Dawn of Chaos and Fury by Melissa K. Roehrich - 48

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“ A re we certain that is going to hold her?” Axel asked.

“More than certain,” Tristyn replied. “Those cells are designed to hold a god. She is not that. You know what it took to get Tessa out of one, and even then, there was a cost.”

“She’s not a god, but she’s…something,” Axel said, standing next to the chair where Kat was feeding Maddox.

The moment they’d come back here, Kat and Axel had gone straight for their son. The weight of his safety now lifted from their shoulders, at least in regards to Bree. There was still Valter to worry about though.

One villain at a time, she supposed.

“She’s a Fate. Or she was one,” Tessa said simply. “But Kat already knew that.”

They all turned to the female, and she looked down at Maddox, her cheeks flushing. “I had an inkling based on how she spoke at the dinner, but I didn’t know how it was possible.”

“What do you mean she was a Fate?” Axel asked. “How is that possible?”

“The same way you were a Legacy one would guess,” she said with a shrug.

“Arius cursed the Legacy who took advantage of the Fae with bloodlust,” Tristyn offered.

“But others found it to be a blessing,” Axel said slowly. “Cienna said that once.”

Tristyn flashed a smile. “She is always telling you things. No one listens.”

“Maybe she could just spell it out once instead of speaking in fucking riddles,” Axel bit back.

“We can’t interfere with the Fates.”

“But didn’t you do just that?” Tessa asked, fidgeting with her power. She’d been hoping she’d get to take on that little expedition to the Dispensary District. Her power was wanting, and it made her feel reckless.

“Yes and no,” Tristyn said. “She’s not technically a Fate any longer. That sword should stay hidden though,” he added, nodding to the weapon Axel had discarded along the wall.

“I’ll take it back to Arius House,” Luka said, striding for it.

“Arius House or your cave?” Axel asked with a smirk.

Luka flipped him off before picking it up and inspecting it.

Tessa startled at the feel of Theon’s hand on her back, and she glanced up to find him watching her. She gave him a weak smile. She was more than ready to leave the Underground.

“In addition to the enchantments that were already around those cells, we added more wards and protection charms,” Theon said. “Cienna and Tristyn did everything they could. Bree is not leaving that cell. Either we figure out a way to end her, or she lives out her immortal life there. If she somehow does move beyond those bars, we’ll be notified immediately. We also have a schedule to check on her regularly.”

Axel nodded. “There’s nothing else we can do, I guess.”

“We have taken every precaution,” Theon insisted. “Next we deal with Father.”

Axel nodded, not saying anything else as Kat handed Maddox to him. Everyone was exhausted. Between the venture into the House of Four and then time below the Pantheon ruins, it was nearly dawn. Or so the clock said. It wasn’t like she could see outside to know.

Looking over her head at Luka, Theon said, “Let’s give them their space and go home.”

The next moment, she was in Arius House. Or rather, on their balcony, and she sucked in the fresh air. He always knew.

“Better?” he murmured.

“Not quite,” she sighed. “But it will do.”

He dropped a kiss to her head before leaving her with Luka and that sword.

“Do I need to be jealous of a blade?” Tessa asked flatly.

Luka looked up. “Why would you be jealous of a sword?”

“Because you’re looking at it in the same way you look at me.”

A dark grin pulled at the corner of his mouth. “And what way is that, temptress?”

“Like you want to fuck it or hide it away,” she quipped. “I’m hoping it’s the latter.”

Luka huffed a laugh as he muttered, “Brat.”

She flashed him a fake smile before her face dropped, and she turned to follow Theon into the bedroom. She stripped down, opting to take a shower later. Food was calling her name. Food. Shower. Then sleep.

Slipping into loose pants and a Chaosphere sweatshirt, she piled her hair atop her head in a messy bun before wandering out to the kitchen. But she’d no sooner opened the fridge when Theon said, “I’m having food sent up for breakfast, but tonight we have dinner plans.”

Tessa looked over her shoulder. “We do?”

He nodded. “Just the three of us.”

“Isn’t it always just the three of us?”

