Page 73 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
“We both know a request from the rulers is never refutable, Theon,” Tana said, her tight red curls piled atop her head. “But in this case, consider it fulfillment of one of themanyfavors you owe my mother’s kingdom.”
She came to a stop in front of him, her amber eyes daring him to deny her. And how could he? She had come to his aid without hesitation and was now keeping Cressida a prisoner on his behalf. He did owe her, no matter what had brought him here.
“Fine,” he ground out, gesturing for her to lead the way.
Turning on her heel, Theon fell into step beside her. Gatlan, her Source, was only a few steps behind, and the Anala Heir waved off the company of sentinels.
“I’ve got it from here,” she said dismissively. “A lot of help you were anyway.”
“My Lady, your mother—” started the Anala sentinel, but he stopped speaking the moment her head snapped in his direction.
“Are you questioning me?” she demanded.
“Of course not, my lady,” he said, bowing his head. “Only attempting to spare your mother’s wrath.”
“I will handle it if needed,” Tana said, striding through the security gates and entering the bustling lobby of the portal station.
The sentinels stayed behind, and as they made their way through the crowds of the station, travelers gave them a wide berth. However, it wasn’t until they were ushered into a waiting car that either of them spoke.
“What is this about, Tana?” Theon asked, settling into the leather seat.
Tana shifted, taking the glass of water Gatlan handed her and passing it to Theon. “What it’s always about these days,” she answered.
“Forgive my ignorance, but many topics have been discussed at the meetings I was part of.”
“As I understand it, you often had ‘better things to do’ than attend the meetings. As it stands, your father is hunting for a Source that has deserted him, and your duty calls once more,” Tana replied, taking a sip from her own glass. “But you need to prepare yourself. This meeting is, once again, to determine the fate of your not-Source.”
He couldn’t stop the sharp laugh that fell from his lips. “They wish to determine Tessa’s fate? It appears she does not care what they say if the rumors are true.”
“See for yourself,” Tana said, lifting a hand and gesturing out the window.
Theon twisted, peering through the tinted glass, and if it hadn’t been beaten into him to keep his composure at all times, his features would have betrayed the shock that he felt in the depths of his soul.
Where the Pantheon had once stood overlooking the entire Acropolis, there was nothing but chunks of stone and marble. The columns and the steps, the statues and the glass, everything was in ruin, and it wasn’t just the Pantheon. They were on the street at the bottom of the hill, and her destruction had eviscerated all the surrounding buildings. It had stretched in a radius wide enough to encompass the Tribunal building.
And all he could think about was how he wished he’d been there to see it—to seeher—bring it all down. Gods, she must have been an utter vision. Wild and fierce. Untamed and stunning.
“Casualties?” Theon asked thickly.
“Only the priestesses and some Legacy,” Tana answered. “Not a single Fae.”
He glanced at her before returning his attention to the destruction.
“And where, exactly, are they meeting with the prominent buildings nothing but rubble?” he asked.
“The Celeste Manor,” she answered. “After a ridiculous and lengthy debate, of course.”
“Of course,” he said with a smirk, settling in once more. If that was the case, they had a twenty-minute drive at the least. “And you were sent to fetch me because?”
“My mother convinced them I would have the best chance of persuading you, but they were not opposed to force if necessary.”
“Obviously,” he said dryly, fingers flexing around his water glass. “There are reports they saw her there. Jove and the Ladies.”
Tana nodded. “My mother reported what she saw herself. Tessa and Luka. Tristyn Blackheart. Three other females and two males. They are in an uproar, Theon, and while they are debating her fate, they also debate yours.”
“Mine?” he repeated, taken aback.
“She is your Source.”
