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He shifted onto his back, a hand sliding behind his head. Gods, hehadmissed an actual bed. Even at Arius House he slept on the sofa so she could have the bed.

More minutes had passed when he whispered, “Thank you.”

“Only someone attempting to be a good person says ‘thank you,’” she murmured.

“Maybe those attempts are futile in the end,” he replied.

“Or maybe those attempts are the very thing that make you different from what you believe yourself to be.”

24

TESSA

For nearly an hour, Tessa had been debating what she was going to do when Lord Jove got here. Drop to a knee like it was required of the Fae? But she wasn’t Fae. Bow at the waist like the Legacy did to the ruling families? But she wasn’t a Legacy, even if her mother was one, because her father was a god. So what did that make her? A godling?

Her face scrunched in distaste. If anyone ever called her a godling, she hoped she’d learned to use her magic enough to make sure they never dared say that again. If not, Luka had taught her how to throw a basic punch. That should do.

The thought of Luka had her rubbing at her chest. There hadn’t been any time for training since returning from the Underground, and now she was here. She had no real way of defending herself. Although Dagian never made her put bands on. She had expected it when she’d climbed into the vehicle, but she supposed if anyone could counter her power, it would be the Achaz Heir.

The trip to Faven had taken nearly as long as the drive from Dark Haven to Arius House, although the drive hadn’t been nearly as scenic. There were no mountains that took her breathaway, but the road did keep them near the Wynfell River so that was something, she supposed. The house itself sat on the banks of the Wynfell, just like Rordan’s manor outside the Acropolis did. Faven also sat along the northern edge of the Dreamlock Woods, and from the window, Tessa could just make out the eerie silver mist that surrounded the forest. If one managed to make it all the way through the woods, they’d find Sanal, the Serafina Kingdom capital, on the south side of the trees.

They’d only arrived at Achaz House an hour or so ago, and she’d been brought directly to this room to meet with Lord Jove. Low lighting attempted to cast a glow around the room, but no amount of light could make this place warm and homey. The pristine marble walls were as white as the halls in Arius House were black. Everything in this room was white, from the sofa she was perched on to the fireplace to the white rugs. Anything that was accented was done so with gold. Picture frames. Vases of white flowers. The sconces where orbs of light were flickering.

Cautiously, she lifted a hand, that same light flaring at her fingertips so brightly she turned away before clasping her hand closed, trying to snuff it out. Within seconds, it had quieted. Her magic seemed calmer here, easier to manage, but maybe that was simply because it was finally being allowed to exist freely.

The sound of footsteps had her lurching to her feet seconds before Lord Jove entered. Instinctively, she started to lower to a knee, but a chuckle from him had her pausing.

“Lady Aithne was correct at the hearing, my dear,” he said, shrugging off his suit jacket and tossing it over the back of a chair. “There is no need to kneel. You are not Fae.”

“My apologies,” she murmured, her face heating as she straightened and bowed her head instead.

“No need for that either. I am sure adjusting to such a thing is quite the process. It will take a while to form new habits,” hesaid, crossing to a cart across the room. “Would you like some tea?”

“Um, sure. I mean, yes, thank you,” she quickly corrected, clasping her hands in front of her.

“I do apologize for keeping you waiting,” he went on, the sound of delicate glass gently clinking filled the room. “I was held up in a meeting.”

The door opened again, and Tessa spun to find a female entering. Her dark hair was half up with some kind of gold comb. Warm brown eyes swept over Tessa before landing on her Master. In one hand, she held a plate of small sandwiches. In the other was a small box she held out to the Lord.

“I found some in the kitchens,” she said.

“Thank you, Dysani,” Rordan said, taking the box. Glancing at Tessa, he added, “It’s my favorite tea, and my staff cannot keep enough stocked in the various rooms of the house, it would seem.”

Not sure what to say, Tessa only gave him a weak smile. Dagian hadn’t said much on the drive here. Dex had tried to draw her into conversations here and there, but after the first hour, he stopped when he found her lost in her own thoughts. Dex had brought her here, but couldn’t stay, saying he had some things to complete for his lessons the next day.

At first she had been fine by herself. Then her nerves started getting the best of her, thoughts wandering to worst case possibilities, but there was a part of her that was also excited. Someone here had to have answers, or, at the very least, insights. More than that, they could help her control this power.

“Here you are,” Rordan said, bringing her a cup of tea himself before motioning for her to sit. Dysani followed, handing him his cup once his hands were free.

“Dagian said your travels here were uneventful?” Rordan said, settling back into an armchair.

Tessa cleared her throat. “Yes. Nothing exciting.”

“Dagian also said he did not have to remove your bands?”

“No, but I was surprised he didn’t have me wear some for the drive,” she admitted.

Rordan smiled. “I assumed your power would need to breathe, but don’t worry. He was prepared should your magic have been uncontrollable.”