Page 30 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

Tessa looked down at her nearly sheer night clothing that stopped mid-thigh. Oralia was probably right. She spun, hurrying back to the bed while simultaneously pulling the nightgown over her head. The thing was a golden cream color because all of her clothing was light now, but her gaze snagged on the black Marks on the back of her hands. A Mark claiming her as his,and a Mark that took everything from him.

“Tessa!” Oralia snapped, another piece of clothing landing on the bed. “Let’s go.”

“I don’t understand why we’re in a hurry. Luka isn’t going to do anything to me,” Tessa muttered, sliding on flimsyunderthings and loose-knit white training pants. Then she reached for the sports bra and cropped top, the sleeves tight fitting on her arms.

She quickly brushed her teeth and slipped a hair tie onto her wrist. She’d have to put it up later for training with Odessa, the instructor who was helping her master her gifts. That was what she did most mornings, and judging by the clothing Oralia had laid out, that was the plan again today.

“Shoes, Tessa,” Oralia called after her as she breezed through the door.

“Can you grab them?” she yelled back, loving the feel of the cool marble beneath her bare feet.

“Tessa, wait!”

But Tessa ignored her, moving along the hallways she was coming to learn well. Her fingers dragging on the wall, she was descending the grand staircase when she heard Dex.

“As I said, the Achaz Lord and his heir are out right now. You need to make an appointment to see them.”

“And as I said, I won’t be speaking with aFae. Find me a Legacy to speak to,” came a familiar drawl that had her heart skipping a beat and the bond vibrating in her chest. She put everything she had into blocking that stupid bond right now. Luka didn’t need to know what she was feeling.

“That is not an option available to you,” Dex retorted.

In the past weeks here, she still had not figured out how Dex had gained such a position in the Achaz Lord’s household. It was one secret she had yet to uncover, but she would in time.

“It is the only acceptable option,” Luka replied, crossing his arms and squaring off with Dex.

“Your options are to leave and make an appointment, or wait in the cells beneath this house,” Dex sneered, straightening to his full height, but Luka still had an inch or two on him.

The tilt of Luka’s lips was slightly terrifying when he said, “Try it.”

Before Dex could answer, Tessa said, “He can stay with me until Rordan returns.”

Dex spun in her direction, but Luka’s eyes only flicked to her as though he’d known she’d been standing there the entire time.

Which he only confirmed when he said ‘About time you use that voice of yours’down the bond.

When had she dropped her shields?

You’re an ass, she retorted, and to her annoyance, she saw his lips twitch.

“He can’t stay with you, Tessa,” Dex said in an exasperated tone as he turned away from her.

“Of course he can,” she replied, drumming her fingers on the wall, energy flickering off them.

Dex sighed, turning back to her once more. “Where is Oralia?”

Tessa shrugged. “I assume I am going to train? Luka can come with me.”

“We’re not leaving you with an Arius Guardian,” Dex snapped.

“What does he want anyway?” she asked, dropping down to sit on a step and resting her chin in her hand.

“To speak with the Achaz Lord,” Dex answered.

“About what?”

“He won’t tell me.”

“Because you are clearly not the Achaz Lord.”

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