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He trailed off, both Theon and Luka understanding where he was going with that statement.

“I don’t know,” Theon answered. “I have a hard time picturing her any other way. She was Father’s Source long before we came along. He Selected her before he was Matched with Mother.”

“Maybe it’s because we’ve never interacted with the Fae until they are in service to the kingdom, but she’s just…,” Axel started, trailing off while he studied the sleeping female. “It makes me wonder if they are all like this before they are forced to become what they are assigned to be.”

Theon shrugged. “We wouldn’t know. We’ve never visited the Estates, and we only observe them during trials in Selection Years.”

“I’ve been to the Estates a few times,” Luka said. “The younger Fae are more carefree and free-spirited, but that’s to be expected before they are assigned to their kingdoms and duties.”

They were quiet for a moment before Axel asked, “So any ideas which heirs we’re going to try to befriend when we get to the Acropolis?”

“Father has already demanded I am to make alliances with Celeste and Falein. He believes Anala to be a lost cause,” Theon replied, bringing his drink to his lips. Tessa shifted slightly beneath his hand, and his fingers flexed around her shoulder.

“And in the meantime, who do you think our best bets are to forge true alliances with?” Axel pushed.

“We didn’t get a lot of time to watch them at the Selection Ceremony,” Theon answered. “Luka has been doing some digging and gathering information, but I think the week at the Acropolis with just the ruling families will give us the best idea of that. I’m hoping for Falein and Anala. Serafina would be ideal, but that kingdom is fiercely loyal to the Achaz Kingdom.”

“So much depends on her,” Luka cut in, his sapphire gaze fixed on Tessa. “You should have chosen someone else, Theon.” He stood at the words, setting his empty glass on the coffee table. “I will see you all at dinner.”

He left, the door banging shut behind him, and Theon let out a long sigh, closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the sofa.

“He is worried,” Axel said after a while.

“He thinks Tessa isn’t the one for what must be done. That she’s too unpredictable. It is why I require her complete submission. It is why I am pushing her so hard to give in to the Source bond. I need the loyalty the bond creates. We can’t tell her everything without it,” Theon answered.

“Perhaps your time would be better spent focusing on a real bond rather than a forced one?” Axel ventured.

“We don’t have the time for that, and you know it,” Theon retorted. Axel was fixing him with a knowing glare. “Do you no longer agree with the plan and what needs to happen?”

“Of course I know what needs to happen, Theon,” Axel bit back. It took a lot to rile Axel, but when you did, his rage almost made him more formidable than Theon.

Almost.

“We have planned this for too long. Too much hangs in the balance for her to mess with the plans. She will fall into line. If she had accepted this fate, nothing like today would have happened,” Theon retorted. “You and Luka need to get it through your heads. This is happening. We cannot change it. So either help me convince her to accept this, or stop coming around until she has. You can pass the message on to Luka.”

“I think Luka realizes that, Theon. It’s why he wishes you’d have chosen someone else.”

“And you?” Theon challenged.

Axel leaned forward, his forearms braced on his knees. A muscle feathered in his jaw the same way Theon’s did when he was irritated. “She’d be safer if she accepted it,” he finally conceded. “She’d be safer, and our plans could move forward.”

Thank the fucking gods. Finally, they were understanding what he had been trying to get across to them since she came into their lives like a tempest.

“Can you grab my laptop? I have work to do this afternoon,” Theon said, nodding towards his desk.

“Sure thing,” Axel answered dryly, getting up to retrieve the computer. He placed it down on the armrest next to Theon. “So we’re going to do this then? We’re really going to let our monsters out of their cages? Show her what the rest of the realm sees?”

“Sometimes we need to become a monster to kill one, Axel,” Theon said darkly. “I’ve shielded her as long as I could. She was going to see us for what we are eventually.”

“And when she becomes one of us?” Axel asked, his hands sliding into his pockets.

“She won’t.”

“Theon—”

“She won’t, Axel,” he cut in sharply.

Axel didn’t say anything else. Simply turned and left, just as Luka had.