Page 306 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
Theon glanced at Tessa, and her lips pursed at the question.
“Rordan’s goal is to bring Achaz here. He believes if he is successful, Achaz will give him this world to rule as a reward for his faithfulness,” Tessa said. “I’ve never seen the true depth of his power, but I’ve felt it. My Chaos seeks more. It knows who is the most powerful in a room, and when he is in it, it is always him,” Tessa said. “As for the Fates, I suppose they will require an equal power. I am the grandchild of three First gods. No, one power being transferred to Theon will not be enough.”
Kyra nodded, toying with flames in her palm. “But the power of another ruler would help.”
“What?” Tessa asked, but it wasn’t in confusion. It was shock. The same shock Theon was feeling. The same thing Luka was processing, because Kyra couldn’t mean what it sounded like.
“You’ve seen what we’ve built here,” Kyra said, and Theon could hear the slight tremble in her voice. “I’ve been in this position for over a century, and Dagian is correct. I’ve done much, but I could have done more. Icando more to ensure the people in my care are safe. That this realm is safe.” She took a deep breath, her eyes pooling with tears. “Because change requires sacrifice. Change requires more than pretty words.” She offered Tessa a weak smile. “So I offer my power as well. For the betterment of Devram and all those who deserve more in a worldlong forgotten by the gods. If I’m not willing to sacrifice to save them, I don’t deserve to call myself their Lady.”
The room was silent at the proclamation, and Theon didn’t know what to do or say. He’d expected arguments and debates, yes, but he’d never expected things to end like this.
“I offer mine as well.”
Theon’s head whipped to the right where the Serafina Lady was meeting his gaze.
“You?” Theon asked, because it was all he could think of to say.
“You’ve held a longstanding alliance with Achaz Kingdom,” Luka said, voicing Theon’s thoughts.
“And he has betrayed that time and time again. I was too foolish to see how thoroughly,” she replied. “And now I have lost…too much. I have seen too much, and in the end…” She cleared her throat, getting herself under control. “Maybe a beginning isn’t what is needed, but an ending to make room for something more.”
He heard Tessa’s slight inhale. Felt her emotions all over the place as the Falein Lady followed suit, and finally the Celeste Lady. As one by one, the Ladies of the realm offered their power and their places alongside Dagian so that Devram might survive. So that they had a chance. So that Rordan wouldn’t win.
So that there just might be a balance in the realm once more.
That afternoon, everyone gathered on the banks of the sea south of Idalia. It was the place where the Shade Plains merged with the Anala Kingdom at the base of the Ozul Mountains. Theydidn’t dare do this in Arius Kingdom after Rordan’s recent attack. They were told it would need to be some place the power could manifest. The magic would fight being taken from one to go to the other, and as he took more and more, he would struggle to contain it right away.
Introductions had been made, all of them leery of Akira, and Theon couldn’t blame them. He was used to Tessa slipping into her chaotic states. Akira seemed to live in that space permanently.
“So, to be clear,” the Falein Lady said, “Theon won’t suddenly possess gifts from all the First gods?”
Tristyn shook his head. Tessa had requested he come after things had escalated during the meeting this morning.
“That’s not how this works,” Tristyn explained. “He will have the strength of that power, but it will manifest differently. It will become the darkness he now possesses. Your power will simply strengthen it.”
“And what will they become?” Tessa asked, Luka tucking her hand into his before she could start pacing.
Tristyn glanced at the rulers, and Theon could swear he winced. “They won’t be mortal, but they won’t have power. Only an extended lifespan with a Staying that will remain for some time. For how long, we never know.”
Theon looked at each of the Ladies. “This is your choice, your graces,” he said. “We are not asking this of you, and we understand if you rescind your offer. No one will hold it against you. To be separated from a gift you have harnessed in your soul your entire life is a tragedy, even if done willingly.”
“My offer stands,” Lady Kyra said. “My only request is that Tana is still offered a seat at whatever new sense of order is established to oversee the kingdoms.”
He smiled softly. “That can be arranged.”
“We will value all your input when the time comes,” Tessa added.
“But if we do not do this, it won’t matter,” Dagian interjected tightly. He was on an edge, and Theon would be the same if their roles were reversed. He was moments away from losing not only a power he’d trained much of his life to harness, but also the life he thought he’d have. “Let’s get on with it.”
“What of their Sources?” Tessa asked suddenly. “If they no longer have power, what will happen to their Source?”
The three Sources that were present went rigid, and Tristyn rubbed the back of his neck. “That I don’t know, wild fury. And even if I did, because of the corruption of the Source Marks here, I don’t know that it would be the same anyway.”
“The only way to sever a Source bond is by death,” Tessa mused, pulling her hand from Luka’s to pace anyway.
“But if there’s no power, is there anything for the Mark to cling to?” Axel asked. “If I’d had a Source when I turned, what would have been the point?”
“Yes, but you lost your power. The magic itself isn’t dying. It’s just being moved to another,” Tessa argued. Then her eyes went wide. “Will those bonds transfer with the magic?”
