both he and Luka tensing as if preparing for her to— What?

Attack them?

She almost laughed at the thought.

She’d have to care, and Theon’s words had effectively reminded her why she didn’t.

“None of this explains why you ran all the way to the river last night,” Luka said, having stepped in front of Theon once more.

And Tessa couldn’t help but wonder if that would be her soon? Placing herself between Theon and danger. They told her they wouldn’t let that happen, but the bond seemed to control Luka’s actions, even if he didn’t realize it. How could they know it wouldn’t do the same to her? She’d seen Eviana leap to Valter’s defense.

“I was in a panic,” she finally answered. “Mother Cordelia and I do not have a pleasant history. I do not enjoy spending time in her company, as it was usually followed by being shoved into small spaces and being hungry for days afterwards.”

“Explain that,” Theon said, his words steely.

“No,” she answered, her arms wrapping around herself.

“She would keep you inside?” Luka asked, his penetrating stare on her. “That is why

you prefer being outside?”

“Something like that.”

Theon was about to say something else, but his phone buzzed with a notification.

Pulling it from his pocket, he said, “It’s my father.”

“Go,” Luka said. “I’ve got her, and we will meet up with you for this afternoon’s meetings as agreed.”

Theon looked her over one last time before he muttered, “Fine.”

He was already lifting the phone to his ear as he left the training room.

“Get back in position,” Luka ordered.

“That’s it?” she asked, her arms dropping to her sides.

“What do you mean that’s it?”

“I thought there would be…some other consequence.”

“The Tracking Mark wasn’t enough for you?”

Luka was circling her, once again making small adjustments to her form.

“No, I just…thought there would be more.”

Bands of black flames appeared around her wrists and ankles.

“I told Theon I had it covered with training,” Luka said, his pupils shifting to vertical slits when he came to a stop in front of her.

The dark grin he sent her told Tessa she was going to hate every second.

Theon reached for her hand to help her from the back seat. While they waited for Luka to round the vehicle, he buttoned his suit coat, and Tessa stood quietly beside him, going through song lyrics in her head.

Theon had hardly spoken to her the last two days. She ran with Axel, not Theon. Axel handed her over to Luka, who proceeded to make her learn “how to fall correctly” by knocking her on her ass for an hour before he would work with her on different blocking techniques. Luka enjoyed it far too much, and while her Fae body healed her eventually, she still sat with sore muscles for hours in meetings with Theon in the afternoons. He’d say the same thing to her then that he was leaning down to speak into her ear now: “Watch. Listen. Learn everything you can about the people in this room.”

So he could use her to take over Devram. Whether his father took it over or the people of the Underground, the end result would still be the same. Theon would either be heir to the realm, or he would rule those he let take over the realm.

Either way, she could do nothing to stop any of this from happening. As soon as the Source Marks were in place, he’d take whatever he wanted from her whenever he wanted.

He already had this godsdamn Tracking Mark, allowing even more people to find her whenever they wished. More than that, she was pretty sure he’d found a way to control the Source Bond. She couldn’t feel his presence like she could before. He’d come to their room at night, and suddenly she’d feel the full weight of the thing after not feeling so much as a tug from the bond all day. She’d soak it up, her soul needing to know he was still there.

Like he knew she needed that daily reminder.

And she didn’t know what to make of it all.

Surely the Tracking Mark couldn’t have been her only consequence for that night by the river. But he’d said nothing. Done nothing. And her nerves were so frayed, every little thing was making her jumpy. Luka was frustrated with her during training, not only because she was a novice, but because she couldn’t stay focused. Axel disappeared after their runs, not to be seen again until dinner. Anytime she asked either of them where Theon went in the morning, neither deigned to answer. She was told what she needed to know when she

needed to know it.

So she sat and watched.

She sat and listened.

She sat and learned everything she could.

Like the fact that Theon gave more attention to the Anala and Falein heirs than he did the others. That he enjoyed making the Celeste heir nervous and seemed to make a sport of snubbing the Achaz and Serafina heirs. That he never took the same route through the Pantheon, as if he were trying to memorize the various hallways and passages.

