Rain of Shadows and Endings (The Legacy)

by Melissa K. Roehrich

The entire time he’d been on his horse, he had mulled over what to do with Tessa. He’d tried one last time to convince her with the pull of the bond itself. He’d prayed to the gods he could get her to just accept this fate after kissing her and sleeping beside her. She’d been so close until his father had shown up and ruined everything. Again.

Tessa knew what time breakfast was to be served. He wouldn’t put it past her to test just how serious he was, but he was hoping something had come from making her sit at his feet a few nights ago. He added this entire debacle to the list of things he hoped would be worth it in the end.

“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.”

“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.

Theon’s breath caught. He’d lain out a sleeveless red dress with white polka dots and a neckline that dipped low. The front hem of the dress fell to just below her knees while the back draped down to her heels where white stiletto sandals adorned her feet. She’d curled her hair so it fell in loose waves around her shoulders, and while she didn’t need cosmetics, she certainly knew how to use them. Gold hoops hung from her ears, and a pendant necklace of some sort hung low, dipping into the neckline of the dress. Several gold bangles were on her wrists. Axel gave an appreciative whistle, breaking the silence. “Look at you, baby doll. Did you get all dressed up just for us?” Tessa looked pointedly at Theon before her eyes slid to Axel, and she said tightly, “I am told I’m going to Castle Pines later today and that my previous attire was not appropriate for such a trip.”

he gently touched her elbow and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “You look lovely, Tessa,” he murmured. She tensed, but she didn’t pull back. He’d be lying if he said this wasn’t part of the plan. He was hoping if she allowed him to touch her more in small ways like this, she’d give in to the pleasure of the bond sooner, realizing how much better it would be.

“Are you ready to eat?” he asked. “I am told that is no longer my decision to make.” “Tessa,” he warned in a low tone. “Don’t ask me questions like I have choices, Master,” she replied quietly enough that the others could not hear. “You made it perfectly clear I do not.”

“May I move to the table, or will that be considered pulling away from you?” Theon glanced down to where his hand still cupped her elbow, and he dropped it, stepping aside for her to pass. When she reached the table, she paused, looking over her shoulder at him. He wasn’t sure why until he realized she was waiting for permission to sit before the Legacy had taken their seats. His chest did something weird at the action. She did this, he reminded himself, giving her a nod to take her seat.

Even with the strict rules he’d lain down earlier this morning, he hadn’t anticipated her giving in so quickly. He should feel elated at her behavior, instead he was…not. It was a marvel she was still somehow making things difficult, even following his own fucking rules.

“What flavor syrup do you want, Tessa?” She slid her eyes to him. “Oh, Master,” she said with a mocking sweetness, her lashes fluttering. “There you go with the illusion of choices again. I trust you to know what is best for me.”

“What exactly was said between you two?” Luka asked, his fork hitting his plate with a light clang. He leaned back in his chair, studying them both from across the table. Theon gritted his teeth as he poured syrup onto the pancake. “Expectations were simply stated,” he answered tightly. “And said expectations were accepted?” Luka pressed, looking at Tessa. “Mhmm,” Tessa murmured, sipping on her orange juice. “Really?” Luka asked, his tone saying how unlikely he found that. “Because this,” he motioned between Theon and Tessa, “does not seem like something was agreed to and settled.” When Tessa didn’t respond, her eyes dropping to her plate, Luka shifted his gaze back to him. “Theon?” “What do you want me to say, Luka?” he asked in exasperation, leaning back in his own chair. “She can’t try running again. You know this. We were lucky it wasn’t discovered this time. So yes, new rules and expectations were put into place after the events of yesterday.”

“I already programmed my number, Luka’s, and Axel’s numbers into the phone. We are the only people I want you contacting. There is an enchantment that will send me a message anytime you use it to communicate with anyone other than me or if someone else attempts to contact you. All content is blocked, other than the things I downloaded for you.” Tessa nodded again, not even glancing at the phone. Not knowing what else to do, Theon kept talking. “I expect you to have your phone whenever I am not with you and to answer any time I call or text.”

