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Testing?

It took everything in her not to take a step back because testing meant assessments. They already knew her gifts. Why would assessments be necessary?

“Testing for what?” Theon gritted out.

“Several things. To see if we can assist in discovering her lineage. To determine the strength of her gifts,” Lord Jove replied casually.

“Anything else?” Theon asked.

“Yes,” the Achaz Lord answered, and Tessa could practically hear the curse words Theon was swallowing down. “She needs to work at mastering her gifts.”

“She will.”

A fair brow arched as Lord Jove said, “And who will be teaching her?”

“We are still working that out,” Theon said.

“Consider the matter handled. We will provide an Achaz Legacy to train her on the basics in Faven. Should it be needed, that instruction can continue upon her return to the Acropolis as well.”

“No,” Theon replied, shaking his head in emphasis. “I will draw a line there.”

And then Rordan Jove was standing and taking long, purposeful steps towards Theon. The Lord may have been an inch or two shorter than Theon, but that didn’t keep him from looking down his nose at the Arius Heir as the gold in his eyes fractured like lightning across his irises. “Let me be very clear: you are not in a position to be drawing lines anywhere. You are not yet a Lord in this realm, and even if you were, you do not have a fully intact Source bond. The fact that we are allowing this is a kindness in and of itself, and you will adhere to our contingencies, or you will find us not so gracious. Is that understood?” Theon stared back at him, and when he didn’t answer, Lord Jove said, “An audible answer is expected from an heir to a Lord.”

Tessa blinked as she looked between the Achaz Lord and her Master. It was probably not what she was supposed to be doing. Her gaze should probably be fixed on the ground, but she couldn’t help herself. Not as she watched Theon fight against his nature to be in control.

Not as something inside of her smiled at Theon being forced to bow to another.

“Understood,” Theon ground out from between his teeth, and when Lord Jove only stared at him expectantly, he added, “My Lord.”

Lord Jove’s eyes stayed fixed on Theon’s as he held out a hand to Tessa. “You understand you are only prolonging the inevitable, do you not?”

Knowing that if Theon couldn’t defy the Achaz Lord, she certainly couldn’t either, she hesitantly placed her hand in his. Her fair skin was stark against the golden tan of his, and his other hand came up and grasped the band around her wrist. She gasped at the sting against her skin, and then she was nearly dropping to her knees in relief as he slid the band free.

Light flared at her fingertips, all of her magic rushing to the point of freedom.

“What are you—” Theon started, reaching as if to pull her away from the Achaz Lord, but the Lord’s power was flaring too. His power worked to counteract the bit of a reprieve he was granting her. Her power still thrashed, unable to fully be free with the other band in place. But this… This was more than enough to ease all the maddening feelings that had been building.

She stumbled forward as her power turned from a flare to a crackle she could feel in her bones, and Lord Jove moved a steadying hand to her elbow, finally meeting her gaze. “You are only prolonging the inevitable,” he repeated to Theon. “She is not meant to be with you.”

“You may be a Lord of this realm, but even you cannot dictate fate,” Theon retorted, and Tessa watched him curl his hands into fists while shadows danced along his knuckles. Luka was at his side in the next breath, a hand on his shoulder, attempting to quell the darkness stirring in his Ward’s soul.

But Lord Jove’s lips twitched at the words. “Wise words,” he replied. “Words I hope you find solace in when Fate takes what is hers.” His eyes never left Tessa’s while he slid the band back into place, trapping her power once more. He released her hand, finally returning his attention to Theon. “But for the sake of clarity, should you learn she is indeed a Legacy and the Source bond cannot be severed another way, it is not an Achaz Legacy whose life will pay that price. That is the cost of this kindness we’ve extended to you.”

4

TESSA

Tessa stood near a window, staring at the greying edge of the Shade Plains in the distance as she tugged the sides of Theon’s suit jacket tighter around herself. They were at the Arius manor house just outside the Acropolis. She had come to realize that the manor estates were situated in their kingdoms surrounding the central sacred city. It was why the Lords and Ladies preferred the manors instead of the townhouses minutes from the Pantheon.

As soon as the decision had been announced, the ruling families had dispersed, and Valter had made it clear he expected them to meet him here to discuss the matter further. Axel had separated from them to pick up Kat from the Pantheon and would meet up with them later tonight, and Luka and Theon had gone back and forth the entire drive about what this meant for the coming months. Or rather, Theon had ranted, and Luka had listened, making a few statements here and there.

When they’d reached the manor house, Theon had helped her from the backseat and said, “As soon as this is dealt with, we’ll go to the training arenas.”

She had only nodded.

“I need you to say something, beautiful,” he’d said, a hand cupping her cheek.

She supposed his concern was valid. She hadn’t spoken much since returning from vomiting.