Rain of Shadows and Endings — Chapter no 42

42

THEON

“S till no word from Axel?” Theon asked, pacing in the kitchen.

“He’ll be there,” Luka said, leaning against the counter. He glanced at the empty doorway. “Truthfully, I’m more worried about Tessa.”

The lounge was in shambles from Axel last night, so Theon had left her sitting in the dining room. She’d slept all afternoon.

No. He couldn’t say that. She’d lain in their bed, staring at nothing all afternoon.

When he’d told her it was time to get ready, she’d wordlessly done just that.

Cosmetics. Hair. The other Fae would all be dressed in basic beige attire— loose linen pants and shirts for the males, simple dresses for the females. But not the Sources. They’d be dressed in the color of their kingdom, which is why Tessa was wearing a black dress.

The straps tied at her shoulders, the neckline dipping low between her breasts while the remainder draped along her hips to the floor. She’d twisted her hair half up, securing it with a clip in the shape of a black flower.

“Has she said anything?” Luka asked when Theon remained silent.

“Yes, she’s spoken words,” he retorted, adjusting his sleeves despite the fact they were

perfectly straight.

“But has she said anything?”

Yes. No. Too much and not enough.

“We’re going to get through tonight, and then tomorrow we set about fixing the mess

this has all become,” Theon said.

“Is she prepared for tonight?”

“I was hoping Axel would be here before we told her everything.”

Luka sent him an exasperated look. “Axel is going to meet us at the Pantheon. He’s not coming back here. Not today.”

Theon knew that, but he’d still held out hope.

“Fine,” he sighed, rapping his knuckles on the countertop before exiting the kitchen.

He found Tessa right where he’d left her, and her eyes tracked them warily when Luka followed him. Taking a seat in a chair beside her, he said, “We need to discuss tonight.”

Her features remained impassive. Apathetic. Unsettling. “Of course. Expectations.”

“Not…that,” Theon replied, rubbing at his brow with his thumb and forefinger.

“Tonight everyone will be focused on the Fae. Not the Lords and Ladies. Not the heirs and Sources. They will take notice of strength and power as the Fae receive their gifts. I will need your help.”

“My help,” she repeated, and Theon didn’t know how to read her blank expression or the lack of emotion in her words.

“We have done our research, but you still know the Fae better than I do. If we see any that appear to be a good fit for Arius Kingdom, I am counting on you to provide me with additional information about them.”

“A good fit,” she repeated, her head tilting and golden hair slipping over her shoulder.

He itched to brush it back.

“Yes, so we can make informed decisions when the time comes,” Theon replied.

“Why would you think I have insight into any of them?”

“Because you are Fae.”

She blinked. “Despite what you apparently think, we are not all the same.”

“I know that.”

“I will have very little insight,” she continued as though he hadn’t spoken. “I was a social pariah. No one wanted to be around me as I— How did you put it? Only seem to create chaos wherever I go. Which was fine, I suppose. There’s only room for one in small spaces. Otherwise it gets too crowded.”

“Tessa, I know we have some things to talk about—”

“Do we?”

The violet flared in her eyes, and Theon glanced at Luka. Those violet rings appeared to be a permanent thing now, and he didn’t know how to explain it. The only other being he’d encountered who had violet eyes was Cienna, and she definitely wasn’t Fae.

Theon cleared his throat. One thing at a time. Tonight, they get through the Emerging Ceremony. Tomorrow, they could focus on other things.

“The newly Selected Sources will be last to have their power rituals performed,”

Theon said, choosing to ignore her question. “And since you are an Arius Source—”

“I will be last,” she said in understanding.

“Yes, and we expect there to be some upheaval when your element is revealed.”

“You said the other kingdoms would believe you planned this.”

“Yes.”

“And now they will believe you have kept me a secret like you have kept Luka’s true bloodline a secret.”

“Yes,” he said again, relieved that she seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation.

Then her lips tipped up in a terrifying grin. “You’ve already made me bleed, Theon.

What’s wrong with a little more bloodshed?”

Luka coughed from where he was standing nearby, nearly choking on the drink he’d taken.

“Tessa,” Theon said slowly, “we are trying to avoid bloodshed tonight.”

“Oh.”

She sounded disappointed in that statement and that was fucking unnerving.

Theon cleared his throat. “Yes, we want as little drama as possible tonight, but I expect there to be various reactions. Not only from the other kingdoms, but from my father as

well.”

