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September 17 - September 20, 2025
Tessa spun to find the female with the red-brown hair watching her with violet eyes. She wore the same outfit as before— fitted black pants, black top, and black boots with a cloak around her shoulders. And standing a few feet away was Luka. Tessa had seen him in her last few visions, but she could never figure out how he fit in. How was he here? Sliding her gaze back to the female, she said, “Lilura, right?”
Lilura looked up at him, unimpressed. “I know what she is to you, Son of Xan.”
A second later, a purplish-black dragon soared up from beneath the island, sunlight glinting off her wings. The dragon let out a roar as she circled them, and Tessa was suddenly being yanked into Luka’s chest.
They watched the dragon circle lower and lower until there was a pale flash of purple light and a female was striding toward them. She was in black pants and a long-sleeve black shirt. More modern looking than Lilura. Her dark purple hair reached just past her shoulders, swaying as she strode toward them in black boots, and her eyes were a shade of brown that made them look crimson.
“I’ve never seen you before.” She studied him, inching closer and inhaling deeply. “It was centuries ago, but—” “Then it was not me. I am only twenty-nine years,” he interrupted. “Interesting,” she said, her head cocking to the side. “But your father is Xan? Were you once called Razik?” Tessa’s mouth dropped open. This female knew Razik?
“There is a sorceress altering your visions,” Lilura said, ignoring them both.
Another roar sounded, both Luka and Tessa looking to the sky. It took a minute to spot the silver dragon against the clouds, but his appearance had the female dragon cursing. “I’ll handle it,” she said to Lilura. “Get them out of here.”
“You need to go, but be mindful of your visions. They are not all truth,” Lilura said. “And tell him I’m still waiting for that dance.”
“Are you a priestess?” Axel asked, still staring at Kat’s stomach. “What’s that?” “We call them Witches in our world. Descendants of Zinta,” Razik said. “By Anala, no,” Eliza said. “I can draw Marks because of my earth Fae lineage.”
he couldn’t deny the pull. It was a need to touch her. To pull her close. To know she was safe. His to have. His to protect. His to love.
“A twin flame bond can only be between a Fae and a Legacy. Twin flames also cannot physically harm each other. The bond does not allow it. But you were already on an edge and hadn’t taken the Mark to initiate the bond. Even if you managed to take it, it would fade. Just as hers will.” He had harmed her. He had nearly killed her.
“Many are on the receiving end of injustice every single day. A choice was taken from you. It’s not right, and it’s not fair. But you get to decide how to move forward. That choice is still yours. You get to decide how it shapes you. You will not be the same on the other side of this,” Cienna said. “But you get a choice on who that person will be. Your path is not yet decided. Fate waits to make her final choice for you. Choose wisely.”
“You’re right,” came yet another voice. This one was complete power and all-encompassing. No one appeared this time, but she knew the voice. She’d spoken to the same in a mirror. “It is not the same. The fates and destinies of Fae and Legacy are of no worry to you, but the fates of those with power can alter the course of history. You hold that power. And if you fail?” He didn’t need to say it. If she failed, she was stuck in Devram forever. Alone in a realm to be used and caged. Someone would find a way to do so eventually. Correct the balance. That was what she had to do.
“No,” she snapped. “This world had millenniums to fix this. You all failed. That’s why I was sent here.”
Everyone who should have cared had betrayed her. But not Luka. If this world took him from her, any mercy she might have found in her soul died with him.
If Luka was dead, it was because she had failed in her purpose. Somewhere along the line, she had failed. Failed Achaz. Failed the Fates. Failed her parents. Failed him, and he had paid the cost.
Emerald eyes fell closed, acceptance filling features she had once thought she could love.
“Their queen will seek her vengeance, Tessa. Make no mistake.” “I’m counting on it.” “Her vengeance will know no bounds.” “Then she will know my wrath, just as you have.”
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, little storm,” 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.”
He knew he should still be outraged by it, but it was a piece of her she could never have back. It might be the only piece of her she’d ever freely give him, so he didn’t despise the marking on his hand like he should, even if it was a rival kingdom’s symbol.
“Maybe I want them to know,” she countered, stacking her hands on her stomach and staring up at him. “I want them to know when I am coming to end them. The fear is intoxicating. Empowering. Enthralling. Freeing.”
“You are so vicious,” he murmured, his voice all heat that she felt in her blood. Her bare toes curled at the sound, her stomach doing flip-flops that she tried to ignore.
“Because Theon is very well read. He is a wealth of knowledge, both useful and frivolous.”
“Trusting other people gives them power over you,” she retorted. “The ability to trust other people is a different kind of power, Tessa.”
“How many Huntresses are there?” She took a small step back. “There used to be twelve of us.” “Used to be?” She nodded, the ire reappearing. “Yes. Used to be. Temural and Anala granted us our gifts in answer to the Hunters that Achaz created. We are some of the only ones that can kill them, and you continually summoning them is becoming an annoyance.”
