Page 195 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

“This one?” Tessa asked, pointing to a word as she held the book out to Theon.

Theon looked up from his computer, leaning over to get a better look at the page. “That is a variation of the word seraph.”

“Seraph,” Tessa repeated, pulling the book back to her lap. “Like an angel?”

“Yes,” he said. “There were different types. Some that could banish their wings and some that couldn’t. Likely others we know nothing about.”

Tessa hummed, mulling that over for a minute before she continued working through the book. True to his word, Theon was helping her learn the Lost Language. He’d found an easier book for her to start with. Although, “easier” was laughable. This was tedious.

Tedious but necessary.

That was what she reminded herself every time she wanted to throw the book and do literally anything else. She’d never be able to read the book Rordan had given her.

Well, not exactlygivento her. Fearing Theon would take it from her when she returned to the Acropolis, she’d left it in Faven. Rordan had assured her it was hers, and whenever she was ready to retrieve it, it would be waiting for her. But retrieving it would be pointless if she couldn’t read the damn thing.

It had been a few weeks since she’d returned. A few weeks since she’d wrestled with so many truths. A few more weeks of watching, listening, and learning everything she could.

They’d fallen into somewhat of a routine. Running with Theon in the morning, followed by training with Luka. Afternoons alternated between attending various functions with Theon, lessons with the other Sources, and private instruction with Auryon. Luka still came to all the lessons with Auryon, and Tessa would never admit it to anyone, but she liked that. There was a weird comfort in just having him where she could see him. Auryon mainly focused on Devram’s history, which was exactly what she was supposed to do, but she was knowledgeable about so much more. And while most days Auryon wouldn’t let Tessa stray too far off topic, every once in a while, Tessa could get her to talk about something else.

Theon’s phone rang and interrupted her attempt at reading. When he looked at the screen, he immediately tensed. Setting his laptop aside, he pushed to his feet, walking over to the window in the lounge to answer it. She’d been with him long enough to know it was his father.

“Tonight? You couldn’t have given me more notice?” he asked.

Tessa looked up, finding him shoving his hand through his hair. His agitation was heavy down the bond, and she closed her book with a sigh. Whatever was happening tonight, she would surely have to be with him. She’d been looking forward to a nightin. She couldn’t remember the last time they hadn’t had some sort of function in the evening.

“I understand the Solstice is in four days. We will see her when we return to Arius House after the third Mark is given,” Theon was saying. “Of course… I can let them know…What?”

Theon nearly yelled the last word, and Tessa jumped at the unexpected inflection. It was more than just agitation flooding down the bond now. It was anger and some dread, and it had her tilting her head as she watched him begin to pace.

“Understood,” was all he ended up saying in the end before he slid his phone back into his pocket.

Pushing out a long breath, he turned back to Tessa. “My mother is here.”

“I heard,” she said.

“I didn’t think she was coming since we will be going back to Arius Kingdom for the Winter Solstice.”

Tessa nodded, waiting to hear what had caused him so much dread.

“We are to have dinner with them.”

“Here?” Tessa asked.

Theon shook his head. “No. At a restaurant in the Acropolis. Luka and Axel will join us.”

“I figured. Will Kat come?”

She and Axel had been inseparable, and they could all sense the shift in them. Or at least scent what was going on. Axel escorted her to and from the Pantheon and training arenas as usual, and Kat was spending more time outside the room instead of staying holed up.

“No,” Theon answered. “She will not be able to sit at a table with us.”

“Axel won’t like that,” Tessa commented, getting to her feet and stretching. “What do I need to wear?”

“Something elegant.”

“Bring whatever you want me in to Luka’s room. I’ll start getting ready.”

She hadn’t stepped foot in Theon’s room since that night. Theon seemed to have accepted it. He would hint at moving back up there. The room was bigger and so was the bed, but she just…couldn’t. Not with everything she’d learned and what she had come to terms with.

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