“Will he draw blood again tonight?”

“Not in front of everyone,” Theon answered, observing her closely.

She only hummed in response.

“I expect the brunt of his anger to be turned on me,” he continued when she said nothing else. “Luka will stay with me, and Axel will retrieve you.”

“Axel isn’t here.”

“He will be at the Pantheon. He will find you.”

“Ah, the Tracking Mark,” she said, pinning him with her violet-grey stare.

Theon shifted under it, wondering if she was intentionally making him nervous about how tonight would go. He couldn’t have that. He couldn’t risk yet another plan going to shit.

He couldn’t handle another failure so soon.

Standing, he straightened to his full height so she was forced to tip her head back to look at him. Pushing past the wrongness he felt about it, he reached out and took her chin.

She didn’t react. Not even a flinch. “There is much at stake tonight, Tessa, but more than that, you are in more danger than usual. I have taken every precaution to protect you.”

“How has that worked out in the past?” she asked, genuine curiosity in her tone.

“Tonight will be better.”

She smiled, a coy and knowing thing, and he felt a sharp tingle at his fingertips.

A small spark of energy.

And then he felt the tug of the bond. He’d been keeping it muted all day, giving her space. Trying to let her…come out of whatever this was.

But it wasn’t him who’d freed the bond at that moment.

It was her.

“This way, my Lord,” the Fae male said, turning and guiding them to their private viewing box. It was up several flights of stairs, the ruling families all having private spaces that ringed the arena below.

Tessa was silent, following a step behind him and Luka. Axel was usually beside him so Luka could walk with her, but Axel still hadn’t shown up. He’d tried calling him all day.

Luka had only said it served him right for not answering his phone calls last night.

Dick.

When the Fae opened the door to their viewing deck, Theon was relieved to find they were the first to arrive. His father would be here soon, and if Axel wasn’t here before him, Theon wasn’t entirely sure how he was going to explain that absence yet.

“Your vials are atop the cabinet should you need them tonight,” the Fae escort said.

“Your private server will be along shortly, but in the meantime, can I get you anything else?”

“No. Leave us,” Theon said shortly, already turning away from him.

“What are the vials for?” Tessa asked when the door had clicked shut behind them.

She seemed to glide to the balcony railing, peering down at the arena where the emergings would take place. Five separate stations would usher the Fae through until only the Sources remained. Then a center stage would be erected. She wore flat silver sandals with her dress, clearly more comfortable in them than she was in heels, and all Theon could think as she’d slipped them on earlier that night was how similar they were to fucking flip- flops. Fancier and detailed, sure, but the premise was the same.

Theon crossed the room to the cabinet in the corner, picking up one of five vials. Black shimmering liquid swirled inside.

“Each kingdom is given five vials,” he explained. “We can use them at any time throughout the year to lay claim to a Fae before the official Selection night at the end of the Selection Year.”

She glanced back over her shoulder. “How does that work?”

“If a kingdom wants to claim a Fae, we toss a vial.”

“What if more than one kingdom wants them?”

“If multiple vials are thrown at the same time, there is a panel held to determine which

kingdom gets them.”

“Does that happen often?”

“There may be a few tonight if strong enough powers are manifested. But most of the time, we wait until later in the year, watching the various trainings and trials.”

She didn’t say anything else, turning back to look out over the arena. He glanced at Luka, who only shrugged, slipping off his suit coat and draping it over a chair. Neither of them had bothered with ties tonight.

“Do you want a drink, Tessa?” Theon asked, and that had her turning completely to face him. She leaned back on her elbows against the onyx railing, studying him.

Then she smirked. “Wine would be lovely.”

Theon narrowed his eyes, but nodded. “One glass,” he warned.

“I won’t even lap it off the floor,” she retorted.

“Get that out of your system before my father shows up,” he replied, but internally he was sighing in relief. This was the most snark and emotion she’d shown all day.

“I know how to act, Master,” she replied, moving to one of the plush chairs and sinking into it.

“If you wish to address me as something else in front of others, that can be arranged.”

“Hmmm, like what?”

“My Lord, your Grace—”

She snorted a laugh. “No. You are neither of those things. Master is suitable for now.”

“Tessa, I understand we are not on good terms at the moment, but you really cannot act this way tonight. Please tell me you understand that.”

