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Yes. No. Too much and not enough.

“We’re going to get through tonight, and then tomorrow we set about fixing the mess this has all become,” Theon said.

“Is she prepared for tonight?”

“I was hoping Axel would be here before we told her everything.”

Luka sent him an exasperated look. “Axel is going to meet us at the Pantheon. He’s not coming back here. Not today.”

Theon knew that, but he’d still held out hope.

“Fine,” he sighed, rapping his knuckles on the countertop before exiting the kitchen. He found Tessa right where he’d left her, and her eyes tracked them warily when Luka followed him. Taking a seat in a chair beside her, he said, “We need to discuss tonight.”

Her features remained impassive. Apathetic. Unsettling. “Of course. Expectations.”

“Not…that,” Theon replied, rubbing at his brow with his thumb and forefinger. “Tonight everyone will be focused on the Fae. Not the Lords and Ladies. Not the heirs and Sources. They will take notice of strength and power as the Fae receive their gifts. I will need your help.”

“My help,” she repeated, and Theon didn’t know how to read her blank expression or the lack of emotion in her words.

“We have done our research, but you still know the Fae better than I do. If we see any that appear to be a good fit for Arius Kingdom, I am counting on you to provide me with additional information about them.”

“A good fit,” she repeated, her head tilting and golden hair slipping over her shoulder.

He itched to brush it back.

“Yes, so we can make informed decisions when the time comes,” Theon replied.

“Why would you think I have insight into any of them?”

“Because you are Fae.”

She blinked. “Despite what you apparently think, we are not all the same.”

“I know that.”

“I will have very little insight,” she continued as though he hadn’t spoken. “I was a social pariah. No one wanted to be around me as I— How did you put it? Only seem to create chaos wherever I go. Which was fine, I suppose. There’s only room for one in small spaces. Otherwise it gets too crowded.”

“Tessa, I know we have some things to talk about—”

“Do we?”

The violet flared in her eyes, and Theon glanced at Luka. Those violet rings appeared to be a permanent thing now, and he didn’t know how to explain it. The only other being he’d encountered who had violet eyes was Cienna, and she definitely wasn’t Fae.

Theon cleared his throat. One thing at a time. Tonight, they get through the Emerging Ceremony. Tomorrow, they could focus on other things.

“The newly Selected Sources will be last to have their power rituals performed,” Theon said, choosing to ignore her question. “And since you are an Arius Source—”

“I will be last,” she said in understanding.

“Yes, and we expect there to be some upheaval when your element is revealed.”

“You said the other kingdoms would believe you planned this.”

“Yes.”

“And now they will believe you have kept me a secret like you have kept Luka’s true bloodline a secret.”

“Yes,” he said again, relieved that she seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation.