The only way to survive in a realm full of villains is to become one.
A Fated Purpose Tessalyn Ausra has taken her revenge, and it’s never tasted so sweet. Feared by the rulers of Devram, she’s under the protection of the Achaz Kingdom where she can fulfill her purpose. But with power she can’t control and the bond still in place, she finds temptation and chaos around every corner. Correcting the balance promises the ultimate freedom, but the dark still calls, even if destiny beckons. She’s finally found her purpose in this world. Will it lead to salvation or destruction?
A Broken Destiny Theon St. Orcas has been planning for this moment his entire life. Finally the Arius Lord, he’s more alone than ever. Axel is missing, Luka is in another kingdom, and he’s left with two broody strangers from another realm and no Source. Once again, he’s racing against time to figure out a history that’s been manipulated. Pulled in all directions, sacrifices are demanded. How can he protect his people when the biggest threat is the one he’d sacrifice anything for?
A Tempting Betrayal Sent to a foreign kingdom, Luka Mors finds himself the outsider he’s always dreaded being. Needing to stay at Tessa’s side, he’s in the center of a dangerous game, but more than that, he’s forced to stay in the presence of a temptation he’s been denying for years. He’s always prided himself on his loyalty, but what does he do when that loyalty starts to waver?
Destiny beckons, and sacrifice demands. This is book 3 of 4 in The Legacy Series, an adult, dark fantasy romance series with elements that may be triggering to some readers. Please be sure to check the updated content information on Melissa's website. Seriously. We know they are all walking, talking red flags at this point. Read the content information, then embrace the darkness.
Release date:
October 31, 2024
Publisher:
Kensington Books
Print pages:
670
* BingeBooks earns revenue from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate as well as from other retail partners.
Friends. Sweet Readers. Beloved Lovers of the Chaos—
I’ve been clear in the past, but I’m going to say it again: This is a DARK fantasy romance series. The characters? They’re ALL morally grey. They’re all walking, talking red flags who make questionable decisions, and in true dark fashion, they’re probably going to stay that way. There’s redemption. There’s growth. But it’s still Devram. They’re still villains. If you are at all concerned about where this book is going or how relationships might end up (I don’t do love triangles, friends), you need to check the content information provided on my website (www.melissakroehrich.com). There you can find all the tropes, tags, and triggers. I put it there because I can easily update it if needed. Additionally, there is content information in the back of this book that is current as of February 2025. If any of those things are not for you, it’s okay! We give you this information so you can set your own boundaries and protect your mental health. However, please do not go in blind and then message me in disappointment or anger when things happen that were outlined in that information that has always been available to you. Yes, it’s happened. I did my part; now I need you to do yours.
Okay, now that we got that out of the way, welcome back to Devram. Thank you for trusting me and for trusting the process. This book was a whirlwind from start to finish, and the twists and turns among the chaos certainly don’t change. We finally get to some of the big reveals I have been so excited about from the beginning of this series. I promise you the same big feelings as before, and I promise we see our babies grow. I promise emotional whiplash, some swooning, and some redemption. I promise to have you holding your breath and to leave you wanting more. Don’t complain. We have one more book after all.
A quick reminder until I am blue in the face: The Legacy Series takes place in the same universe as the Lady of Darkness series, but this is an entirely new world with brand new characters. You do NOT need to read the Darkness series to understand The Legacy Series. This series can be read separately. This story will have its own conclusion by the end. However, you WILL come across spoilers for the Darkness series and some dragon eggs along the way, even if you don’t recognize them as spoilers at the time. Some of our favs have found their way to Devram, and we get to see them from a different perspective. I promise I reveal none of the big things from Darkness, but there will be minor spoilers.
You might need something stronger than wine this time. So grab that, strategically place padding for when you throw objects, and enter the Chaos. Welcome back to Devram.