“I need to use the restroom before we go.” She looked at him expectantly. “You do not need my permission to do so, Tessa. Certainly not in our own rooms.” “Your rooms,” she corrected so quietly he almost didn’t hear her. He reached over and gripped her chin, drawing her eyes back to his. “I don’t like this, Tessa. I don’t like…” He trailed off when she seemed to stare right through him.

“What did you do?” Luka demanded in a harsh whisper. “Exactly what I said I was going to do,” Theon answered, glaring as he put some space between them. “I ensured she never tries to run again.” “By taking away the little control she had? You, of all people, should know how quickly a person snaps when they have no control.” “No,” Theon ground out. “As soon as she accepts the bond, I’ll ease up on her. I need her to see how bad it could be so she’ll appreciate the way it can be.” Luka scoffed. “That will never work.” “Then what, exactly, do you suggest?” “Are we going or what?” Axel called, standing on the running board to look over the top of the vehicle at them. “We’re coming,” Luka yelled back, but before he moved to get in, he pointed a finger at Theon. “This is going to bite you in the ass, Theon. Mark my words.”

Between the conversation this morning with his father and the confrontation he’d just had with Luka, he wanted her right beside him. Her presence was soothing, and her touch eased the constant tension in his chest. He could say the tension was from the Source bond, but the truth was that tightness had been there long before he found himself with a bonded Source. Reaching over, he grabbed her hand and tugged her towards him. He knew he was a bastard for it. This wasn’t a power play or to show her he was in charge. This was him wanting comfort simply by touching her because somehow he could breathe easier when she was close. She slid across the seat wordlessly, and Luka glared at him in the rearview mirror. Tucking her into his side, he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. 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.

Theon stood in his bedroom, sipping on the glass of liquor in his hand as he watched the female on the balcony. She sat on one of the balcony sofas, her knees pulled to her chest and a blanket wrapped around her, cradling a cup of tea in her palms. She had been the portrait of obedience in Castle Pines, never straying from his side. She’d been utterly flawless in public, just as he’d told her she needed to be. When they spoke to her, her responses remained as few words as possible, even with Axel and Luka. He knew they were unhappy with the situation by the glares they threw at him all afternoon. Axel had tried to get her to go with him a few times, but she had shaken her head or politely declined, staying right by Theon’s side. She’d acted like Eviana. Like a Source would be expected to act. It was what he’d demanded of her, so why was he hating every godsdamn second of it?

she needed to get ready for dinner. He’d already laid out a black, flared cocktail dress with small hollow cut outs at the waist. She would look stunning in it like she did in everything else, but his mind kept conjuring the image of her in his shirt this morning. He found he much preferred that look on her— the messy hair, just woke up and hadn’t had her coffee yet, simple and relaxed look. And yeah, her in his shirt, covered in his scent after sleeping beside him all night didn’t hurt either.

He came to a stop beside her, reaching out and running his fingers along her hair and down her jaw. The bond tingled with satisfaction, sending a rush of desire through him. He’d promised her he wouldn’t force anything on her physically—and he wouldn’t—but fuck. He wanted to kiss her when she turned her head to look up at him expectantly, waiting for his next order. True to his demands, she hadn’t pulled away from his touch all day, and it had been pure bliss for the Source bond. He craved the day she didn’t pull away because she didn’t want to pull away almost as much as he was craving a taste of her lips right now.

“Tessa, can we talk?” Her gaze met his, and he wanted to curse the gods at the lack of any type of storm in her grey eyes. “I don’t get such choices anymore,” she replied quietly. Theon blinked. Those were the most words she’d said at once to him since this morning. Quickly shoving his surprise aside, he said, “I don’t want it to be like this. Not here. In our own space.” Her lips thinned, and she broke his stare, fingers fiddling with her blanket. “Perhaps you can let me know how I need to adjust my behavior in your rooms tomorrow, but I really don’t know that I can handle any additional expectations today.”

The dinner was as all family dinners were. The air was filled with tension, and the conversation was dull. Tessa ate everything placed in front of her without fuss, sitting perfectly still. There was no fidgeting as there had been a few nights ago. No grumbling under her breath.