She observed the other heirs. How the Achaz and Serafina heirs seemed to always be whispering to each other. How the Anala heir seemed annoyed by everyone, especially Theon’s extra attention, and it made Tessa smile on the inside.

But more than any of that, she watched how the other heirs interacted with their Sources. Sasha was much like Eviana. Quiet and submissive, always a step behind Dagian.

Even during the meetings, she sat in the chair closest to the Legacy. The male Sources seemed to dote on their heirs, and Tessa wondered if it was real. Was she truly that defective as a Source?

Her silver heels clicked on the marble steps, the skirt of her deep red gown parting at the slit up her thigh as they climbed the steps to the second floor of the lounge, where they were attending a social event. It was the first event where other Legacy would be present.

She’d noticed more and more of them arriving throughout the day. Most appeared to be Legacy who served on the kingdoms’ councils, advisors to the Lords and Ladies.

Thankfully, none of the actual Lords and Ladies were arriving until the day of the Emerging Ceremony, which meant Valter wouldn’t be here for another three days.

Theon walked ahead of her, side-by-side with Axel, both of them dressed in all black, and the lights glittering off their matching onyx rings. Luka walked with her. When they reached the top of the stairs, Theon didn’t even look at her as he gestured her over to his side, sliding his arm around her waist.

He bent to speak directly into her ear, “There is no room for error, Tessa.”

“I understand.”

She could feel eyes on them, and she leaned into him a little more, trying to calm her sudden nerves.

“This is a night to learn how the heirs interact outside their pampered little circle,” he went on, his tone hard as he focused on something across the room.

Not something.

Someone she realized as she followed his gaze.

Dagian Jove stood with two other Legacy she did not recognize, but Theon clearly did.

“Where is Sasha?” she asked, noting she wasn’t within reach of her Master.

“Traditionally, Sources are given a little more freedom at events like this,” Theon replied tightly. “Fae are allowed to congregate on the first level. The Legacy stay up here.”

He finally met her gaze as he added, “As do the Sources.”

“Why are the Fae here?”

“It allows the Legacy to observe them if they wish, but most use this night as a last chance to let loose before the Selection events get fully underway.”

“Oh,” was all she said as she tried to push the thought of Dex and her friends being so close while she was stuck up here. She stared into emerald eyes that had scarcely glanced at her lately when she asked, “And where am I to be?”

The corner of his lips curled, a small dimple appearing. “You are to be where I can see

you at all times.”

“Am I to stay by your side?”

“As much as I would prefer that, it will appear that I do not trust you if I require that of you tonight. The other Sources will be given extended freedom to show their bonds are

settled into place.”

“Oh.”

“Do not fail tonight, Tessa,” he said in a low voice, winding a loose curl around his

finger.

“I won’t.”

With that, Theon released her, the three males crossing the room to join some other Legacy. Tessa turned to find the other Sources all congregated together around a small table, and she sighed, making her way over. Sasha gave her a small smile, sliding over to make room for her. These Fae were used to being separated from the rest. They’d been segregated since they’d been marked to be Selected. They hadn’t exactly welcomed Tessa, especially with her being an Arius Source, but Sasha was kind enough. It probably helped that they knew each other from the Celeste Estate.

Gatlan, the Anala heir’s Source, looked her up and down before sliding a bowl of pretzels towards her, and Tessa nodded in thanks. The other Sources didn’t acknowledge her, but she knew they were watching her as much as she was watching them.

“How are you?” Sasha asked, grabbing a pretzel from the bowl. She didn’t eat it though. Just began breaking it into pieces.

“Tired,” Tessa answered with a weak smile.

A snort of laughter sounded, and Tessa looked up to meet Jasper’s gaze. “I bet you are,” he sneered, bracing his hands behind his head and leaning his chair back on two legs.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Tessa asked, her head tilting as she watched him.

His light brown hair was clean cut, and his brown eyes narrowed on her.

“I was on the same Estate you were, Tessa,” he replied. “I know all about you and your activities.”