XO- Melissa
* * *
I adore when books come with playlists that follow along with the story. You feel everything more. It immerses you more. It brings everything to life. If you find this to be true for you too, here you go! I spend a good chunk of time meticulously picking a song for each chapter (usually when I’m avoiding writing, haha!) Enjoy!
If you don’t have Spotify, the full playlist can also be found on my website: https://www.melissakroehrich.com under Book Extras!
Hi, Darling! Welcome back. I get to give you a quick rundown of all the chaos that happened in Storm of Secrets and Sorrow even though I didn’t actually go there.
Scarlett, groaning: By the gods, Cyrus. It’s too early for your tantrums.
Cyrus: Tantrums? You tell me I can’t go with you and Sorin, and then you send Eliza and—
Cassius, sighing and rubbing at his brow: Cyrus, can we just get on with this?
Fine, fine. We hop back into Devram and find Theon preparing for a hearing with the Tribunal, which is basically a council of the six rulers. The hearing is to determine if Theon is able to keep Tessa as his Source. (Brow furrows.) That’s ridiculous. The only way to break a Source bond is if one of them dies. They can’t just decide that.
Anyway, Theon is given a deadline to figure out Tessa’s lineage by the Winter Solstice. This agreement comes with a few other contingencies, but he is able to keep Tessa at his side for the time being. I’m sure that will go really well for him, especially when his father tells him to figure out how to sever the bond so Tessa can be Matched with Luka, and Theon can take Katya as a new Source. On top of all that, Valter reveals to Tessa that Theon has signed a Match contract with Felicity Davers. In other words, Theon is kind of fucked, but he’s going to give it his all to fix this, and we have to admire that tenacity.
Speaking of Katya, Axel is inexplicably enamored with her, and they end up sharing his room. Which…isn’t exactly ideal since he is having a hard time controlling his craving for Fae blood. (Looking up at Scarlett.) What is with these guys and setting themselves up for failure?
Scarlett: If you only knew the half of it. Wait until Tessa gets her second Source Marking.
Cyrus: That’s not a thing.
Scarlett: That’s what I said! But the mother hen over here wouldn’t let me say more.
Sorin: Talk to your sister about that, Love.
They take Tessa to a river to let her siphon off some power because she still has bands on that suppress her magic, and that makes anyone go a little crazy. While there, they are attacked by The Augury, a group of radicals who think Tessa is the center of a prophecy that will end Devram. Shortly after, Tessa gets her second Source Mark.
Cassius: Don’t say it like that.
Cyrus: Are you doing this recap, or am I?
Cassius: By the gods.
So she gets this second Source Mark that’s supposed to let them feel each other’s emotions, except it doesn’t go as planned. Theon isn’t strong enough to overpower her, and Luka has to help. That is definitely going to complicate matters, but they are optimists apparently and decide to ignore that until they have to deal with it. I am sure that won’t bite them in the ass. Tessa sleeps as she adjusts to another Mark, and her dreams continue to change. When she wakes up, she’s curled between both Theon and Luka… Well, fuck. Good for her. Cass—
Cassius: Not a single word, Cyrus.
The crew goes to the Underground to visit Cienna, who tells them cryptic and confusing things. They end up being attacked by vampyres, and Tessa is gravely wounded. Theon and Axel get into an argument. Axel leaves with Katya and ends up kissing her in an alley. While Luka stays to watch over Tessa, the St. Orcas brothers go visit the Night Children clan leaders to find out why they were attacked.
They return to the kingdoms in time for a traditional feast where there’s chitchat with the other Sources, lots of couples dancing, and Tessa runs into Tristyn. She ends up giving into the call of her magic, which is dangerous for everyone. While Theon and Luka are trying to bring her back, they are again attacked by the Augury, and—
Lifts his eyes to find Scarlett smirking.
Scarlett, innocently batting her lashes: And?
And a silver-haired queen and her husband show up to help. We learn the silver-haired queen is Tessa’s cousin, and that she is also an obnoxious and annoying brat.
