Page 231 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

Theon’s words, his voice, had made her still in Luka’s arms. His continued taunting had held her focus. Instead of manic thrashing, she was looking around the room, but Luka could feel her. She was focused entirely on Theon. He might be an overprotective, controlling bastard, but Tessa also needed that sometimes. And thank all the gods and fates if Theon was finally figuring outwhenshe needed it, and when he needed to back the fuck off.

Maybe.

Hopefully.

Something to worry about in the future. Right now, it was working for them. Her heart rate was slowing. Her breaths were coming more evenly, tension bleeding out of her muscles as she started to relax in his hold. He still didn’t let up, not sure if she was in control of herself. Or that power.

“Where are we?” she finally asked.

Theon glanced at Luka, his smirk turning into one of amusement. “Luka’s super secret cave.”

“Fuck off,” Luka growled, but Tessa was twisting in his arms to look up at him.

“What is he talking about?” she asked.

“I have a place in Arius Kingdom,” Luka grumbled.

“Right. Your smaller estate. Near Arius House,” she said.

“Yes. In the mountains.”

“Inthe mountains,” Theon emphasized.

“Stop talking,” she snapped at Theon before turning back to Luka. She didn’t say anything. Just stared at him, waiting.

Luka sighed. “It’s a cave.”

“A cave,” she deadpanned.

He nodded, his grip slowly loosening as she took in the space once more. This time, her eyes roved slowly, sweeping over the walls adorned with various frames and shelves with odds and ends. The smooth floors with plush rugs and low leather sofas. The high-end kitchen and table with seating for six. The fireplace and overstuffed chairs. Everything in warm, earthy tones. The passageways that led to other areas of his space.

His.

All of this was his.

His chest was tight as he watched her, the dragon in him peering out and waiting.

“This isn’t like caves in the Underground,” she finally said, her fingers doing this odd twitching thing at her sides.

“We’re not in the Underground,” Luka said gruffly.

“Same mountains,” she countered with a shrug.

“Yes,” he bristled. “But not thesame.”

“Careful, beautiful,” Theon cautioned, silencing his phone when an incoming call rang through. “He gets sensitive about things that arehis.”

“Would you shut up?” Luka growled.

Tessa glanced between them while she wandered across the room, running her hand along the smooth wall. “And why are we in a cave?”

All the tentative playfulness evaporated at her words.

“Only a handful of people know about it,” Theon answered. “It’s a safe haven for you until we can figure out what happened.”

“For me?” Tessa repeated, turning to face them fully. “Why do I need a safe haven?”

“Why don’t you tell us what happened today?” Theon replied, silencing his phone when it rang again.

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