“I must say, Theon, your Source is unexpectedly behaved this evening. I did not expect her to be broken so easily. Your discipline must have been highly effective.” “She is not broken,” Theon replied tightly, meeting his father’s gaze. “It has simply been a long day of adjustments.” “Call it what you want,” Valter shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “You seem to mistake me for condemning you. I’m impressed, Theon. I didn’t think you had it in you to instill such submission.” Theon’s fingers tightened around his drink, his knuckles turning white. Axel was giving him a knowing look across the table that seemed to scream, ‘I told you that you sounded like him.’ Luka was sipping his own drink, his sapphire eyes on Tessa, whose attention was firmly fixed on her crème caramel.

“You were perfect tonight, beautiful,” he whispered into her hair. Tessa said nothing, but he could see thin pools of silver in the corners of her eyes.

“How are these new expectations working out?” Axel asked, the sarcasm thick as he came to Theon’s side. Theon shot him a bland look. “It’s only for a bit. Just until she accepts the bond,” he insisted as he watched Luka and Tessa disappear around a corner. “And if she doesn’t accept the Source bond?” “She will.” “When? After you’ve shaped her into⁠—” “Axel,” Theon interrupted, rounding on his brother. “I am doing the best I can with a situation none of us anticipated, and something neither you nor Luka seem to understand.” Axel shoved his hands into his pockets, the muscle ticking in his jaw a mirror to Theon’s. “She won’t be the same at the end of this.” “Of course she will. I only need her to be this way around others. It just needs to be an act. When it’s just us in private, she can be herself,” Theon bit back. “This is temporary.” “She won’t be the same, Theon,” Axel repeated, shaking his head as they began moving down the hallway again.

As they stepped into the dressing room, he turned to her, caging her against the wall between his arms. “What are you doing?” she gasped. “Can I kiss you?” Her eyes darkened some, her features hardening. “That’s not my choice.” “It is,” he replied, reaching behind her to pull pins from her hair. “I told you I wouldn’t force anything on you, but today was intense. I know it was a hard day for you.” “How will kissing me change any of that?” “It will appease the bond. Ease some tension,” he answered, pulling the last of the pins free. “I’d rather just change and go to bed.” Theon tilted his head to the side, twining a curl around his finger. “Axel and Luka want to play cards.” “I don’t want to play cards.” “You can’t be in the bedroom by yourself, beautiful.” His other hand dropped to her hip, tugging her into him, and she sucked in a sharp breath. For a long moment, she held his gaze, and Theon held his breath, waiting for her answer. “I’d like to change,” she finally said, breaking his stare. “All right.” Theon stepped back, and she instantly wrapped her arms around herself. He pulled out a pair of leggings and a tank top, adding one of his own thermals to the top. “In case you’re cold,” he said when she looked at him in confusion. She nodded, moving forward to grab the clothing and retreating into the bathroom. Theon changed in the dressing room, giving her plenty of time to get changed in the other room. When he came out to the bedroom, she was sitting in front of the fir...

He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, searching her eyes. “Tessa,” he breathed. “Just accept the bond. This can all stop.” “Do you think I’m not trying?” she asked, her voice cracking the slightest amount, but he heard it. “Do you think I do not recognize how much simpler things could be? Do you think I enjoy the agony that comes from not fully submitting to this?” “What is holding you back? What do I need to do? Tell me, Tessa. Name it, and it is done,” he said, his hands framing her face. She stared back at him, and for just a second, the façade slipped. He saw so many emotions swirling in her eyes, but there was something else there too. A flash of something. Before he could study it more, she blinked, and her newfound docile demeanor was back in place. The only sound was the soft pattering of the rain outside as they stared at each other. “You’ve done enough,” she finally said. “Please just let me figure it out on my own.”

“She was exhausted,” Luka said, dealing the next hand. “It was a long day for her,” Theon confirmed. “A lot of adjustments.” “I told you on the drive here that this would break her.” “She is not going to break,” Theon ground out. “I just wish I knew what was holding her back from accepting this.” “It’s who she is, Theon,” Luka said. “The sooner you accept that, the easier this whole thing will become.”