“What sort of activities?” Maxson asked, a knowing smirk filling his face.

“She was always finding her way off the Estate to find other company,” Jasper replied.

“I thought she was with that other Fae. What’s his name? Felix?” Dade chimed in.

“Dex. How do you even know about him? He came after you were moved to Eridis in the Falein Kingdom,” Tessa said through gritted teeth.

“I told him,” Jasper offered.

“But I know all about you,” Dade interjected. “The night you were Selected, my Mistress made it a point to learn everything she could about you.”

“I’ve lived a fascinating life,” Tessa muttered, watching as Sasha reached for another pretzel, breaking it into tiny pieces just as she had with the first.

“Just preparing for the life you were destined to have until Arius Kingdom fucked it

up,” Jasper said with a cruel smirk.

“Shut up, Jasper,” Gatlan cut in.

“No, it’s fine,” Tessa said, returning Jasper’s cruel grin. “Jasper is just a little jealous.”

“Jealous?” Jasper repeated incredulously, his nostrils flaring as his hands came down flat on the table. “Of you?”

Tessa shrugged, sitting back in her chair. “While you had to stay back like a good little boy, I got to go out and live a little.”

Jasper was suddenly leaning towards her. “You think I’m jealous that you were constantly in Mother Cordelia’s office being reprimanded? You think I’m jealous that you fucked your way through mortals like it was a sport?” he spat.

“I think you’re jealous that the only pussy you’ll ever know is Mahina’s,” Tessa returned calmly. “The gods know you weren’t allowed to fuck anyone else.”

“You little cunt,” Jasper was snarling, and Maxson and Dade were both resting hands on his shoulders while Sasha looked around nervously.

“Do not make a scene,” Sasha hissed, reaching for another pretzel.

Jasper shrugged the others off. Sitting stiffly in his chair, he adjusted his shirt cuffs as he said casually, “I forget how little you know, Tessa. How little you understand. The rest of us were made privy to kingdom secrets years ago. Entrusted with the secrets of our Mistresses long before we bore their Marks.”

“Coddled and pampered,” Tessa sneered. “I’m aware.”

“We were being prepared for our roles just as you were.”

“No one knows where any of us would have ended up if we weren’t marked to be Selected,” Gatlan said, sipping from his drink. He was the only Source at the table who had been allowed alcohol by his heir.

“None of us know because we were chosen so early, but Tessalyn?” Jasper snorted another derisive laugh. “It’s no secret where she was going to go.” He held her gaze when he added, “Serving the Sirana bloodline.”

The confusion must have been evident on her face, because Maxson was suddenly leaning eagerly forward. “Oh, that’s right. She has no idea what purpose they serve,” he said, full of mock pity. “Is that what we’re supposed to be jealous of? Your naivety? Hasn’t your Master told you anything?”

“With those tits and that fuckable mouth?” Jasper said, his hands braced behind his head once more. “You’d have been a plaything for the Legacy. When you weren’t with child, of course.”

“Don’t,” Sasha said forcefully, snapping another pretzel in half.

“Once her element was known, she’d have been paired with every powerful Fae of that element hoping for powerful, desirable offspring,” Maxson pushed on, popping a pretzel into his mouth. “You know they get rewarded for that, right?”

“Rewarded for what?” Tessa ground out, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. She tried to tell herself what Maxson was describing wasn’t true, but she knew it was. The Legacy valued power above all else. It’s why assessments were done. It’s why Matches were made. Why wouldn’t they force the Fae to do the same?

Maxson’s face was pure amusement as he watched her, clearly enjoying this. “All the Sirana Legacy will be at the Emerging Ceremony to see which Fae emerge the most powerful. Those who created the five most powerful are rewarded. Coin. Status elevation. A powerful Match of their own.” He shrugged as if this wasn’t some disgusting practice. “You would have been sent to a Sirana Villa, fucked until you carried a child, and then done it over and over, especially if you’re even semi-powerful. What element are you expected to emerge with anyway? Clearly not fire,” he added, glancing at Gatlan. “Anala Kingdom has those Fae locked down tight.”

