Page 38 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

Rordan mirrored his movements, his chair reclining some as he leaned back. “Show me this Bargain Mark.”

His sleeve still rolled back from the interactions with Tessa, Luka showed the Lord the Mark from the bargain he’d made with her. If he actually called Tessa here to corroborate the story, he was truly fucked.

“And that Bargain Mark is from a bargain made between you and Tessa regarding training in some form?” Rordan asked.

“It is,” he answered, thanking Sargon that he had worded that just vaguely enough to answer truthfully.

“Then answer me this: why would Iwantyou to train her?”

Luka blinked, surprised by the question. “You do realize her current instructor can’t possibly train her properly? She is not even close to Tessa’s power levels. How do you expect her to train her?”

“I do not need her to be more powerful,” Rordan answered. “She is handling matters just fine as things stand.”

“Handling matters,” Luka deadpanned. “Within minutes of me starting a training routine with her, her emotions overtook her, and she summoned a godsdamn storm indoors. She is not handling anything. Beyond that, power is only useful if it can be contained.”

A cold smirk tilted at the corner of the Lord’s lips. “Spoken like a true war lord, but what do you care? Why would you want her trained when she is no longer loyal to the kingdom you serve?”

“For the same reason I’m betting the ruling Ladies would want her trained,” Luka answered. “She is a danger to the entire realm if she cannot get that power under control.”

“And, of course, it is a layer of protection for your Ward as a Guardian,” Rordan said.

“Yes, I must always work for what keeps him safe, but this is bigger than him. You’re not a fool.”

“That I am not,” he agreed. “And because I am no fool, what do I get out of letting you train her? I have no stake in your bargain with her, and from what I understand,shewill not suffer if your end is not upheld.”

“Aside from me staying quiet about Valter?” Luka asked.

“You already showed your hand, Mors,” Rordan countered. “I could have you caged below this manor and move on with my day. I’m going to need a little more incentive out of this deal.”

“What do you want?” Luka asked, his eyes narrowing.

“Information about your lineage.”

It was his turn to huff an amused laugh. “I know nothing of my lineage.”

“You are one of your kind,” Rordan countered. “Should I have questions about your bloodline, I would like them answered truthfully.”

“Fine,” Luka said, because Rordan likely knew more about his bloodline and the god he descended from than he did.

“You cannot end my life,” Rordan went on.

“Why would I want to kill you? That is never something we have wanted,” Luka said.

Rordan smiled pointedly. “I think the reason behind such a request is obvious enough.”

Luka knew there was motive behind everything, but a basic insurance policy against him seemed reasonable enough.

“Agreed. Anything else?” Luka all but drawled.

Rordan rubbed at his chin, leaning back further in his chair. “Yes. While we’re at it, let’s add that onyx ring Theon always wears, just to prove your commitment to the cause.”

The idea of giving that ring to him made his dragon huff in protest, but it was one ring. He had dozens hoarded back at his cave. Theon would understand why this was necessary, and Luka recognized it for what it was from the Lord: a show of dominance and a power move.

Everything in this realm was a game of moves and countermoves. He could concede to such a minor thing now in order to get what he needed. Small sacrifices now to secure victory in the future. That was what this was on his end.

“We have an accord,” Luka said.

“So we do,” the Lord agreed.

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