Scarlett: Rude.
Cyrus, seriously: I have been given this very important task rather than going there myself. I am obligated to recap this story accurately.
Scarlett, rolling her eyes: For fuck’s sake. I still say it’s too early for this.
Cassius, dryly: It’s after high noon.
The silver-haired queen throws a fit—
Scarlett: I did not throw a fit!
Stop interrupting this essential job I have been entrusted with. Some information and knowledge are exchanged, and the silver-haired queen reveals that Tessa is the granddaughter of Arius and Serafina. Because she’s exceptionally dramatic and likes being the center of attention, she also shares that Tessa’s father is Temural among other things. Theon and Tessa share a moment together before she goes to Faven for a week, as per the agreement with the Achaz Lord.
Axel continues to battle his blood cravings, and Valter continues to manipulate him by withholding his weekly rations. He continues to grow closer to Katya, despite knowing it puts her in danger.
Tessa hangs out in Faven for a week, learning about her power and spending time with Dex. While there, her dreams become more intense. While she’s away, Theon throws himself into researching her lineage with Katya’s help, and they discover Tristyn knows far more than he’s letting on. Another mysterious female shows up with black hair, who is skilled with a bow and moves among ashes— Wait, really?
Cassius: No, Cyrus. Keeping going.
But… Fine. This new female’s name is Auryon, and she helps them fight off some Augury members. Tessa returns from Faven only to find the townhouse empty except for Felicity. Who she finds in the bedchamber Tessa shares with Theon. What the fuck is this female doing in there? That drives a wedge between Tessa and Theon, and rightfully so, even if it does appear to be a set up. Auryon becomes Tessa’s new private instructor, replacing Mother Cordelia, and thank the gods for that because Mother Cordelia is a bitch.
Luka continues to train Tessa in self-defense, while everyone continues to try and figure out what she is before they run out of time. Katya is wounded, and Axel loses his mind. He refuses to leave her side as she heals. That sounds familiar, huh, Sorin?
Sorin: Wrap this up, Cyrus. We have a meeting to get to.
Okay, okay. The crew get permission to visit Ekayan Island to research in their vast libraries. They make some discoveries about Fae, and Theon agrees to claim Lange and Corbin for the Arius Kingdom. Tessa’s dreams continue to assault her, and she is attacked by the Augury again, only to find Mother Cordelia is an Augury member. Wolves come to Tessa’s rescue, along with Auryon, and Tessa lets her power free. Luka finds her and takes her somewhere to release her fury, and we learn Luka can Travel. That is quite the secret to keep for years and years. Tessa also discovers she is bonded to both Luka and Theon, and they’ve been keeping it from her. Tessa receives the third Mark, both Luka and Theon being involved, and now they can hear each other’s thoughts.
Axel and Katya are summoned by Valter, and Axel panics, knowing his father plans to use Katya in horrific ways. He kills Metias and Pavil, and sends Kat with Tristyn to hide her. He has no idea where Tristyn takes her, making him unable to tell his father when he’s questioned or tortured for the information. In his fury, Valter hides Axel away, and no one knows where he is. Which is terrible for everyone.
Meanwhile, another hearing has been held. Having failed his task, Tessa is taken from Theon. Tessa is again attacked by the Augury, only this time we learn that Valter has been leading them this whole time. Tessa summons Hunters to protect her… They do that? Because here they just—
Cassius: For the love of Sargon, Cyrus!
Would you relax? Auryon and Tristyn show up to fight for her, and Tessa discovers they’ve been keeping secrets from her too. With everyone betraying her, she orders her Hunters to kill all the Legacy and capture Valter.
She goes to Theon, where she gives herself the fourth Source Mark while also branding him with the Achaz Mark. (Snickering.) She’s clearly had enough, and who can blame her? She leaves him on his knees and goes to the Achaz Kingdom. Theon sends Luka to her, instructing his Guardian to tell him nothing. Tessa explores the Faven Palace where Valter is being held captive along with another who has sapphire eyes and brown hair and looks an awful lot like— Is this why you sent them there?
