Page 310 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
“Axel had the Underground move in two nights ago,” Theon added. “Do you two want coffee?”
Eliza curled her lip. “No. I’ve never taken a liking to that bitter drink.”
“It’s why you add cream and sugar,” Tessa offered.
“I’ll stick to tea,” the general replied flatly.
“We’re heading to the camps shortly,” Theon said. “Is everyone else ready?”
They didn’t have time to waste, but they’d needed it. There was no fast and easy way to move hundreds of forces into position. The few people who could Travel used massive amounts of power to do so, and those who could make portals did the same. The thing was, with Theon now having so much more power, he was one of the few who could make portals now. The heirs could, but it drew a lot from their Sources. They’d had to time everything to allow everyone the opportunity to replenish reserves—whether by natural means or rations of blood.
So all the kingdoms had moved forces into place in the Dreamlock Woods of all places. The border between the Serafina and Achaz Kingdoms across from Faven would have been preferable, but then they’d have to cross the Wynfell River when they were ready to move forward. Rordan would have the advantage still, and they’d be fucked. Instead, they were sneaking in little by little into the Dreamlock Woods from the Serafina Kingdom and crossing into Achaz territory. The woods were avoided by everyone, and Rordan would never expect them to attack from the south.
But he didn’t know about Priya.
It was Kat who had told them that bit of information one evening when they were debating where to make their stand. Going straight for Faven would be unexpected, but Rordan had come for Arius House. They were going to answer in kind.
Corbin and Lange had confirmed that Priya had somehow befriended the woods, and a small group of them had Traveled there to see it for themselves. They watched a little girl speak with Sprytes and Nymphs. They watched her talk to the trees and witnessed the flowers bloom for her. She was at home and in her element, and when Corbin and Lange crouched beforeher and asked her to do this for them, she’d done so without question. That child didn’t trust another soul but them, and all Tessa could think was if she accomplished nothing else in her life, helping those three find each other was enough.
“Everything is packed and ready?” Luka asked, rinsing his coffee cup and leaving it in the sink, and Tessa fleetingly wondered if they would be back to wash it.
A thought that clearly was heard down the bond because Theon’s gaze snapped to her.
Enough. If we start thinking that way, we may as well admit defeat right now,Theon growled.
She thinned her lips, but she nodded in response.
“Let’s go,” he said tightly, grabbing her hand as they all made their way to the foyer. Axel and Kat were there, and Kat had tears on her face as she pulled Maddox to her chest and kissed the top of his head.
“You can stay,” Axel was saying, holding them both close.
She shook her head. “We’re doing this for him,” Kat whispered. “If we won’t fight for this, we are no better than those who came before us.”
Kyra was here, waiting off to the side. With the Ladies no longer having power, they were given other tasks and areas to be of help. Kyra would keep Maddox until they returned.
With one last press of lips to their babe, Tessa’s heart twisted in her chest as they watched Axel hand his son to another. She had yet to hold him, but not because she didn’t adore him just as much as the others. He was perfect in every way.
“We’ll be back,” Axel said firmly. “Do what you must?—”
“With my life, Axel,” Kyra said softly. “When you return, the world will look different.”
With a lingering look, they walked out the front door of Arius House. Axel and Kat. Xan and Akira. Razik and Eliza. Caris.Everyone else was already in the Dreamlock Woods, waiting for them.
They stood in a circle, and Tessa looked up at the towering house that had once been her prison. She’d believed herself to be nothing then. Too wild and untamed. Too broken to fix.
She’d never wanted any of this, but little by little, they took and took. Little by little they started a war with her. She didn’t belong with their nobility. She didn’t want a throne, but she was coming for it anyway.
Rordan thought she would bow to him.
Dexter thought he could control her.
Achaz thought he could use her.
But you can’t control the uncontrollable.
Something dark and wicked coursed through her veins as she took hold of Theon’s and Luka’s hands.
She wasn’t taking a throne. She was taking the entire godsdamn realm.
