Page 203 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

Which was odd.

She’d been a part of the kingdom politics for months now. Why was any of this surprising to her?

“It is also when Match contracts are routinely announced for the year,” Eviana added.

Tessa frowned. “Theon’s was announced months ago.”

“Because he is an heir, and Valter was proving a point. But it will still be acknowledged at the Gala.”

“Right,” Tessa murmured, drumming her fingers on the armrest of her chair.

“Theon was always different,” Eviana said.

Tessa’s fingers paused their rhythm. “What?”

“Theon,” Eviana repeated. “Valter tried to mold him into a replica of himself, but Theon always resisted. I found it pointless, but he persisted.”

“Are you trying to tell me that beneath it all, he is good?” Tessa asked doubtfully.

“No,” Eviana scoffed. “There are no good Legacy in Devram. Only ones that try to justify their transgressions and balance them out with the occasional, almost decent, deed.”

Tessa stood abruptly, careful to avoid the shards of glass at her feet. “Sorry about that. I will send someone to clean it.”

“No need,” Eviana answered.

“Is there anything you’d like me to try to bring you next time?”

“Next time?”

“Unless you wish me to stop visiting,” Tessa added.

“You can do whatever you wish,” Eviana said. “You are the one with freedom.”

“What would you do if you had the same?”

“I don’t.”

Tessa nodded. “Lange and Corbin are quite trustworthy.”

So many random things from her mouth.

“Until next time, Eviana,” she all but sang before she left, the door clicking shut behind her.

Idly, Eviana wondered what Luka thought of her coming here. None of them cared for her, not that she could blame them. She’d inflicted Valter’s wrath on them more times than she could count. Or she’d sat in her chair and watched, doing nothing. That was the difference between her and Theon, she supposed. While Theon tried to justify his sins, she simply didn’t.

Interesting that Tessa had asked of Cressida though. The female must have slipped up to garner such attention.

Eviana uncoiled from her chair, the fresh cut on her palm still tender. The one on her finger was healing. Crossing the room, she picked up one of the hair combs. It was beautiful. The ends of the crescent moon were pointed, and the tips of the antlers were sharp enough to stab with.

Clever, cunning girl.

Picking up the other comb, she lifted the cushion of the chair and slid one beneath it. Then she wound her long hair up and used the other comb to secure it.

Truth be told, she would be a little disappointed if Tessa stopped coming to visit now. Disappointed but she’d move on. The female was providing her useful updates and information that she could potentially use later, and she was providing the same. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t doing so solely to lure her back here. And fine, the wine wasn’t terrible.

Swiping up the bottle, she didn’t bother with the other wineglass this time. She drank straight from the bottle when she went back to her chair and settled in.

The first time she’d laid eyes on Valter she’d been six years.

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