Scarlett, with a sly smile: I always have a reason, Darling. Surely you know this by now.
Cyrus: Clever. I stand by my dramatic comment though.
Scarlett flips him her middle finger.
In the end, Tessa vows to destroy the Arius line, and she chats with the mystery prisoner. Tristyn heads to the Underground to see his…sister. Huh. That’s interesting considering she’s a Witch. Eliza and Razik get to go on an adventure, while the rest of us are forced to stay here and sit around on our asses.
Cassius: Cyrus, drop it.
Cyrus: I absolutely will not.
Scarlett: You don’t want to go there, Darling. You’d be treated like… (Lips pursing.) You don’t want to go there.
Cyrus: Did you at least try this…pizza while you were there?
Scarlett: No, but I may have lifted some lull-leaf from Tristyn.
Cyrus, in outrage: And you’re just now telling me this?
Scarlett, smirking: Now who’s being dramatic?
“Tessa, stop,” Theon rasped, blood seeping from beneath his hand where it was pressed to his side.
Tessa stood over him with a gold dagger in her hand, and she twirled it between her fingers.
“Tessa,” Theon tried again. “It doesn’t—”
“Have to be this way?” she interrupted. “You mean it should be me on the ground preparing to cross the Veil?”
“No, Tessa. I—”
But he was cut off by a shuddering breath that turned into a cough followed by curses.
“Fuck,” he muttered, lifting his palm to look at his wound before immediately applying pressure again. “Where the fuck is Luka?”
She smiled, and she could tell by the look on Theon’s face that the smile looked as wicked as it felt. “He’s a little…caged right now.”
“You’re fulfilling the prophecy if you do this, Tessa.”
She whirled to the source of the voice, seeing Tristyn on the ground nearby, light binding his hands and ankles.
“It’s what they want. Don’t you see?” the male pressed now that he had her attention. “You will be the—”
“You had plenty of chances to tell me what you know,” she said, power flaring through the light that held him and making him wince as it coursed through his being. “And even when you did tell me, it was shrouded in half-truths and motivations that only served you.”
“No—” he gasped out, but she was already turning back to Theon.
“As for Luka, once you are gone, he can become my Guardian,” she continued as though they hadn’t been interrupted. “That’s what he was always meant to be, isn’t it? Auryon said so herself.”
“You killed Auryon,” Theon rasped, his darkness swarming around the wound. Trying to heal him. Trying to save him.
A pointless effort, but she’d let him waste that power of his. It wasn’t as if she needed him as a Source anyway.
“I didn’t kill Auryon,” she scoffed.
“Your Hunters did,” Theon amended. “At your command.”
“Because she was trying to keep me from my destiny.”
“Little storm, I was wrong. So very wrong.”
She shot forward, gripping his hair and yanking his head back. The tip of her dagger pressed beneath his chin. “Your apologies are too late. They fall on deaf ears.”
“I know, Tessa, but it changes nothing of how I feel about you.”
“Stop it,” she snarled as she felt his emotions flood down the bond. Then she felt Luka’s emotions merge with them.
The three of them bound to one another.
Connected in a way that was never meant to be, but couldn’t possibly be any other way.
Unless sacrifices were made.
“Stop it,” she said again, releasing Theon and stepping back. “We don’t have a choice.”
Wind swept through the clearing, stirring dead grass and scorched earth from a battle that had left hundreds dead. Fae and Legacy alike had fought in a war that should have been reserved for the gods.
Too many sacrifices had already been made.
Corbin.
Lange.
Auryon.
Cienna.
“Breathe, my light,” Luka coaxed down the bond. “We’ll figure this out.”
But they wouldn’t figure this out.
Axel was gone.
