Page 16 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

“Yes, of course, Father,” Theon answered.

“You will not only figure out what her bloodline is, but you will report it to me first.”

“You want me to go against the entirety of the ruling families?”

“Thisis where your loyalty lies, Theon.Thisis your kingdom.”

“I am not denying that.”

“And if you learn she is, in fact, a Legacy,” Valter continued, “you will discreetly figure out a way to end the Source bond in a way that does not require death.”

“If we are not tied together by a bond, it will only give Lord Jove more grounds to have her removed to Achaz Kingdom, especially if she is found to be an Achaz Legacy,” Theon argued.

There would clearly be no asking her what she wanted in this room like there had been at the Tribunal hearing.

“I am aware, Theon,” his father replied in annoyance. “Which is why the moment the Source bond is severed, she will be bound in a Match union.”

“Match ceremonies cannot be performed during Selection years,” Theon shot back, clearly working to control his temper, and clearly failing as Tessa watched darkness dance along his skin and curl around his arched ears.

“I’m sure you can find a way around that. You are, after all, adept at finding loopholes,” Valter answered coldly, and Tessa could only assume he was referencing the Guardian bond between Luka and Theon that was supposed to have been between Luka and Valter.

“Fine. Done,” Theon retorted. “The Source bond will be severed, and a Match ceremony performed?—”

“Between her and Luka,” Valter interrupted.

“What?”

It wasn’t Theon who spluttered the response, but Luka. Tessa looked over to find clear shock on the dragon’s face as he stared back at the Arius Lord. Before her, Theon was rigid, and that darkness was swirling, tendrils reaching for her. Her hand was still curled into the back of his shirt, and she released it, running her fingertips along his spine before dragging them through the darkness as though it was a fine mist. The shadows shuddered around her before crawling along her fingers and up her hand to her wrist, and then recoiling from the band they encountered.

She couldn’t blame them for that.

“Whatever power she possesses, it is clearly strong,” Valter was saying. “I cannot risk it overcoming the Arius power in our own bloodline by Matching her with Axel.”

Axel?

Tessa’s nose scrunched at the mere idea of such a thing.

“So you wish to overcomeSargonpower?” Theon demanded. “When Luka is the only Sargon Legacy in the realm? Shouldn’t we be keeping his power prominent?”

Valter crossed one leg over the other, sipping at his drink again, visibly calmer than he’d been before. “That’s exactly what I am doing. The female may be powerful, but Luka is a closer descendant of Sargon than we are of Arius, certainly more than she is from whatever god or goddess she descends from, including Achaz. Her power will only serve to strengthen the Sargon gifts of the offspring they would produce.”

Tessa could swear Theon stumbled a bit at the mention of children.

“Unless you would prefer me to hand her over to someone else?” Valter added, a brow arching in a knowing look. “The two of you share everything else. Certainly this wouldn’t have to be any different as long as the babes produced are Luka’s.”

Share everything else?

Tessa’s fingers paused their twirling of the shadows as she glanced at Luka. She’d certainly had her own experiences withsharing, but consider her interest suddenly peaked. Not that she wanted to sharethem. If it were up to her, she wouldn’t have any of them, but?—

The Lord’s next words pulled her from all thoughts she was currently entertaining.

“It isn’t as if we can Match her with you anyway. You already have a Match contract signed in blood.”

“What?”

This time it was her spluttering and peering incredulously around Theon.

“Hush, Tessa,” Theon hissed, not even bothering to glance back at her with the order.

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