“We cannot undo this. The only thing that can break the bond is death.” “Would you undo it?” Axel suddenly chimed in. “If you could go back and change things, would you? Would you pick a different Source?” Theon looked over at the Fae sleeping in the window. A female he’d only known a handful of days, but the mere idea of her not being here made him irrationally angry. Maybe it was the Source bond. It didn’t really matter. 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. “No,” he finally answered, picking up his cards. “No. I wouldn’t pick someone else. Because just like she believes, I’m a bastard, and I can’t let her go now that I have her.”

“Gods, Tessa,” he breathed, running his hands through his sleep-addled hair. “I woke up to an alert that you were using your phone and then you weren’t in bed… You know you’re not supposed to be out of my sight.” “You were sleeping, Theon,” she snapped, and his emerald eyes flared brighter at her outburst. “I’ve been out of your sight since you fell asleep last night,” she added, rolling her eyes. “Why are you texting Axel at dawn?” “I saw him running out in the gardens. You said I could communicate with him and Luka.” “I know I did, but you haven’t exactly been present the last few days.” “And whose fault is that?” she bit back. His head cocked to the side. “Is this how I get you to speak to me? I must speak with you before you’ve had a full cup of coffee?” Tessa scowled at him, and the corner of his lips lifted the smallest amount. “What are you and Axel talking about?” “That’s none of your concern,” she retorted. There was no way she was going to ask him if she could go running with Axel. Theon’s hand snapped out faster than she could track, scooping up her phone where it had slipped onto the window seat. “Wrong answer, Tessa. Everything to do with you is my concern.” “Give that back!” she cried, shooting to her feet and somehow managing not to spill her coffee as she set it down on the seat. Shadows wrapped around her, holding her back while he unlocked the phone. His brows shot up as he read the brief text exchange before he shifted his gaze back to her. “You want to ...

“I’ll have Pen go out and get you some running gear today. We can start running tomorrow morning.” “Did you go deaf overnight? I said I don’t want to go running with you.” “Consider it a consequence then,” he replied. He made his way towards the kitchen, pausing to place the phone on his desk. His shadows lingered a little longer before they pulled away from her, dragging along her flesh like they didn’t want to leave. “Consequence? For what?” “You were not to leave my sight or my side for more than a few minutes at a time,” he called over his shoulder. “Theon!” she shrieked, stomping after him. “You were sleeping!” He said nothing. Just poured himself a mug of coffee before turning back to her and arching a brow in question. “You’re serious?” she demanded. “As the Pits of Torment,” he replied with a nod.

“I’m not going running with you,” she said, all the emotions she’d been pushing down the last few days surging up in a torrent. “We will discuss this later,” he said, clearly not worried as he picked up his phone. “We will discuss this now,” she countered, reaching out and slapping the phone from his hand. It landed on the bed with a soft thunk. Theon dragged incredulous eyes to her, and Tessa forced herself not to shrink back from him. What was he going to do? That had been impulsive. She was arguing with him and fighting back. Two things he had said she wasn’t to do anymore. “Did you just slap my phone out of my hand?” he asked, his tone low and dangerous as he set his mug down. “I…was trying to talk to you,” she answered. She heard the slight tremor in her voice, so she could only assume he did too. “Did you think I could not speak with you and order breakfast at the same time?” “No. I just…wanted your complete attention,” she said, finally managing to form the words. “And now you have it.” Tessa swallowed, and he took a step towards her. She went to step back, but he reached out, twisting her so that the back of her legs bumped against the bed. One of his arms looped around her back, catching her, while the other held him over her when he lowered her onto the unmade bed. “Theon, what are you doing?” she breathed. Her stomach dipped, and her skin tingled at the close contact. Sleeping beside him was one thing, but having him look at her like this was something else enti...

“They’re bringing up eggs and sausage, but I thought these might be a good start.” She crossed her arms but leaned forward an inch to peer inside. There were a variety of muffins. It wasn’t doughnuts, but they would do. If Theon let her have one.

She may be with one of them at all hours these days, but she was more alone than ever.

