Chapter 23 Tessa #2
Studying the tray, she found it contained a platter of three doughnuts, all of them with chocolate frosting, a bowl of strawberries, hard-boiled eggs, and a small bottle of orange juice.
Ignoring the doughnuts, she pulled the strawberries closer before picking up a hard-boiled egg and taking a bite. She knew Rordan was watching her, but she ignored him, instead twisting to look out the window.
The youngest Fae were outside, running and playing.
Too young to recognize and grasp what their lives were truly to be.
She envied them and their innocence. Born into a world that valued their power more than who they were.
She couldn’t fathom choosing to bring a child into this world on purpose.
Certainly not a Fae child, although now she understood that so many of the Fae were forced into existence.
Then again, even if things were different in the world, she didn’t think she could be a mother.
“We need to discuss your plans, Tessalyn,” Rordan said, pulling her from her thoughts.
She dragged her eyes back to him, picking up her coffee mug. “I don’t think I’ll be discussing anything with you.”
He tsked in annoyance, as though she were an irritating child. “I understand we’ve had our differences—”
“Differences?” Tessa interrupted. “You set me up, Rordan. You used me to orchestrate a massacre in the Arius Kingdom, then stood by while I took the fall.”
“Sometimes we must take drastic steps to push in the right direction,” he said factually, picking up a pen to write in a notebook sitting beside him. “Dexter said those are your favorite. Are they not?”
Tessa blinked at the casual dismissal and sudden change of subject. Glancing at the doughnuts, she looked back at Rordan. “When do the Ladies arrive tomorrow?”
“Whenever they choose to,” he retorted. “We don’t answer to you.”
“Then who do you answer to?” she countered. “Certainly not your people. Who holds you accountable?”
His smile was tight and cold. “As rulers, we hold one another accountable. It’s why I am here. Because the Ladies blame me for your obstinance, as if I have any control over the less becoming traits of your heritage.”
She scoffed, popping a strawberry into her mouth.
“But back to the matter at hand. We need to discuss your current predicament. I’ve bought you enough time,” he continued, settling back in his chair and pinning her with a stare.
“And what predicament is that?” she asked, picking up another strawberry.
“Come now, Tessa,” he chided. “If something isn’t done, Theon will attempt to take you with him tomorrow. You were once so desperate to be rid of him.”
“You promised to free me of him, and yet I still bear his Marks.”
“Because you’ve been so cooperative,” he said with a slight sneer.
“Because you’ve been so forthcoming with your motives,” she countered.
Rordan huffed, something between a laugh and annoyance. “You are quick-witted and clever, I’ll give you that. Are you not eating those?” he asked, gesturing to the doughnuts again.
“Would you like one?”
“No. There was simply extra care in ensuring you were offered something you enjoy,” he said.
Tessa hummed, glancing at the pastries once more before selecting another hard-boiled egg, watching Rordan carefully. Seeing the small twitch as he ground his molars. The irritated flare of the golden rings in his eyes. The single tap of his index finger on the arm of his chair.
“The way I see it, we have two options here,” Rordan said when she didn’t answer. “I can arrange for you to leave with me.”
“But you have a deal with Theon and the Ladies,” she argued.
“That can easily be taken care of,” he answered dismissively. “But the other option is more appealing to me. You can go with him. I need information that he has.”
“Which is what?”
He clicked his tongue. “I am attempting to be— What was it you wanted? Me to be more forthcoming? I am attempting to do that, but I won’t simply tell you my plans without proof of loyalty, Tessalyn.”
“I am loyal to myself,” she retorted.
“Aren’t we all,” he replied, picking up his coffee mug. “But I am willing to show you my loyalty.”
Her brow arched, admittedly somewhat intrigued about what a show of loyalty from the Achaz Lord could possibly be. “I’m listening.”
“Unfortunately, this is why I wanted to meet in the other office. It is too cumbersome to haul down here, so you will need to go there,” he replied, turning back to his laptop. “Your choice, as always, Tessalyn.”
As always.
She nearly scoffed at the absurdity of that statement.
Rordan clearly sensed her skepticism though, because he sighed, closing the cover of his computer. “I am trying, Tessalyn. I procured your favorite breakfast. I have ensured you have the nicest amenities while here. And I have yet another show of good faith waiting for you.”
