The Legacy Series, #1
Rain of Shadows and Endings
by Melissa K. Roehrich
Contents
1. Tessa
Overview
Tessa, a Fae at the Acropolis for a rare all-kingdom Selection, is cornered by an imposing Legacy who tests her obedience. She evades him and rejoins her friends, downplaying fears of being Selected. When the Arius court arrives, the same Legacy is revealed as the Arius Heir, signaling looming danger and shifting stakes.
Summary
Tessa hides in a corridor to eat stolen chocolate and is discovered by a striking Legacy with emerald eyes. He tests her with questions about whether she is slated to be Selected and pushes boundaries, implying she obeys him more than others. Tessa denies being selected and resists, then slips away to the grand hall.
She reunites with her protective best friend, Dex, and their circle—Brecken, Oralia, Katya, Lange, and Corbin—as they plan to sneak out after the ceremony. Tessa insists the heirs already chose their Sources and that none of them will be selected, though Dex warns anything could change, especially with the secretive Arius Heir still unaccounted for.
As the room fills with Legacy nobility and Family Guards, tension rises. Tessa notices the emerald-eyed Legacy conferring over folders with another Legacy, tracking the crowd. The Achaz family enters first; Sasha, presumed to be the Achaz Heir’s choice, looks terrified, reinforcing the grim reality of being bound as a Source.
A dramatic entrance announces the Arius court. To Tessa’s shock, the corridor Legacy steps forward beside Lord Valter St. Orcas, now neatly tied and jacketed, revealing himself as the Arius Heir. He meets Tessa’s gaze with a knowing smile, heightening her fear that he may target her when claiming a Source.
Who Appears
- Tessa (Tessalyn)Fae protagonist; sneaks off for chocolate, resists a Legacy’s pressure, and fears Selection while clinging to friends.
- Arius Heir (unnamed)Mysterious Legacy with emerald eyes; corners Tessa, probes her status, later revealed as the Arius Heir.
- DexTessa’s best friend; protective and pragmatic, plans to sneak out and warns the Arius Heir remains a wild card.
- Valter St. OrcasLord of the Arius Kingdom; arrives with his court, signaling the Arius Heir’s participation in the Selection.
- Dagian JoveAchaz Heir; arrives with his family, presumed to select Sasha as his Source.
- SashaFae slated for Selection; anxious and presumed choice of the Achaz Heir.
- BreckenFriend in Tessa’s group; teases others and brings Katya to join them.
- OraliaFriend who joins Tessa’s group; shares the general impatience for the ceremony to end.
- KatyaFriend drawn along by Brecken; comments on Sasha’s fear.
- LangeFriend arriving disheveled with Corbin; jokes about drinking and passing time.
- CorbinLange’s partner; arrives hand-in-hand, amused and evasive about their antics.
- Unidentified Legacy assistantSapphire-eyed Legacy working with the Arius Heir, reviewing folders and observing the crowd.