Page 138 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

“Corbin and Lange?” she asked.

“They also passed.”

“That’s good.”

When she didn’t speak for another few seconds, Dex said, “You’re not going to bother asking about Oralia and Brecken?”

“You told me about Kat. I assumed you’d tell me about them as well if they passed,” she shot back.

“By the gods, you’re in a mood tonight.”

Her gaze swung to his. “You would be in a mood too if you’d been brought to yetanotherunfamiliar place. And let’s not forget the testing I’ll be facing while I’m here.”

“We’re trying to make you more comfortable. It’s why I’m here,” he argued.

“I don’t know what you want me to say, Dex,” she said, twisting her fingers together. “I’m bound to be restless and unsure in new surroundings.”

“Surely it’s better than where you were,” he said dismissively. But when she didn’t immediately agree, he said, “Right?”

She hesitated, trying to find the words to accurately describe how she was feeling. “I know what to expect there,” she finally said.

“You mean you know your place there,” he sneered.

“No, I mean I know the control I have there,” she bit back.

Dex clicked his tongue, rolling his eyes. “You have no control, Tessa.”

She was on her feet in the next breath, fists clamped tightly around the power surging beneath her skin. “You can leave now.”

“I didn’t mean that,” Dex said. He was also on his feet, watching her carefully.

The faint howl of a wolf sounded, and Dex seemed to tense even more.

“I didn’t know there were wolves in the Dreamlock Woods,” Tessa said, glancing at the open window.

“I guess there are,” he said tightly.

The two stared at each other for a long moment before Dex’s shoulders sagged, a look of utter defeat coming over his face. “I can’t believe he did this in such a short period of time.”

“Did what?” she asked, trying to tamp down on her growing irritation.

Dex gestured to the space between them. “Put this distance between us. I’ve been nothing but there for you since I first saw you at the Celeste Estate, and yet you spend a few months in Arius Kingdom and we’re this.”

Guilt surged up, and she looked away, wrapping her arms around herself. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “There’s just so much I don’t understand. So much I’m trying to figure out. It’s overwhelming, and I…” She could feel the tears welling, and she blinked them back.

Dex was pulling her into a hug, a hand smoothing down her hair just like he’d done so many other times. But this hug wasn’t comforting like those had been. She wanted it to be. Gods, did she wish this would soothe her the way it always had before. But it did nothing.

Because it wasn’t Theon.

And she knew this wasn’t the bond because she also knew a hug from Luka or even Axel would be more comforting.

Despite all of that, Dex still knew her. Their years of friendship hadn’t been erased, and that had to mean something, right? In the midst of all the change and uncertainty, Dex was right. Hewashere. He didn’t have to be, but here he was, letting her cry into his shirt.

When her soft cries had subsided, Dex leaned back, cupping her chin in his hand and tipping her face up. “You know I only want what’s meant for you, right? All I’ve ever wanted was for you to find your place in this world? To be who you were meant to be?”

“I know,” she sniffled. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re my best friend, Tessa. Do you have any idea what it’s been like not being able to talk to you for weeks? Only catching glimpses of you here and there? And when I do get to talk to you, you’re short and defensive. I don’t know what to do. I’m trying to fix it, but I can only do so much,” he said.

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