7. Tessa

At Lord Jove’s estate in the Achaz Kingdom, Oralia urges sleepless Tessa to rise as news arrives that Luka is entering the grounds. Concerned he is too close to secrets, Tessa hastily dresses and intercepts Luka arguing with Dex. Despite Dex’s objections, Tessa allows Luka to accompany her to training.

Inside the training hall, instructor Odessa refuses to proceed with Luka present, so Tessa dismisses her. Luka proposes a wagered spar: if he wins, Tessa must discuss urgent matters; if she wins, he will remain silent. He maneuvers her into a defensive stance and criticizes her current magic training as inadequate, insisting she must learn to fight and cast together.

They bargain, and Luka provokes Tessa by burning her, forcing her to focus without allies. Her power coalesces from chaotic light into wind and rain—a nascent storm—until Luka drops her and cocoons them in black flame, soothing her burns. Declaring victory with her power dispersed and his intact, Luka claims the bargain.

Luka then reveals Axel has been missing for weeks and asks Tessa to question Valter to find him, stating Theon sent him but forbade reporting their conversation. Tessa resists, citing Axel’s complicity with Arius. Luka counters that Axel often aided her and was taken after saving Katya. Tessa withholds help, blocking the bond and emotions. Luka warns her that refusing compassion is what will make her a monster and leaves, while Tessa forces herself not to care.