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“I’ll deal with it,” Axel replied, hands gripping the railing. “Hurry.”

“No,” Theon said in disbelief. “I know we are all dealing with the events of last night, but—”

“No!” Luka was growling, a hand stretched out as though to catch something.

But he was too late. There was nothing they could do as Axel’s shadows threw a vial over the railing. It shattered in the air, black mist exploding from it as Axel pointed to the Fae to claim her.

“What did you just do?” Theon demanded.

“I would also like to know the answer to that question.”

They all spun, finding his father in the doorway. Shadows were swirling around him, and Eviana’s eyes were wide in shock.

“I…” Axel faltered, glancing back over his shoulder as if he just realized the magnitude of his actions.

Theon’s heart was racing, his stomach dropping. If this Fae didn’t show some measure of worth, the consequences for Axel would be dire. Even from here, he could hear the murmurings of the other Legacy at the random claiming of an ordinary Fae.

Until Luka said, “That’s not possible.”

They all turned back to the arena to find that her element had manifested.

And it was fire.

Flames of orange and red, blue and yellow danced at her fingertips. Her eyes were wide in shock as the female stood frozen, looking between the fire at her command and up at the balcony of the kingdom that had claimed her.

“A fire element?” his father breathed, the excitement heavy in his tone.

The confused murmurings from around the arena had shifted to outrage at Arius Kingdom having claimed a fire elemental. There would be no panel. No other kingdom had thrown their vial at the same moment Axel had. She had been claimed fairly under the Accords.

“How?” Theon asked in shock. “Anala Kingdom would never let one go to another.”

“Doesn’t matter,” his father answered. “She is already ours. Axel, go make sure she stays that way.”

Axel said nothing, disappearing out the door. His father moved to the railing, eyes sweeping over the expanse.

“This is a good thing for us,” he said.

“It is,” Theon agreed, still trying to process how such a thing had happened.

“This is a good thing for you,” his father added.

“For our kingdom as a whole.”

“But for you specifically. The Fae will be a suitable replacement if your current Source is found inadequate tonight.”

Theon stiffened, but beside him, Tessa showed no reaction. In his spiral after Pen’s death, he had completely forgotten about the agreement he’d made with his father. He wasn’t concerned. Her power levels alone were going to be enough, let alone when her power fully manifested. But did she realize that? He should have reassured her. He should have explained why he’d even agreed to such a thing, but she didn’t appear worried. No, she looked…impassive. About it all.

A knock on the door sounded before it was pushed open, a Pantheon sentinel on the other side.

“My Lords,” he greeted with a bow of his head. “I am here to escort your Source down for her ritual.”

Tessa straightened, glancing at Theon and waiting for permission to go with him.

“I will accompany you,” Theon said.

The sentinel’s brow furrowed. “I assure you that is not necessary. We go straight to the holding rooms outside the arena.”

“She has already been attacked once since our arrival this week. I will accompany her, and it is not up for debate.”