Page 169 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

“What?” Theon said, the word falling from his lips before he could stop it. He needed that ration. His reserves were depleted, and he’d given the last of his previous week’s supply to Axel last night.

“Maybe this will teach you to stop pandering to your brother’s shortcomings,” Valter sneered, buttoning his suit jacket as Eviana appeared with his long-coat and a pair of leather gloves. “But more than that, should I not see effort put forth on your part, I’ll make surehisrations are withheld as well.”

“You fucking bastard,” Theon hissed, shoving to his feet only to have his father’s power force him back to his chair before snaking around his throat once more, robbing him of the ability to speak.

“I do not know what you thought was going to happen here, Theon,” his father continued casually. “Did you truly think you would gain a Source and suddenly overpower me? Did you think you would be more powerful? Suddenly able to take the kingdom from me? Did you think I have not spent years—decades before you even entered this realm—preparing for every possibility?”

He glared back at his father, his lungs beginning to burn.

“You will do this, Theon. While your weaknesses continue to disappoint me, I suppose they continue to provide me with a means to make sure we understand each other.” Valter slipped his gloves on. “I expect a report on what your Source learned in Faven within a day of her return.”

With that, he turned, leaving the dining room. Eviana’s heels echoed as she followed, and it wasn’t until he heard the front door slam shut that he could finally draw in a gasping breath.

You think you have control because your father gives you the illusion that you do.

Tessa’s words filled his head as he worked to even out his breathing.

Who in their right mind wants to be chained to someone who craves control because he doesn’t have any?

She was right. She’d been right from the very beginning. He had control over nothing.

That’s all he could think as he pulled his phone from his pocket and called Felicity.

29

TESSA

She couldn’t breathe.

Not as Theon stood over her, a black dagger in his hand.

She couldn’t get air down to even speak.

“Breathe, little one,” Luka soothed. “It will all be over soon.”

The dragon was near her head, a large palm cupping her cheek, keeping her gaze fixed on him. Axel was at her side, his shadows twining around her legs and keeping them still.

She choked down a sob, gasping as tears slid down her face. “Please, Luka. It doesn’t have to be like this.”

Luka’s brow pinched, his gaze darting to Theon. “What if she’s right, Theon? What if there’s another way?”

“We don’t have a choice,” Theon said, still standing over her, his hair stirring in the breeze.

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 somehow, 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 hershoulder, 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 our 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 she would be robbed of that too.

“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.

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

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