Page 90 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

Tessa glanced to her right where Gatlan, Tana’s Source, sat, and next to him was Hollis, the Anala Lady’s Source. Gatlan raised his glass of liquor to her in a cheers motion with a wink. His plate was empty, and Hollis was finishing the fresh fish they’d been served. They both wore red and grey masks that only covered their eyes. Those were practical masks. Why couldn’t she wear one like that?

“The Northern Kingdoms sit together and the Southern Kingdoms sit together,” Gatlan explained.

“Why?” Tessa asked, glancing back at the dais where the Serafina, Achaz, and Celeste families were indeed seated at the other table.

“No idea,” he answered. “It’s how it’s always been done from my understanding.”

“That seems…counterproductive to building relations among the Kingdoms.”

“One would think,” Gatlan said. “Any other observations to make?” Tessa glared at him, and he laughed lightly. “It wasn’t meant to be a jab at you. I know you were not as prepared for this role as the rest of us were, and now you are…”

“Not Fae?” Tessa finished for him. “I am aware, thank you. As for my ‘observations,’ I won’t be giving you any information to take back to the others tonight.”

“Not Fae, yet still shoved off to the side, huh? That’s rough,” Gatlan said, swirling his glass of liquor.

Tessa bristled, and she saw Theon glance over at her at the sudden burst of emotion. Scowling, she stabbed a carrot with a little too much force. “Stop baiting me, Gatlan.”

“Where’s the snappy little thing from before the Emerging Ceremony?” Gatlan asked. “Watching you put Maxson in hisplace was the best thing I’d seen in a long time. Shut him up for at least an hour. I’ve been meaning to thank you.”

“Thank me,” she repeated doubtfully.

“He is being genuine,” Eviana cut in. “He is not trying to rile you.”

Tessa turned to her. The female never spoke to her. Not unless instructed by Valter. “Forgive me for not trusting you.”

Eviana only shrugged a slender shoulder, returning to her nearly clean plate. She didn’t appear to have any issue eating with her glittering black mask in place. Then again, she’d been doing this for… How long had she been Valter’s Source?

“Jasper and Maxson are asses to everyone. Don’t feel bad,” Gatlan continued, as if Tessa hadn’t been questioning his motives. “Dade is quiet and observant like his Mistress. Sasha tries to keep the peace.”

Tessa sat back in her chair, placing her fork on her plate. “Not that I asked for a rundown of the other Sources, but how do you fit into the mix then?”

“I don’t,” he said with another wink before knocking back the last of his drink. Within seconds, a server was there replacing it with a fresh, full glass. Gatlan clearly noticed her slightly shocked stare because he asked, “Need a taste?”

“No,” she said quickly, her gaze going to the half-empty water glass before her. But why couldn’t she have some alcohol? She wasn’t Fae. Theon didn’t even think she was Legacy. Sure, she was still a Source, but?—

But nothing.

She was still a Source. If she fucked up, everything could change. The ruling Lords and Ladies could move up their timeline. They could change the terms, and she wasn’t ready. She needed more time.

Pushing out a harsh breath, Tessa forced a tight smile to her face when she met Gatlan’s gaze once more. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”

He had a small smirk on his lips as he watched her. “Figured I’d offer before you helped yourself this time.”

Tessa felt her cheeks grow hot at the memory. That had been incredibly impulsive of her that night.

“It’s fine, Tess,” he said, and her eyes narrowed.

Only one other person called her that. “Do you know Lange?” she asked.

The small smirk increased. “By association.”

“You know Corbin,” she said, realization dawning. Corbin had come from the Anala Kingdom.

Gatlan nodded, his eyes dancing with what Tessa could only call mischief as he took another sip of his liquor.

“How well do you know him?”

“We were quite close,” Gatlan said, that delight in eyes dimming a little. “Not in the way he and Lange are, but we were very good friends. Grew up together.”

---