“Don’t touch me!” Tessa cried, scrambling away from him as he made another grab for her. A violent gust of wind tore through the garden path, knocking the second male back several inches, and Tessa used it to her advantage, crawling away even farther. She shoved herself to her feet as the male came for her again, and she threw her hands out in front of her. “No!” The word had barely left her lips when the ground beneath them shook. The first male, who had managed to get to his own feet, fell back onto his ass, and the second male dropped to his knees. Tessa pitched forward onto her own hands and knees once again, and when her palms met with the earth, light sparked and rippled, a large crack ripping through the path between her and the Legacy. “What the—” the second male began to say, but he didn’t get to finish. Gold mist began rising from the crack as a crevice took shape, widening the gap between Tessa and the Legacy. As thunder cracked, light so bright she had to turn away flared up from the ground. She was scrambling back, but not before she caught sight of something beginning to crawl up out of the crevice from the light. No. Not crawl. It glided up out of the crevice. Another appeared. And another. Tessa watched in utter terror as bodies rose up out of the crevice. But they weren’t bodies of flesh and blood. They shimmered in the sunlight, their bodies nearly transparent. They floated a couple of inches off the ground, and they were all identical. Pale skin. Tall an...

“Valter will not be happy we lost her,” the first male said. Their footsteps sounded closer, and the horse shifted, almost as if it were trying to block her from view. “Perhaps, but I think he will find what we saw very interesting,” the second replied. “Then let’s go tell him before she summons any more of those things, or before Theon’s damn hound shows up again,” the first male answered. “I’m still struggling to heal the wound from that damn thing.” “I don’t think she’s in here anyway,” the second said. “There’s no place to hide unless she crawled into a stall, and Theon’s horses would never allow that.”

The horse turned his head to look at her, and her heart ratcheted up again as he moved towards her. His head lowered, and his large nose nuzzled against her shoulder, before he lowered his massive body to the ground. His huge head came to rest on her legs, where he stilled. After several minutes, Tessa slowly lowered her hand from her mouth. Extending trembling fingers towards him, she stroked the animal’s cheek. He let out a soft huff, so she did it again. She stroked her fingers through his silky black mane and down his broad neck, but her trembling didn’t cease as fresh tears coursed down her face. She dropped her head to the animal’s neck and sobbed.

Theon raced towards the sound, Luka and Axel on his heels. Rounding a corner, he skidded to a halt at a large crevice that had appeared in the path. What the fuck? There was what appeared to be gold paint everywhere, and were those swords on the ground? Kacela was on the other side of the crevice and barked excitedly when Theon came into view. “Lightning strike?” Axel asked, coming to a stop beside him and eyeing the crevice before them. “The weather has been so odd lately.”

Three giant black heads swung in his direction as he came in, hooves stomping the ground in agitation. Something had them worked up too. “Tessa?” Theon called out. He could hear the panic in his voice. There was no place to hide in here. Not unless she crawled into a stall, and she had been leery of the horses when they’d ridden back from the woods. “Tessa? Are you in here?” Kacela darted past him, going straight to Eyal’s stall. He was the only horse not watching him as Theon moved down the aisle between the stalls. His horses were all impeccably trained, but Eyal was still the wildest. He could be temperamental and unpredictable. Theon slowed as he approached the pen, then came to a complete halt at what he found. Tessa was huddled into a corner, visibly shaking. He couldn’t see much of her, but what he could see was covered in cuts and scratches along her arms. Eyal was lying on his side beside her, his massive head resting in her lap while she cried into his mane. All Theon could see was darkness as shadows clouded his vision. Pavil and Metias would pay for this. And his father? This only made Theon’s need for her to accept the bond even stronger. “By the gods,” Luka breathed, coming up beside Theon and stilling at the sight. Theon moved then, unlatching the gate and entering the pen. “Tessa?” Eyal lifted his head, and Tessa raised her own as the horse shifted. Her grey eyes were wild with panic and terror, and she scrambled back farther into the corner, as if she coul...

