Page 79 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

“Such pretty words,” she murmured.

“I’ve never lied to you, Tessa,” he replied.

Luka knew Theon didn’t realize he was doing it. It was an impulse, a natural reaction to the bond and her and everything they weren’t supposed to be. But his hand came up. Tessa was so lost in his stare, she didn’t notice it either. Not until the barest of touches when his fingertips brushed her cheek.

Then she jerked backwards, her bare feet tripping on the rug beneath them. Her power flared, lightning crackling around her, and Luka lurched forward to put himself between them. He still felt the sting of her power as it collided with his flames, andnowthe dragon beneath his skin was wide awake.

“I cannot stay here,” Tessa sneered, any trace of vulnerability completely eradicated. “Keep Luka informed on Roan. I’m sure you call him for regular updates anyway.”

“I don’t—” Theon started, but he cut himself off before he finished whatever he was going to say. “I will keep Luka updated on Roan.”

Turning to Luka, she said, “I need pants.”

“You have plenty in the suite,” Luka replied, gesturing to Theon.

Chewing on her bottom lip, she asked in a clipped tone. “Will you get them for me, please?”

“Yeah,” Luka said with a sigh, knowing exactly why she didn’t want to go in there. He wasn’t sure if she’d ever step foot in those rooms again. “Just stay here, all right?”

“I know the rules,” she drawled sarcastically.

“You also never care to follow them,” he drawled in kind.

A knock on the door drew her attention, and she went rigid, her power immediately swelling around her.

“Easy, baby girl,” Luka said, any trace of sarcasm gone. “It’s food.”

“Food?” she repeated in confusion.

“There’s nothing here to eat since I haven’t been staying here. Theon ordered food.” At her sour face, he added, “Burgers and fries.”

“It is not,” she scoffed.

But sure enough, when the food was set on the island counter, it was three bacon cheeseburgers and fries that had Tessa drifting back to the kitchen. While Luka took a seat though, Theon did not.

“I will go grab some clothing from…my rooms,” he said. He paused, watching her, but she was resolutely refusing to look at him now. “I will check in on Roan while I am gone too.”

She nodded, still looking anywhere but at him. Luka felt his sigh of resignation down the bond before Theon turned and left the room. The male wasn’t blocking anything, which meant Tessa was also feeling everything as long as she wasn’t completely shutting them out, but she probably was.

After a couple bites of her food, she said sharply, “Don’t do that.”

Luka paused, his burger halfway to his mouth. “Don’t do what?”

“Sit here and wait for me to apologize or whatever.”

“What would you have to apologize for?”

She set her own burger down, wiping her fingers on her napkin as she turned on her stool to face him. Her knees bumped against his, and she didn’t seem to notice since she didn’t fucking move them.

Godsdammit.

“You think I should be…nicer to him,” she accused.

“I did not say those words at any point in time.”

“You don’t have to,” she groused, shoving her food away.

“By the gods, you have to eat something, Tessa,” he growled, pulling her food back once more. “I know your power doesn’t seem to require food to regenerate. Or blood.” He went quiet fora minute when she looked anywhere but at him. “You know how your power refills, don’t you?”

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