Rain of Shadows and Endings — Chapter no 26

26

TESSA

I t had to be over an hour later when she finally heard the door to the bedroom open. Tessa had been starting to worry she was going to fall asleep and miss out on her agaveheart all together. She had been close to getting up to see if Theon had ended up sleeping out in the sitting room, but that was highly unlikely, especially with them not in his suite at Arius House. And if he saw her up, she could only assume another round of verbal sparring would ensue, and her agaveheart dreams would be gone.

She focused on keeping her breathing even, not wanting him to know she was still awake. She heard him sigh and felt the air stir as he stopped near her. Then she felt his thumb brush lightly over her bottom lip, and she couldn’t help the shiver that raced down her spine.

“Even in sleep you react to the bond,” he murmured, brushing his thumb along her lip again. “What am I going to do with you, little storm?”

His fingertips brushed down her bare arm as he moved away from her and began getting ready for bed. She felt the mattress dip when he climbed in, and she could have sighed in relief when he didn’t tug her back against his chest for once. All he did was trail his fingers down her spine before he settled in and got comfortable. It took a while before his breathing evened out and for her to know he was in a deep enough sleep to even attempt this. If she got caught sneaking out of this room… Well, it couldn’t be much worse than it already was, right?

Carefully, she slipped from the bed and padded barefoot to the door. She had dug out a pair of leggings and tank top from the clothing that had been delivered, and Luka, bless his soul, had also gotten her a pair of flip-flops. She was already chilly as she pushed her feet into them, but she didn’t want to wear Theon’s shirt that he still left out for her every night.

She wanted nothing to do with him at this point, and she ignored the small jolt the bond gave her for that thought, gritting her teeth in annoyance.

As quietly as she could, she eased the door open, and the sound of the television greeted her. Shit. If Luka or Axel were still awake, there was no way this was going to work. The door that led to the other suite across the hall was closed, so it appeared at least one of them was in bed. She crept down the small hall. If someone asked, she’d say she was coming to get some water.

Slowly peeking around the corner, she found Axel sprawled across the sofa. He had apparently fallen asleep while watching Chaosphere highlights. Suddenly, the television being on was a blessing. It would cover the sound of her movements. She wasn’t worried about getting back to the room. She knew he’d find her soon enough.

She slipped silently out the door. Letting out a breath of relief, she practically ran to the elevator, and the grin that spread across her face when the doors slid shut was one of manic delight. She didn’t know how long this would last. She could already feel the bond stretching and panicking, but she was going to enjoy every second of freedom.

When she stepped off the elevator, she made her way directly to the front desk. The concierge eyed her, but also knowing she was the Source of the Arius Heir, he handed the agaveheart over reluctantly. Tessa immediately opened it and drank down what had to be three or four shots. The alcohol warmed its way down to her belly, and she strolled casually over to the main doors, the world suddenly a little brighter. Or darker? It was night, after

all. Light. Dark. Didn’t matter. Nothing mattered as she downed another shot. It was all the same to her.

There wasn’t a doorman at this hour, so she let herself out and breathed in the cool night air. Goosebumps pebbled her skin, but she hardly noticed. For these few precious moments, she was going to pretend she was free. She was going to pretend she wasn’t some possession owned by a descendant of the god of endings. That she was free to speak to whomever she wished. That she was free to eat whatever she wanted. Wear whatever she wanted. Fuck whoever she wanted. That she wasn’t an inconvenience to anyone or a hassle too wild and uncontrollable to deal with.

She snorted a laugh that became a ridiculous giggle, but not as ridiculous as the thought of all these fucking Legacy thinking they were superior. Descendants of the gods?

How far back would they have to trace their bloodlines to even come close to one of the gods? They were probably more closely related to the mortals. The original Legacy were half-god, half-mortal anyway. The Legacy fancied themselves gods in Devram, when in reality? They had a fraction of the power they descended from, even if they did strategically arrange Matches to strengthen bloodlines.

“You’ve taken to drinking outside the hotel lobby now? Can your brothers not find you out here?”

