Page 108 of Fated

Surprise flashed over Greyson’s eyes, but before he could respond, he glanced toward the door.“Speaking of Tessa …”

I followed his gaze and saw a pretty, petite girl entering the room. She had short brown hair and striking blue eyes that seemed to simmer with intelligence. She wore a crisp button-down shirt tucked into a black knee-length skirt. She held her phone to her ear, her expression focused as she spoke quickly to someone on the other end. Her eyes swept over the room briefly as she set her bag on the table.

Suddenly, her body stiffened, as if she’d just realized who she was looking at.

Her eyes went wide, and in an instant, she dropped the phoneto the ground. Her hands flew to her mouth, and with a deep bow, she stammered, “Your Majesty.”

Ash jumped out of his chair and strode over to where the girl stood, smiling warmly.

“Get up, Tess, and how many times have I told you? Call me Sebastian—it’s been a hundred years.”

Tessa looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise, then immediately threw her arms around him. Standing well over a foot and a half shorter than him, she squeezed his chest as Ash leaned down, hugging her back.

“I missed you too, Tess,” he said.

Tessa pulled away, her eyes bright with emotion. “I knew it! Iknewyou were alive. I tracked your bike all over Astern,” she said before her excitement faded into a more somber tone. “If there had been any way I could have made contact, anything I could have done …”

“I know, Tess. You would have.” Ash smiled reassuringly before his expression lit up, and he grabbed her hand, nearly dragging her to where I sat.

“Tess, this is Areya,” he said, placing his hand on my back. “She’s the reason I’m here.”

Tessa glanced between us, her smile bright and welcoming. “It’s an honor to meet you, Areya,” she said, extending her small hand toward me.

“The pleasure is mine, Tessa. Ash has told me how important you are here.”

I’d never seen anyone’s blush rival my own, but Tessa’s face turned crimson. She quickly shifted the conversation. “I’ll have the latest models of phones set up for both of you right away,” she said. “Areya, I’ll add my number in case you ever need to talk.”

She glanced at Ash. “You know, another girl.”

Just then, a woman’s voice echoed from the hallway, full of mild frustration. “I don’t understand what was so urgent you couldn’t tell me over the phone, Xanth. I’ve been in the garden all day; you could at least have let me clean up—and why are we using the west wing?”

Tessa gave a polite smile before quietly returning to her seat.

“Mom don’t freak out, but you might want to take a seat when you get inside,” Xanth said.

“What in Gardonia, Xanth Zachariah …” The voice trailed off as a beautiful woman with sparkling emerald eyes and shoulder-length brown hair appeared in the doorway. She wore a long floral sundress and a gardening hat, dirt smudges smeared on her dress from the garden.

She stopped abruptly in the doorway, her expression instantly pinched with confusion.

Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the room, her body stiffening when her gaze landed on Ash. Her eyes widened as if she couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing, and her hand slowly rose to her throat. She let out a strangled cry, frozen in place as though the moment was too overwhelming to process. Xanth hovered near her, as if ready to catch her if need be.

Ash walked over to his mother and wrapped his arms around her.

She remained frozen, her face scrunched up with raw emotion as sobs broke free from her trembling lips. Tears were welling up behind my own eyes and across the table, Tessa was discreetly wiping her eyes with a tissue.

Ash’s mother pulled back slightly, her hands trembling as she cupped his face. She tried to steady her expression as though attempting to speak, but more sobs overtook her.

“It’s ok, Mom. I’m here. I’m ok,” Ash whispered, wiping his eyes.

She shook her head in disbelief, barely able to form words. “How?” she choked out.

Xanth stepped in, his voice calm but firm. “That’s what we are all here to find out, Mom.”

She nodded, not taking her eyes off Ash.

Ash turned to me, motioning for me to come to him. For the first time since arriving at the castle, I felt a flutter of nerves. I stood up and slowly walked over to him, my steps hesitant.

Ash reached for my hand, pulling me to his side.

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