Page 53 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

And Tessa felt the words imprint on her skin. Turning her wrist over, she saw the Mark on the inside of it.

“You are still on the path of destruction,” the male said grimly, studying his own new Mark.

She sent him an icy smile, and her voice held that eerie ring to it as she said, “If this is my destruction, then I’ll make sure the world burns with me.”

11

TESSA

“You are so much like her,” the male mused, sapphire eyes still watching her carefully. “Did you know she threatened to burn a realm to nothing for you?”

“How would I know that?” Tessa retorted, moving up to the glass. “And who is she?”

“Your mother.”

Tessa went so still, she forgot to breathe.

Her mother?

Her mother had threatened to burn a realm to nothing for her?

Then where was she?

“You know my mother?” she asked.

“I do.”

Tessa waited, but when he didn’t elaborate, she said, “Well, who is she?”

The male smiled, and it was so much like his son’s that she felt her stomach do that little flutter thing she hated so much.

“We made a bargain,” Tessa said. “You must tell me.”

“There were no timeframes specified,” the male said. “It was only stated that I must tell you truthful and accurate information.”

“I— You?—”

A scream of frustration left her.

“She is impulsive when lost to her fury as well,” he said knowingly.

Tessa slammed her palm to the glass, power skittering along the pane. “You and your son know how to manipulate us so we become reckless in our decisions.”

“That is likely true,” he said without concern. “We look for weakness to capitalize on. It is in our nature, both in what we are and in our bloodline.”

“You will not tell me what I wish to know?” Tessa demanded, power hissing under her fingers.

“I didn’t say that, but I will tell you in my own time.” As an afterthought, he added, “And some things I will only tell you when you no longer side with the Light King.”

“I will not go back to Theon,” she snapped.

“I never asked you to.”

“Then what do you want from me?” she said, and it was almost a cry.

Another person who wanted something from her.

But his answer was, “Nothing.”

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