Tessa nearly choked on the shot she had just sucked from the bottle. She turned to find Tristyn off to the side, leaning against a wall and puffing on a cigarette. He still wore the same jeans and shirt, although he’d added a jacket to his attire.

“Oh, he will definitely find me out here,” she answered with a flirty smile, sidling up to him.

He took another toke off the cigarette and smiled down at her knowingly. “They’re not

your brothers.”

Her smile faltered. “No, they’re not.”

“Are you okay? They’re not…assaulting you or anything? Right?” Tristyn asked, watching her carefully.

“Oh gods, no,” Tessa replied, her eyes widening. “I’m fine. I swear. It’s… complicated.” She didn’t particularly feel like explaining the inner workings of the Legacy society to a mortal at the moment.

“It seems more than complicated,” he said, holding the cigarette out to her. She took it with a coy smile.

“I don’t smoke,” she said, pinching it between her fingers and holding it away from her body.

“It’s lull-leaf,” he said by way of explanation. “Completely natural and calms anxiety.”

“Are you saying I appear anxious?” she asked, studying the roll in her hand. Then she shrugged and took a long drag, blowing the smoke out into the night because fuck it at this point. She didn’t care about anything anymore.

“Things seemed pretty intense with them,” Tristyn said.

“I guess you could say they are charged with my safety.”

“Like bodyguards?” he asked, arching a brow as he took the lull-leaf back from her.

“Something like that.”

He leaned forward, tucking stray hair behind her ear. “Makes sense. You are definitely important enough to need three bodyguards.”

She huffed a laugh. “I am the farthest thing from important.”

He hummed in contemplation before asking, “Are you with any of them?”

“One wants to be, but no. I’m not,” she answered, taking another drink from the agaveheart bottle. “Do you think they’re still making food in the kitchens here?”

“Probably not,” Tristyn said with a shrug. “You hungry, wild fury?”

Her brows knitted. “Wild fury?”

He winked at her. “I did witness that entire exchange in the lobby. He was pissed. You, however, were full of fury, and wild enough to push him even further.”

Tessa felt her face heat and was suddenly grateful for the darkness surrounding them.

“I can be impulsive,” she murmured, crossing her arms tightly, suddenly cold. The agaveheart bottle dangled from her fingertips.

“Nothing wrong with a little chaos,” he said with another shrug.

“Most would disagree with you.”

“I’m not most.”

She cleared her throat. “Well, I’m currently drinking my dinner, so food wouldn’t hurt,” she said, tipping the liquor bottle his way in a salute.

“I bet we could get a pizza delivered.”

“You think so?”

He shrugged again. “I can go check with the front desk.”

“You just might be an angel, Tristyn.”

“Definitely not,” he snickered as he turned to head into the lobby. “You coming in with me or…?”

“Actually, while you’re doing that, could I borrow your phone to make a quick call? I left mine upstairs,” she added hastily.

“Sure, but if you’re staying out here, you should take this, too,” he said, shrugging off his jacket.

“The agaveheart is keeping me plenty warm.”

He huffed a laugh. “I’m sure it is, but it is brisk out here.” He held the jacket out to her, and she took it with a nod of thanks. After she’d maneuvered it on, he unlocked his phone and handed it to her. “Don’t run off with this,” he said with a half-grin.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she returned. “You’ve been far too kind to me today.”

She could just make out his slight frown. “All I’ve done is talk to you and share some

lull-leaf.”

“And you’re about to get me pizza.”

“That’s basic decency.”

“One would think,” she muttered.

“I’ll be right back,” he said, slowly backing away from her.

“I’ll be right here.”

With a last look, he turned and quickly jogged up the steps back into the hotel. When the doors had closed behind him, she looked down at the unlocked phone, marveling at another small freedom she’d managed to steal. She quickly dialed one of the two numbers she knew by heart.

As it was ringing, she wandered over to a small bench and sat down, taking another swallow of agaveheart. She was feeling all sorts of happy now. The lull-leaf had more than relaxed her, and if she weren’t positive Theon would likely find her within the next hour,

she may have even entertained heading up to Tristyn’s room with him if he hinted at the prospect.

