Page 284 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

“No,” she said, still shaking her head.

He reached up, brushing hair back from her face and taking her all in. The violet eyes with gold and grey peeking through. The golden hair. The light winding up her arms and making her skin glow. He leaned in, pressing a kiss to her brow, before cupping her cheek.

“Be happy,” he repeated. “But more than that, befree, Tessa.”

“You lied to me!” she cried again, shoving at his chest while simultaneously clutching at his shirt. “You lied to me, and I hate you for it!”

“I know, little storm,” he said, holding her close a second longer. “But know that I am yours. Every piece of me.”

Then Luka was behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist. He easily picked her up off the ground, gently pulling her backwards and away from him. She thrashed in his arms. Tears of wrath were streaming down her face while her cries of fury echoed off the stone walls.

With one last look at the ones he loved most in this world, Theon turned and walked out of the chamber, doing the one thing he’d sworn he would never do.

He let her go.

CHAOS DOES NOT CHOOSE

She toyed with the storm in her palm, the orb of energy crackling with gold and violet light. Silver and gold sparks flitted throughout.

So much Chaos in the palm of her hand.

With a dark smile, she tossed the orb up, watching it swell and grow. It soared higher, seeping into the clouds until thunder rumbled. The sky lit up with the same strikes of violet and gold, and a moment later, it began to rain. Big, fat drops that splattered against her face as she leaned against the balcony railing looking across the vastness below.

“I have asked you to stop doing that,” came a voice full of power. A voice that often sparked fear. A voice others might fall to their knee for. A voice peopleworshipped.

A voice that made her dark smile only grow to one of wicked delight.

“One cannot deny their nature. After all, my fathercreates. Naturally, I do the same,” she replied, turning to face him.

Blue eyes with brilliant flecks of gold glared back at her. His golden hair was tied back, but a few strands had fallen free andfell into his face. At least he’d tamped down on the gold mist that usually followed him around.

Of course, that was self-preservation when he came here. Her magic would lose control if he let his own power linger.

And she would let her magic have its way.

“Yes, let’s talk about yourcreation,Akira,” Achaz sneered, keeping a healthy distance from her.

Adopting a faux innocence, she replied, “Whatever do you mean?”

“She deflects her purpose just like you did.”

“My purpose?” she questioned, moving along the railing and dragging her fingers along the stone while the rain continued to fall around them.

Her father narrowed his eyes.

She laughed, climbing onto the railing. One foot in front of the other. Heel to toe. Balance, balance, balance. There was no such thing. In all the realms. Across the stars. Only Chaos.

So much Chaos.

“I do so enjoy riddles,” she quipped, the railing slick beneath her bare feet as she moved. “Would you like to hear one?”

“No,” he snapped.

“That’s disappointing.”

“What is disappointing is you being too weak to control the gifts you were given.”

Akira’s head tilted. Others might feel the sting of his barbed words, but she only cackled. “You did create such a mess, didn’t you? Thinking you could control Chaos.” She clicked her tongue in disapproval. “Power does drive us mad, though, doesn’t it?”

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