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His father chuckled from behind his desk. “The newness of the Source bond has made Theon a little territorial lately. I have scarcely seen her. Give it some time, and maybe he’ll be more willing to share his things,” he said, a hint of warning in his tone.

Theon blinked slowly, leashing his temper. The cord had been aching in his chest all morning, likely because he hadn’t touched Tessa since last night. But now it was thrashing about in demand at someone even hinting at coming near her, let alone touching her. If anyone was going to be touching her, it would be him and only him. And that brought an entirely different memory surging to the forefront of his mind—the memory of how they’d connected last night before everything had gone to shit.

He had walked into their closet to see if she was ready to go and had been stunned stupid by what he found. Tessa had been standing there, studying herself in the full-length mirror. She’d had a slight frown on her lips and a crease between her brows, as if she didn’t like what she saw in the reflection, which was absolutely ludicrous.

She hadn’t heard him as he’d moved behind her, and he’d startled her when he came into view in the mirror. He’d brushed her hair back from her neck and had to keep himself from groaning at the first brush of his fingers against her skin. Every time he touched her, it felt like ecstasy. His skin had tingled with pleasure as she allowed him to let his hand linger. When she’d stepped back into him, it had taken every ounce of him not to push her up against the wall and press his mouth to hers. He’d been dying to taste her again since she’d kissed him. He’d brought his hand to her hip, greedily taking any bit of contact she’d allow. Why couldn’t she just give in? She had to feel it, right? This couldn’t just be him. How could she keep denying something when it could be like that all the time?

So he’d asked her—no, he’d begged her—to try for just one night. To pretend that she’d given in to the bond and accepted her place as his Source. He’d wanted her to get a taste of what they could be. He’d wanted her to experience pleasure at his hand. To become addicted to him. To crave him like he was craving her. This entire experience was the exact opposite of what he’d been expecting. She was supposed to be the one wanting him so incessantly, yet he was the one hoarding any bit of contact.

A sharp kick to his shin from Luka pulled him back to the conversation at the same time his father snarled, “Theon.” He met his father’s cool gaze. “I’m beginning to fear your Source’s poor manners are rubbing off on you.”

“My apologies,” Theon ground out. “It was a rather long night of…discipline.”

His father’s gaze darkened with pleasure at the words. Theon knew all too well how much his father enjoyed correcting behavior.

He scratched at his chest as the cord continued to thrash about. The need to get back to Tessa was more intense than he had ever experienced. The pull seemed different, urgent, and he knew he was fidgeting. Even his magic seemed agitated beneath his skin.

“As I was saying,” his father continued, “while I was able to get Luka early access to the Acropolis and Pantheon, that was not extended to you two. I did not want to cause too much more of a stir than we already have for now. We will let Theon, Axel, and Luka lay some foundations during the week they are allowed to be there early and go from there.”

“We knew it was a long shot,” Pavil said.

“That we did,” his father said, shutting a folder that was open before him and getting to his feet. Eviana instantly rose from her usual chair and came to his side. “Unless there is anything else that needs discussion, I am afraid I must take my leave. I have another meeting to get to.”

“Of course, Lord St. Orcas. We appreciate your time,” Metias said, standing and bowing his head. Pavil did the same.

“Tavis will see you out,” Valter said, gesturing for the Fae to step forward. The male had been his father’s personal servant for as long as Theon could remember.

Theon and Luka followed them out, heading for the east wing while the others turned and headed for the main doors. Theon didn’t know what his father’s other meeting was about. Frankly, he didn’t care.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Luka said when they rounded a corner. “You’re acting like you rolled around in poison oak.”

“The bond feels different today,” Theon said, taking the stairs two at a time.

“What do you mean it feels different?”

“I don’t know how to explain it. The last hour or so, it’s been more insistent.”

“Is it reacting to all the tension between you two?” Luka asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.

“There’s been tension since the Selection Ceremony. That hasn’t really changed,” Theon answered, increasing his pace down the hallway. When Luka didn’t say anything, he added, “I just need to see her. Explain why things happened the way they did last night.”

“Sure,” Luka said dryly.

Theon ignored the comment. Pushing through the door to his rooms, he immediately looked to the sofa hoping to see Tessa sitting there, but he only found Axel playing a video game of some sort.

“Did she come out at all?” Theon asked, dropping his phone onto the table and going to the fridge. He grabbed a water for himself and tossed one to Luka.

“Once. She didn’t even look at me, let alone acknowledge me when I spoke to her. She rummaged around in the fridge for a second before going right back in there. Had a water and an apple in her hands,” Axel answered, defeating an enemy and saving his game. “I did check on her though. She was curled on her bed, facing the wall,” he added with a shrug.

“How long ago was that?” Theon asked, swiping a hand down his face.

Axel glanced at the clock. “Two hours ago, give or take.”

Luka had taken a seat on the sofa, noticeably not saying anything. Again.

“You have nothing to say on this matter?” Theon asked, narrowing his eyes at his friend.

“Considering my advice and concerns have routinely been dismissed or ignored, I won’t bother offering them anymore,” Luka said, taking a drink of his water.