The line picked up on the other end, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Hello? Who is this?” the male voice on the other end demanded.

Her voice caught in her throat, and she swallowed down the tears that were threatening to pool.

“You’re a real dick to be calling at this hour—”

“Brecken?” she choked out. “Brecken, it’s me.”

Silence greeted her for a few long seconds before he said, “Say it again.”

A small laugh escaped her. “It’s me, Brecken, but I don’t have a lot of time. Is Dex—”

“Tessa?” Dex’s voice came down the line, and the tears she’d been fighting spilled

over.

“I miss you so much,” she whispered.

“Tessa, where are you? Are you okay? I can’t believe he let you call us.”

He was speaking so fast, and Tessa had to cut him off.

“I’m in Rockmoor, but only for a few more hours. I persuaded a mortal to let me borrow his phone for a minute. Theon doesn’t know I’m calling.”

“Are you going to get in trouble if you get caught?”

“Definitely,” she confirmed. “But I am well on my way to being too drunk to care right now.”

There was a long pause before he said, “Tessa, are you okay?”

“I had to do an assessment today,” she informed him, her voice slurring slightly. “In a Level Five room.”

“Fuck,” Dex hissed. “Gods, Tessa. I’m so sorry that we—that I—can’t be there with you right now. What happened?”

“It was bad, Dex,” she answered, her tone softer as the memories crept up on her.

“They had me believing you were all killed. They think I somehow hid my true abilities in

all my previous assessments.”

“You couldn’t hide your abilities.”

“I know. I tried to tell them that, but…” She shrugged even though he couldn’t see her.

There was another beat of silence. “I’m sorry, Tessie. I’m so fucking sorry.”

“What do you have to be sorry for? It’s not you who Selected me and forced me into a life of being invisible except for when I’m needed for my power,” she replied bitterly.

“Is he… Is he at least treating you all right? Is he taking care of you?”

Tessa snorted a laugh. “He controls everything, Dex. What I eat. What I wear. Where I

sleep.”

“Does he hurt you?”

“Physically? No. Mentally and emotionally?” She swallowed thickly as she fought off another bout of tears. “I’m not okay, Dex,” she finally whispered.

“A little over a week,” he said, his tone slightly desperate. “A little over a week, and we can see you. I need you to hang on just a little longer. I’ll be there. I’ll fix this for you.

We can—”

“He won’t let me be with you, Dex. He has it in his head that we’re involved. He doesn’t believe that we have never been that,” she replied, trying to keep the panic from her tone. “He just…”

“He what, Tessa?”

She sighed. “He’s convinced that once I give in completely to the Source bond, everything will be better. That I will want what he wants and—”

“You’ve been fighting the Source bond?” Dex interrupted.

“I’ve tried to give into it, but I can’t, Dex. No matter how hard it tugs at me. No matter how much it strains and pulls me in that direction. I just can’t, and gods, I wish I could. It’s just one more thing that makes me too much of an inconvenience.”

Tears were coursing down her cheeks again. She wiped them hastily away, brushing her fingers on her leggings.

“We will find a way, Tessie. We will find a way to talk and see each other. I promise,”

Dex said, his tone telling her just how determined he was to make that happen. She knew it was unlikely, but she didn’t want to talk about that right now.

“There’s really no way for you to get in touch with me until the Acropolis,” she replied. “He got me a phone, but he monitors everything on it.”

“We’ll figure it out,” he repeated.

Tristyn came into her line of vision, and she gave him a small smile. “I have to go.”

“I’ll see you soon, Tessie.”

“Tell the others I miss them.”

“I will. We’ll figure it out. Just hang in there until I can get to you and fix all this.”

“You can’t fix this.”

“Just hang in there a little longer,” he repeated. “I’ll see you soon, Tessie.”

“Bye.”

She cut the call, knowing if she didn’t do it right away, she’d stay on the phone with him until Theon came and dragged her kicking and screaming back to the suite to punish her somehow. She wordlessly handed the phone back to Tristyn.

“You all right?” he asked, sliding it into his pocket before he sat down on the bench beside her.

“Yes,” she answered quickly, swiping at her cheeks again. “That was a friend I haven’t seen in a while.”

