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“Yes. Fine,” she said hastily, eyeing the female who was watching her with an intrigue Tessa wasn’t sure what to do with.

“You seem surprised,” he said.

Tessa quickly shoved down any emotion that had slipped through. “A little,” she replied. “This room is nice. I like the window open.”

“As you should,” the female said, stepping forward.

“Tessa, this is Auryon,” Theon said.

“It’s a pleasure,” she recited automatically.

Auryon’s lips tipped up in a terrifying sort of smile. “I’ve been waiting to meet you properly,” she replied.

“What do you mean ‘properly?’” Luka asked.

She flicked those strange eyes to him momentarily. “Hearing and reading about someone can only do so much to assuage curiosity.”

Theon pulled his phone from his pocket, that muscle ticking in his jaw as he glanced at the screen. “If there is nothing else you need, I have a meeting I need to get to.” Looking at Tessa, he added, “With the other heirs.”

As if he suddenly found the need to tell her where he was going to be and who he would be with.

When she didn’t reply, he turned away from her, handing her bag off to Luka, but she could feel his frustration down their bond as he left without another word.

“Take a seat,” Auryon said, motioning to the fluffy cushions on the floor.

“You don’t have any chairs?” Luka muttered, looking around.

Auryon’s grin grew. “I would think you’d enjoy them. Makes it feel more nest-like, don’t you think?”

Luka’s eyes narrowed, but she turned back to Tessa, motioning again to the cushions. Cautiously, she made her way to them, sinking down onto one. And holy gods, it was more than comfortable. She could curl up and sleep on this thing. She found herself smiling as Auryon sat on the cushion across from her. Looking over her shoulder, Tessa said, “Are you really going to stand there the entire time?”

“Yes,” Luka said.

“Why?”

“Because I don’t need to sit on the floor.”

“But if this were a cave floor, he’d have already shifted and been sprawled out, taking up way too much space,” Auryon said, picking up a book off the top of the stack.

“A cave floor?” Tessa asked in confusion.

Auryon was busy flipping pages as she muttered, “Yes, yes. Dragons and their caves. Probably full of treasure too.”

Tessa whirled back to Luka. “What is she talking about?”

“Nothing,” he ground out.

“Do you like caves?”

His lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t answer.

“Oh my gods. Why?” Her face scrunched up, equally disgusted because there was no light in a cave, but also somewhat fascinated.

“It’s a place to keep their treasure,” Auryon answered, bringing Tessa’s attention back to her.

She was holding the open book out to her, and Tessa reached for it as she asked, “How do you know all this?”

“One would assume I am to be knowledgeable if I am to teach you.”