Katya was missing.
And everyone who should have cared had betrayed her.
Thunder rumbled at the thought, the skies breaking open and raining its own wrath to the ground.
“It doesn’t have to be like this, little storm,” Theon tried again.
“We don’t have a choice,” she said, echoing words he’d said to her so often in her dreams. “It’s more than a bond, and it cannot be.”
Emerald eyes fell closed, acceptance filling features she had once thought she could love.
For so long, she had wished for death, and now, in this moment, she didn’t want it. She’d found something to fight for, and then she was forced to sacrifice it. And now? Now she felt nothing but the fury that had consumed her.
“You’re wrong,” Tristyn rasped, trying to inch closer across the earth that had quickly turned to mud. “Have you learned nothing over these past months? We’ve tried, Tessa. We’ve brought you aid—”
“Once again to seek your own ends,” she snapped.
“To save you,” Theon said, clearly trying to keep her attention on him. His hair was plastered to his brow, rain mixing with the steady stream of blood from his wound. “I tried to change it. I did everything I could.”
“But destiny beckons and sacrifice demands,” she said in a mocking tone as she crouched before him once more. “Those that came to this world unbidden learned that truth.”
“Their queen will seek her vengeance, Tessa. Make no mistake.”
“We are counting on it.”
“Her vengeance will know no bounds.”
“Then she will know my wrath, just as you have.”
“And I’d ask for it again and again if it is all you will let me have, clever tempest,” Theon replied, a shaky hand coming up to cup her cheek. “But I understand we are out of time. Once again, I am out of time.”
She got a little lost in dark emerald eyes and black hair. In a small dimple and lips she’d kissed more times than she could count. Then she was kissing him. Deep and lovely, just like it always should have been.
“I’m sorry I failed you, Tessa,” Theon said when they broke apart, sorrow filling in his features. “I tried. I tried to save you.”
“I understand,” she whispered. “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you all of me. Every piece of me.”
And she sank that gold dagger into his chest.
“But only one can be left standing when Chaos comes to reign.”
“Fucking son of Achaz,” Theon cursed when he slammed a drawer shut on his fingers.
He was in his father’s study at Arius House trying to find any possible clue as to where Axel could be. Not that he hadn’t searched it a dozen times already in the last two weeks. He’d combed through the study, his father’s private office in the other wing of the house, his father’s private rooms—much to his mother’s disapproval— and anywhere else his father had told him never to enter. He’d scoured the rooms beneath Arius House. Rooms where prisoners were sometimes held, and torture was handed out freely. Theon had spent plenty of time in those rooms himself—both as the victim and the one doing the torturing. Then he’d gone through other rooms that seemed too obvious. He’d gone to the Underground, searching all the known properties there, but there was nothing. Not a single indication of where he could have hidden Axel away. It was as though he’d simply disappeared.
His father’s advisors were no help, mainly because he couldn’t find them either. This entire situation was murky and unprecedented. Was he truly the Arius Lord if his father still lived? Apparently, most believed that was not the case. His mother tittered around the house, saying he would be back soon, and the nobles of the kingdom chose to ignore any and all communication. But even though he was not viewed as the reigning Arius Lord, it sure as fuck was enough to fulfill the Bargain he’d made with Tessa. A Bargain he’d made thinking he’d gained the upper hand only to have her flip the whole godsdamn thing upside down.
Again.
His gaze cut to the Mark on the back of his hand. Three interconnected triangles. The exact opposite of the Arius Mark he’d drawn on her skin months ago. She’d been vicious and spiteful, and he’d known she hated him. There was no going back. She’d made that perfectly clear when she’d taken everything from him and left him with half a title and no one to share the burden. Axel was missing. She was gone. He’d sent Luka to her and told him not to tell him a word. Axel had Katya hidden away. Blackheart wouldn’t answer his calls. All he was left with were two Fae, Lange and Corbin, and the-gods-only-knew if he could trust them.