“I’m glad you were able to talk then,” Tristyn replied. He reached over and dug into the pocket of his jacket, extracting two more rolls. “You look like you need another.”

“Do you always carry these around with you?” Tessa asked as she took one.

“No. Only when I know I’ll be needing them. I’m in town on business and had a rather stressful day,” Tristyn replied, reaching over with a lighter. “Pizza should be here shortly.

They weren’t very busy at this hour.”

“I don’t have any way to pay for my half,” Tessa said, her cheeks flushing again at the admission.

“Don’t worry, fury. I got it,” he answered, settling back against the bench and blowing out a puff of smoke. “I hope you like pepperoni.”

“Who doesn’t like pepperoni pizza?”

He chuckled. “I figured it was a safe bet.”

She held out the agaveheart to him. “You’re buying me pizza and giving me lull-leaf.

The least I can do is share my liquor.”

He took it with a nod of thanks before taking a good pull from the bottle. “You’re going to be hurting in the morning,” he observed, holding the bottle up to see that it was

nearly a third gone already.

She shrugged. “It’ll be worth it.”

“You had a rough day as well, I take it?” Tristyn asked, handing the bottle back to her.

“You could say that.”

Silence fell between them, somehow comfortable.

It was a few minutes later when Tristyn said, “This probably isn’t my place, but I’m going to say it anyway: It’s okay not to be okay, Tessa.”

“You don’t know me, Tristyn,” she said softly.

“Doesn’t change what I just said.”

The pizza arrived a few minutes later, and Tessa devoured her first slice. Tristyn held the box open to her so she could grab another, his first slice only half gone.

“Did you not eat at whatever function you were at?” he asked.

“You know how food can be at those things,” she said, waving her hand dismissively, glad to have something to focus on after that phone call.

“Fair enough,” Tristyn conceded, closing the pizza box. “What kind of function was it?”

She took a bite to give herself time to come up with a plausible lie. “A meet and greet for one of the males I’m with. He’s pretty high up in his field. I was his plus one in a way.”

“His plus one? You mean his date?”

“No, I wasn’t his date. That was someone else. I was just there. In the background.”

“In the background?” he repeated. “Are you telling me he took you with him while he

was on a date with another?”

“Kind of. It’s really hard to explain.”

“I don’t think you could provide me a good enough explanation in the end anyway,”

Tristyn said, reaching for the agaveheart bottle.

Tessa laughed as she opened the pizza box to get another slice. “And tell me,

Tristyn…”

“Blackheart.”

Tessa snorted a laugh. “That is not your surname.”

“Swear to the Fates.”

“Well, Tristyn Blackheart, what would an outing with you look like?”

“Pizza and agaveheart. Obviously.”

She huffed another laugh. “Idiot.”

“And if I wanted a proper date?”

Her smile fell. “That wouldn’t be possible.”

“Because of the bodyguards?”

“One in particular.”

“The one who wants to be with you.”

“Yes.”

“But you don’t want to be with him.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because—” She paused, trying to figure out where to even start. “It’s complicated,”

she finally said.

“So I hear.”

She could just make out his faint smirk.

“You could still give me your number. Just in case,” he added.

Tessa stilled. She didn’t even know the phone number that was connected to the phone Theon had given her.

“I’m leaving in a few hours, and you’re not from here either,” she said, forcing a bright smile to her face. “It’s not like we could arrange such an outing anyway.”

“Perhaps,” he replied. “But we could talk. That’s what phones are for, you know.”

She laughed lightly. “This is rather embarrassing, but I just got a new phone and number, and I don’t have it memorized,” she admitted. “So you’ll have to give me yours, and I’ll text you from mine.”

“I feel like you’re giving me an excuse to not have to give me your number.”

“I swear I’m not,” she insisted, giving him a light shove in the shoulder. “I really don’t know the phone number. I could make one up if you prefer?”

He barked a laugh, producing a business card from somewhere and handing it to her.

She couldn’t read it in the dark, but she tucked it into the waistband of her leggings.

They sat in silence for a few moments, then she asked, “What kind of business are you in Rockmoor for?”