“Stop summoning them,” Auryon repeated. “If they make it to Arius Kingdom, you will not be able to control them.” “I do control them. They answer to me,” she argued. “They do not. They answer to Achaz.” “Who is not here.” Her head canted to the side. “Have you not spoken to him while in this realm?”
She’d slipped away from Dex on numerous occasions. The problem was that Dex wasn’t Fae. She was more than certain he was one of these light guardians that Xan had told her of, but if that was the case, who did he steal his power from?
His magic lingered, not because of any threat, but because he needed to let it breathe. It wasn’t uncommon for him to let his magic free while they sat around late at night planning.
Luka met him halfway across the space, the two of them embracing, and fuck, it felt good.
“Cienna could be wrong. He didn’t think to wait to make sure?” “He’s too worried about hurting Katya.”
“You don’t know anything? Never came across something in all that reading you do?” Luka said, a little mockery creeping into his tone. Theon flipped him his middle finger, and gods, it felt good to be with his friend again.
“No,” Theon said. “If anything, she just plays with my power. Showing me she can. Or uses it against me.”
“He basically confirmed the Revelation Decree is indeed a prophecy. Referred to her as the one who was never meant to exist.”
“Has he asked anything about our relations?” “Not to me,” Theon said. “And I understand if you’d rather not see him. I can ask him myself and let you know if he has any insight.” Did he want to see him? A part of him was desperate to talk to him. For most of his years, he’d thought he was the only Sargon Legacy left. Then to learn there are not only more, but he has a potential blood relation? Not to mention the last vision he was in with Tessa suggested there were more dragon Shifters in the realms than he’d been led to believe,
When he was back. Luka mulled over those words. He hadn’t wanted to go to Tessa in the first place, but now… Now he wasn’t sure he could leave her either. What a fucking mess.
“My father’s name is Tybalt Greybane,” Razik said tightly, and something in Luka’s chest fell at that. Until he added, “But the male who sired me is named Xan.”
“And your mother?” Luka asked, his mouth dry as he waited for this answer. Half-siblings for certain, but full-blooded? Razik’s fingers flexed on the back of the chair, his tone tight and forced when he answered, “Aiyana.”
Luka? He saw Theon stiffen out of the corner of his eye as her voice echoed down their bond. Are you all right? Luka asked, ready to Travel if necessary. Are you? she countered. Theon was staring at him now, and he shifted under the scrutiny. I’m fine, Temptress. She didn’t say anything else, but he could feel her, as if she were sending her presence down the bond to him.
But she could shift fully into a dragon. Said the last time she saw you, the two of you had barely started walking,” Luka answered. “Purple hair. Nearly crimson eyes.” Eliza turned to Razik with a questioning look. “Raz?” The male’s eyes were narrowed, studying Luka who held his stare without backing down. “You were in the sky,” Razik said. Luka nodded. “It seemed to be a floating island of some sort. There were others in the distance. And another dragon she went to…deal with. Her words.” “Razik,” Eliza snapped in irritation. “Who is she?” “Her name is Saylor. She’s a cousin from another line
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“Nordrir,” Razik answered. “Only now it’s known as The Requiem.”
“Nordrir is Razik’s home world,” Eliza said. “All the dragons’ home world actually. But they were hunted. Many who survived left the realm and went into hiding.”
“It upsets the balance having beginnings and endings in one being. I can imagine, because of this, her magic works differently than the rest of us.
Unique because she is the only one of her kind.”
Eliza will have to…act accordingly.” Eliza scowled at them, but Razik bent down to speak low into her ear. Not low enough they didn’t hear him though. “I know you can follow instructions when it’s worth your while, mai dragocen.”
The hilt was gleaming gold, intricately designed with several rubies inlaid. The blade itself appeared black at first, but as Bree moved, the light caught on the steel, revealing it to be a deep crimson red.
She sheathed the sword before placing it carefully inside a case that sat atop a table. Snapping it closed, she replaced a lock that was clearly enchanted as it glowed beneath her fingers. “That’s a lot of protection for a sword,” Axel said, unable to just stand there any longer. She smiled as she ran her fingers along the top of the case. “What one person covets, another treasures,” she replied.
Katya would not be safe anywhere. Neither was their child, but they had a chance if he was with them. No one would fight for them like he would. Sacrifice for them. Bleed for them. Kill for them. Because they were his to have. His to protect. His to love. He didn’t need a fucking bond to choose them.
Her concern would forever be the child with turquoise eyes and auburn hair.
“I’ve been fixing your shit long before you even knew who I was.” And there it was. The slip-up she’d been waiting for, and he knew it too. Her smile was pure hatred as she looked up at him. “Tell me again about how you haven’t been lying to me,” she said in a tone too soft and lethal. “To protect you,” he snarled.
Let him take care of you, Tessa. For once, just let someone care for you. Do you wish it was you instead of him? she asked, sleep clawing at her and dragging her down. Desperately. Then there was nothing but blessed darkness. And she loved it there.