And this fucking bond.
It was pining for Tessa in a way he’d never experienced. They’d never been apart this long, but this was more exaggerated than merely being separated by distance and time. The bond seemed to know they were irreparable at this point, and it was in utter agony.
Or maybe that was him.
Theon dropped into his father’s chair, eyeing a tablet he’d found in a desk drawer. He was assuming it was a backup of some sort, but he hadn’t been able to get into it. He was close to asking Corbin for help. Everyone kept saying he was adept at technology, despite being a Fae. But again, he was back to this trust thing. He only trusted two people implicitly, and both of those people were inaccessible to him right now.
With another sigh, he pulled Axel’s mirror from his pocket. He’d found it in his room at the townhouse in the Acropolis. It had fallen in between the couch cushions. He didn’t know how to use the thing like Axel did. Or rather, Cienna didn’t respond to him like she did to Axel. So he was left waiting, with nothing to do but search this stupid house and the estate manor near the Acropolis.
He’d never felt so alone in his entire life.
He’d also found Axel’s phone, his earbuds, and a book written in an old language. It would take Theon months to translate, and he could only assume Katya had been working on it. Why Axel had kept it, Theon wasn’t sure. Of course, he had no way of getting in touch with Katya either because, again, Blackheart wouldn’t answer his godsdamn calls.
A knock on the door had him spinning the chair to the sound. When the door didn’t immediately open, it took him a minute to remember his father would have punished someone for not waiting for permission to enter.
“Enter,” Theon barked, not bothering to stand.
A Fae male entered. Not Ford. That fucker was locked in a cell beneath the manor, where Theon had immediately escorted his father’s personal servant. He knew where the male’s loyalty lay, and it was to his father, not the Arius Kingdom as a whole. The male standing here now was another member of the house staff.
“You have a visitor, my Lord,” the Fae said, his head bowed.
“I do not have any appointments, nor am I seeing anyone right now,” Theon replied, already turning away.
“I understand, my Lord. He did say—” He flinched when Theon spun back to face him again.
Theon couldn’t blame him. His father would have already had Eviana hurting him for continuing to speak.
“Who is here?” Theon asked, trying to sound reassuring, but gods, he was not in the mood to see anyone.
The male swallowed thickly before trying again, his voice trembling. “He refused to give his name, but said that when you refused him, I was to tell you ‘salvation or destruction is your choice.’”
Tristyn. Fucking. Blackheart.
The male couldn’t bother to answer his phone, but he could show up here whenever he wished and demand to see him.
Theon stood, the male flinching back at the movement. He slipped the mirror back into his pocket before shoving the tablet back into a desk drawer. Brushing past the male, he made his way down the hall to the foyer where Blackheart was indeed waiting.
Tristyn’s hands were shoved into the pockets of his dark jeans as he studied a portrait on the wall while he waited. His brown hair was a little disheveled. Theon was used to it being clean-cut and styled impeccably. Russet-colored eyes lifted to meet his as he approached.
“Arius Heir,” the male drawled, looking Theon up and down. “Or is it Lord now?”
“What are you doing here?” Theon asked, stopping a few feet away. His darkness appeared, pooling at his feet and drifting closer to the Legacy before him. Tristyn glanced at it, but didn’t appear bothered in the least.
“I am here to bring you to those who can help with your…predicament,” he finally answered.
Theon scoffed. “As if you know anything of my predicament.”
Tristyn’s eyes seemed to flash, the russet color almost glowing for a second before it receded. “I was there when Tessa chose her side. I tried to bring her back to you that night. I tried…” He gritted his teeth. “I suppose it doesn’t matter what I tried. I failed. And now I am here to offer assistance.”
“You tried to bring her back to me? What the fuck does that mean?”
“Exactly what I said. I tried to bring her back to you. Well, both of you. Do you want my help or not?” Tristyn asked.