“I’m on the board of a rather large company,” Tristyn answered, reaching for another lull-leaf smoke from his jacket she was still wearing.

“As a mortal?” Then she realized how rude that was and quickly added, “Not that— Sorry.”

“While admirable that you would apologize to a mortal, there is no need,” Tristyn replied, lighting the lull-leaf and extending it to her.

“Do you get to go home after you’re done in Rockmoor?” she asked, quickly changing the subject.

“I’ll be going to the Acropolis, actually.”

“No shit?” Tessa took a drag and exhaled. “I’ll be leaving for the Acropolis in a few days.”

“Really?” There was a heightened interest in his tone. He took the lull-leaf back. “How old are you anyway?”

A burst of laughter escaped her. “You’ve been drinking with me for the last hour. It’s a little late to be concerned with age issues, isn’t it?”

Tristyn chuckled under his breath. “I’m not worried about that at all.”

“I’m twenty-three years. I’ll be twenty-four after the spring equinox,” Tessa answered.

“You? You seem young to be on the board of a big company.”

Not to mention he was mortal.

“When you are part of starting the company, they force you to be on the board,”

Tristyn replied, glancing at her sidelong.

But before she could reply, she felt the bond jump in anticipation. She’d been ignoring the thing, aided by the agaveheart consumption and the effects of the lull-leaf, but that excitement could only mean one thing: Theon was close. She straightened a little, sucking down a drag from the lull-leaf Tristyn had handed back to her.

“You started the entire company? That’s impressive,” she said, trying to keep her tone casual. Her eyes darted to the hotel doors.

“Depends on who you’re asking,” Tristyn replied.

“I think that’s rather impressive no matter who you’re asking,” Tessa argued, bumping his leg with her own. “What kind of company is it?”

Tristyn was about to reply when he arrived.

She heard the lobby doors fly open.

She heard heavy footfalls on the steps.

She stared straight ahead, taking another toke of the lull-leaf.

He came to a stop a few feet away from her, directly in her line of sight.

It may have been night, but that was definitely darkness pooling around his feet and gathering around his arms. If she could see his eyes, she was certain they would be swirling with that darkness too.

She could feel Tristyn’s eyes on her as she met Theon’s gaze in the dark and puffed out

the smoke she’d inhaled.

“What. The fuck. Are you doing?”

Theon’s voice was low and dangerous and sent small tremors down her spine, but she smirked up at him. “I don’t know why you’re surprised. I told you what I really did when I said I went to the restroom at the restaurant. Agaveheart, remember?” She held up the now nearly half empty bottle of liquor before she took another pull from it.

“You are outside. In the dark. Drinking and smoking,” he ground out from between his teeth with barely contained rage.

“And eating pizza. The horror.” She cut in with mock dismay, taking the final drag from the lull-leaf before stubbing it out on the arm of the bench.

“With…” She saw his head turn so his focus was on Tristyn now. “You.”

Not wanting him to do anything to Tristyn, Tessa lurched to her feet. Which turned out to be a bad idea because she didn’t realize just quite how much agaveheart she’d had to drink. Fae and Legacy metabolisms were much faster than mortals, so it took more to get them intoxicated. She’d clearly reached that threshold. Or maybe the lull-leaf added to everything. Either way, she stumbled, and Tristyn reached out to catch her before Theon could. Before she could thank him, she was ripped from his hands.

“What did I say about touching her again?” Theon snarled, holding Tessa tightly to his chest.

“We were just talking,” she scoffed. “Relax.”

“Relax? Did you seriously just tell me to relax?” Tessa couldn’t help but tense at his soft tone. That tone scared her more than when he raised his voice. “I woke up to find you gone. I could tell you hadn’t gone far, but the fact you were gone at all—”

“Clearly I’m fine,” she replied, trying to push off of him.

“Clearly our definitions of ‘fine’ differ,” he bit back.

“She’s not lying,” Tristyn cut in. “All we did was sit out here and talk while eating pizza and—”

“Smoking and drinking. Yes, I can see that,” Theon snarled. “Are you aware she is a Fae in service to this kingdom?”