“Not always,” he replied. “But I wanted to make sure tonight was.”

“What’s so special about tonight?”

He reached over her and closed the fridge before cupping her jaw and kissing her soundly. When he pulled back, his words feathered across her lips. “Happy birthday, clever tempest.”

Her birthday?

She blinked in surprise. She’d never celebrated her birthday. Hadn’t even known when it was until last fall. Only that it fell in the fifth month.

“How do we even know it’s my actual birthday?” she blurted.

Theon stepped back, a small smile playing on his lips. “Why would you think it’s not?”

“How can we be sure it is?” she countered. “Xan brought me here, and then I was taken. Someone probably just made that date up for my files.”

“Does it matter?”

“Does it… Of course it matters, Theon.”

“Why?”

“I… It just does.”

Theon hummed, going to answer the knock that had sounded. A moment later, he was helping the staff set a small spread of food on the table. Waffles. Fruit. Sausage.

Luka emerged then, freshly showered and shirtless, setting that godsdamn sword across the desk. “Why aren’t you eating?”

“The food just got here,” she answered.

“Tessa doesn’t want to celebrate her birthday,” Theon called out, scooping food onto a plate.

Luka’s eyes narrowed on her. “Why not?”

“Because we don’t know if it’s really my birthday,” she replied, exasperated by this entire conversation. Luka hummed in response, and she wanted to throw something. “I don’t need the two of you being so dismissive of this. We don’t know.”

Luka shrugged, grabbing a plate. “I can ask Xan. He’d know.”

“Does it really matter?”

Theon looked up from the whipped cream he was scooping onto the waffles. “Does it matter if we celebrate the day you were born to the realms so we could find you? Yes, Tessa. It fucking matters.”

Okay, well. That wasn’t the answer she’d been expecting.

“Eat,” Theon added, holding out the plate to her.

The plate of carbs and sugar and everything unhealthy.

“I suddenly want every day to be my birthday,” she said, taking the plate from him while plucking a strawberry from the whipped cream.

“Don’t push it,” he warned.

She flashed him a smile, plopping into a dining chair. “So, what’s the plan with your father now?”

“We’ll need to think on it some,” Theon answered, scooping extra fruit onto his own plate.

“You’ll meet your mother when we go there,” she added.

“Yeah,” he murmured.

“Do you want to? Meet her, I mean?”

He took a seat on her right. “It’s not the same as Akira. At least, I don’t think it is. I guess I don’t know the story, but I want to hear it.”

She nodded, cutting off a bite of waffle.

“What about you? Still undecided?” Theon ventured.

“I can’t be undecided. We need her help, so I’ll have to face her.”

“But do you want to?” he parroted.

Keeping her eyes on her plate, she answered, “It doesn’t matter what I want. It’s for the betterment of Devram.”

Because she’d meant what she’d said to Bree. The final battle for this realm was coming, and she intended to be on the winning side. She didn’t want to be a Lady, had no desire to rule a kingdom or the realm, but she’d sure as fuck make sure the people she freed here could live safely. Would be able to live without fear of a god coming to collect something that wasn’t his or Fates showing up to destroy the realm. From what she’d gathered, Scarlett was a sort of guardian of her world. Nothing came in or out unless she allowed it.

“Where’d you go, baby girl?” Luka asked, drawing her from her thoughts.

She gave him a weak smile as she shoved another bite of waffle into her mouth. “Just tired.”

He gave her a frank look that said he didn’t believe her, but he let it go. Perhaps another birthday gift, but she knew he’d be back to push about it later. They both would.

“So Valter is next?” she asked, attempting to change the subject.

“Looks like it,” Theon said. “We’ll have to figure out exactly where the holdings are and then go from there.”

“Bree told us, and I can get us past the wards. After that, it’s just facing him. Between all of us, it shouldn’t be too difficult, right?”

“Depends on what he’s pulled together to control us with,” Theon answered.

“What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “He’ll have a threat, Tessa. It used to be harming Axel. It’s why Pen and Caris died. He has my mother there, and there’s still Maddox to think about. If this goes wrong, and he wants vengeance, he’ll go after him first.”

