Page 180 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

“That’s plausible,” Theon agreed, mulling the idea over. “It would?—”

But he forgot what he was going to say as the bathroom door opened, and Tessa emerged wearing absolutely nothing. She was all bare skin and naked breasts and fuck, fuck, fuck.

She had Luka’s brush in her hand, pulling it through her hair as if she didn’t even realize she was out here completely nude. “I didn’t know what I was supposed to wear.”

His mouth too dry to speak, Theon only pointed at the pile of clothing. She nodded as she finished brushing out her wet hair before slipping into the clothing.

Theon cleared his throat as she worked her hair into a braid, Luka already handing her one of his hair ties when she turned to look for one.

“Are you hungry?” Theon asked.

“Not particularly,” she replied, reaching for the tablet Luka still held. “What is this?”

“We’re trying to work out who is involved in all of this,” Luka answered.

She hummed in response, handing the tablet back to him before making her way to the door. Exchanging quick glances, they followed her. Dragging her fingers along the wall, she made her way downstairs and into the dining room.

“Morning, baby doll,” Axel said, a forced cheerfulness to his voice.

“I’m glad you’re not dead,” Tessa answered, taking her usual seat.

Katya choked on the drink of juice she’d just taken. Axel seemed startled for a minute, but then the corner of his lips tilted in a small smirk. “I’m rather delighted by that fact as well.”

Her gaze flicked to Katya. “You are truly all right?”

“I’m well, Tessa,” she answered softly.

Tessa nodded, reaching for the yogurt and scooping some into a bowl. They all watched her add fruit and granola.

“There are doughnuts,” Axel said carefully.

“I’m fine,” she replied, taking a bite of her yogurt.

Axel’s gaze shot to Theon, his brother’s eyes narrowing into a glare.

“You can have what you like, Tessa,” Theon said.

“Can you teach me to read the Lost Language?” she asked instead.

Perplexed, his answer was more of a question when he said, “I can?”

She nodded, and her eyes flicked up to Luka. “And training? You told me you would.”

“We can continue training, Tessa,” Luka agreed, taking a bite of his toast.

Theon reached for the platter of pancakes, suddenly realizing he was the only one who hadn’t dished up food yet. “I found a replacement tutor while you were away.”

“It’s a trial run,” Luka cut in, clearly still unhappy about the idea.

“Right. It’s a trial run. Luka will stay at your lessons with you until we are sure she is an adequate replacement,” Theon said.

“And she will teach me the Lost Language?” Tessa asked.

“I can do that,” Theon answered.

She only shrugged, scooping up another bite of her yogurt.

They ate in silence for the rest of breakfast, Axel mentioning he was sending a new playlist to Tessa before he left to take Katya to her daily lessons and training. It wasn’t until later that Theon was alone with her for the first time since she’d come back. They were in the lounge, and Tessa was standing in front of the window, watching snow flurries drift to the ground. He’d been reading through the information Blackheart had sent over on Cordelia, but he hadn’t been focused on the task. She hadn’t said much, providing only short answers if asked a question, and not once had he felt a single flicker of emotion down the bond.

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