Theon studied him. He looked tired and worse for wear. His button-down shirt was untucked, and the buttons were mismatched. He wore a worn brown leather jacket over the top that seemed decades out of style. It didn’t even smell right.
“Fine. Where are we going?” Theon finally said, standing straighter.
“The Underground.”
“I’ll need to bring Lange and Corbin with us.”
“Bring whoever you want,” Tristyn replied. “Just be quick about it.”
Theon glared at him, but he turned to the Fae who’d come to announce Tristyn’s arrival and asked him to fetch Lange and Corbin. As they waited, he said to Tristyn, “It will take at least a full day of driving to get to the Underground.”
“I can Travel.”
Theon blinked once. Twice. “How is it you can Travel?”
“The same way Luka can. I wasn’t born in this realm. Therefore, the enchantments and safeguards put in place do not entirely affect me,” Tristyn replied.
“How convenient,” Theon deadpanned.
“Quite,” he agreed as the sound of footsteps reached them.
Corbin and Lange looked wary as they approached, and Theon couldn’t blame them. They’d been shuffled around from the Fae dormitories to the townhouse and now here. Only now, they didn’t have Tessa or Katya to help guide them. Fuck, even Axel had seemed to be able to put them at ease.
Without a word, Theon motioned them forward. Tristyn made sure they were all touching, and then he felt a pull at his navel he’d never experienced. Luka had certainly never Traveled with him because Luka had kept that particular skill a secret for godsdamn decades.
“I cannot Travel directly into the Underground,” Tristyn said as they appeared near the main gates. “Most areas in Devram are not warded against Traveling because it is not an expected ability, but the Underground has always been different.”
“You know a lot of things, Blackheart,” Theon muttered, trying to swallow down the nausea. He’d had enough vomiting to last a lifetime after Tessa had tricked him with that last Source Mark.
Tessa.
The bond immediately strained at the mere thought of her, and Theon closed his eyes for a moment, tamping down on that desire too. But he could still picture her in that thin, floor-length skirt of navy blue that was so dark it was nearly black. Her hair loose around her and her light banded around her arms. Violet eyes full of malice and rapture as she tipped her head back, riding him and taking her pleasure.
Clever and exquisite.
Brutal and malevolent.
Salvation and destruction.
“While you have lived nearly three decades, I have lived well over three centuries. Too many of them spent in this godsforsaken realm. I should know a lot of things,” Tristyn answered as they ventured into the Underground passages.
“Then why not share what you know?” Theon countered. “This could have all been avoided.”
“Why do you keep your knowledge secret?” he countered, and Theon couldn’t argue with that. “But aside from secrets being currency, messing with fate is a dangerous game. I reveal too much, and it could be seen as me playing with free will in an effort to obtain a specific outcome. It is safer to not say anything at all.”
“But you have,” Theon argued. “You revealed pieces here and there. Why take the risk?”
Tristyn stopped, turning to face him. His eyes flared again, and he held Theon’s gaze when he said, “Because some things are worth the risk and more.”
They said nothing else as they traversed the tunnels of the Underground. He glanced back to make sure Corbin and Lange were still with them. They were quiet, hand in hand and keeping up. Theon wasn’t entirely sure why he’d brought them with, but he didn’t trust leaving them at Arius House. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust them. It was that he didn’t trust anyone else. Tessa would be livid if something happened to her friends, and the last thing he needed was to give her yet another reason to hate him.
Not that it really mattered anymore.
“Since I am with you, I assume this is not your unaccompanied visit you bartered for?” Theon said as they turned down another passage. Theon didn’t know where they were going, and he was beginning to wonder how Tristyn knew how to traverse the Underground so well.
Tristyn glanced at him with a smirk. “Consider that debt paid, my Lord.”
Theon was about to snap something back in reply until they stepped into a spacious cavern he immediately recognized. Three work tables were in the center of the space, multiple shelves with her
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