“It’s his grandchild,” she said, although she wasn’t sure why that would matter. Her grandparents were gods, and one wouldn’t hesitate to kill her.

“That is part Fae,” Theon said.

Fair point.

They fell silent, each of them eating and getting lost in their own thoughts. She was just rinsing her plate and dreaming about the shower she was about to take when a knock sounded again. Looking at Theon, she arched a brow, but he just shrugged while Luka went to get the door.

“Sorry to interrupt, but there is someone at the door for the Arius Lady,” the male said.

“For me?” Tessa asked in surprise.

He nodded. “He said it’s a matter of urgency, and that you’ve been expecting him.”

“Who is it?” Theon asked.

“Dagian Jove, sir.”

The three of them looked at one another, and then they were all rushing to the foyer. Dagian was there with Sasha, and when her brown eyes fell on Tessa, they flashed in relief.

“Sasha,” Tessa greeted, Theon and Luka flanking her on either side. Then she turned to the Achaz Heir. “Dagian.”

He nodded once, his features tight and hard. “I got it, but he knows. I can’t return home.”

Tessa glanced up at Theon. “They can stay here, right?”

When Theon didn’t say anything, Dagian scowled. “We made a bargain, St. Orcas. Besides, isn’t she the Arius Lady now?”

“She is, but she is still ours to protect.”

“Sasha?” Tessa asked, watching the Fae.

She glanced at Dagian, clearly looking for permission. When he nodded, she said, “He’s not lying. We cannot return to Achaz Kingdom. In fact, I suspect the Achaz Lord will be on your doorstep before long.”

“Looking for you,” Theon said coldly.

“And you,” Dagian shot back. “You are the one who asked me to get this stupid thing.”

He tossed something to them, and Luka’s hand shot out, catching the ring.

“He did bring it here,” Tessa said.

“So we just trust him now?” Theon argued.

She looked back at the Achaz Heir. He appeared thinner. His cheeks a little more hollow. She didn’t want to know what he’d had to sacrifice for that ring, but whatever it was, it clearly haunted him. Something she knew all too well.

“He is doing his part. We’ll do ours,” she finally replied. “Have someone show them to guest rooms. We can meet later today and discuss our next moves.”

Turning on her heel, she made her way back to their rooms. She wanted that shower and their bed. The rest of their problems could wait until after.

“You need to be nicer to him, Theon,” Tessa groused as they entered their rooms after dinner.

“He ruined our dinner plans,” Theon grumbled.

“He brought us the ring to move forward with our other plans,” she cried, marching across the room and pulling a wineglass from the cupboard. “You cannot seriously be upset by this.”

“They didn’t have to join us for dinner.”

“Theon!”

He sighed, taking the bottle of wine she was attempting to open. “I’m trying, Tessa. There are three decades of animosity we’re working through. He wasn’t exactly a pillar of manners tonight either.”

He had a point.

Tessa had insisted on staying in for dinner now that there were guests here, and while the dinner had been fine enough, Theon and Dagian had spent a good portion of it throwing subtle insults at each other. Since they were staying in, Xan, Razik, and Eliza had joined them too, adding to Theon’s sour mood. Xan, however, had confirmed today was indeed her actual date of birth. The rest of the dinner had been discussing how soon they could bring Akira here. Dagian was very insistent on being rid of his power as soon as possible.

In the end, the only decent thing about that dinner had been the chocolate cake.

And the fact the guys were wearing jeans .

She could only remember one other time she’d seen them in jeans. Paired with the long-sleeve shirts that hugged muscles and grooves in all the right places, dinner had taken forever.

Theon poured her glass of wine, and when she reached for it, he held it a little longer. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t suck up to me now, Theon. You were an ass all dinner.”

“Not to you.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she cried again.

“Will you two stop arguing? By the gods,” Luka muttered, sliding a tumbler of liquor across the counter to Theon. “You’re ruining the mood.”

