Rain of Shadows and Endings (The Legacy)

by Melissa K. Roehrich

His head tilted to the side, and Tessa swallowed thickly, her mouth suddenly too dry. The thing inside her lifted its head, and she shoved it back down.

It was ingrained in them from birth that being Selected was the greatest role in society a Fae could ever hope to achieve, and that to be the Source of a ruling Lord or Lady was as good as nobility. Only those who were already tapped to be a Source truly believed that, and Tessa was pretty sure that was out of necessity to come to terms with their fate. Once they were fully bonded, they would believe it though. Their Masters’ desires would become their desires.

“I choose Tessalyn Ausra to be my bonded Source,” Theon announced, his voice skittering over her bones.

“You are frightened,” he said, his head tilting to the side with a keen interest. Tessa couldn’t answer, her mouth too dry. She didn’t know what to say anyway. “If I were going to hurt you, I would have done so already,” Theon added. “You do not need to fear me.” “I don’t,” Tessa finally managed to say. He tsked at her, a knowing look entering his eyes. “We have already discussed you lying to me, Tessalyn.”

People call me Tessa. Not Tessalyn.” A brow arched. “You do not like your given name?” “It is fine enough. I just prefer to be called Tessa.” Theon’s eyes narrowed as if trying to figure something out, but he nodded in acquiescence. “Tessa it is then. Whenever possible.” That was a weird caveat.

“This works well for both of us. I was not planning on staying for the feast either.” “What?” Tessa said, taken aback by that news. “But we need to eat.” “You just told me you were not planning to eat here.” “That was before I knew I’d be served first. Right after the heirs.” “So…you are hungry?” Theon asked, cocking his head to the side and studying her as if he couldn’t figure out a puzzle. “Yes. I’m hungry. You took my chocolate,” she snapped, and Theon’s eyes widened at her tone. “My apologies,” she added quickly, lowering her gaze to the floor. “No need to apologize. It is good to know you get irritable when you are hungry.”

I like him.... Im worried

“Tessa, are you all right?” Theon said, turning back to her and ignoring his question. Concern filled his features, but it was concern for his source of power, not for her. She knew that.

“I will step out for two minutes, then I am coming back in,” he said, pushing back to his feet. “Acknowledge that you heard me.” “I understand, Master,” she said softly, reaching over and running her fingers along the clothing beside her. He stiffened imperceptibly. “We are not… This is not a formal setting, Tessa.” She just stared at him, waiting for him to leave so she could change. After a few more seconds, he left the room.

“Tessalyn Ausra, I have claimed you as my Source, to be bonded to me irrevocably. With this Mark, may the bond become physical, that we can always sense each other’s presence and crave each other’s closeness. My power claims you as its own.” The last part was said in the language she didn’t know but that her soul recognized.

Tessa thought their meeting in that corridor was random. It was anything but. He’d had his choices narrowed down to five, and he’d sought them all out in the hours before the Selection Ceremony. She had been the last one he’d tracked down. He’d never expected her to be hiding in an alcove out in the corridor. Then again, maybe he should have based on the number of times she sneaked off the Fae Estate in the Celeste Kingdom.

“It won’t be like that,” Theon insisted. “She will want to please me. She will want to obey me, Luka. It is how the bond works. You know this.” “She pushed you away, Theon. She chose to feel immense pain rather than have you touch her.”

But when Theon’s gaze had landed on her, when he’d found her leaning against another male and he’d felt the prickle of irritation at seeing another’s hands on her, he’d known it was over.

“You changed my clothing?” she gasped, clearly horrified. “Luka and I did.” “Oh my gods,” she moaned, dragging a hand down her face. “That crosses so many boundaries, Theon.” He couldn’t help the shiver that ran down his spine when his name fell from her lips.

“Easy, little one,” he murmured, his hands holding her tightly around the waist. “Let me know when you’re steady.” Theon gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay back and wait. Until he saw the silent tears tracking down her cheeks. “Tessa,” he breathed, stepping forward and reaching for her, but she shrank away from him, recoiling into Luka’s chest. He stilled. He had no idea what to do. She was his Source. Why was she leaning on Luka? Why was she letting him support her?

Hmmm this better give why choose vibes and not give love triangle

She winced at his touch, which was the exact opposite of how his body reacted to him touching her again. His bond purred and hummed in pleasure.

This was where he’d be lectured on how he wasn’t doing enough, prepared enough, responsible enough to take over this kingdom. How he’d failed yet again. This was where his father made sure he remembered who was the more powerful of the two of them. This was where his father assumed he would simply go along with all his plans.

His entire demeanor was possessive and dominating, and as Tessa lowered to her knees, something snapped in her, just like the day she’d screamed to the gods on the drive here. It was a thing that lurked inside her, that only one other had ever been able to help her control. Her lips curled up in a smirk as she whispered mockingly, “Eyes on you. For one night. Right?”

