Page 261 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
“Why not?” Luka asked.
“Because the world is on fire, Luka. We can’t just go to a Chaosphere game in the middle of chaos. It feels…wrong.”
Luka came closer, tapping the tickets. “The game is a few months from now. Hopefully this is all taken care of, and if not, we’ll need the escape, Tessa. If only for a few hours.”
She looked up at him, not knowing what else to say. “Thank you,” she whispered.
One of his rare smiles appeared as he slid a hand to her nape and tugged her mouth to his. She melted into him, his tongue licking into her mouth as his other hand found its way beneath the soft sweater she was wearing.
Then a hand was on her shoulder, tugging her back.
“Not yet, fucker,” Theon muttered. “We agreed on this.”
“On what?” Tessa breathed, because she was more than ready to tumble into bed with both of them.
“Not yet,” Theon ground out, clearly having heard her thoughts. “You have two more gifts to open.”
“Two more?” she asked with a frown. “Why?”
“Because it’s your birthday,” he said in exasperation. “You get gifts on your birthday, Tessa.”
He shoved a bag towards her. It was nothing special. A plain white paper bag with handles. Pulling it closer, she reached inside and pulled out something wrapped in tissue paper. As she pulled the paper off, her eyes welled with tears as she slowly lifted them to Theon.
He was tapping his forefinger on the countertop, watching her carefully, and he lookednervous. As if she wouldn’t understand what he was trying to tell her with these.
A pair of gold flip-flops.
And not just any flip-flops. The soles were cushioned and soft, and the straps were a brushed dyed leather. Because Theon St. Orcas would only buy the best, even when it came to godsdamn flip-flops.
“I love them,” she whispered.
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t lie to me, beautiful.”
She shook her head, willing the tears not to fall. “We said no more lies.”
Then it was him slipping a hand into her hair and tugging her to him.
Until Luka was pulling them apart.
She let out a frustrated growl, and a dark chuckle skittered along her skin.
“So needy, temptress,” Luka said, his voice low.
“Yes,” she said, the word bordering on a whine. “I am. So how about mynextbirthday present be you two in a bed with me.”
“There’s one more, beautiful,” Theon said, and she turned to find a small box before her now. “It’s from both of us,” he added.
Tessa picked it up carefully. This one was wrapped in silver paper with a black bow, and she tugged on the ribbon before tearing off the paper. Taking the lid off the box, she stared down at what lay inside.
A gold ring inlaid with sapphires and emeralds.
Not a ring to suffocate her power.
Not a band to drain her magic.
Not a cuff or a collar.
Just a simple reminder of who she belonged to and who belonged to her.
