Page 179 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
“It’s the only explanation, Tessa,” Kat said gently. “Since that day, you’ve never been apart?—”
“We have,” she argued. “Separate rooms. Out in the Underground.”
“That’s a small distance. Not two godsdamn kingdoms away and on an island,” Theon said, trying and failing to keep the bite from his tone.
She shifted, her eyes dropping back to Luka.
“And after I found you and brought you back here, that Mark faded back to what it is now. I felt him dying, and now I don’t. I know you felt him too,” Theon continued.
“Yes, but I thought that had been…” She trailed off for several seconds. “Why isn’t he waking up?”
“I’m sure nearly dying again takes a minute or two to recover from,” he said dryly.
“Theon,” Kat interjected in warning. “Now is not the time.”
He knew that, and a piece of him was grateful to Kat for the small reminder. He was even more grateful nothing had appeared to change between them with his whole willing-to-sacrifice-the-world thing. They still spent hours going through books together, but now conversation was often lighter and more relaxed between them. The fact that she was carrying his nephew only strengthened their unlikely friendship.
Clearing his throat, Theon crouched beside Tessa, his hand brushing down her back. “We just have to give him a minute, little storm.”
And gods, he hoped this wouldn’t be the first lie he told her because the truth was he didn’t know if or when Luka would wake up. None of them had any idea what this Mark did or the effects of it. Was it unlimited, or did a part of Luka die every time it was activated? How far could she stray from him? Could he go across the Underground? Was separate cities too far?
In the silent minutes that passed, Axel helped Kat to her feet before ushering her to the sofa. Razik and Eliza remained silent, always observing.
Tessa swiveled to look up at Xan, as if suddenly remembering he was here. “Do you know of this Mark? Or something like it?”
The male’s sapphire stare was fixed on his son, and he seemed to be holding his breath as he answered, “No, Tessa. I do believe Eliza is correct. You created something entirely new. None of us know what comes with that.”
She swung her gaze to the female. “Scarlett can do this, yes?”
Eliza nodded, her features always harsh and unnerving.
“Does she always know what they will do?’ Tessa pressed.
“Scarlett has studied Marks extensively, and she has learned her own lessons about being sure to fully understand one before bestowing it,” Eliza answered. “When she creates a new Mark, it is intentional. Deliberate. She may appear impulsive, however, she is anything but.”
“How can she know?”
“I can’t answer that. I don’t have her abilities, nor have I studied them as extensively,” Eliza said, looking up at Razik in question.
He sighed. “I don’t know how she does it either,” he said, his tone betraying how annoying he found that.
But before anyone could say anything further, a low groan sounded, drawing everyone’s focus back to Luka. Tessa leaned over him, her breath catching, and Theon leaned closer too. It was another few seconds before his eyes opened.
He blinked several times before settling into focus on Tessa. Then he frowned.
“Are you covered in blood, baby girl?”
Her hand drifted up, fingertips touching her cheek. The blood that had been there had smeared with her tears, leaving red streaks behind.
“I… Are you all right?” she asked, dropping her hand back to his bare chest.
“Other than annoyed at missing out onhowyou became covered in blood, I’m fine,” he grumbled, pushing into a sitting position. It was only then he realized a small audience had gathered in the room. Tessa was still touching him, refusing to break that connection, and his eyes slid to Theon in question.
“You don’t remember?” Theon asked, watching him carefully.
“I remember waking up to find…yougone, but experiencing some kind of panic,” he said, glaring at Tessa in disapproval. “Then nothing.”
Theon nodded and quickly filled him in on what they’d worked out. Tessa was silent the entire time, avoiding eye contact as their theory about his new Mark was explained. When Theon finished, Luka studied her for a moment before saying, “Can you all give us a minute? We can discuss this more later.”
