Page 4 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

“To the Tribunal.”

She tripped on the stairs, Theon catching her arm to keep her from tumbling down. Turning to face him, she said, “The Tribunal? Why do we have to go there?”

His features hardened, that muscle feathering in his jaw. “I will explain on the way.”

The Tribunal was where hearings and trials were held in the Acropolis. Most were held in Faven, the capital of the Achaz Kingdom, since the Achaz Lord, Rordan Jove, and his kingdom were responsible for upholding the laws and accords of Devram. But the Tribunal? That was where the laws and accords were made. That was where all six of the kingdoms came together to discuss matters.

Theon didn’t ask if she wanted to walk again. Instead, she found herself being ushered into their usual vehicle, Luka sliding into the driver’s seat. Axel was meeting them there after he dropped Kat off at the Pantheon for her daily trainings.

Theon had scarcely shut the back door when she asked, “Why do we all have to go to the Tribunal this morning?”

“There is a hearing being held,” he answered, eyes fixed straight ahead.

“A hearing? At the Tribunal? Is that normal?”

“No. A hearing with all the ruling Lords and Ladies is rare. It only happens in…atypical circumstances.”

“Is it normal for you to be present during these hearings?”

“The last one that was held like this was when Prudence was born. I was only two years. And that wasn’t so much a hearing as it was an agreement being made regarding all six heirs coming of age to Select Sources during the same Selection year.”

“And now?”

Theon finally turned to meet her gaze. “And now they are having a hearing because of you.”

“Me?” she balked, lurching back from him.

“Yes.”

“But what about me specifically?”

That muscle ticked again, and she started to lift a hand. To do what? She didn’t know. The bond always pushed her to try and soothe him when he was upset. She dropped her hand back to her lap, annoyed with herself.

Finally, he said, “The hearing is to determine whether you can remain my Source. We are to present our arguments today, and the final decision will be given this afternoon.”

To determine whether she could remain his Source? That made little sense because?—

“I thought the only way to end a Source bond is by death?” she said.

“It is.”

That probably should have caused her to panic. A normal person probably would have felt something. Fear. Dread. Some form of hysteria.

She felt nothing.

“It’s not going to happen, Tessa,” Theon said when she didn’t speak.

She only shrugged, turning to look out the window.

A Source was Fae. That was what they’d been taught. That was their purpose. To serve the Legacy in whatever way they demanded.

But she wasn’t Fae. Not even demi-Fae. That was what Lord Jove had told her, not that she was entirely sure she believed him. She didn’t really trust anyone at this point, and she’d only had a brief time with Rordan before Theon and Valter had come to claim her once more. But the things he’d said…

“Do you think any part of me is Fae?” she asked suddenly, watching the people wander along the streets to wherever they were going.

There was a long pause before Theon said, “I don’t know the answer to that, Tessa.”

“I didn’t ask for a definitive answer,” she replied, her head tilting as she caught sight of her reflection in the window. Her finger came up to the glass, tracing around the violet rings that now lined the outer edges of her grey eyes. “I am told you are academically inclined. I asked if youthinkany part of me is Fae.”

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