Page 10 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

“Is there indeed a bond between you and the Arius Heir?” Lady Aithne asked.

“As he said, I do not know if it is a true Source bond, but there is…something, yes.”

“You have lived your entire life believing yourself to be Fae?”

“Yes, my Lady.”

The Lady’s head tilted, red hair spilling over her shoulder. “And what are your desires in this matter?”

Theon’s stomach went to his throat at the question.

“I…” Tessa shifted, her hands dropping to her sides and fingers curling inward. “I do not understand what you are asking me, my Lady.”

The Anala Lady gave her a small, sympathetic smile. “Do you wish to stay with the Arius Heir, Tessa?”

Tessa lifted her chin. “I trust you will make the best decision for us all as the rulers of the realm.”

That sympathetic smile turned into an amused one, and the Lady gave a soft huff of laughter. “While that was indeed the correct answer to bolster our over-inflated sense of self-importance, now I wish for your true answer, Tessa.”

Theon wasn’t sure he could draw in air. He had no idea how Tessa was going to answer this question, but he needed her answer more than he needed to breathe at the moment. He knew if she said she wanted out, this would be it. The Achaz Lord was waiting for any reason to take her from him.

A hand landed on his shoulder, but Theon couldn’t look at his brother. His entire focus was on the golden-haired female facing the rulers of the realm.

“I wish to stay with him,” Tessa finally answered, and Theon sucked in a breath at the words.

“Why?” asked the Falein Lady.

“Because many things are changing,” Tessa said. “It is overwhelming at times. I know there are only more changes coming, and having something constant, at least for the time being, would be…comforting.”

“You understand that if we decide to let this remain for the time being, you will still be considered a Source,” Lord Jove cut in, his entire being fixed on Tessa. “Even though you are not Fae, you will still receive the next Source Mark on the fall equinox. You understand this is beneath you now?”

She didn’t tremble, falter, or stutter when she answered, “I understand where my choices will lead.”

She waschoosingthis. Theon couldn’t believe what he was hearing. She waschoosingthe bond. She waschoosingthis life.

She waschoosingto stay with him.

“Is there anything else we should consider in this matter?” the Serafina Lady asked.

Theon was still so shocked at what Tessa had said that it wasn’t until Axel kicked him under the table that he answered, “No, my Lady. I believe all the facts of this matter have been stated.”

Lady Isleen nodded, and the Lords and Ladies all stood, filing from the room and leaving them to sit and wait. The moment the door closed behind them, Theon was on his feet, closing the distance between him and Tessa. He turned her to face him, gently taking her face in his hands.

“I’m sorry I didn’t prepare you for that. I didn’t think they would…” he trailed off, faltering at the blank expression on her face.

“You didn’t think they would deign to ask whatIwanted, despite the fact I am not Fae?” she asked flatly.

He supposed that was exactly what he’d thought.

When she only continued to stare back at him, he murmured, “You did beautifully, Tessa.”

“I’m glad I finally managed to meet your expectations,” she retorted before stepping from his hold and moving back to the bench where she took her seat next to Luka.

Theon sighed internally before moving back to his own seat, spinning his chair as Axel had done to face Luka and Tessa. But as he did, his gaze snagged on the upper balcony again, where the Keeper was still leaning on the railing. Even with the hood, Theon could tell his attention was on Tessa.

And it was just another thing in all of this chaos Theon was determined to figure out.

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