Tessa went utterly still, suddenly realizing exactly what this was. An attempt to gain information about her. None of the other heirs had looked at her twice, and she was sure that the moment Theon had Selected her, her files became entirely confidential and made unavailable to anyone else. Mother Cordelia was smart enough not to share information without permission from the Arius Kingdom, so their only source of information on her would be the other Fae at the Celeste Estate. It was well-known she was impulsive and reckless. Jasper would have known that getting her worked up would make her more apt to say something without thinking.

And that one question made it clear what their Mistresses had asked of them tonight.

Tessa crossed her leg, the deep slit of her dress revealing her thigh. Every male eye dropped to it. Then she leaned forward, propping an elbow on the table and resting her chin in her hand. “Tell me, Maxson, what will be your punishment for failure tonight?”

The brief look of panic was fleeting in his steely eyes, but it was there, confirming everything.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Maxson asked, sounding bored.

“What will your Mistress do to you for failing to gather her requested information?”

Tessa repeated.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Should I say something false just so you have something to report back?” she went on. Then she grimaced. “Although, the punishment for providing wrong information will

probably be worse, right?”

“Don’t speak about her like that.”

Tessa clicked her tongue in mock sympathy. “Unless you enjoy her punishments?”

“Shut. Up.”

“No judgment if you do. Sometimes punishments make you feel alive, right? Like you’re not simply going through the motions of survival.”

Sasha was breaking more pretzels. Dade and Jasper were rigid. Gatlan was smirking into his drink.

Tessa got to her feet, leaning over the table towards Maxson. “My tests were inconclusive. We have no idea what I’ll emerge with.”

“You fucking liar. The assessments can’t be inconclusive,” Maxson spat, his face turning red with his anger.

Tessa shrugged, swiping Gatlan’s drink from his hand and knocking back the last of it.

The other Sources all went still. Dropping the glass to the table with a soft thud, she said, “If you prefer a harsher punishment for inaccurate information, you can tell Lealla I’m predicted to emerge with water and almost no power.”

“Fuck you, and fuck your fucking kingdom,” he seethed, shooting to his feet.

“Oh, Max, if only you were mortal. Then maybe you’d have a chance at that,” Tessa simpered as she straightened and ran her hands down her dress, smoothing it out. “Then again, I still would never touch Serafina seconds.”

She was walking away before she could hear Maxson’s response, knowing he wouldn’t dare cause a scene in front of all the Legacy here. Keeping her chin high, she glanced around the space, spotting Theon and Luka deep in conversation with some other Legacy. Axel was beside them, whispering into the ear of a female whose lips lifted into a grin.

Not knowing where else to go, she made her way to the railing overlooking the first floor. The other Fae were filtering in, laughing and happy. They had drinks in their hands, and they were waving each other down across the room. She scanned them all, searching for just a glimpse of Lange or Dex, but there were so many down there, it was impossible.

“Look at you, wild fury. All dressed up once again.”

Tessa turned to find Tristyn Blackheart leaning back on his elbows against the railing, a drink dangling from his fingertips.

“What are you doing here?” she blurted out.

“Attending the social, apparently,” he replied, gesturing out towards the Legacy.

“But you’re…not mortal,” she said in realization.

“I am not.”

“But you said you were.”

“I never actually said that.”

“You never corrected me. It’s the same difference,” she said flatly, turning back to look over the lower level once more.

“It’s not the same difference,” Tristyn argued, bumping her with his elbow.

“Controlling information is controlling power.”

“You’re a Legacy. You have enough power,” she muttered before sighing. She couldn’t talk to a Legacy like that. “I apologize.”

“Don’t,” he said, taking a sip of his drink. When she didn’t say anything else for several moments, he turned to look out over the lower level as well, holding his drink out to her. “It’s not agaveheart, but it’s a peace offering nonetheless.”

“I can’t drink tonight,” she replied.

“Because of Theon.”

It was a statement, and she felt herself flush at the realization he must have known all along who she was. But if that was true, he also knew who Theon was, and he hadn’t backed down an inch from the Arius Heir.