“Forgive me if I don’t believe a word that comes from your mouth,” she said dryly.
“I can escort you myself.”
She debated it. Knew this was likely a trap. Knew Rordan was cunning.
But so was she.
She also wasn’t alone anymore.
“Grab a doughnut, and let’s settle this,” the Achaz Lord said, pushing back his chair and standing.
“Are you sure you don’t want one?” Tessa asked, standing as well and leaving the pastries untouched. “You seem overly concerned with the doughnuts this morning.”
“I simply do not want you to go hungry,” he replied, but she heard every bit of the lie in those words.
Tessa said nothing, waiting for him to open the door for her. She knew it rubbed him the wrong way to do something that would equate to being beneath him, but that was exactly why she did it.
The seraph was standing in the hall, presumably a guard, and he stepped aside, bowing his head to Rordan when they walked past.
“Does he have a name?” Tessa asked, the seraph staying behind.
“Illithor,” Rordan said. “He serves Achaz and thus me.”
“But how did he get here? How did any of them get here?”
“How did you get here?” Rordan countered.
“How silly of me. Did the enchantment affect your memories so much that you don’t remember attacking Xan when he arrived with me?” Tessa asked with faux dramatics.
Rordan glanced down at her, his features tight. “So the dragon does remember. I knew he did, despite his words during our various discussions over the last two decades.”
“You mean while you tortured him.”
“There were still words exchanged,” Rordan said simply.
They’d reached Cordelia’s office, and she once again let Rordan get the door. She wasn’t really sure what she was expecting, but it sure wasn’t Felicity fucking Davers sitting on a small settee beneath the window in that office.
The female rose quickly, eyes wide as they bounced between her and Rordan.
“What is the meaning of this?” Felicity demanded, taking a few steps backwards and nearly falling over the settee she bumped into.
“I’m glad you received my summons,” Rordan said, closing the door behind them.
“I cannot refuse a Lord,” she answered. “At least not until my husband is crowned one.”
Husband.
The word grated on Tessa’s ears, her face twisting in distaste.
“True,” Rordan said, moving deeper into the room while Tessa stayed rooted to the spot, trying to figure out what his angle was here.
Rordan stopped at the desk, leaning against the front and bracing his palms on the edge behind him.
“You are not nearly powerful enough to deny anyone, are you, Ms. St. Orcas?”
“Davers,” Tessa said sharply.
Felicity’s smile was sinister as she lifted her hand, showcasing the Mark on the back. “It doesn’t matter how many times you say it, he is still mine.”
And despite the cuff, her power flared. Not like it should, and it was almost immediately snuffed out, but her point was made. Felicity’s smile faltered, and she turned away, facing the Achaz Lord.
“What can I do for you, my Lord? I truly cannot stay away from him for long. My husband has needs that must be met,” she said, the last words ringing in Tessa’s ears.
“Oh, did I not mention? You are not here for me, my dear,” Rordan said, his eyes sliding to Tessa. “You are here for her.”
“What?” Felicity said with a gasp, spinning to Tessa once more. “What did you do?” she hissed.
Tessa ignored her, her entire focus on Rordan. “How is this any show of loyalty?”
“It is a peace offering,” he replied, pushing off the desk and returning to her side. He moved behind her, leaning in to speak low in her ear. “You heard her. She knowingly took something you covet. And he allowed it. I have brought you what you crave most, Tessalyn. I have brought you vengeance.”
And gods, she liked the sound of that. She wanted her power to sink into Felicity’s manipulative soul to feast. Wanted her to feel every moment of her wrath at thinking she could touch what was hers. Wanted her to recognize her mistakes when it was too late to do anything about it.
But she couldn’t.
Not only because of this godsdamn cuff, but because Theon had a plan. He’d told her everything, and they’d spent these last nights changing details and making it perfect. Doing this now would ruin all of it.
The words stuck in her throat, but she forced them out. “She is not mine to deal with.”
“You are saying she is his?” Rordan asked, circling to her side.
“No,” she said quickly.
“Then…?”
“I…” But gods, her power was thrashing, wanting to take from her.
From him. And it was trapped, and she was trapped.
And she felt hollow and empty. “We don’t want her,” she choked out, her power clogging her throat.
Trying to stop the words from escaping because they absolutely did want her.
