Storm of Secrets and Sorrow (Legacy, #2)

by Melissa K. Roehrich

“They were the Augury.”

Maybe it wasn’t a bond at all. Maybe it had been their power this whole time.

“It’s a group of people who believe the Revelation Decree is not a law to govern Devram, but rather that it’s a prophecy or an omen,” Theon explained.

“Like I said, they believe the Decree is an omen. They believe that if the prophecy comes to pass, Devram will be destroyed, and they consider themselves some kind of divine protectors of the realm.”

Luka said, appearing from the kitchen and holding an orange out to her, already peeled. “What are you doing?” she asked, glancing at the fruit. “Handing you an orange.” “Why?” “I told you, you need to eat after using so much power.” “Do I?” Tessa countered. “If I’m a Legacy, wouldn’t I need blood?”

‘the Everlasting War has finally found its way here?’”

It was some sort of history book detailing the various gods, but she paused when a page mentioned the Chaos they came from. The way it was worded made it sound like more than just the Firsts had emerged from the Chaos. She’d never given much thought to it all, but she supposed it would stand to reason that more than the gods emerged. So what happened to the other beings?

back farther, and his breath danced across her lips as he said, “You’ll still be mine, Tessa.” “I hate you too much to ever be yours,” she whispered bitterly. He shrugged, his shadows appearing and winding along her throat. “I said I wanted everything you have to give. That includes your hate. It’s all mine.”

“You think I enjoy being obsessed with someone that clearly doesn’t feel the same way? You think I like that my power fights me? That it constantly tries to get to you? You think I appreciate how much my plans have changed since you came into my life?”

“It won’t be enough,” he called after her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Your fingers,” he added. “They won’t be enough, just like

“Theon, don’t!” Tessa cried. “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.”

Not with the ring on her finger keeping her separated from her gifts.

“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. “She is a World Walker and a⁠—” “And even she has been ordered not to interfere with this,” Theon cut in, dropping to Tessa’s side. “She will not care.” “She will be too late,” Theon said again, his fingers sliding along Tessa’s jaw. “You will forever be mine, Tessa. Whether in this life or in the After.”

“I’m sorry I failed you, little storm,” Theon said, sorrow flashing in his eyes. “I’m sorry I loved you too late. But I’m yours. Every piece of me.” Theon didn’t say another word. Only lifted the dagger above her chest and sank it into her heart.

“Theon is death, Tessa.”

Luka’s hands were on her shoulders, and Theon leaned over her, smoothing his other hand over her brow. “You’re okay, little storm. You need to let this happen,” he rasped, pushing more power into her. “Just like when we’re by the river. Let me help. Don’t try to control your magic right now. Let me show it what to do.” Tessa nodded, her eyes squeezed shut as a tear escaped, sliding down her temple. Her nails were digging into his flesh, drawing blood, but if that’s what she needed to endure this, then so be it. She didn’t realize just how much he was willing to bleed for her.

But then he felt it. A flicker of emotion. Agony that wasn’t his own.

It was her light taking what it wanted. Her light caressing his darkness, and his power going willingly, as though it couldn’t resist the call of what she was.

The Mark looked perfect, but there was an additional swirl that hadn’t been there before.

Looking back up, she found Luka sliding on a pair of pants, which was kind of disappointing. “Why are you naked?” she blurted. “I’m not,” was his answer, and Tessa rolled her eyes. “Why were you naked?” “I sleep naked.”

Luka stalked to the balcony door, and Tessa watched the muscles in his back ripple as wings appeared when he stepped outside. Then he was launching into the sky, and something in her was upset to see him go. Which was stupid.

“You feel…a lot of things very quickly all the time,” Theon said, drawing her attention back to him.

“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.”

“I suppose next you’re going to tell me I’m not the reason you’re dripping?” Sitting up straighter, she leaned towards him, a sneer on her lips as she taunted, “Maybe I’m thinking about Luka since he’s to be my Match and all.” “Careful, Tessa,” Theon said sharply. A satisfied smirk formed. “Maybe I was thinking about how much I’m going to enjoy having him naked in a bed with me while we’re here. Maybe I was thinking about what it would be like to feel his hot skin against mine, his tongue between my legs⁠—”

“Tell me again, Tessa. What were you thinking about when you were touching yourself in the shower?” “You,” she gasped. “It’s always you, and I hate it.”

He took her chin in his hand before his mouth was back on hers, forcing her to taste herself on his lips. He pulled back enough to look into her eyes. “Tell me what other things you think about someone else doing to you when you’re touching yourself,” he demanded, something frenzied filling his eyes that had a shiver of excitement rolling through her. “Why?” “Because I want to make sure that I’m the only one you’re thinking about doing anything to you.” She smirked. “I think I’ll keep my fantasies to myself.” His features darkened. “Then I’ll be forced to replace them.” “Good luck with that,” she taunted, because she knew exactly what it would get her. And she wasn’t disappointed as a low growl rumbled from him, and he was pushing her down onto the bed while shoving off his pants.