“Yes, because of him,” she answered tightly.

“And yet you were just drinking with your friends.”

“That was… They’re not my friends.”

Accepting she wasn’t going to take his drink, he brought it back to his lips and took another sip before he said. “That’s too bad. You need to let a few people into your chaos.”

“Let me guess. Someone like you?” she asked with a coy grin, glancing at him sidelong. He was too easy to talk to, too easy to fall into idle conversation with. She didn’t need to be told how dangerous that was, but she couldn’t figure out which bloodline he was from.

He huffed a laugh. “I have enough chaos of my own, fury.”

“I have friends,” she said defensively. “Or I did… I do.”

She could feel Tristyn studying her before he jerked his chin at the Fae below. “Down

there?”

“Maybe? I haven’t seen them yet.”

“They were with you at your Estate?” he asked, subtly offering her his half-empty drink again.

She took it without thinking. “Yes. Not right away. Only in the last few years, actually.”

“Interesting,” he mused. “And they’re not here?”

“Wouldn’t matter if they were. I can’t go down there.”

“You only break the rules when agaveheart is involved?” he asked, his lips twitching when her head whipped towards him.

“I only break the rules when it’s conducive to my own agenda,” she retorted. Then she added with a small smirk of her own, “And when agaveheart is involved.”

He huffed a laugh as she took a swallow of his drink before handing it back to him.

“We should go dance,” he said, scanning the Fae below once more.

“I just told you I can’t go down there.”

“There’s a dance floor up here.”

“I know, but—”

She didn’t want to tell him that Theon wouldn’t be able to see her on the dance floor in the back corner.

“I’m not as appealing when I’m not a mortal?” he teased, and she felt her cheeks flare bright again.

“That was— I was very drunk that night. I apologize if I offended you.”

“Offended? Fury, I was flattered,” he said with a wink. Then he pushed off the railing, slowly backing away from her. “If you change your mind, I’ll be waiting for you.”

She watched him disappear into the Legacy milling about before turning back to look out at the Fae below yet again, wishing she was down there instead of up here. Wishing she could go have some fun with Tristyn. Wishing she could be anywhere else.

Instead, she had to stay here and watch the people in this room. Listen in on conversations. Learn everything she could. The only person she wanted to learn more about

was Tristyn.

She straightened at the thought.

She should learn more about Tristyn. Who was he? He had made not only her believe he was mortal, but Theon, Axel, and Luka had thought he was mortal too. What Legacy power could do that? And what did he do that made him not fear Theon, or any of the other heirs, for that matter? Wasn’t this exactly what Theon wanted her to do? Learn secrets to be used later?

She didn’t give herself time to second guess her decision. Following the same path she’d seen Tristyn take, she made her way to the edge of the dance floor. He said he’d be waiting, and a moment later, he appeared before her with a grin.

“Is this conducive to your agenda?” he asked, extending a hand to her.

“Perhaps,” she agreed, letting him pull her onto the dance floor just as a well-known ballad began to play. “I don’t know how to dance to this.”

“I’ll guide you,” Tristyn said. “Do you know the words to this song?”

“There are no words to this song,” she said with a laugh. “It’s simply a ballad for

dancing.”

“See, that’s where you’re wrong.”

“Are you going to serenade me?”

“I am an excellent singer.”

“Prove it.”

Tristyn twirled her under his arm as he cleared his throat dramatically before pulling her back into him and bringing his lips to her ear. “In all things there must be balance.

Beginnings and endings. Light and dark. Fire and shadows. The sky, the sea, the realms.”

“That’s not a song,” she interjected. “That’s the Revelation Decree.”

“It is many things,” he countered.

“I don’t know what that means,” she said with a laugh as he spun her under his arm again.

“Shh,” he hushed. “Just listen. It goes with the ballad perfectly.” She nodded in acquiescence, and then Tristyn was speaking low into her ear again. He wasn’t exactly singing, but the tone of his voice was smooth and her entire body relaxed into him.

“In all things there must be balance.

Beginnings and Endings.

Light and Dark.

Fire and Shadows.