She pushed back to her feet, sauntering over to him. A hand landed on his abdomen before she smoothed it up his chest. “This beautiful thing happens,” she mused.

Theon swallowed thickly as her fingers touched the skin at his throat, continuing to his jaw. “What thing?”

“When a person finally accepts they are nothing,” she continued. “It’s a freedom,

really.”

“You are not—”

“Shh,” she hushed, placing a finger against his lips. “When you accept you are

nothing, it frees you from caring.”

“Tessa—”

“And when you’re already nothing, you can really become anything.”

The door was thrown open at that moment, Axel strolling in, a glass of alcohol already in hand.

“Where the fuck have you been?” Theon snarled.

“Out with the depraved,” Axel replied darkly, his eyes stalling on Tessa. “What

happened to you?”

“Theon made me bleed,” she said simply.

“What the fuck?” Axel said, the accusation heavy in his tone.

“I didn’t—” Theon sighed. “It’s a long story, and one you would know if you would have been around at all today.”

“I had things to tend to,” he replied, moving to the railing and slipping a hand into his pocket.

“Like what? What could possibly have been more important than the ceremony today?”

Axel took a drink, smacking his lips as he pulled the mirror from his pocket. “Cienna

made contact.”

“Fuck,” Luka cursed, stepping forward.

“Who is this Cienna you all keep cryptically mentioning?” Tessa asked, a Fae handing her a glass of wine. Luka had placed their order before Axel showed up. “Thank you,” she said with a nod to the Fae, the server appearing startled at the address.

Theon waited until she was gone, and the door had shut again before he answered her question. Keeping her in the dark until she’d accepted this bond had clearly been a terrible idea. He’d thought it wouldn’t matter. That she’d accept the bond, her place, and trust him enough not to care about his sins or the sins of the realm. He’d thought the bond would solve all his problems, not create bigger ones he didn’t know how to fix.

So here he was, answering her questions as much as he could, hoping she’d gain a better understanding of the politics at play. Of his father. Of the inner workings of the kingdoms. Of all of it.

“Cienna is a Witch,” Theon said. “She is the Witch who helped Luka and I with the Guardian Bond. She’s in hiding in the Underground.”

“In hiding?”

“As you can imagine, my father was unhappy when I stole his Guardian from him.

Many lost their lives to his wrath, but he is determined to hunt down Cienna and make her pay for helping us.”

Tessa took a sip of wine. “So you routinely fuck over others to get what you desire?”

Axel and Luka went still, but Theon smiled. The same dark smirk she’d given him earlier. “I do what needs to be done, and I show no remorse.”

“Ah, but do you feel it?” she asked, a brow arching.

He stepped towards her, taking her chin in his hand. “If you’re asking if I feel remorse about what I did last night, my answer is no.”

“Because you do what needs to be done,” she said, holding his gaze.

“Yes.”

“To claim what is yours.”

“Yes.”

“So there is no remorse over Pen?”

Shadows appeared, swirling around his fingers where he gripped her chin. “Careful, Tessa.”

“Or what? You’ll lock me in a wine cellar? Or perhaps you’ll go for something smaller this time? A cabinet without room to even sit properly, perhaps? That was Mother Cordelia’s favorite.”

Was she serious? The Estate Mother would keep her in a fucking cupboard? Cordelia had failed to mention that in their discussion. What else had she conveniently left out? But the challenging look in Tessa’s eyes had him gritting out, “Please test that assumption, and take note of the results.”

She smirked, lifting the wine glass back to her lips and draining the entire thing.

He wasn’t sure how to react to this new attitude of hers, but the bond and his magic were both taking notice. Both bristling at the challenge in her eyes.

And for some fucked up reason, all he could think about was when he’d asked her if this was the way it would always be, if it would always be a constant battle with her, and her answer being yes.

Before he could respond, the door opened again, his parents striding in with Eviana.

Tessa’s entire demeanor instantly changed, and she stepped away from Theon. She set her empty wineglass to the side as she bowed her head to his father. Demure. Controlled.

In short, the perfect Source.

Maybe she’d been paying more attention than Theon had realized.

Theon said a tight greeting to his father before pressing a quick kiss to his mother’s cheek, Axel doing the same. Drinks were ordered, and soon enough, the Emerging Ceremony was underway. His father paid little attention, constantly moving in and out of their box to visit others. He wouldn’t care much until the Sources’ emergings happened.