She briefly glimpsed the others standing in the doorway, staring at her in shock, clearly not knowing what to do with her. No one ever knew what to do with her except shove her aside. Lock her away. Too wild to be something, so forced to be nothing.

She wouldn’t survive this. It would break her. And she didn’t burn when she broke. She shattered, and the world shattered with her.

Tessa saw him as a merciless descendant of the gods who wanted to possess her and rule her, so that’s what he would become.

Not the right move. Ugh.

“Do not leave the bathroom, Tessa,” he repeated before brushing past her. “If I have to chase you down while naked, I cannot be held entirely responsible for what will happen when I catch you.”

“Sit,” he said, nodding to the chair. Tessa hesitated only a moment before lowering herself into the chair. She knew how to play this. The less combative she was today, the less severe the consequences. The less time spent locked in the dark.

“It means I need her submission, and I’ll do whatever is needed to have it.” Axel blinked at him. “You sound like Father when you speak like that.” Luka whistled low under his breath at the words, and Theon immediately went on the defensive. “It is nothing like Father. She is treated like a queen compared to how Eviana is treated.” “How he treats Eviana is not exactly a standard to measure against,” Axel shot back.

“May I move to the table, or will that be considered pulling away from you?”

LOOOOL

Tessa was still seated, staring out the bay window across the room and clearly lost to her own thoughts. Her hands were wrapped loosely around her coffee mug, and Theon almost snapped a photo.

He may have been a bastard for what he was doing to her, but for the drive to Castle Pines, he let himself forget about it all. He let himself forget she was his Source, and he was her Master. He let himself forget about his father’s plans and his own plans. He let himself forget he was the heir of the Arius Kingdom and that she was forced to be by his side. He let himself forget he was more like his father than he cared to admit.

My heartstrings :(

He’d felt drawn to her the moment he’d stepped foot inside that alcove. Fuck, he’d felt drawn to her from the moment she’d become a possible Source option. Why else had he refused to rule her out despite Luka and Axel’s very sound reasoning? He’d call it fate, but the Fates cared for their world as much as the gods did.

“I’ve missed hearing it on your lips, little storm,” he continued. “I don’t care,” she ground out. “No, you don’t,” he said, more to himself than her.

Axel and Theon fell into conversation, and she sank back into herself. She may be with one of them at all hours these days, but she was more alone than ever. One, two, three…

“I’m sorry,” she cried. “Please don’t shut me in the dark. I can’t breathe there. I’m sorry.”

“I will kill those motherfuckers for touching what is mine,” he murmured, his lips feathering across hers as he spoke. She sucked in a breath. “I’m not yours.” “Lie to yourself, but not to me,” he murmured, his fingers slipping behind her knees and under the robe.

“And the Huntresses?” Akira’s features darkened. “They only answer to him. No one else can summon them. But he will send them. Like he did for me.” There was a short pause, and then, “The wild and untamed answered her call as well.” “Her father’s daughter,” the second said. “She will be powerful.” “She already is. It will only grow. My father thought he could use her against me. Use her to seek his petty revenge. She will be an unyielding storm in that world. A tempest of wrath and vengeance.”

“Know that sometimes we must break to be forged into who we were meant to be,” she said, streaks of violet flickering in her eyes like lightning cutting through the flecks of gold. Then she bent and pressed her lips to Tessa’s brow. “You will break, Tessalyn. Make sure you get back up and take what is yours.”

“Sorry there isn’t a shower in there,” he said, looking at Tessa. She smiled softly at him, her eyes seeming to warm a touch, and Theon ground his teeth together. She’d never offered him that look or that smile.

“Good gods, Tessa. You do have a death wish tonight, don’t you?” Axel barked, his tone somewhere between shocked and amused. Tessa let out her own humorless laugh. “Compared to these last few weeks, death would be a welcome reprieve at this point.” “You don’t mean that, Tessa,” Theon said, plopping his drink down and stalking towards her, but Luka grabbed his arm, holding him back.

“Did you mean that, Tessa?” he demanded. She pursed her lips, breaking his gaze, and glancing from Axel to Luka. They were all looking at her expectantly. “These last few weeks have been what I imagine the Pits of Torment to be like. Pure and utter agony, and you do not seem to care as long as I am obedient and behave properly. Have I thought death might be a kinder option a time or two? Yes. When I was experiencing the pain from the first Mark or the torture of the assessment today, did I wish for death to finally claim me and just put me out of my fucking misery? I’d be lying if I said no. But not even death wants me, even when handed to her willingly.” Silence rang in the room, and it was Axel who spoke first. His eyes were wide in disbelief, and he stumbled over his words in a way she had never heard before when he said, “Tessa, are you saying… Have you tried to— In the past…” He trailed off when Tessa held his gaze, her lips pressed together in a tight line. It was answer enough for tonight.

But there it was. She’d laid it all out there. All but told him she would rather death come for her than live out the life fate had dealt her. And he’d come back to the fucking bond and her unwillingness to accept it. A soft, broken laugh of disbelief came from her as she whispered, “Good night.”

