The Legacy Series, #3
Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance
by Melissa K. Roehrich
Contents
31. Tessa
Overview
Tessa confronts Dex’s control and escapes to Arius House, where she secretly witnesses Theon’s tenderness with her ailing wolf Roan. Overwhelmed, she returns and is sedated by Dex’s strengthened tea while Luka stays to comfort her. In a vivid dream, Rordan and winged allies coerce her to open Achaz’s mirror; Achaz names her granddaughter before his daughter—likely Tessa’s mother—disrupts the ritual.
Summary
Tessa clashes with Dex over his invasive watch and manipulation. When Dex admits he has been “fixing” her problems long before she knew him, Tessa realizes the depth of his interference and portals away, rejecting his authority and the Achaz Lord’s hold.
At Arius House, Tessa hides and watches Theon play gently with hounds Kacela and Rigel, then patiently walk her injured wolf Roan. Theon confides to the hounds that he is out of time—to help Axel, his kingdom, and with Tessa—revealing care and regret that unsettle Tessa. She flees, overwhelmed by conflicting feelings.
Back in her rooms, panic mounts as Luka and Theon reach out through the bond. Luka arrives to ground her, but Dex bursts in with Elowyn’s tea. Tessa, desperate to numb emotion, drinks it all; Dex reveals the ingredients were increased. She collapses into a deep sleep while Luka refuses to leave her side.
Tessa dreams of a battlefield and follows Rordan into the Pantheon’s mirror chamber, where Dagian, Sasha, Dex, Oralia, Brecken, and excited Hunters—now winged—await. Rordan claims her purpose is fulfilled and orders her to call Achaz. A Hunter cuts her palm and forces her bloody hand to the mirror, unintentionally summoning multiple powers.
Achaz appears, praises “granddaughter,” and commands the ritual to let him in. Someone seizes Tessa from behind and slams her hand to the cracking glass. As the passage opens, a woman confronts Achaz, calling him “Father,” and speaks of the cost of unlocking realms. Oralia panics that the woman will ruin everything. The woman—implied to be Tessa’s mother—yanks Tessa out of the dream, ending the ritual’s hold.
Who Appears
- TessaDefies Dex’s control, witnesses Theon’s tenderness with Roan, suffers panic, is sedated, and dreams of being forced to open Achaz’s mirror.
- DexOverbearing minder; admits long-standing interference; brings Elowyn’s stronger tea that sedates Tessa; present in dream with wings.
- TheonTender with hounds and Roan; laments lack of time for Axel, his kingdom, and Tessa; urges Luka to help her.
- LukaAnswers bond, comforts Tessa through panic, refuses to leave her after sedation.
- RordanIn Tessa’s dream, leads her to the Pantheon mirror and orders her to summon Achaz.
- AchazAppears in the mirror, calls Tessa his granddaughter, seeks entry before being disrupted.
- Unnamed woman (Achaz’s daughter)Confronts Achaz, speaks of magical balance, likely Tessa’s mother; pulls Tessa from the dream.
- RoanTessa’s injured wolf; slowly walks with Theon, giving Tessa an emotional jolt.
- KacelaTheon’s hound; plays with him and accompanies the walk with Roan.
- RigelTheon’s hound; retrieves the thrown ball and joins the quiet field walk.
- DagianStoic presence in the dream, escorts Tessa to the mirror chamber.
- SashaFollows Dagian in the dream, ashen and silent witness.
- OraliaIn the dream, panics that the arriving woman will ruin everything.
- BreckenPresent in the mirror chamber with wings among Tessa’s allied ranks.