Page 242 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

Luka was pretty sure he’d figured out where she was. There were sentinels outside the door. Six of them to be exact, so he was going to have to Travel directly into the room.

Hopefully she was alone.

With a steadying breath, he took a step as if moving through a rip in the air. The familiar pull at his navel was hardly noticeable after all these years. He shifted his eyes to adjust to the low lighting of the room. It was nearly identical to the Marking room they used. The main area was lit by a few sconces. There was a sofa, and a table with two chairs. Some fruit, cheese, and crackers were on the table. At least she’d eaten something.

Off to the right was a room, the door half closed, and he took silent steps towards it. Then he breathed out a sigh of relief to see her lying on her back, hands stacked on her stomach and bands of light glowing softly around her wrists. Her golden hair was down, fanning around her atop the white comforter. She’d changed since the hearing. Instead of the form-fitting dress, she wore pants that cuffed at her ankles and a top that stopped midway down her torso, leaving a couple inches of her stomach bare. Her legs were hanging over the edge of the bed, her bare feet swinging.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” she called out.

“I’m aware,” Luka answered, leaning a shoulder against the doorjamb and crossing his arms.

She propped herself up on her elbows. “How did you get in?”

“Traveled.”

“The wards?”

He shrugged a shoulder. “My best guess is they weren’t expecting someone to Travel in, so the wards don’t detect it.”

She considered that for a moment before saying, “That makes sense.” Then she fell back on the bed.

“You seem…better.”

“I took a nap.”

“Ah. A nap does tend to help unruly children,” he replied.

She turned her head, sending him an unimpressed glare. “If you’re just here to remind me you’re an ass, good job. Consider it a success and kindly fuck off.”

He fought the smirk trying to curl on his lips. “We were worried.”

“I don’t know why. I returned from Faven fed, bathed, and unharmed,” she said, returning her gaze to the ceiling.

“This is very different from Faven, Tessa.”

She sighed. “I know.”

Pushing off the doorjamb, Luka crossed the few feet to the bed, sitting down beside her. Her mental shields were up, keeping him locked out. That was fine if that was what she felt she needed to do right now.

“This room is small,” she said suddenly.

“You don’t have to stay in here. The sitting room is larger,” he replied, lowering onto his back beside her.

“Still no windows, though.”

“At least you can make your own light.”

Tessa lifted a hand, letting a glowing orb grow in her palm. “There is that.”

They sat in silence for several minutes, and he watched her out of the corner of his eye. Watched her lips move as she murmured words he couldn’t hear. Watched her fingers tap in a random rhythm along her stomach. Watched the steady rise and fall of her chest.

“I was thinking,” she said.

“About?” Luka asked. He wanted to turn and prop himself on an elbow so he could actually look at her, but he was pretty sure any sudden movement would have her shutting down again.

“How you can Travel,” she answered.

Luka swiped a hand over his mouth becausethat’swhat she was sitting here thinking about? “All right then. Let’s hear it.”

---