“I did not summon her to my side. I did not provide the alcohol to her,” Tristyn retorted dismissively. There was no way he knew he was speaking to the Arius Heir. “She got that all by herself. Apparently she already told you how.”

Tessa tried—and failed—to hide her smirk.

“I think it’s best if you fuck off now,” Theon growled, tightening his hold on Tessa.

Then he jerked her back, looking down at her. “What are you wearing?”

Tessa looked down too, realizing she was still wearing Tristyn’s coat. “Um, a jacket?”

“Take it off. Now.”

He didn’t even give her a chance to take it off herself before shoving it down her arms.

Tessa caught it before it fell to the ground, holding it out to Tristyn with a small grin.

“Thanks for letting me borrow it. And for the pizza and lull-leaf.”

Tristyn took his jacket back, draping it over his arm. “I really should get going anyway. I have an early meeting. You good?” He gave a pointed look over her shoulder at Theon.

“I’m good. Thank you for the last hour. It was nice to…talk to someone,” she admitted, and Theon’s fingers on her tightened even more as he began tugging her towards the stairs.

“Night, fury,” Tristyn called after her, and she offered him a little wave.

Theon didn’t say a word, leading her to the private elevator. When the doors opened, he pulled her roughly in, and in her drunken state, she stumbled against the back wall, gripping the railing when the elevator began its ascent. She opened her mouth to say something snarky, but before a word could form on her tongue, Theon spoke first.

“Tessalyn, tell me everything that you have done since you left our bed. Speak.”

Her eyes flew wide at the unexpected entrancing, and words tumbled from her mouth as she tried to work around the order the best she could. “I came downstairs and collected the agaveheart I had sent here. I went outside for fresh air, and Tristyn was out smoking.

We started talking and shared lull-leaf and the agaveheart. I mentioned wanting pizza. He went and ordered some while I borrowed his phone. When he came back, we sat and talked until you showed up.”

The elevator came to a stop, and the doors slid open. Before she could take a step to exit, Theon was in front of her, crowding her against the wall. “Before I address everything you just said, did he touch you?” His eyes were manic and desperate, dark wisps swirling among his irises while tendrils of dark shadows reached for her.

“No.”

His entire body relaxed a fraction, and he slid a hand around to the back of her neck.

He pushed her ahead of him, steering her towards their room. “Do not make a sound when we get inside. If you wake up Luka or Axel, you will be in even more trouble.”

“I mean, does it really matter at this point?” she drawled.

The grip on her nape tightened as they came to their door. Theon reached around her, gripping the handle, but before he pushed the door open, she felt his breath on her ear. “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 a moment before the door clicked open, and Theon pushed her forward. Axel was still sprawled across the sofa, the TV still on. Theon left her standing near the short hallway, plunking the half gone bottle of agaveheart onto the coffee table and grabbing a couple bottles of water.

When they were in the bedroom, he handed her one of the bottles. “Drink this. You are going to need it.”

“I have a high tolerance,” she bit back, taking the cap off the water anyway and taking a sip.

“I am gathering that, considering over half of that agaveheart was gone. Go shower,” he added with a jerk of his chin towards the bathroom.

“What? Why?”

“Because I will not have you smelling like another male and certainly not like a mortal,” he snarled. “So either go wash his scent from your skin, or I will do it for you.”

Tessa huffed under her breath as she turned to the bathroom, quickly knotting her hair up on the top of her head. “I’ll bring you something to sleep in,” he called after her.

She stripped down, burying Tristyn’s business card in the bottom of her cosmetics bag before she climbed into the shower. Although fell into the shower was probably more accurate. She was definitely feeling all the agaveheart now. Perhaps the lull-leaf had been a terrible decision. An impulsive one.

She scrubbed herself down as quickly as she could, and when she climbed back out, she found Theon’s long-sleeve thermal waiting for her. There weren’t any bottoms of any kind to be found, and she grumbled as she slid his shirt over her head. It fell midway down her thighs, and she tossed her towel to the floor as she went back out to the bedroom, finishing off the bottle of water Theon had given her.

