Page 222 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

Luka stepped forward, holding out his hand. “Give it to me, Tessa. I’ll store it in a pocket realm, and we can decide what to do later.”

“I’m surewewill,” Theon muttered.

Axel wasn’t sure what that was about. There had been tension between Luka and Theon last night, but Axel had just assumed that was due to yet another Augury attack and Tessa being in danger again.

“There is likely a charm or enchantment on it anyway,” Luka said, the gift disappearing amidst a burst of black flames. “If anyone other than Tessa opens it, Lord Jove will know.”

“He can do that?” Tessa asked in shock.

“It’s just an enchantment, Tessa,” Theon said. “A person can do almost anything if they’re willing to pay the cost.”

“We need to head in there,” Luka said, moving to the front of their group.

They all followed him, the four of them sliding into the Arius Kingdom’s row while Kat, Lange, and Corbin were forced tostand along the wall. Legacy would take all the available seats, and there wouldn’t be many other Fae here.

Tessa twisted from where she sat between Axel and Theon, peering at her friends. “I can’t believe you made Kat wear heels, Axel,” she whispered. “How long is this thing going to be?”

“Did you not have Solstice services at the estate?” he whispered back.

“Yes, and they were nearly two hours.”

“Same here, baby doll.”

“If we weren’t in a temple, I would smack you,” she said in a sharp whisper. “Her feet are going to be killing her by the end of tonight.”

“Tessa, if my father saw her in anything other than heels, he would consider it a show of grave disrespect,” Axel said.

“The priestesses don’t even wear heels,” she argued.

“I didn’t say it would be a show of disrespect to them or to this service or even to Rai,” he replied, naming the god of seasons. “He would see it as a personal affront and claim she is disrespecting the Arius Kingdom by not being properly dressed. Why do you think Theon provided you with the wardrobe he did?”

She crossed her arms, sitting back in her seat. “I know whyIwas provided the clothing I was, but she’s not a Source.”

“And she won’t be one,” Axel retorted.

Something in Tessa’s demeanor shifted at his words, and she uncrossed her arms, clasping her hands in her lap. Her skin seemed paler against the black dress she wore. All the kingdoms wore their colors, and of course, Arius Kingdom was black and silver. There was also a faint glow around her wrist. Not as bright as last night, but enough that Axel knew it was there. How could she constantly use her magic like that?

He suddenly wondered exactly how she replenished her magic reserves. As far as he knew she didn’t drink blood. Maybeit was rest and food like the Fae who mimicked mortals in that way.

Those thoughts were quickly scattered with the arrival of his parents, and soon the service was underway. It was nearly two hours, just as he’d said it would be. Theon and the other heirs were dismissed first so they could prepare for the ritual of the third Marking, and after they had all filed out, the ruling families followed.

At least his father waited until they were in the anteroom of the temple before he acknowledged Axel. Although when he spoke, Axel found himself wishing the service had lasted another five hours.

“Be at the manor for breakfast, Axel,” Valter said. “And bring the fire Fae.”

39

TESSA

She’d stopped and unbuckled her glittering black heels as soon as they’d reached the second floor. Theon had taken them from her without a word, the straps of the shoes now wrapped around his fingers as he and Luka walked a few paces ahead of her. They were different. There was a crack in their unified front, and it was one a person wouldn’t notice unless they spent the majority of their time with the two males. But even if she couldn’t feel the tension trickling down the bond, she would have been able to tell. It was in the way they walked too stiffly beside each other. The way Theon refused to meet Luka’s gaze, and the way Luka… Well, he was always broody, but he seemed more so.

Theon stopped briefly outside the same room she’d received the other two Source Marks in, pressing his palm to the door. A moment later, magic flared before the door clicked open. Theon and Luka filed through, but Tessa paused on the threshold. Her black and silver dress was suddenly too tight as she remembered the agony of the first two Marks. Her palms were sweaty, and it felt like Mother Cordelia’s magic was stealing her air.

There had been no word on the Estate Mother’s whereabouts, but with the increase of Augury attacks, Legacy and Fae alike were becoming concerned. There had been a notice that the Lords and Ladies would meet tomorrow to discuss a course of action, which was likely part of the reason Theon’s hearing had been pushed to the day after.

“Tessa?” Theon called, reappearing in the doorway. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” she said with a false smile, reinforcing her mental shields to make sure he couldn’t feel her emotions.

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