“What mood?” Tessa grumbled. “The arrogant asshole mood? Or the broody and silent mood?”

“The bratty birthday mood,” he retorted, dropping an envelope on the counter.

She took a sip of her wine, eyeing it. “What’s that?”

He widened his eyes. “A birthday present, Tessa. It’s what people do on birthdays.”

She dropped a hand to the counter, her fingertips a few inches from the envelope.

When she only tapped her nail a few times, Luka sighed. “Do you think it’s going to bite you? Open it.”

“I don’t know the proper etiquette here,” she snapped.

His features softened, and he reached out, sliding the envelope closer. “You just open it, baby girl. It’s a gift.”

Tessa swallowed thickly as she gingerly picked it up and slid her finger along the seam. Pulling out the contents, her eyes went wide, flying up to Luka’s.

“Chaosphere tickets?” she rasped.

“Whirlwinds versus Firewings,” he said with a smirk. “No whining when the Whirlwinds lose.”

“We can’t go to this,” she said, staring at the tickets in her hands. But gods, did she want to. She’d never been to a live game. Only watched it on TV, and this last year had been so fucked, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d watched a match.

“Why not?” Luka asked.

“Because the world is on fire, Luka. We can’t just go to a Chaosphere game in the middle of chaos. It feels…wrong.”

Luka came closer, tapping the tickets. “The game is a few months from now. Hopefully this is all taken care of, and if not, we’ll need the escape, Tessa. If only for a few hours.”

She looked up at him, not knowing what else to say. “Thank you,” she whispered.

One of his rare smiles appeared as he slid a hand to her nape and tugged her mouth to his. She melted into him, his tongue licking into her mouth as his other hand found its way beneath the soft sweater she was wearing.

Then a hand was on her shoulder, tugging her back.

“Not yet, fucker,” Theon muttered. “We agreed on this.”

“On what?” Tessa breathed, because she was more than ready to tumble into bed with both of them.

“Not yet,” Theon ground out, clearly having heard her thoughts. “You have two more gifts to open.”

“Two more?” she asked with a frown. “Why?”

“Because it’s your birthday,” he said in exasperation. “You get gifts on your birthday, Tessa.”

He shoved a bag towards her. It was nothing special. A plain white paper bag with handles. Pulling it closer, she reached inside and pulled out something wrapped in tissue paper. As she pulled the paper off, her eyes welled with tears as she slowly lifted them to Theon.

He was tapping his forefinger on the countertop, watching her carefully, and he looked nervous . As if she wouldn’t understand what he was trying to tell her with these.

A pair of gold flip-flops.

And not just any flip-flops. The soles were cushioned and soft, and the straps were a brushed dyed leather. Because Theon St. Orcas would only buy the best, even when it came to godsdamn flip-flops.

“I love them,” she whispered.

His eyes narrowed. “Don’t lie to me, beautiful.”

She shook her head, willing the tears not to fall. “We said no more lies.”

Then it was him slipping a hand into her hair and tugging her to him.

Until Luka was pulling them apart.

She let out a frustrated growl, and a dark chuckle skittered along her skin.

“So needy, temptress,” Luka said, his voice low.

“Yes,” she said, the word bordering on a whine. “I am. So how about my next birthday present be you two in a bed with me.”

“There’s one more, beautiful,” Theon said, and she turned to find a small box before her now. “It’s from both of us,” he added.

Tessa picked it up carefully. This one was wrapped in silver paper with a black bow, and she tugged on the ribbon before tearing off the paper. Taking the lid off the box, she stared down at what lay inside.

A gold ring inlaid with sapphires and emeralds.

Not a ring to suffocate her power.

Not a band to drain her magic.

Not a cuff or a collar.

Just a simple reminder of who she belonged to and who belonged to her.

“I stole that for Luka for his sixteenth birthday,” Theon said softly, taking the ring out of the box while Luka gently took her wrist to extend her hand.

“When he became your Guardian?” Tessa asked, watching him slide the ring onto her finger.

Theon nodded. “It seemed fitting it goes to you.”

