Page 222 of Rain of Shadows and Endings

Dagian scoffed, any semblance of decorum melting from his demeanor. “Your Source appeared very intimate with him. The two even spoke of time spent together at a hotel.”

He saw Tessa stiffen out of the corner of his eye, but he couldn’t look at her right now.

“The other heirs and I, along with our families, find it odd that Arius Kingdom comes back onto the scene and not only chooses a Source none of us took a second look at, but one that also seems to get along quite well with a male who notoriously avoids everyone.”

“What, exactly, are you asking me, Dagian?” Theon asked, picking up his drink and swirling the amber liquid.

“I am simply stating an observation that seems suspicious.”

“The observation is noted, although I don’t know what you would like me to do about it.”

“Is she involved with Blackheart? Is that why you chose her?”

“No,” Theon snarled. “She is mine and mine alone.”

“The events of last night say otherwise,” Lealla said.

“You can think what you want, but that Mark on her hand says she is mine,” Theon said, letting his shadows out.

They coiled around his arms before reaching for Tessa, and she leaned into them, letting the darkness brush along her jaw, her throat. Then she lifted a hand, smiling pointedly at Lealla as she dragged her fingers through the shadows, letting them dance around her knuckles. Dagian and Lealla glanced at each other as they watched Tessa play with the shadows, as though she loved the darkness so much, she could command it.

As if she were his and his alone.

He could feel his magic. It was obsessed with her, nearly vibrating at having her interact with it. The shadows clung to her while she toyed with them, and he could feel her touch as if she were touching him herself. It almost made him forget what her actions last night had cost them.

“All things considered, it appears you have an in with Blackheart,” Dagian said, having returned to eating his dinner.

“What are you getting at?”

“I would like an introduction.”

Axel huffed a laugh that had Theon shooting him a glare.

“What?” Axel asked. “It’s rather ridiculous if you think about it. He set up this big, elaborate dinner to ask us to introduce him to Tristyn Blackheart. The main headquarters of Lilura Inquest is in the Acropolis with the second largest location in Faven. Both are places he surely has unlimited access to.”

“While I can certainly access the buildings, that does not grant me access to Blackheart himself,” Dagian said tightly.

“Then ask Daddy to help,” Axel replied flippantly.

Dagian glared at Axel, and Theon knew that look.

“Your father assigned you this task,” Theon said, letting his darkness continue to linger. “What does he want with Blackheart?”

Dagian rolled his eyes. “You tell me Arius secrets, and I’ll tell you Achaz ones.”

Fair point.

“Well, I wish I could help, Dagian,” Theon said, suddenly ready to leave. “But my arrangement with Tristyn is new. I can’t jeopardize that. Surely you understand.”

“Of course,” Dagian said, rising from his seat before Theon could. “Arius secrets always come out in the end anyway.” His gaze slid to Luka. “Isn’t that right?”

“I have no idea what you are implying,” Luka replied, sounding broody and bored with all of this.

“Here I thought a Sargon Legacy would be clever, but maybe you are just good for battles,” Dagian sighed as if disappointed.

Lealla had followed his example, standing from the table as well. She was already standing near the door, a victorious smirk on her lips. “What ever will the other kingdoms say when they learn what Arius Kingdom has been hiding in their mountains?” she simpered.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Axel demanded. “There are no Sargon Legacy left living. Your ancestors made sure of that centuries ago.”

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