Page 85 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

Theonisdeath.

The words came from nowhere, clanging against the walls of her mind.

Her limbs felt heavy, her mouth dry. She inhaled, fresh air filling her senses, and that had her forcing her eyes open.

Arius House.

She was back in Theon’s rooms at Arius House. No more Underground. No more being trapped in narrow passages. No more darkness and stale air.

Good.

She didn’t want to die in a place where she couldn’t even see the sky.

She’d decided she couldn’t actually be dead. Surely the After didn’t resemble Arius House.

Unless she went to the Pits of Torment?

Then it made perfect sense.

With another deep breath, she prepared to push into a sitting position, but she’d scarcely shifted an arm when a voice said.

“Don’t try to move just yet.”

Her heart was in her throat as Luka appeared in her line of vision, leaning over her.

“By the gods,” she muttered. “Warn a person next time. Or, at the very least, wear a bell.”

His lips twitched, but of course the smile never fully formed. She suddenly found herself wondering if she’d ever seen him truly smile.

“Just take it easy for a minute,” he said when she tried to move again.

“I can’t just lie here,” she argued.

“It’s all you’ve been doing for days. I’m sure you can manage another minute or two.”

She sent him a glare. “Excuse me for almost dying.”

But instead of a jaded response, Luka looked away from her.

“Can I sit up now?” she asked after another minute.

“Go slow,” he said, reaching to help her. “How do you feel?”

“Like I was stabbed in the chest,” she grumbled. Her body still ached, and yeah, sitting up somehow made it harder to breathe.

“The Healer said you would be fine if you gave your body the rest it needed to heal.”

“Great,” she mumbled, her gaze landing on the nearby armchair. “Have you just been sitting there?”

“I was sleeping.”

“You’re not naked.”

Luka’s head snapped up. “Why would I be naked?”

“You said you always sleep naked.”

He huffed, and Tessa couldn’t decide if it was in annoyance or if it was actually almost a laugh. “I’m going to get you some water. Do not try to get out of that bed.”

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