“I just want to make sure you are aware that had you accepted this godsdamn bond, I’d be finding a much better use for that mouth of yours tonight.” Tessa stilled, heat flooding through her at his words, but she scoffed, “Too bad you’re not mortal. I’d show you all kinds of things with my mouth.” “Fuck me,” she heard him mutter

“I’m still not sleeping next to you in just a shirt,” she insisted. “I hear you, Tessa,” Theon replied, gently pushing her down so she sat on the edge of the bed. “I will sleep in the armchair.” He lifted her legs up into the bed. “You will? Why?” He helped her lie down before leaning over her, his face hovering inches from hers. “Because despite what you seem to have convinced yourself of, it is more than a bond, Tessa.” He brushed a soft kiss to her cheek before pulling the sheets and comforter over her.

“Don’t let him fool you,” she called back to Tristyn. “He just doesn’t want anyone else touching.” “So he doesn’t want you, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have you?” Tristyn asked, his head tilting with the question. “You got it,” she tossed back with a wink before she moved to climb into the back of the vehicle. “See you around, Tris.” “Looking forward to it, Tessa,” he called after her.

“The last time you told me to keep my eyes on you, I ended up kneeling at your feet,” she retorted, and he tugged her into him further, pressing his front to hers. His tone dropped an octave as he whispered into her ear, “Would it make you feel better to keep your eyes on me while I kneel at your feet later tonight?”

“Enough of this, Theon,” his father growled, slowly rising from his seat. Eviana was by his side in a matter of seconds, waiting for her next order. “You wish for me not to defend what is mine?” Theon demanded, pushing to his own feet. “These two touched what belongs to the Arius Kingdom. You expect me not to punish crimes against me? Against us?” “We were acting on orders,” Pavil cried out in dismay. A cruel smirk filled Theon’s face as he dragged his eyes back to Pavil. “I do not give a fuck,” he replied, his voice dark and low.

“So I simply checked the most boxes on your checklist?” “No. I mean—” Theon pushed out a harsh breath. “Why does any of this matter? What is it going to change? It is done. You were Selected. We need to figure out how to move forward with this together, Tessa.” “It matters because very few want me, Theon!” she cried. “They want what I can give them, what I have to offer, but never me. And you have just told me you are no different.

So I am trying to figure out what exactly it is you want from me⁠—” “Everything, Tessa,” Theon snarled, moving so quickly, Tessa didn’t register he’d even moved until he was before her once more, his hand loosely gripping her throat. “I want everything you have to give, and then I want more. I want every piece of you— every secret, every tempest raging in those stormy eyes. I want all your fear and all your pain, all your smiles and all your laughter. I want all your mornings and all your nights, all your days and months and years.”

“You never cease to surprise me.” “Because I can play Chaosphere?” she breathed, his heated eyes holding hers. “Because you are…just not what I expected.” “It’s not that hard to play Chaosphere, Theon.” When he just stared back at her, she asked hesitantly, “Why are you looking at me like that?” “Because you are smiling, and I rarely see such a thing.”

“I would ask you to remember this moment, to remember how you are feeling right now so we can revisit it when we are at the townhouse, but I know that request would be futile…right?” “Right,” she whispered, unable to break his stare. “Can I ask something else of you then?” “I think you ask enough of me the way it is.” Her fingers were still clutching at his shirt, and she felt him tense beneath her hand.

“If you’d accept this bond, I could share all my secrets with you, Tessa,” Theon said. “Right. Before you can trust me, I need to blindly trust you and accept the bond. Got it.” “Tessa,” Theon sighed, running his thumb and forefinger along his brow. “What is the theory of how this was incorporated in the Source Marks?” she asked. “It—” Luka started. “Luka…” Theon warned, causing Tessa to glance up again. “She deserves to know, Theon. She should know.” Theon began to say something, but Tessa cut him off. “I don’t deserve anything, Luka. You should know that by now.” “Tessa, we’re trying here,” Theon said. “No, Theon. Luka is trying. Axel is trying. You are just demanding. Much like your father.”

“And on the winter solstice, you’ll get the third Mark here, allowing us to hear each other’s thoughts.” “And if I don’t want you in my head?” she whispered back. “I am praying to any god that will listen that you will feel differently by that point,” he answered.

“Tessa, you can do this. We’ve survived worse,” came Corbin’s voice. “But I was with all of you,” she whispered. “We’re always with you,” Corbin said. “Is it like two years ago?” Two years ago? What the fuck happened two years ago? “Some days,” Tessa answered, and Theon could see a tear slipping down her cheek in the mirror. “You’re a survivor, Tessa,” Corbin said. “What if I don’t want to be one anymore?”

“You can shatter, Tessa,” Corbin said solemnly. “We’ll put the pieces back together just like we’ve always done.” “What if there’s nothing left of me?” she asked, tears coursing down her face now. “Then we’ll help you find yourself again. Just like before. Just like you’ve done for us.”