“We were told that night that three is a crowd, but it can also be a perfect storm if properly balanced,” Luka added, pulling her hair over her shoulder to press a kiss to the side of her neck. “We didn’t understand at the time, but it was always leading us to you.”

She swallowed thickly again, admiring the ring on her finger as she said, “Now can we go to bed?”

Both of their auras shifted, darkening with lust. Luka kissed her neck again before he was dragging her sweater over her head. Theon was there, capturing her mouth and kissing her thoroughly. Slowly. As if he planned to drag this out, and he probably did.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, and then his hands were on her ass, lifting her up. Her legs wound around his waist as he carried her to the bedroom, never breaking the kiss that only grew hungrier with each passing second.

Laying her on the bed, he stepped back, his breaths coming fast as he pulled his own shirt over his head. Tessa propped herself on her elbows to watch, her breath hitching as bare skin came into view, but then Luka was stepping in front of him, already shirtless and pushing her back down to the bed. His hands roamed, ridding her of her bra. His fingers dragged between her breasts, down her stomach, making quick work of her jeans and undergarments.

“Look at you,” he murmured, his glowing eyes drinking her in while he removed his own pants before crawling onto the bed beside her. “We have plans tonight, baby girl.”

“Do they involve actually fucking me? Because both of you have stopped this twice now,” she retorted. Then she hissed as he pinched her nipple hard.

“So ungrateful,” he growled.

“I’m not,” she insisted, her voice breathy when his hand skimmed down her body again. “I’ll just be more grateful after I’ve had both of you inside me tonight.”

“Fuck,” Theon growled, and she turned her head to see him stroking his cock. Apparently he’d lost the rest of his clothing when they had.

Luka’s hands were still moving, squeezing her breasts, while his mouth was working its way along her collarbone, up her throat, nipping at her jaw.

“Enough of that, Luka,” Theon ground out. “Get your tongue between her legs.”

Luka chuckled against her skin, letting his teeth drag. “What do we think, baby girl? Are we giving him all the control tonight?”

“Gods, yes,” she gasped, because she also wanted that tongue between her thighs.

Luka huffed another dark laugh, sliding down her body until he was settled right where she and Theon both wanted him. Now his lips were kissing up her thighs, and she was squirming, more than a little impatient. The bastard knew it too. Licking and nipping and teasing everywhere but where she wanted. And instead of telling him to get on with it, Theon kept his eyes locked on her, all while leisurely moving his hand up and down his length.

Finally , Luka’s mouth found its way to her clit, and she sighed as the sensation made her clench in anticipation. Theon’s lips curled into a dark grin at the sound, and she was fairly certain the step forward he took was involuntary.

It didn’t take long between the sucking and flicking for her to be panting, her fingers in Luka’s hair as her hips sought more and more. Then she felt his tongue slide into her center, and she moaned. More. She needed more. Always more with them.

“What’s wrong, beautiful?” Theon taunted.

“I need,” she whined, her hips rising and grinding against Luka’s face.

“Words, Tessa,” Theon ordered. “What do you need?”

“More. To be fucked. Please ,” she begged, not caring that he’d conditioned her to know it would get her what she wanted faster.

But it worked because Theon was there, climbing onto the bed. His fingertips slid up her thigh while Luka continued devouring her cunt, and gods, she never wanted to leave this godsdamn bed. Between Luka’s tongue and Theon’s fingers skating higher, along her ribs, over a breast, the sensations were too much and not enough and all she could think was more.

More, as her power appeared, coiling and taunting them.

More, as darkness and black flames chased her.

More and more and more.

Theon stretched out beside her, and she could feel all of him as he pushed her, rolling her halfway onto her side, away from him. Grabbing her leg, he lifted it while pushing her hips into Luka’s mouth.

“Don’t stop, Luka,” he ordered, and fuck, this was the definition of worshipping her.

Luka didn’t stop as she felt Theon’s cock nudging her opening. His tongue kept going, and she tried to push back onto Theon, but he held her tight. Forcing her to take it slow. Painfully slow.

“Theon,” she whined.

