Page 259 of Rain of Shadows and Endings

He pressed a kiss to her brow, smoothing his hand along her hair. “Tomorrow, Tessa.”

She didn’t speak again, and he was grateful because he didn’t know how to answer all of her sudden questions. He needed some time to sort this all out and research some theories. But even tomorrow he wouldn’t tell her what that Mark was.

He wouldn’t tell her about the Bargain he’d had to make with his father in exchange for his help.

45

TESSA

“Hold her in place,” Theon said, spinning the black dagger in his hand.

“Theon, no! Please don’t!” she sobbed.

“Shh, little one,” Luka soothed. “It will all be over soon.”

The dragon was near her head, pressing her shoulders to the ground. Axel was at her side, his shadows twining around her legs and keeping them still.

“We don’t have a choice, beautiful,” Theon said, still standing over her, his hair stirring in the breeze.

A light rain was falling, thunder rumbling in the distance.

“I still think there is another way to interpret this.”

Tessa’s head snapped to the side to find a tall male. He looked familiar somehow, but Tessa was sure she’d never met him. He had a sword strapped down his back, as did the female standing next to him. Her red-gold hair was braided over her shoulder, and flames flickered in her eyes.

“Life must give, and death must take,” Theon said. “There is no other way to interpret that. Not if we wish to save our world.”

For so long, Tessa had wished for death, and now, in this moment, she didn’t want it. She’d finally found something to fight for, and she would be robbed of that too.

“Theon, don’t!” she cried again. “It’s more than a bond! I know that now.”

Emerald eyes cut to her. “You’re right, and now that I understand what that means, I’m the only one who can do this.”

She was writhing on the ground, trying to free herself of Luka and Axel, but it was no use. They were too strong, and the ring on her finger was keeping her separated from her gifts.

“Theon, please!”

“This is wrong,” the female with fire was saying to the other male. “This will alter everything.”

“We cannot interfere,” the male replied, reaching for her. “It will upset the—”

“Fuck the balance,” the female seethed, shoving his hands away.

“Get on with it, Theon,” Luka ordered, his pupils vertical and eyes glowing. Axel was refusing to look at either of them, but that was regret shining in his eyes when they connected with hers.

“I’m sorry, baby doll,” he murmured before turning away from her.

“She can get here,” the female was saying, panic in her voice. “She can stop this.”

“Not even she will be fast enough,” Theon answered.

He dropped to Tessa’s side, smoothing hair off her brow. “You will forever be mine, Tessa. Whether in this life or in the After.”

“Please don’t send me to the dark alone,” she whispered. She’d stopped fighting now, but her body was trembling.

The male and female were arguing, but Tessa couldn’t hear them. Not as she got lost in dark emerald eyes and black hair. In a small dimple, and lips she’d kissed more times than she could count.

“I’m sorry I failed you, little storm,” Theon said, sorrow flashing in his eyes.

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