“I need pants,” she demanded, tossing the empty bottle into the trash.

“They are being laundered. The front desk assured me they would be back in time for us to leave in the morning,” Theon answered from the armchair he was sprawled in, his legs spread wide and a finger steepled along his temple as he studied her.

Tessa crossed her arms. “And undergarments?”

“Also being laundered. Luka neglected to order any extras when he purchased your

clothing this afternoon.”

“Are you serious?”

“Mhmm,” he confirmed. “Come here.”

“No,” she scoffed.

“Tessa.” Her name was laced with warning. “Come here, and we can speak about this.”

“I can speak with you just fine from here.”

“Tessalyn—”

“For the love of the gods,” she grumbled, stalking over to him.

The moment she was close enough, he reached out, grabbing her bare thighs and pulling her between his legs. Looking up at her, he asked, “What, exactly, is the problem with your sleeping attire?”

“I’m not sleeping next to you in just a shirt, Theon,” she replied, adamantly ignoring the sensations of his hands where his thumbs were making sweeping circles on the backs of her thighs.

“You’re not?” he asked, pushing to his feet. His hands slid over her hips as he moved.

“No, I’m not,” she insisted. “We need to figure something else out.”

“Hmm,” he hummed, reaching to take her hair out of the knot on her head. “There are no other options, Tessa. Luka is in the other bedroom, and Axel has commandeered the sofa

so…”

“So nothing. It’s not happening,” she snapped, slapping his hand away as he began twining a lock of her now loose hair around his finger.

“You slept by me all afternoon in nothing but a robe,” he pointed out.

“That was different.”

“How was that different?”

“I needed you then. I needed something to block out the shit I was forced to endure today because I don’t have access to the people and things who could actually help me deal with it.”

Tessa slapped her hands over her mouth. She had not meant to say any of that, to reveal that much of her desperation.

“Agaveheart almost works better than entrancing,” Theon said, his arm winding its way around her waist. “How did you deal with the assessments in the past?” She shook her head, refusing to give him any more of herself. “Tessa,” he coaxed, stepping further into her and forcing her to take a step back. “I’m ready to hear all those secrets.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“You have nothing to say to me? Only to the mortal downstairs?” His nostrils flared when he brought up Tristyn, ire flashing in his eyes, but he seemed to push it back down just as quickly.

“He fed me pizza, so he automatically ranks higher than you on that action alone,” she retorted, stepping back when he stepped forward again.

She felt a growl emanate from deep in his chest as he muttered, “This fucking mouth of yours is going to be the death of me.”

“You sure seem obsessed with my mouth tonight.”

“Beautiful, I’m constantly obsessing over your mouth. Over what’s going to come out of it next. What it tastes like when you let me kiss you. What it would feel like around my cock,” he replied, his gaze dipping to her lips as he spoke. She swallowed thickly as he moved into her again, and when she stepped back, the backs of her knees hit the bed. She hadn’t even realized they’d moved this far across the room. A slow grin spread across Theon’s face. His arm was still wrapped around her waist, and he leaned into her, forcing her back down onto the bed.

She tsked at him. “It’s just the bond, Theon,” she said, trying to ignore the feel of him as he pressed his body into hers.

“You say that a lot,” he replied, reaching up and trailing his fingers down her cheek, her jaw. “I’m not entirely sure why you think that—”

“Because you didn’t even know who I was a few weeks ago,” she interrupted, slapping his hand away from her face. “You’re telling me you suddenly care for me? Want me for more than a fuck? In that short amount of time? And it is not because of a bond?”

“Even if that were true, why would it bother you so much?” he pushed, his eyes

searching hers.

“It’s not real, Theon!”

“What makes you think it is not real? The bond did not simply create something out of nothing. It amplifies what is already there,” Theon argued, his hips pressing down onto her own in a way that had her thoughts scattering. “Why do you think the other heirs spent the

last few years building a relationship before they Selected their Sources? It was so the bond had something to build on.”

“I don’t understand,” she rasped, not daring to move and cause more friction between them.