Which was fine. The space was less tense when he was gone. His mother had left an hour ago. Theon was certain he wouldn’t see her again until the Sources were up as well.

“Do you know him?” Axel asked Tessa.

She stood between them, Luka to Theon’s left. For the most part, she’d been quiet, not wanting to be caught acting inappropriately by his father. But Theon had watched her more than he’d watched the happenings below. He’d watched the small frown appear when a Fae she clearly knew emerged with a decent power level. He’d heard her small scoff when another one had displayed a strong earth element. And he’d felt her tense as the Fae below was escorted to a ring.

Theon recognized him from the phone call. He was one of the two that were involved together.

Tessa cleared her throat before she said, “Yes. That is Corbin.”

“Which element is he predicted to have?”

“Water, but he is brilliant with technology,” she murmured, engrossed in the ritual taking place.

Her hands were curled tightly around the railing, and Theon could see the slight tremor in them. He wanted to touch her, knowing the bond would ease that anxiety, but for all he knew, his touch would also send her over an edge.

The priestess stepped forward, and Corbin lifted his arm. Her scion pressed to his skin, tracing atop a Mark that was already there. A Mark the Fae couldn’t see, not without the blood of a god in their veins. The moment she lifted the scion, a burst of water had the male’s clothes soaked as he coughed and spluttered. Water element. Just as his assessments had predicted, according to Tessa.

He was escorted down and sent to receive the identifying marking on his wrist next to his estate marking. Tessa had relaxed next to him, a sigh of relief escaping her. What had she been so worried about?

The ceremonies continued, Theon noting a few Fae he wanted to keep an eye on. He watched as a few more of her friends went through the ritual. The female from the phone call produced water as well, while Lange emerged with air.

They were nearing the last few Fae when Axel straightened. “Do you know her?”

Tessa had started pacing back and forth, becoming increasingly fidgety as the night wore on. Theon couldn’t decide if it was nerves or if it was the lack of windows in the arena. She paused now, glancing down to where a brown-skinned female was being led to a ring. Even from here, Theon could tell she was pretty with bright amber eyes and thick black hair that wound in tight curls.

“Her name is Kat,” Tessa answered, resuming her pacing.

“Like the animal?” Axel asked, his head tilting as he watched the female below.

“No,” Tessa said, her annoyance heavy. “Her full name is Katya. We call her Kat.”

“Do you know what element she is predicted to emerge with?”

“No, but I’m sure we’ll know any moment.”

Axel sipped on his drink. “Just for clarity’s sake, you still pissed at me, baby doll?”

“Furious,” she replied, sounding anything but. The word was cheerful, and why did that only increase Theon’s anxiety?

Axel hummed an acknowledgement, watching as the Fae below removed her sandals and stepped onto the platform. “We need to claim her,” he said suddenly.

“Repeat that,” Theon replied, completely dumbfounded.

“Claim her. Now,” Axel said, his eyes fixed on the scene below.

“We can’t claim her. We don’t even know her element,” Theon argued.

“I am telling you to claim her. Luka, grab a vial.”

“Have you lost your godsdamn mind?” Theon asked. “Father will be livid.”

“I’ll deal with it,” Axel replied, hands gripping the railing. “Hurry.”

“No,” Theon said in disbelief. “I know we are all dealing with the events of last night, but—”

“No!” Luka was growling, a hand stretched out as though to catch something.

But he was too late. There was nothing they could do as Axel’s shadows threw a vial over the railing. It shattered in the air, black mist exploding from it as Axel pointed to the

Fae to claim her.

“What did you just do?” Theon demanded.

“I would also like to know the answer to that question.”

They all spun, finding his father in the doorway. Shadows were swirling around him, and Eviana’s eyes were wide in shock.

“I…” Axel faltered, glancing back over his shoulder as if he just realized the magnitude of his actions.

Theon’s heart was racing, his stomach dropping. If this Fae didn’t show some measure of worth, the consequences for Axel would be dire. Even from here, he could hear the murmurings of the other Legacy at the random claiming of an ordinary Fae.

Until Luka said, “That’s not possible.”

They all turned back to the arena to find that her element had manifested.

And it was fire.

Flames of orange and red, blue and yellow danced at her fingertips. Her eyes were wide in shock as the female stood frozen, looking between the fire at her command and up at the balcony of the kingdom that had claimed her.

“A fire element?” his father breathed, the excitement heavy in his tone.

