Page 140 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

Auryon.

Cienna.

But not Luka.

Not Luka.

NotLuka.

Axel was here.

Katya was here.

Everyone who should have cared had betrayed her.

But not Luka.

If this world took him from her, any mercy she might have found in her soul died with him.

Thunder rumbled at the thought, the sky breaking open and raining its own wrath to the ground.

“It doesn’t have to be like this, little storm,” Theon tried again.

But it did.

If Luka was dead, it was because she had failed in her purpose. Somewhere along the line, she had failed. Failed Achaz. Failed the Fates. Failed her parents. Failedhim, and he had paid the cost.

“We don’t have a choice,” she said hollowly, echoing words he’d said to her so often in her dreams. “It’s more than a bond, and it cannot be.”

Emerald eyes fell closed, acceptance filling features she had once thought she could love.

For so long she had wished for death, and now, in this moment, if they would both be gone, she found herself wishing for it again. But more than that, she felt the need to avenge them. She’d found something to fight for, and then she was forced to sacrifice it. And now? Now she felt nothing but the fury that had consumed her.

“You’re wrong,” Tristyn rasped, trying to inch closer across the earth that had quickly turned to mud. “Have you learned nothing over these past months? We’ve tried, Tessa. We’ve brought you aid?—”

“Once again to seek your own ends,” she replied listlessly.

“To save you,” Theon said, clearly trying to keep her attention on him. His hair was plastered to his brow now, rain mixing with the steady stream of blood from his wound. “I tried to change it. I did everything I could.”

“But destiny beckons and sacrifice demands,” she said, crouching before Theon once more. “Those that came to this world unbidden learned that truth. We’ve all learned that truth.”

“Their queen will seek her vengeance, Tessa. Make no mistake.”

“I’m counting on it.”

“Her vengeance will know no bounds.”

“Then she will know my wrath, just as you have.”

“And I’d ask for it again and again if it is all you will let me have, clever tempest,” Theon replied, a shaky hand coming up to cup her cheek. “But I understand we are out of time. Once again, I’m out of time.”

She got a little lost in dark emerald eyes and black hair. In a small dimple and lips she’d kissed more times than she could count. Then shewaskissing him. Deep and lovely, just like it always should have been.

“I’m sorry I failed you, little storm,” Theon said, when they broke apart, sorrow filling in his features. “I tried. I tried to save you.”

“I understand,” she whispered. “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you all of me. Every piece of me.”

And she sank that gold dagger into his chest.

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