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“You didn’t tell me that.”

“I am not required to tell you everything. You, however, are required to have that phone at all times. I made that abundantly clear.”

“I didn’t—”

“Enough. I will deal with this later,” he snapped, pulling her past the sentinels and into the Pantheon. He couldn’t even send Luka or Axel to get her phone. They had tasks to tend to while they were here. He nodded to them as they peeled off to do just that while he led Tessa down the opposite hallway.

“Where are they going?” she asked, looking back over her shoulder, and that had him dragging her into an alcove and crowding her against a wall. “What are you doing?”

“Reminding you we are in public,” he replied in a low, harsh tone.

“I know that,” she snapped back.

“Do you? Because your place at this moment in time is to not ask questions. This is where you pretend, Tessa. This is where you prove to me you can do this, because by the gods, there are other ways I could be handling this.”

“Handling this,” she repeated.

“Yes, handling this. And they would be far easier than a godsdamn Bargain with you.”

Her lips thinned, all her features going taut. “I understand.”

“The stakes are higher than ever. There is no room for error. Not in front of these people. Not anymore.”

“I got it, Theon.”

“I hope so because you can expect harsher consequences for failures,” he replied, stepping back. Her eyes widened, but she smartly held her tongue. “We are about to walk into a room full of other heirs and their Sources. Do not speak without permission. Remember what I require of you.”

“I remember,” she said bitterly.

He gripped her chin between his thumb and forefinger, tipping her chin up and forcing her to look at him. “Tell me.”

“Someone they fear as much as you.”

“I want them to fear what we are together. I want them to believe our bond is different from theirs. Better in every possible way,” he corrected. “The meeting with my father was a test-run. Do not fail at this, Tessa.”

“I understand,” she ground out again.

He released her chin, brushing her hair back over her shoulder. “You don’t fully understand yet, but you will.”

He could tell she wanted to ask what that meant, but she didn’t. Instead, she pushed off the wall and straightened her dress. He reached out then, grabbing her hand and intertwining their fingers. Sources usually walked behind their Masters, but he hadn’t been lying. He wanted the other heirs nervous that he treated her differently than they treated their own Sources. It was a fine line he was asking her to walk, and she needed to walk it perfectly.

His strides were long and purposeful, forcing her to work to keep up with him in her heels, but she did not complain. And when they walked into the large stateroom, all chatter ceased. All eyes turned to them, and from the corner of his eye, he watched her chin tip up a little more. Everyone else was already here. One might think him late, but he’d wanted to be the last to arrive.

His cold gaze swept over the others dismissively until he settled on Dagian Jove, heir to the Achaz Kingdom. His golden hair was swept back, and his golden gaze held his, but Theon didn’t miss the quick glance at Tessa. Dagian’s Source stood a step behind him, off to his left. She was pretty. Brown hair and eyes. Bronze skin. Sasha Roenya. Predicted to emerge with wind and air like Tessa. He knew all about the new Sources. He’d studied them as much as he’d researched his own options.

Next to Dagian stood Lealla Isleen, heir to the Serafina Kingdom. Her silvery-blue gaze narrowed on him, and her sharp smile told Theon she was still the heartless thing he knew her to be. Then came Mahina Candra, heir to the Celeste Kingdom. Ebony hair framed a pretty face, but jade green eyes bounced between him and Tessa. He could sense the nerves she was trying to hide, and he let his darkness out to drift around him and Tessa. Mahina flinched. It was nearly imperceptible, but it was there. Beside her was Prudence Farhan, heir to the Falein Kingdom with her ashy-brown hair and hazel eyes that watched him curiously. And last was Tana Aithne, heir to the Anala Kingdom. Her bright red hair hung in tight curls down her back, and amber eyes flickered with flames as they met his own.

“Heir St. Orcas, welcome,” came a melodic voice, and Theon dragged his gaze to the Priestess at the front of the room. “My name is Sancia, one of the High Priestesses of the Pantheon. This is Evander, our Head Sentinel. We welcome you to the Acropolis and the Pantheon.”

Theon bowed his head the smallest amount in greeting. “Your grace.”

“If everyone takes a seat, we can get started. We have much to discuss today,” Sancia said, gesturing to several chairs and settees that had been artfully arranged in the space. Nearby were much less extravagant chairs, and Theon led Tessa to one. Bringing his lips to her ear, he whispered, “Watch. Listen. Learn everything you can about the people in this room. Do you understand?”

She gave a small nod, and he let his lips brush lightly along her temple as he stepped back. Unbuttoning his suit jacket as he walked, he moved to an armchair next to Mahina. He heard her audibly swallow, but he paid her no mind. His gaze was back on Dagian, who was seated across from him. And when Theon took the drink a Fae brought him, Dagian lifted his own to him in greeting. Theon didn’t return the gesture, instead bringing his drink to his lips and taking a sip, internally smirking at the look of superiority that filled Dagian’s features.

They might all be forced to sit here and be amicable, but the pretense was just that. Every heir here had an agenda, whether their own or their parents’. Likely both. But only he was going to be the one to walk away with everything he wanted. He smiled at the thought as he took another drink, and Sancia began her opening greeting.

He didn’t care who became a casualty for the cause. Like he’d told Tessa, failure wasn’t an option.