She was staring up at Theon. The dread in her eyes was palpable. She was pale and her leggings were ripped in some places. Her bare stomach had scratches and cuts too, as though she’d been dragged along the ground. “I-I wasn’t running from you, Theon,” she stammered, shaking her head in emphasis. “Axel told me to run, and those Legacy were trying to get me. I don’t know what they wanted, and I know I shouldn’t have fought with them, but I wasn’t running from you, Theon. I swear it!” She was speaking so fast, she was rambling. He dropped to his knees before her, shrugging off his suit jacket before wrapping it around her shaking shoulders. “Shh, Tessa. I know. I know why you were running,” he said, pulling her into him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered into his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Theon. I didn’t know what else to do. I’m sorry.” She kept repeating the words over and over again. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. He ran his hand over her hair, clutching her close. “Tessa, you have nothing to apologize for. Please stop saying that. I’m here. I’m here, little storm,” he said softly, trying to soothe her as he spoke over her repeated apologies, but her trembling wouldn’t cease. “I’m sorry,” she cried. “Please don’t shut me in the dark. I can’t breathe there. I’m sorry.” Kacela was whining from beyond the gate where she was locked out, and Axel stood just inside, his face as pale as Tessa’s. “I didn’t know what else to do,” Axel said when Theon met his gaze. “You know how Metias and ...

“I know it’s not something you want to hear right now, but you’re connected to her greatest fears, Theon,” Luka said. “She’s my Source,” Theon snarled. “She can’t be— She’s not…scared of me.” It wasn’t possible. They were irrevocably bound together. Their souls and destinies were intertwined at this point. She couldn’t fear him. Could she? “I didn’t say you were her greatest fear. I said you are connected to her greatest fears,” Luka retorted.

“She is going to be fine,” Luka said, leaning against the counter and crossing his arms. “She is already calming.” “Because I am over here. Away from her,” Theon groused. “Because you are doing what she needs and giving her space,” Luka argued. “Metias and Pavil used their gifts on her, Theon. We are lucky we even got to her in time. It sounds like they weren’t touching her for very long. Any more contact and…”

“My father had to be a part of this. It’s why he kept us back when Metias and Pavil left the meeting. To give them time to get to her first. What does he want with her?” “We will figure it out,” Luka said, both of them watching her. She was staring out the glass across the gardens, her chin resting on her knees. “If he expects me to work with those assholes, this can never happen again. Ever.” “Agreed,” Luka said. “We can come up with a…tactful way to let your father know until we can take care of them.” “When that time comes, they are mine,” he replied darkly, already debating how many ways he could draw out their deaths. “Understood,” Luka said.

“You won’t believe this,” Axel said, closing the door softly, clearly having noted Tessa’s reaction. “Kacela jumped over her kennel gate. There is no other way she could have gotten out of the kennels. All the pens, including hers, were securely locked.” “They can’t jump that high,” Theon argued, pulling tea bags from the mugs. “I made sure of it when I had the kennels remodeled when I got the hounds.” “I don’t know what to tell you, brother. I couldn’t see any other way she got out of her pen,” Axel replied. “She also had that golden paint all over her paws and muzzle. But it was more like…” “Like what?” Luka asked when Axel hesitated. “It was like golden blood, but that doesn’t make any sense, right?”

He was contemplating the fact that he was related to her biggest fears. In some way or another, she was scared of him. A part of him was satisfied with that response. He craved control and instilling fear was definitely one way to obtain that. He had a hard time believing she was that terrified of him though, and maybe that was his own fault. Maybe all of this was his fault, his failure. In trying to make her comfortable, he’d shielded her too much from their true natures.

Tessa nodded once, returning her attention out the window. The sky was the same color as her eyes.

“Nothing seems extensive unless I missed something?” he asked. She shook her head. “No. You’ve done far more than I deserve.” Theon pushed his tongue into his cheek. What was he supposed to say to that? “Why do you think you don’t deserve care for injuries? Did I miss any?” “I disobeyed you, Theon. Leaving my injuries would be a justifiable consequence." Gods, that was something his Father would say. “I will heal them tomorrow, Tessa. Our bond is simply not strong enough yet to take care of them all at once. Are there any others I need to be aware of?” When she remained silent, he added, “Tell me, or I will force you to do so.” He didn’t think it was possible, but her face paled even more at the mention of entrancing. He went preternaturally still, his voice dark when he asked, “Did either of them entrance you?”

“You want me to stay in here? While you bathe?” he asked slowly, sure he was misunderstanding what she wanted. “If you don’t want to, can Luka or Axel? I don’t want to be alone,” she repeated. “The quiet is too loud sometimes, and I feel trapped in it,” she added in a whisper. Fuck if he was going to let Axel or Luka in here while she was naked. “I can stay,” he said. “I will just step out while you get in.”