Luka chuckled, the sound reverberating through her core, and her muscles clenched, making Theon hiss.

“I know what you need, beautiful,” he rasped. “Trust us to give it to you.”

There was a sharp nip at her clit that had her crying out as Theon slid in deeper, and she looked down to find Luka watching. His fingers had replaced his tongue, and he was honed in on watching Theon’s cock slowly fill her.

“Fuck, look how well you take him, baby girl,” he murmured, his fingers still rubbing her center and brushing along Theon’s dick in the process. She loved it when they were this close. Everything in her was hot and needy, and⁠—

“Gods, one of you please fuck me,” she snapped, taking back a little control and rocking back against Theon.

“Fuck, Tessa,” he hissed as she took him completely, but she was sighing at the stretch. Relishing feeling full.

“So fucking needy,” Luka said again, nipping at her inner thigh. “As if we’re not both going to fill you up tonight.”

“Please,” she gasped as Theon started moving, thrusting into her with long, deep strokes.

Then she was crying out as Luka’s tongue was back on her clit, licking and sucking. And Theon went faster, harder. Tipping her over the edge with both of them using her and shoving her into pleasure.

She went lax as she came down from her high. Luka had pulled back, giving Theon room, and he flipped her onto her stomach, pushing her into the mattress with each punishing thrust until he was holding himself deep, emptying himself fully.

He rolled off her, settling onto his side as she turned her head to him. He fisted her hair, dragging her closer, his tongue seeking hers. The feel of hands gripping her hips had her sucking in a sharp gasp, and Theon was chuckling darkly against her lips.

“We’re not nearly done with you yet, beautiful,” he murmured.

She never wanted them to be done with her.

Luka pulled at her hips, lifting her ass into the air, and then he was sliding in fully, a sharp curse leaving his mouth. “Fucking Fates. It’s so good when he’s had you first.”

Gods, his fucking mouth had her clenching around him instantly.

“You like that though, don’t you, temptress?” he went on, thrusting into her again and again. “You like when one of us takes you while the other’s cum is still dripping down your thighs.”

“Luka,” she gasped, dropping her head, but Theon took her jaw in hand, lifting it back up.

“Don’t give out on us now, beautiful,” he murmured darkly, dragging his mouth down the side of her throat. “It’s your birthday, after all.”

“What’s she going to do when we’re both inside her at once?” Luka asked, each word labored.

And Tessa momentarily stopped breathing at the words, because what?

Theon chuckled, “Oh, she likes the sound of that, Luka. You should have seen the way her power leapt in her eyes.”

“Fuck off,” she snapped, feeling her pleasure building once more.

“Theon,” she gasped.

But he was already moving, already knowing what she needed. He took her mouth with his again while his darkness slid down her flesh to her core, coiling and pulsing against her clit.

“That’s it,” Theon murmured against her lips. “Give him what’s his, Tessa. Take it from him the same way you take it from me.”

Her entire body tensed as she found her release again, Luka gripping her hips tight and holding her to him as he followed her. Her breaths were sharp inhales as she collapsed onto the bed, Theon pulling her onto his chest while Luka settled behind her, his spent cock nestling against her ass.

“Happy birthday to me,” she murmured, already feeling sleep pulling her under.

She felt Theon huff a breath of laughter while Luka pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder.

“I told you we’re not nearly done,” Theon said darkly, rolling her back to Luka.

And they weren’t.

They spent the next hours showing her just how grateful they were she’d been born to the stars. It had to be well into the morning hours when they finally gave in to exhaustion, which is why Tessa was groaning in agony at the incessant knocking on the door as the sun came up.

“Make it stop,” she moaned, trying to burrow deeper into Luka’s chest.

“Someone better be fucking dying,” Theon muttered, rolling from the bed. She wasn’t even sure he put on pants as he stalked from the bedroom.

But when they heard him shout, “What?,” she and Luka both sat up in bed, fully alert as Theon appeared in the doorway.

“Get up. We need to go,” Theon said, striding for the walk-in closet. “Rordan is in Castle Pines. We’re under attack.”