The confused murmurings from around the arena had shifted to outrage at Arius Kingdom having claimed a fire elemental. There would be no panel. No other kingdom had

thrown their vial at the same moment Axel had. She had been claimed fairly under the Accords.

“How?” Theon asked in shock. “Anala Kingdom would never let one go to another.”

“Doesn’t matter,” his father answered. “She is already ours. Axel, go make sure she stays that way.”

Axel said nothing, disappearing out the door. His father moved to the railing, eyes

sweeping over the expanse.

“This is a good thing for us,” he said.

“It is,” Theon agreed, still trying to process how such a thing had happened.

“This is a good thing for you,” his father added.

“For our kingdom as a whole.”

“But for you specifically. The Fae will be a suitable replacement if your current Source is found inadequate tonight.”

Theon stiffened, but beside him, Tessa showed no reaction. In his spiral after Pen’s death, he had completely forgotten about the agreement he’d made with his father. He wasn’t concerned. Her power levels alone were going to be enough, let alone when her power fully manifested. But did she realize that? He should have reassured her. He should have explained why he’d even agreed to such a thing, but she didn’t appear worried. No, she looked…impassive. About it all.

A knock on the door sounded before it was pushed open, a Pantheon sentinel on the other side.

“My Lords,” he greeted with a bow of his head. “I am here to escort your Source down for her ritual.”

Tessa straightened, glancing at Theon and waiting for permission to go with him.

“I will accompany you,” Theon said.

The sentinel’s brow furrowed. “I assure you that is not necessary. We go straight to the holding rooms outside the arena.”

“She has already been attacked once since our arrival this week. I will accompany her, and it is not up for debate.”

“Of course, my Lord,” the sentinel capitulated, stepping to the side.

Theon’s hand fell to the small of Tessa’s back, and he didn’t miss the small smirk that pulled at his father’s lips.

They followed the sentinel down the stairs and along a passage until he stopped outside a glass door. “Each Source has their own warded holding area. She cannot leave and only a priestess or Pantheon sentinel can enter.”

Theon almost huffed a laugh at the idea of wards keeping Tessa contained.

“I will be taking a private moment with her,” Theon replied, ushering Tessa into the room. The door fell shut, and he sent a sheet of shadows to cover the glass.

She had moved to the center of the room, her hands clasped in front of her.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

Her head tilted to the side. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I assumed you would be nervous, and this room is rather small.”

She smiled humorlessly. “Bigger than some wine cellars.”

He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from snapping back at her. Inhaling deeply, he said, “You know the agreement with my father was to try to deescalate the situation last

night, right? That will not happen. Your power levels will be more than enough.”

She shrugged. “I understand where my value lies, but even if that were not the case, I do not care if I live or if I face death.”

Theon was fairly certain his heart stopped for the briefest of moments at her words, and he found himself directly in front of her, gripping her face in his hands. “You may not care right now, but I do.”

“Of course you do,” she replied calmly. “You’re the one who gets to have all the

power.”

“That’s not—”

“Do you remember the Chaosphere game on the way here?” she asked suddenly.

He blinked a few times before he said, “Of course.”

“Do you remember kissing me there?”

“Every day.”

“You were going to ask something of me.”

“I was,” he agreed, his thumb swiping along her cheek.

“What was it?”

He searched those hauntingly beautiful new eyes, memorizing the feel of her soft skin beneath his palms. “I was going to ask you to not let me kiss you again until you were ready to admit this is more than a bond. Because I knew…” He swallowed as she just stared back at him, no emotion filling her eyes. His voice held a thread of defeat when he said, “Because I knew the next time I kissed you, it wouldn’t be enough. That I’d want more.

That I’d want it all. Because you have become a need, little storm.”

He waited. Waited for her to react. Waited for her to say something. Waited for her to acknowledge what he’d just said in some way.

He wasn’t expecting her to push up onto her toes, but he didn’t hesitate to bend to meet her lips. The kiss was intoxicating, her tongue swiping gently against his, and the

bond shuttered in relief.

Or maybe that was his soul.

He pulled back first, looking into violet-grey eyes that were still dark with her secrets.

Brushing his thumb along her bottom lip, he rasped out, “I will come for you. After.”

She nodded, her features slightly flushed from the kiss.

“Does knowing that change anything?” he asked.

She stepped back from him, his hands slipping from her face. She intertwined her fingers in front of her once more as she answered, “No.”