“I haven’t told anyone else you’re awake.” “Why?” “You’ll have to forgive my negligence. I’ve been a little busy with your needy cunt, beautiful.”

“You may wish to tempt fate, Theon, but I do not. I will tell you what I can. If that is not sufficient, our business here is done.” “But I still have a question,” Tessa suddenly chimed in. “Don’t fuck me out of my question, Theon.” “I’m not—” Theon started, but Axel cut in. “You said his name.” Tessa didn’t acknowledge him, peering into one of the bubbling pots, but Theon spun towards her. “I feel your frustration at having revealed that. You can overcome the demands of the Source bond?” “I don’t understand,” Katya said, looking up from her book. “She isn’t supposed to be able to say my name in the presence of those outside of the four of us,” Theon explained, his gaze never leaving Tessa.

“He said something to me about questioning why I was in Devram at all,” Tessa continued. “With Theon’s revelation that he believes I am neither Fae nor Legacy, it all furthers the theory that I was not born of Devram.”

“I cannot say more, or I will be tempting fate, but know this: just as you seek to find those others, they seek to find you. Lost for so long, but no longer. Tread carefully.”

“Your brother has many trials coming. He will need to learn to let people in before he has all the pieces. And so will she.” “Tessa?” “Her as well,” Cienna answered, stirring the pot three times before setting the wooden spoon aside. That was…an interesting answer.

“I would have asked her how my gifts could have been hidden.” “That…is a damn good question,” he said, and it was one he should have thought to ask himself. “My assessments never once indicated a fire element. Certainly not outside the Anala Kingdom. I was expecting to emerge with water,” she went on as the passageway they were in emptied into another crossroad cavern. “So I would have asked how they could have been hidden so I could figure out…” “Where you came from,” Axel finished for her in realization. She was just like Tessa with an unexpected power that had changed everything she’d known about herself.

“You believe Luka might not be of this world just as you might not be,” he said, focusing on her emotions.

Except when the darkness and flames cleared, that was Tessa on her knees. Her hands were wrapped around a dagger in her sternum, directly below her heart. The same place she’d held in the passageway when she’d told them not to come in here. She’d known. She’d somehow known what was waiting for them.

“Cienna gave it to me. Said we’d need it soon,” Axel said grimly. Theon knocked back a swallow. Fae blood. Of course she’d known. But so had Tessa.

If that dagger had hit her heart, she would have been dead. There was no doubt about it. That dagger was made from material that could kill Legacy. Only the ruling families had such weapons.

He was leaning against the back wall, his fingers curled tightly around the railing that ran the perimeter, breathing through his godsdamn teeth as desire warred inside of him. Desire for blood. Desire to punch something. Desire to fuck. Desire for her. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

“Please let me kiss you,” he murmured, his focus entirely on her mouth

“I need to find Turner because I am either going to fuck you or draw blood from you, kitten, and I’m assuming neither of those options are desirable at the moment.”

Then there was Bree. The female lounged in her seat, long legs crossed and twirling her shiny onyx hair around her finger as her honey-colored eyes regarded them both. From his studies, he knew she had been in power the longest. The other three had taken the places of previous clan leaders, but Bree was an original.

“They said that if she is not killed, the Arius line would be wiped from this realm.”

“I need direct answers. Do you know her parents?” “No.” “Was she born in this realm?” “No.” “Is she a Legacy?” “No.”

“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.”

“Have you seen how this turns out?” “You still ask the wrong questions,”

“You should be asking what you can do to control that fate.” “We can’t control fate,” Theon replied. “We can change it, though,” Cienna replied. “Every action, every word, every breath. The simplest of things can change fate.” She smiled again,

A cold nose nudged her hand, and she peered down at the wolf beside her. It was massive, its head reaching above her waist. As large as his hounds were. Her fingers glided through silky fur such a light shade of grey it appeared silver in the lighting. The wolf nudged her hand again, a low whine coming from him.

“In all things, there must be balance. Beginnings and Endings. Light and Dark. Fire and Shadows. The sky, the sea, the realms. But when the scales tip, and Chaos rains, who will fight? And who will fall?”

“Life must give, and Death must take. But Fate requires more.” She came to a stop before one of the glass cells. “Destiny beckons, and sacrifice demands.”

A male sat on the floor. His brown hair was long, reaching well past his shoulders. It was a tangled mess of knots and needed to be washed and trimmed. She’d expected the scruff on his face to be longer. The facial hair was trimmed close, as if it had been recently tended to. A large onyx ring that matched his sat on his finger, but she was more interested in the manacle at his throat. A thick band of pure white stone, it contained flecks of gold. Flecks of light and energy.

but his torso was bare, allowing her the perfect view of the Marks that ran the length of his left arm. The wolf beside her whined, lowering to his belly as Tessa stepped forward, resting a hand on the glass. The Mark on the back of it caught her eye. A Mark she’d put there. Energy crackled where her palm met the glass, but she absorbed it. This power wasn’t meant to keep her out. It was meant to keep him in.