Page 273 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

“I assumed yesterday, needing some time to mourn his choices with Kat,” Theon answered. “I left this morning. Brought Lange and Corbin to your rooms for now. I assumed you’d be spending most of your holiday at your cave.”

Thathadbeen the plan, especially if Tessa wasn’t going to be here anyway.

“Can you get up? Function? I need to tell you some things, and Axel should be here for it,” Luka said.

The mere act of answering seemed to pain Theon, but he said, “Help me up. I’ll rinse off and change. Give me an hour.”

Reaching out a hand, Luka pulled Theon to his feet. The male had to lean against the wall just to move. He’d be lucky if it only took an hour to shower and change. At least when Tessa had been recovering from the Marks, Theon had stayed by her side, allowing the bond to comfort her. She’d truly left him with nothing.

Well, not nothing.

Luka had felt the lust down their bond. He’d felt more than that, so he didn’t feel quite as terrible as he probably should have for Theon. At least he got to satisfy that part of the bond.

She’d also left him with a Mark on his hand. He’d bring that up later.

He left Theon to try to shower while he made his way through Arius House. Axel’s rooms were on the opposite side in another wing. He didn’t run into Cressida as he traversed the halls, pounding a fist on Axel’s door when he finally stood outside his rooms.

“Axel? We have some shit to discuss. Open up,” Luka called, pounding on the door again. When there was still no answer, he sighed. He was used to the St. Orcas brothers throwing tantrums, but this was more than that. “I’m coming in, Axel,” he called out before placing his palm on the door and using his magical signature to enter. They all had access to each other’s rooms, and Luka pushed through the door.

Axel’s sitting area was empty. In fact, it looked like nothing had been touched. There was no music playing. No shoes at the door. No dishes. Nothing was out of place.

“Axel?”

Luka moved deeper into the space, crossing to the bedroom. The bed was perfectly made. One look in the bathroom found no towels on the towel rack or toiletries out.

Axel hadn’t been here at all.

But if he’d left the townhouse and hadn’t come here, where was he?

Pulling his phone from his pocket, he tried calling Axel as he made his way back across Arius House, but it went straight to his voicemail. His phone was either off or dead. Neither of those options eased the growing dread in Luka’s gut.

Stopping at his own rooms, he knocked quickly to warn the Fae on the other side before he opened the door. He wanted to see when they’d last seen Axel since they’d been staying in his room at the townhouse. Corbin and Lange were at the table, some crackers and peanut butter between them.

“What are you two doing?” Luka asked, coming up to an abrupt halt.

The Fae both shot to their feet, Lange edging in front of Corbin a little. “We weren’t given any instruction on food, and it was all we could find,” Lange said, speaking quickly.

Luka blinked. “That’s all you’ve eaten since you got here this morning?”

Lange winced. “Since last night, actually.”

Of course his rooms hadn’t been fully stocked yet. He’d notified the staff he’d be returning tomorrow afternoon sometime.

“Come with me,” Luka said, jerking his head to the door.

They followed, their footsteps tentative, but a few minutes later they were entering Theon’s rooms. Theon wasn’t out here yet, but his kitchen pantry was fully stocked.

“Help yourself to whatever you want,” he said, gesturing to the kitchen.

Neither of the Fae moved.

By the gods, he knew the Fae were taught to be submissive, but the outright terror that came from these Fae was unexpected. The Fae he’d grown up around had all been assigned to the Arius Kingdom, used to their roles and comfortable with their space. The Fae fresh from the estates didn’t have any of that yet. Luka couldn’t exactly blame the nerves, but they’d seen Tessa and Kat around them.

“You’re fine here,” Luka sighed. “Either go help yourselves, or I’m going to attempt to make food. It likely won’t be edible.”

“You can’t cook for us,” Corbin said immediately.

“You’re right. I can’t cook,” Luka said. “Which is why I’m strongly advising you to get your own food.”

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