The sky, the sea, the realms.

But when the scales tip,

And Chaos rains,

Who will fight?

And who will fall?

For Dark must bow,

And Light must rule,

But Chaos does not choose.

Control the uncontrollable,

Or to fury they both lose.

Life must give,

And Death must take,

But Fate requires more.

Destiny beckons,

And sacrifice demands.

Who will be left standing, When Chaos comes to reign?”

By the end, she was hypnotized, a little lost to his voice and his russet-colored eyes.

Tristyn held her gaze as he dipped her back, the final words lining up perfectly with the final stanza of the ballad, just like he’d said they would.

“How do you know the Decree is many things?” Tessa asked, letting Tris lead her into another dance, completely oblivious to the Legacy dancing around them.

“I know the one who gave the Decree.”

Her brow furrowed. “The Decree came from the gods.”

“Did it?”

“You’re confusing.”

“I know. It’s incredibly frustrating.”

Another bark of laughter escaped her. “How is it frustrating for you?”

“Because I do not always wish to be confusing,” he replied.

“Only some of the time?”

“Exactly.”

Silence fell for a minute before she said, “Can I ask you something?”

“I won’t stop you.”

“You’re not mortal.”

“That’s not a question,” Tristyn teased.

“How did you make me think you were? Make them believe you were?”

“People see what they want to see, fury.”

“But you weren’t fearful of the Arius Heir.”

His features seemed to darken some. “There are far scarier things in the realms than a Legacy so far removed from Arius it is laughable to call him such a thing. He is no more

related to Arius than I am at this point.”

“But he is powerful,” Tessa stammered, a little dumbfounded at his nonchalance.

“There are far more powerful beings in the realms.”

“You speak as if the rest of the realms care about us.”

“You speak as if they don’t.”

“They can’t,” she argued.

“They shouldn’t,” he countered.

Tessa clicked her tongue. “This conversation is getting stupid.”

Tristyn laughed, his fingers giving her hand a quick squeeze. How long had they been

dancing?

“Can I ask you a question?” he asked.

She sighed with mock dramatics. “I suppose.”

“How are you?”

She was so taken aback, she missed her next step, Tristyn keeping her on her feet.

“What?”

“The last time I saw you, you were not doing well.”

“I was fine.”

“You were not fine,” he said pointedly. “You made an elaborate plan to secure agaveheart and drown in the bottle.”

“I didn’t—” She rolled her lips together, suddenly remembering they weren’t alone on the dance floor. She plastered on a fake smile. “I’m great.”

He gave her a frank look. “You’re a terrible liar.”

“I’m an excellent liar.”

“Mhmm,” he hummed. “Are you with him yet?”

“What?” she stammered at the sudden change of subject.

“Theon. Are you with him yet?”

“That’s not your business.”

“Debatable.”

“Debatable?” she repeated. “Nothing about that is debatable. It’s none of your

business.”

“So that’s a no,” he said.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You don’t have to,” Tristyn said with a slight shrug. “But that aside, I want you to know you are strong enough for this, Tessa.”

She couldn’t speak around the sudden lump in her throat as she swallowed back the tears threatening to well. “You still don’t know me,” she whispered.

“If you knew—” A frustrated sound rumbled from him when he cut himself off.

“If I knew what?” she pressed.

“If you only knew what I knew,” he said, something Tessa could only describe as a mixture of longing and pain sounding in his voice. “It’s something you can’t learn until you’re forced to walk through it, but you’d know that strength grows in the moments you think you can’t go on, but you do anyway. Strength is fighting back. Strength is doing whatever it takes to claim what is yours, even if others try to convince you it is not yours to take.”

“What if I’m not? What if I’m not strong enough for any of that?”

“You are, Tessa. If you are weak enough to fall, you are strong enough to rise back up.

Weakness and strength come from the same place, and both are necessary. Both provide purpose, and both can lead to destruction or salvation. You just need to embrace a little chaos,” Tristyn said, a fierceness filling his features. “And when you come out on the other side of this, the Heir of the Arius Kingdom won’t be the nightmare. You will be.”