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His hand slid to her cheek, cradling it as he swiped his thumb along her cheekbone. “The night of your Emerging. Lord Jove had taken you, and my father would not help me get you back unless that deal was made. All of it was so I could get to you. To make sure you were safe.”

“The purpose behind the choice doesn’t change the outcome, Theon. No matter how noble you thought it to be.”

“It was a sacrifice I was willing to make,” he countered.

“And now? What sacrifices will you make, Theon?”

“Any that are required,” he answered immediately.

“And if fulfilling your bargain is the required sacrifice?”

“Tessa,” he pleaded. “Give me time.”

“You ask where we stand? Our roles haven’t changed. Source. Master. Our responsibilities haven’t changed. Nothing has changed.”

“Bullshit. Everything has changed,” he retorted, his voice rising.

“Refusing to accept something doesn’t make it false,” she replied. “You taught me that. Our bargain remains. I will fulfill my end of it.”

“You will?”

Tessa nodded, turning back to the window.

Some sort of relief flooded through him because that meant he had time.

Time to figure out a solution.

Time to fix this.

Time with her.

“What else did you learn while you were gone?” Theon asked, daring to take a step closer to her.

Her gaze once more fixed out the window, she said, “That facing truths is difficult, but deciding what to do with those truths is the greatest burden of all.”

31

TESSA

“Godsdammit,” Tessa cursed as she was knocked down onto her hands and knees from behind yet again.

“You did better this time,” Luka said, extending a hand to her, but she batted it away, getting back to her feet on her own.

“Again,” she demanded, setting her feet in the ready stance he’d made her stand in for hours when they’d first started these training sessions.

“I think that’s enough for today,” Luka said, turning away from her and making his way to the table that held their water bottles, towels, and other things.

“I’m not ready to be done,” she replied, not moving from her spot. “Again, Luka.”

“We need to get ready for your afternoon lessons. You’re meeting Auryon after your group instruction.”

“There’s time to go a few more rounds,” she insisted.

“Tomorrow.”

“No, Luka,” she snapped. “Now.”

Finally, he turned back to her, a brow arching as he leaned against the table, crossing his arms. He didn’t fuckingsayanything. He just stared at her as if waiting for her to fall into compliance.