Page 106 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

“We did,” Theon answered, but judging by Scarlett’s face, that was the wrong thing to say.

The pleasantness quickly disappeared, morphing into something wraith-like. “I see. And you are the Arius Prince or whatever?” Scarlett asked, her tone making all the males tense. Even Tessa sat up a little straighter.

“The Arius Heir,” Theon gritted out. “I will be the Arius Lord.”

A smirk tilted on the corner of Scarlett’s lips. “Did you hear, Sorin? He’s going to be the AriusLord.”

“I heard, Scarlett,” Sorin replied, golden eyes watching them all warily. “The arrogance certainly tracks for an Arius descendant.”

Scarlett turned to her husband with an unimpressed glare, and Sorin huffed a laugh, as if she’d said something only he could hear.

“You never said which kingdom you’re from?” Luka cut in.

Scarlett completely ignored him and made a big show of peering around him, meeting Tessa’s gaze. “At first, I assumed they were simply protecting the females in the room, but apparently the males here are just assholes. I’m Scarlett. Sorry we met yesterday under unfortunate circumstances. I trust you are feeling a little more grounded?”

Glancing at Theon, Tessa bit her lip, unsure if she was supposed to answer or stay silent. Her tone was icy once more, and Tessa could swear the temperature in the room had dropped when Scarlett said, “She is your Source?”

“Yes, and you speaking to her without permission is grounds for immediate detaining,” Theon replied tightly.

Scarlett gave him a simpering smile before turning her attention to Axel and Kat. “And she is your…” Her head tilted, a silver braid falling over her shoulder. “Sorin?”

“I know, Scarlett,” her husband answered. “Remember what Juliette said.”

Scarlett rolled her eyes as she muttered, “Yes, yes. Fate and all that nonsense.”

“This is Katya,” Axel supplied from where he still stood, blocking the Fae from view. “She serves the Arius Kingdom.”

“Is she your Source?” Scarlett asked.

“I’m not of age to have a Source yet,” Axel explained.

“How do you not know any of this?” Theon interrupted. “I am answering no more questions until you answer some of mine.”

Scarlett’s brows rose. “By all means, ask away, Arius Lordling.”

It was Axel who choked on a laugh this time, but Tessa was utterly fascinated with the female.

“For the third time, which kingdom are you from?” Theon asked.

“There’s so many ways to answer that,” she replied, tapping her chin in mock thought. “But all you really need to know is a kingdom not of this realm.”

The entire room went still.

Except for Axel, who blurted, “Bullshit.”

“Shocking, I know,” she replied, picking up Theon’s phone that he’d set on the side table when they’d come in here. “I see people with these all the time. What are they?”

“What is… It’s a phone,” Theon said, clearly perplexed.

“What do you use it for?”

“To call each other. Or send messages.”

“Seems a little complicated.”

“It’s really not,” Theon replied.

“Why don’t you just send messages with your magic?” Scarlett asked, turning the phone over in her hand and studying it.

---