Page 257 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
“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.”