“I don’t want you scared of me, Tessa. I just need your submission.” “I’m trying, Theon,” she said, so quietly he barely heard it. “Are you? Because it shouldn’t be this hard to give into a bond. Once you do, things can be different. This would have never happened,” he replied, dunking the cloth and guiding her forward so he could run it down her back. He slid her long hair over one shoulder. “How do you figure that?” “You would have been with me. I wanted to wait until you’d adjusted and accepted the bond before requiring you to attend meetings with me, but it appears that can no longer be the case.” “Maybe if you would tell me things instead of keeping me in the dark about everything, I’d be more prepared for these types of situations.” “I want to tell you things, Tessa, but I can’t. Not until the bond is fully in place. I need to know I can trust you.” “The bond does not equate to trust, Theon,” she replied,

“They said that your father had given them permission to make sure my manners had been corrected, and then when they couldn’t find me, they said he was going to be upset they had lost me. What does your father want with me, Theon? Is he the reason you chose me to be your Source?” She finally met his gaze, and her eyes were filled with a desperation to understand. “No, Tessa, my father did not decide you were to be my Source. The relationship between a Master and Source is too fragile for anyone else to choose it for someone,” he replied. “You chose it for me,” she countered. “I meant it is too important for another Legacy to choose someone’s Source for them,” he amended. “Then why did you choose me? We’d never met before. You’d never visited the Estate. Why did you pick me out of the hundreds of eligible Fae at Selection?” Her voice was strained with that same desperation he could see in her eyes, but Theon didn’t have a suitable answer for her. He wished he could explain it, but the truth was he couldn’t adequately describe it himself. Finally, he said, “When I spoke with you in that alcove, I wanted you and only you.”

“Can I get out now?” Fully aware she hadn’t answered his own question, he stood and grabbed two towels from beneath the sink. Returning to the side of the tub, he said, “Up.” She looked up at him from beneath her wet lashes. “What?” “Up,” Theon repeated. “I’ll wrap you in a towel.” He expected her to resist, but a quick look of determination filled her face before she gripped the edge of the tub and pulled herself up. Theon didn’t even try to hide the fact that he was looking at her. Her long hair covered most of her breasts, but the apex of her thighs was fully exposed, and his entire being was well aware of that. As she stepped over the edge of the tub to the bathmat, he draped a towel around her shoulders. She gripped it between her fingers, covering herself, and he unfolded the second towel to squeeze the water from her hair. When he was done, he went to the closet while she dried off. He didn’t grab her clothes though. He came back with a warm, black fleece bathrobe. He turned her so she was facing away from him before he pulled the towel from her body. His eyes dropped to her ass as he held the robe open for her to slide her arms into it. Tessa quickly pulled it closed around herself, tying it at the waist. When she reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, the sleeve slid up her arm. “Many of your wounds are already healing,” he noted, one of the surface scratches nearly faded. She sent him a bland look before she stepped around him and moved to the vanity. ...

“You never answered my question, beautiful,” he murmured into her ear, and he watched the faint pink color creep into her cheeks. “What does the bond feel like when you let me touch you?” He brought his hand up, trailing the tips of his fingers down her neck, barely touching her. She shivered against him. “I have other ways of discovering the answer to that question if you will not tell me.” Her face instantly hardened. “You will entrance me over this?” He gripped her hips, turning her in his arms before lifting her up and setting her on the vanity counter. She gasped as he stepped between her legs. “I do not need to entrance you for this,” he purred sensually. “You said you’d never force this,” she rasped, that flush returning as he held her gaze. She was still so off balance from the events in the garden, she couldn’t hide her emotions as well, and he hated that he didn’t know how to read everything playing out on her face. Soon it wouldn’t matter. The Mark she would receive on the fall equinox would allow him to feel her emotions, and if she somehow had still not accepted things by then, this would all be much easier to navigate. “I will not force anything, Tessa. You are free to tell me to stop whenever you wish. Or in the alternative, answer my question, and I will stop immediately,” he replied, his fingers skating up her calves. She was practically eye level with him when she was sitting on the vanity, and he slowly brought his mouth to hers. “I will kill those mothe...