It was famished, and that ache was so much worse than when she was starving for food as a child.
“Pity,” Rordan said, reaching out and twirling some of her hair between his fingers. “Then just to ensure I am understanding correctly, you are rejecting this offering?”
“What offering? How does she show your loyalty?” Tessa asked, watching Felicity, who was obviously panicked.
“I think Theon should be here for this,” the female said, her voice shaking.
“Don’t say his name,” Tessa snapped, her power once again flaring and winking out in the same breath.
She was failing. She was supposed to be playing a part.
Be civil at dinners. Be indifferent, but she couldn’t.
Never had been able to. Not only that, but Theon had offered to let a realm die for her. That was a show of loyalty.
Turning her back on the female, she faced Rordan, repeating her question. “How does this show any type of loyalty?”
“Sweet child,” he said, his smile too wide, too full of delight, as he reached out and ran a hand down her hair. “Did you think I was showing my loyalty to you?”
He turned his back on her, pulling open the door to the office once more.
Everything was suddenly too loud and too quiet all at once.
And she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move. Couldn’t do a godsdamn thing as Mother Cordelia strode into the office.
“My loyalty is always to Achaz,” Rodan said coldly.
“And you? You are simply his insubordinate grandchild at this point. But I tried, Tessalyn,” he said, faux sympathy dripping in his voice.
“I gave you one last chance to come back to his side. All you had to do was end the female. With his Match dead, he wouldn’t be able to take the Arius seat.
We would have still let him take you though. We need information from him.”
“What information?” she rasped out, unable to pull her gaze from Cordelia.
The female was as formidable as ever. Her dirty blonde hair was pulled back in her signature tight bun at the back of her head. Dark navy eyes filled with loathing held her own, and her sharp features were more prominent since Tessa had seen her last.
“He has hidden Cressida somewhere,” Rordan said simply. “We desire her back.”
“I don’t know anything about that,” she said, sweat already beading on her nape and trickling down her neck. She hated that the Estate Mother still had this kind of power over her, and her magic was locked down, unable to defend her.
As if reading her thoughts, Cordelia smirked. “Not so tough without that abominable magic, are you?”
It tried. The thing in her soul clawed at her, her knees nearly giving out as it howled and growled and screamed. Her hands were in her hair, tugging and straining. Because it was too much, and Cordelia was here, and she’d only needed to survive this one more day.
One more day.
One more hour.
One more minute.
One more second.
One more song.
And it wasn’t her power screaming. It was her soul. It was the sound pouring from her own lips a moment before her air was stolen, Cordelia taking what she always had.
It was her dropping to her knees on the ornate rug beneath her feet. It was Rordan crouching before her and tipping her chin up, mock pity on his face as he said, “I tried to help you, Tessalyn. You did this.”
“Don’t worry, Rordan,” Cordelia said snidely, coming to his side and staring down her nose at Tessa as she struggled to take in a breath. “I know somewhere we can keep her until we can figure out how to get her under control. I have experience with her unruliness.”
Tessa shook her head frantically, clawing at the cuff on her wrist, but Cordelia gripped her elbow, dragging her to her feet.
And Tessa dug in her heels, slamming her elbow up and back, just like Luka had taught her.
She heard Cordelia curse, her hold on her magic loosening, and Tessa sucked in a breath.
But then it was more than her air being stolen as light wound around her. Binding her wrists.
“Help her,” Rordan ordered Felicity, and the female didn’t hesitate.
Gone was her hesitancy, replaced with contempt.
Tessa could feel more than that as she neared though.
Could feel her power winding around her, trying to soothe her into cooperation.
But Rordan had been right. She wasn’t nearly strong enough.
She managed another gasping breath before Cordelia’s magic struck again. She was tugged towards that small, dark space she’d avoided looking at when she’d been in here with Dex. Felicity rushed forward, pulling open the cupboard door.
But a different door was banging off the wall as it was thrown open. It had them all spinning, Cordelia dropping Tessa back to the floor.
And that was Theon standing in the doorway with darkness swirling all around him. His wings were out, a dark backdrop behind him, and his emerald eyes blazed with a fury she recognized. A fury she felt in her own soul because she was feeling her wrath mixed with his.
She had bound herself to death, and he had come for her.