Page 52 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

But she shut him out, slamming the shield back in place as she stopped before the last cell on the left.

He sat where he’d been the only other time she’d come down here. His long brown hair reached well past his shoulders, still a mess of tangled knots. His facial hair was a little longer, but not by much. Shirtless, she could see the Marks that ran the entire length of his left arm. That large onyx ring on his finger was a stark contrast to the manacle of pure white stone at his throat, the flecks of gold shimmering in the faint light of his cell.

And his sapphire eyes were already pinned on her.

With an exaggerated flourish, she sank to the floor, sitting in the same place she had last time. The male arched a brow, his lips twitching as he clearly fought a smirk.

Just like another always did.

Roan settled down beside her, his head in her lap, but Nylah was pacing back and forth before the cell, her nose to the floor as if searching for something.

“How did you come to be in that cell?” she asked, stroking her fingers through Roan’s fur.

The male watched her for a long time before finally saying, “I heard you torturing the Arius Lord, and now you come to me for casual conversation?”

“Is that a problem?” she challenged.

The male shrugged. “Depends on your motivations.”

“I’m collecting currency,” she replied, leaning back on her hands.

“And what have you learned?”

Tessa shrugged, lifting a hand to pull the feather from a swirl of golden mist. “Do you know what being might have feathered wings?”

The male stretched his legs out, crossing them at the ankles. “The Arius Lord was right. You know nothing of negotiating,” he said, tipping his head back against the wall.

“The Arius Lord is currently bleeding and in agony at having some of his soul ripped from his veins by my light,” she snapped, lurching forward. “I know how to negotiate just fine.”

The male slowly lowered his chin, his gaze finding hers once more.

Tessa cleared her throat, running a fingertip along the feather barbs. “I am well aware that such methods would likely be ineffective with you.”

“Because you are clever like her,” he replied.

She paused at that comment, but forced herself to focus on her task.

“I believe we can come to…some sort of agreement,” she went on.

“And why would I make an agreement with you?” he asked, eyes narrowing.

“Because unlike the Arius Lord and the conversation you so rudely eavesdropped on?—”

“It is rather hard not to overhear things down here,” he interrupted.

“Either way, I would venture to guess that unlike the Arius Lord, you are an honorable father,” she continued, turning the feather over in her hand. But she saw it in her periphery. She saw the way the male went still. “I imagine that while Valter gave up his secrets to damn his son and save himself from a little pain, you will do the exact opposite.” She lifted her gaze to his. “Am I right?”

The male said nothing, but the hard look in his eyes was answer enough. If she felt anything anymore, she’d probably shrink back from that look. Too bad she was as soulless as she’d just told Valter. This was as much a reminder to herself as it was to everyone else.

“Wonderful. I have your attention,” she said, twisting so she sat on her knees. “But to make sure we understand each other, I sleep beside him. I kept him from being locked in one of these cells, albeit that was admittedly because I couldn’t have him learning about you just yet.Iam his protection in this place now.”

“And if I tell you information, you will make sure no harm comes to my son?” the male said, his hands clenched into fists atop his thighs.

“If you tell meaccurateandtruthfulinformation,” she emphasized. “Then yes, I agree to keep harm from your son to the best of my ability. Do we have an accord?”

Sapphire eyes bored into hers. Nylah was still sniffing along the floor at the base of his cell, and Roan lifted his head, looking at the male.

“It’s a bargain,” the male said.

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