Page 227 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

A light rain was falling, thunder rumbling in the distance.

“I still think there is another way to interpret this.”

Tessa’s head snapped to the side to find a tall male. He looked familiar. Sapphire eyes. The cut of his features. But Tessa was sure she’d never met him. He had a sword strapped down his back, as did the female standing next to him. Her red-gold hair was braided over her shoulder, and flames flickered in her eyes. Standing next to them was Tristyn and Katya, a strange Mark stark against the back of the Fae’s hand.

“Life must give, and death must take,” Theon said flatly. “There is no other way to interpret that. Not if we wish to save this world.”

For so long, Tessa had wished for death, and now, in this moment, she didn’t want it. She’d finally found something to fight for, and gods, she was going to fight for it.

“You’re wrong,” Tristyn said, his features taut and his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. “Have you learned nothing over these past months? Everything you thought you knew has been wrong. This is no different.”

“It is all different. All that questioning has led me here. To understanding why we were drawn to each other,” Theon said, his grip on the dagger tightening. “I tried to change it. I did everything I could, but destiny beckons and sacrifice demands.”

“Theon, don’t!” Tessa cried. “It’s more than a bond! I know that now.”

Emerald eyes cut to her. “You’re right, and now that I understand what that means, I’m the only one who can do this.”

She would fight, but she’d never win. Not with the ring on her finger keeping her separated from her gifts.

Luka pulled her into him, his hand smoothing down her hair.

“Luka,” she sobbed, the sound defeated and broken.

“He won’t do it, Tessa,” he whispered. “He can’t harm you. The bond?—”

“This is wrong,” the female with fire was saying to the other male. “This will alter everything.”

“It will correct the balance,” Theon said.

“It will tip it beyond repair!” Katya cried. “Theon, there’s another way. We’ve spent hours together researching. We can find another way.”

“We’re out of time,” Theon said. Then, in a barely audible murmur, he added, “Once again, I’m out of time.”

“We cannot interfere,” the familiar-looking male said, reaching for the female with fire when she took a step towards Tessa. “It will upset the?—”

“Fuck the balance,” the female seethed, shoving his hands away. “She sent us to help. This is the exact opposite of that!”

Howling nearby had Theon tensing.

“Theon, stop,” Luka said, his hand never ceasing its movement along her hair as he clutched her tightly to him. “We will find another way.”

“She can get here,” the female was saying, panic in her voice. “She can stop this.”

“Not even she will be fast enough,” Theon answered.

“She is a World Walker and a queen among the realms. She?—”

“And even she has been ordered not to interfere with this,” Theon cut in, dropping to Tessa’s side. “She is already tempting fate by sending you.”

“She will not care,” the female spat.

“She will be too late,” Theon said again. Lowering to a crouch beside her, he slid his fingers along Tessa’s jaw. “You will forever be mine, Tessa. Whether in this life or in the After.”

“Please don’t send me to the dark alone,” she whispered, her body trembling in Luka’s arms.

The male and female were arguing with Tristyn, but Tessa couldn’t hear them. Not as she got lost in dark emerald eyes and black hair. In a small dimple and lips she’d kissed more times than she could count.

“I’m sorry I failed you, little storm,” Theon said, sorrow flashing in his eyes. “I tried. I tried to save you.”

---