Storm of Secrets and Sorrow (Legacy, #2)

by Melissa K. Roehrich

“Lost for so long, but not much longer. Fate changes, moment-by-moment, and I can’t keep up. But it is not time for this, for chaos and death. Much can change. Much will change. That war will come.” She reached out and placed a hand over Tessa’s heart, and faint light flared as she murmured, “It slumbers still. Now is not the time for this. Not yet.”

Because the dark still plagued her, and time spent in pleasure at his hands still managed to drive it away, and fuck him for being both her destruction and salvation.

“Do you wish my loyalty was to you?” She lifted her head, and the crease between his brows told Tessa he was as perplexed by his question as she was. “Why would you be loyal to me?” “I don’t know,” he murmured, more to himself than her.

But it would be nice, just once, to know what it was like to be so important to someone that they chose her above all else.

“But for the sake of clarity, should you learn she is indeed a Legacy and the Source bond cannot be severed another way, it is not an Achaz Legacy whose life will pay that price. That is the cost of this kindness we’ve extended to you.”

“Your salvation and destruction.” “You’re already both, little storm,” he said, his voice gravel and his gaze darting to her mouth when her tongue flicked along her lower lip.

“It will not matter if you have a union Mark on your skin and a ring on your finger. It will not matter if I have the same with someone else. If I am forced into a new bond, it will not erase this one. Haven’t you figured it out yet?”

“You’ll still be mine, Tessa.” “I hate you too much to ever be yours,” she whispered bitterly.

“What you’re needing right now?” he finished for her, his magic almost frenzied as it touched her. As if it were indeed obsessed with her, just as he’d said. “I always know what you need, Tessa.”

“I’m saying you need to decide you’re worth it. Even on the hard days. Even on the days you feel like giving up. Even on the days where it feels pointless. You need to decide you are worth it.”

“I am your distraction from a life you never wanted.” A kiss to the corner of her mouth. “I am everything you hate about this world.” A kiss to the other corner. “I am your villain that has taken everything from you.” A nip to her jaw. “So take from me, Tessa. Take what you need. That’s what you want, right? That’s all you want from me, so take it.”

“Her father is a god. Her mother may as well be one. She is as powerful as a Lesser,” Cienna said simply. “That is all I can tell you. Any more and I will be tempting fate. I already am.”

One female with silver hair tipped her head back, a laugh falling from her lips as her partner spun her around. His black clothing was elegant, threads of red and gold along the lapels of his jacket. His gold and silver mask matched hers, and Tessa frowned. She was clearly Legacy, but was he? They both had rings on their fingers, but those were not Union Marks on the back of their left hands. The only Marks that went there were Source Marks. She had other Marks on her bare arms. Some black. Some a faded silver.

“You may have stolen her Guardian from her, but that only means you must now deal with me.”

“Daughter of Fury and Blood of Beginnings, you were threatened. You summoned us in answer to that threat.”

“Your love,” he blurted, unable to stop himself. “Will it matter if I say I love you, little storm?”