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“You did, but you are correct in saying you do not get them anymore,” Theon replied, that coldness slipping back into his voice as his hand dropped to his side.

“What does that mean?”

“It means that until you have accepted the bond and proven so through your actions and obedience, you no longer have choices,” he answered matter-of-factly. “You will not leave my sight or my side for longer than a few minutes at a time. There is no more running; no more trying to escape this fate. When we get to the Acropolis, it means that when you are not in your scheduled trainings, you are with me. There are no negotiations. In public, you act appropriately—”

Tessa’s mouth had fallen open more and more as he spoke, and she lashed out at him. “You already decide all of that for me, Theon! You decide what and when I eat. You lay clothing out for me. You—”

“I have given you time, Tessa,” Theon interrupted, that darkness drifting across his irises. “I have given you time to accept this, but it has run out. This is your destiny. This is your reality. It could have been easier. It could have been pleasant. It still can be, but you have to accept the Source bond. You think I have taken everything from you? That I am your villain? I can be that for you.”

“Why?” she whispered, unable to stop the tears from spilling over.

“Because I am out of options, Tessa. I need you to succumb to this. If this is how I will accomplish that, then I guess it is what I will do. Maybe seeing how bad it could be will make you realize that what I am offering isn’t all that terrible,” Theon answered. “There will be no more disobedience. There will be no more arguing with me, especially in public or in front of others. There will be no more pulling away from me when the bond demands our closeness,” he went on. And when her eyes widened at that last part, he added, “I will not force anything on you, Tessa. You see me as a monster, and in many ways I am, but I should hope I have already proven I am not one of that nature.”

He reached out, swiping the tears from her cheeks with his fingertips. She forced herself to remain still, resisting the urge to jerk away from his touch.

“Good girl,” he murmured, cupping her chin. “Expect consequences for inappropriate behavior.”

She stiffened at the words. “So I am to be trained like a dog now?”

Theon tsked under his breath. “Now, Tessa. If my hounds can learn such things, surely you will catch on much faster, no?”

“And how will you know that I have accepted this?” she demanded at his patronizing tone. “What shall be proof for you? When I obey your every command without question? When I act as I have been trained to?”

“I will know when you have accepted the Source bond, Tessa,” was all he said. “Now go shower and make yourself presentable. Axel and Luka will be here for breakfast soon, and then we are going to Castle Pines.”

“For what?” she asked, her fury banking as surprise coursed through her. They hadn’t left the house since they’d arrived here days ago.

“Practice,” he purred, letting go of her chin and turning to leave the room. “Makeup and hair, beautiful. My Source will not be seen in any way less than perfect outside of our rooms.”

He left the door to the bedroom open as he strode out, leaving Tessa sitting there, not knowing what to say or do. Somehow this had all gone from bad to worse, and she didn’t know if she could do what was required of her to survive it let alone fix it. This was no different than being locked away, so controlled she couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.

She got up and went to the balcony doors, needing some air, but when she tugged on the handles, they didn’t budge. She tugged again, the doors rattling, and her chest tightened when they stayed firmly shut. Her brow fell against the cool glass as a few raindrops began to fall, and she started to count.

At least she could still see the light, even if it was just out of reach.

13

THEON

Axel and Luka both arrived before the agreed upon time, just as Theon expected they would, and both were equally wary when they entered. They acted as if they were entering a battlefield, and maybe they were. Time would tell, he supposed.

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.

So it had come to this. It had come to him forcing her into submission. He’d looked at her indifferently as he’d rained down commands and orders. He’d treated her the way he’d seen other Lords and Ladies treat their Sources. Not like his father treated Eviana. He would never treat Tessa like that. Then again, he’d never planned on treating Tessa this way, yet here he was. But he had not anticipated her resisting the Source bond. That possibility had never crossed his mind once.

“How did everything go?” Luka asked, going straight to the kitchen and pouring himself some coffee. Theon had ordered food from the kitchens to be delivered shortly.

“If you mean did I lose control with her, no,” Theon answered curtly, sliding his mug and Tessa’s across the counter to be refilled.

“And how is she?” Luka pressed, filling a mug for Axel as well.

Theon drummed his fingers on the counter, his lips forming a thin line before he finally answered, “I’m hoping we came to an understanding.”

Luka studied him, sipping on his coffee. There was a knowing look there that Theon both loved and hated. Part of being nearly inseparable while growing up meant the male knew him better than most.

“What does that mean?” Axel asked, coming over to grab his mug after letting the kitchen staff in, allowing them to set the table.