Page 248 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

Axel had to give it to the dragon for knowing Theon well enough to give him a complete rundown of what he saw while he was there.

“What did she say?” Theon repeated, still pacing.

“Theon, get a drink, brother,” Axel said, sitting back and crossing his ankle over his knee.

“I don’t want a drink.”

“Then get me one. Do something other than wear a hole in the floor.”

Theon glared at him but made his way over to the drink cart anyway. It gave him something to do with his hands at least. He watched as Theon poured a drink, knocking the entire thing back before pouring another one and bringing it over to him. Then his brother turned to Luka expectantly.

Luka had already drained his own drink, toying with the empty tumbler as he said, “She’s confused. Talked about hervisions a little. But she seemed…settled, maybe? Like she knew to expect this.”

“Knew to expect this?” Theon repeated. “Like it was planned? Like Lord Jove had told her things? And she’d kept them from us?”

“Obviously he told her things,” Axel drawled. “He said he told her all the things you didn’t. Does she know about the three-way bond?”

“Yes,” Theon snapped.

“So I was the only one who didn’t know. Got it.”

“Don’t act like that,” Theon said, resuming his pacing. “We kept it from you to protect you. Just like her.”

“Because that’s worked out so well.”

Theon rounded on him, his hands clenching at his sides and causing Luka to stand, stepping between them.

“Everyone just take a breath,” Luka said. “We’re all tense. We all have things on our mind, and we do need to discuss a few things she said.”

“Like what?” Theon asked from between clenched teeth.

“Her visions. She doesn’t understand them, and to be honest, they’re driving her a little mad,” Luka said. “But she kept talking about one she has repeatedly.”

Theon went still. “What did she say about it?”

“That she has the same vision, but the details change.” Luka turned, his gaze settling on Axel. “She said the last time she had it, Kat was there, but you weren’t. She said it was strange because you’re always there.”

Axel leaned forward at her name. “But Kat was there? She was whole and healthy? Safe?”

“I guess I didn’t ask,” Luka said. “I was more worried about the you-being-absent part.”

Something in his chest loosened at hearing that Kat was in that vision. He didn’t really care that he wasn’t as long as Katya was alive in it.

“Did she say anything else about the vision?” Theon asked.

“Only that when she first had it, Tristyn and Kat weren’t in it, but they have been in the recent versions,” Luka answered.

“Blackheart?” Theon said in dismay. “Again?”

“He’s not all bad,” Axel cut in.

“He’s helpful when he wants to be,” Theon muttered. “When it benefits him in some way. I’m sure you will owe some type of debt to him for his help with Kat.”

Oh, yes. Axel had gotten a delightful lecture from his older brother about that. It didn’t seem to matter that no oaths or vows were exchanged. Theon was convinced Axel was now indebted to the Legacy, but Axel gave him the same response he gave him now.

“If that’s the case, whatever the cost is, I’ll pay it.”

Theon pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen as if Tessa might call as he said, “If Tessa’s vision is any indication, you might not get the chance to pay that debt. The fact that father still hasn’t confronted you about not delivering Katya is unsettling.”

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