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Theon glanced at his watch. 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.

Sighing, he answered, “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.”

Luka whistled low under his breath at the words, and Theon immediately went on the defensive. “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.

Luka cleared his throat, his eyes flicking to the bedroom door, and Theon and Axel both turned. 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.”

Theon swiped up her refilled coffee and crossed the room, pressing the mug into her hand. As he did so, 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.

Her lips didn’t so much as twitch when she met his gaze. Those grey eyes were a whirlwind of emotions he didn’t know how to decode.

“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.”

He clenched his teeth at the response, but he nodded once.

“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. Theon glanced at Luka, whose brows were raised in surprise at the exchange as he came from the kitchen to join the table. Axel’s attention was fixed on Tessa, his lips pressed into a thin line. He didn’t know why they were so upset by this. They needed her to fall into line as much as he did.

Theon slid into the chair next to Tessa and reached to pour her a glass of orange juice. Axel and Luka glanced between the two of them as they began filling their own plates with pancakes, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and bacon, passing the serving dishes around the table.

“So…why are you going to Castle Pines, and can I come?” Axel asked, never one to let silence linger. He handed the bacon platter across to Tessa. She reached for it, but Theon beat her to it. He placed two strips onto her plate. Her lips pursed at the action, but she held her tongue.

“I have a few things to get for the Acropolis,” Theon replied, taking the scrambled egg dish from him as well. “I just received an email with a few additional events that I need to prepare for. I also thought Tessa might want to get out of the house for a while. You know. Somewhere other than the woods.”

Tessa paused her movement of bringing a piece of bacon to her mouth, but only for a moment. She didn’t react in any other way to the comment as she took a bite.

That was unexpected. 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.

“So can I join you?” Axel said after another moment of awkward silence.

“Of course,” Theon answered, sliding a pancake onto Tessa’s plate. “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.” She scooped up a forkful of fluffy eggs and smiled serenely at him as she brought the bite to her mouth.

“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.