Page 58 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

“Did you not sleep well last night?” Rordan asked, holding Tessa’s stare, and gods, she knew then that he knew she’d spent the night in Luka’s bed. She felt her cheeks go hot, and she shouldn’t care because caring meant Luka was right. This Lord owned some part of her to make her feel like this.

“Are we still planning the trip to the Sirana Villas?” Dagian asked after the uncomfortable silence stretched on too long.

“Yes,” Rordan answered, taking a drink from his wine glass. “Desiray said she has some new information on that issue we’ve been having.”

“I assume there are new younglings to sign off on?” Dagian continued.

“There always are,” Rordan answered.

“How often do you go there?” Tessa interrupted.

Dagian dragged his gaze to hers as Rordan answered absent-mindedly, “Once a month.”

“I would like to go with you.”

The Lord didn’t even look up from his plate as he waved her off. “It is a routine visit. Nothing exciting.”

“Nevertheless, I would enjoy visiting a place that I’ve never seen before.”

Rordan did pause this time, setting his silverware aside. He folded his hands, resting his chin atop them as he studied her. She did her best not to fidget, all the years of Mother Cordelia forcing her to sit for hours coming into play.

“There is nothing of interest in the Sirana Villas,” the Achaz Lord finally said. “I fear you will find yourself incredibly bored, and your time may be better spent in training to fulfill your bargain.”

Her eyes darted to Luka, who was feigning his usual boredom, but she knew he was cataloging this entire exchange. It would be one more thing for him to taunt her with. Tell her how this was just another cage, and how they only want to control her.

Those thoughts alone had her turning back to Rordan and saying, “I am sure a day or two without training will be fine.”

“Well, then,” Rordan said, picking his flatware back up. “I will let Desiray know to expect additional visitors for this visit.”

“You can’t be serious, Father,” Dagian cut in with dismay.

“If Tessalyn wishes to go, who are we to stop her?”

“You are the Achaz Lord,” he fumed.

“Andyouare the AchazHeir,” the Lord replied pointedly. “If you wish her not to go, you stop her, but we both know that’s not possible based on recent performance in the training arenas.”

Tessa watched as Dagian swallowed his retort. Valter would have physically tortured his son for not being the most powerful in a room. Rordan, it seemed, found other ways to torture his offspring.

A tense quiet settled over the dining room, the two Sources dutifully eating their food. Dagian’s mother was rarely around. In fact, she’d only been present at their meals twice. Rordan said she preferred to take her meals in private. Dex and the others weren’t at the table since they were Fae. They were, however, standing along the wall, while Luka sat across the table next to Dagian.

Tessa wasn’t sure why Luka was dining with them in the first place. Not until Rordan spoke again, breaking the awkward silence.

“So, Luka,” he said, taking a drink of his wine. “Is Theon going to be able to take time out of his busy schedule to attend the Sirana Gala?”

Tessa’s fork was halfway to her mouth, and she stilled. She’d completely forgotten about the Gala.

The Gala was held at the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. It was just another grand affair for the Legacy, although they claimed it was to honor Sirana, the goddess of love and fertility. It never made any sense to her if the gods didn’t care about this world, but it was an event she’d always looked forward to anyway. Not because Fae were allowed to attend, but because the Estates were often left to their own for a few nights. It was easier to sneak away, and she knew there wouldn’t be any unexpectedlessons.

Well, except for that one year Mother Cordelia went to the Sirana Gala and left her in that cupboard for those days, but still.

Luka finished chewing his bite of bread before he answered, but his eyes were pinned on Tessa. “I don’t know what his plans are or if he will beableto attend.”

Rordan made a sound of disapproval. “As his advisor, I would strongly suggestadvisinghim that it would be wise to attend.”

“I will take that under advisement,” Luka said dryly, and Tessa had to stifle her snicker at the retort.

Rordan’s eyes narrowed, and he pushed his empty plate to the side. “Continually shirking his duties is not a wise start for someone who has not officially been given his seat yet.”

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