“The bond builds on what is already there,” Theon said again, his power snaking along her bare thighs. “There was something instantaneous between us whether you want to admit to it or not, and the bond increases that desire. If you find you are seeking comfort from me, then the bond is building on something that is already there.”

“I was seeking comfort from the bond, Theon, not you.”

“And yet you said you needed me.”

“Semantics.”

“There is some part of you that already feels safe with me.”

“You don’t know what I’m feeling,” Tessa bit back.

“You are right. I don’t,” Theon answered, his fingertips running delicately along her cheekbone again. “That is, admittedly, the Mark I am most looking forward to you receiving. I want to know what you are feeling when you shut down and refuse to tell me.”

Tessa tensed beneath him. “Like that right there. Why did you do that?”

“Because I don’t want you knowing what I’m feeling all the time or what I’m thinking.

Just like I don’t like you knowing where I am all the time,” she retorted. “I don’t like needing you. I don’t need you.”

“You are telling me this entire day, you saying you needed me, initiating all the physical contact, the compliant nature, all of that was an act?” he demanded.

A sneer curled up on her lip. “Yes. I knew if you thought I was starting to embrace the bond, you would let your guard down a bit. I could tell it was working when you let me go to the restroom by myself at dinner, so I ordered the agaveheart to be sent here.”

“Because you deal with the assessments by getting drunk?”

“I deal with assessments by getting drunk and fucking mortals to make me forget everything I had to endure,” she spat back.

“What did you experience today, Tessa? Aside from the physical pain?” Theon’s tone had softened some, his emerald eyes watching her intently.

She shook her head. “I may be drunk and telling you way more than I ever planned to share with you, but I won’t be giving you any more pieces of my soul tonight.”

He cocked his head to the side, a smirk tipping up on the corner of his mouth. “Would you like me to distract you in other ways?” His hand dropped to her thigh, and his fingers began trailing through his shadows. “You claim this entire day was a ruse, but I bet your body says otherwise. Tell me, beautiful, will I find you soaked and ready for me?”

“Does it matter? Did you suddenly become mortal while I was out fraternizing with one?” she ground out.

“A mortal is never going to touch you again,” Theon snarled, his hand stilling. “I’ve told you this.” Tessa rolled her eyes, and he gripped her jaw, forcing her to look at him. “No one else will ever touch you in such a way again, Tessa. No one.”

“Then I guess it’ll be me and my own hand for the rest of my miserable life, Theon.

Because if you think you’ll ever fulfill such needs for me, you can go fuck yourself,” she spewed, and the bond shot a jolt through her body that had her arching into him and wincing at the pain.

Theon stared at her, seeming to search for something in her eyes. “Little storm,” he

sighed.

“Don’t call me that,” she sneered.

“Is this life really so bad? To be cared for? All your needs provided? Do you truly hate the three of us that much?”

“I don’t feel the need to respond to that. The fact that I made such an elaborate plan to sneak out and get drunk to get away from all of you should be clue enough. The fact that if I hadn’t known you’d come for me in less than an hour, I would have absolutely gone to Tristyn’s room with him should be answer enough,” she retorted.

Theon’s hand came down beside her head, slamming into the mattress, and Tessa froze, her eyes widening. “I have been incredibly patient with you tonight, but if you make one more reference to anyone else touching you, you will not like the consequences.”

She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to hold her tongue. She was suddenly too tired to fight anymore. For a brief hour, she didn’t have to pretend to be something she wasn’t.

Trying to force herself back into that role now was too exhausting, and she had nothing left.

“Can we call a truce for tonight and continue this verbal sparring match in the morning?” Theon finally asked. “We need to be up in a few hours, and you are not going to be feeling well.”

“Hopefully I’ll still be drunk,” she muttered under her breath. Theon pushed off of her, grabbing her hand and tugging her to her feet. He began leading her around the side of the bed, and Tessa stumbled as the room spun around her. He steadied her before he pulled the blankets back.

“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.

She watched him cross the room and lower himself into the armchair, stretching his legs out in front of him. With a huff, she rolled over so she wouldn’t have to look at him, and she prayed the agaveheart and lull-leaf would be enough to keep her nightmares at bay.