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“You were summoned by the Lords and Ladies. Failure to comply is not an option.”

When she didn’t answer, and a soft, even breath came from her, he swore. She’d fallen back asleep.

“This is going to be a godsdamn nightmare,” Theon muttered.

“Just get her up,” Luka said.

“I’m not just going to?—”

But Luka reached over him, scooping Tessa into his arms and lifting her from the bed. “Let’s go, little one. Go shower. It’ll help wake you up,” he said, lowering her to her feet when her eyes fluttered open again.

She blinked, leaning into Luka as she tried to wake fully. Her fingers curled into his shirt, and she frowned a little when his tiegot in the way. He leaned down, tilting her chin up, trying to get her to focus.

“Tessa, you need to?—”

And to Theon’s absolute horror, she kissed him.

He watched as if it were happening in slow motion. Her gaze dropping to his lips. Luka’s brow furrowing. Her pitching forward. The surprise that crossed Luka’s features.

Her lips landing on his.

It lasted seconds, but it was hours, days, years to Theon before Luka was gently pushing her back. His face was carefully blank, but Theon could feel every godsdamn thing his friend was feeling because of this fucking bond.

The stunned shock.

The pleasant euphoria.

The desire to taste her mouth again.

“Tessa,” Luka said, his voice raspy as he held her shoulders. “You need to get ready.”

Her head tilted, as if she didn’t understand what he was saying.

“It’s okay,” Luka said. “You’re disoriented. A shower will help.”

“I’m too tired to shower,” she murmured, turning to the bed like she was going to crawl back onto it.

“Theon, help her shower,” Luka hissed, but Theon still hadn’t moved. He was still staring at the two of them, could still see her kissing him. “Theon!” Luka snapped. “She needs you.”

That had him moving, scrambling to his feet. She immediately latched onto him, resting her head against his chest.

“Please let me sleep, Theon,” she murmured.

“I can’t, Tessa,” he said, guiding her to the bathroom.

Luka said something about going to find her clothing, but Theon didn’t acknowledge him, kicking the door shut behindhim. He needed a minute, or a few hours, to process what had just happened.

“In all things, there must be balance,”she murmured as he helped her undress. “The fucking balance.”

“What does that mean, Tessa?” he asked softly, reaching into the shower to turn it on and adjust the water temperature.

“I saw a dragon,” she answered instead.

You kissed a fucking dragon, he thought bitterly to himself.

“I didn’t kiss the dragon,” Tessa said around a yawn. “But she rode it.”

Right. The bond.