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She shrugged, sipping on her coffee before she said, “I didn’t think you’d care.”

“Of course I care.”

“Because I’m your Source,” she retorted. “My discomfort has never bothered you as long as I am obedient and my power is secure.”

Theon raked a hand through his hair, a harsh breath escaping him. “Tessa, you need to tell me when your power is growing restless.”

“It’s always restless.”

“I know, but when it’s becoming unbearable, you need to tell me.”

She didn’t bother swallowing down the humorless laugh this time. “Everything is unbearable, Theon. All the time. My entire life. You think this is something new? Me enduring something painful?”

“I’m not trying to start a fight with you, Tessa.”

“You never are,” she retorted. Then she added tightly, “My point is, I can handle a little discomfort.”

“But I can help you,” he argued, his tone growing harsher as he became more agitated. She opened her mouth to argue again, but he spoke over her. “I know that is not some slight discomfort, Tessa. I know the agony of having your magic trapped inside you.”

“I’m sure you do,” she muttered, sipping on her coffee as she moved to step around him and go shower. But his hand was on her elbow, spinning her back to face him.

“Aside from the fact that Legacy wear those bands to help them control their magic when it first emerges, my father prefers to use them to get a point across,” he snarled into her face. “I know what it feels like to have your power trapped inside you, trying to force its way out. I know how mad it can drive a person, and I know what can happen when those bands are in place for too long. I assure you, all three of us know the discomfort of those bands and how bad it can get.”

She blinked up at him, his fingers still wrapped around her arm. She’d always known the Arius Kingdom and its Lord were to be feared, but she’d learned that even his own sons were not free of his wrath and cruelty. Theon had consistently tried to shield her from his father, keeping her sequestered to his rooms at Arius House and making sure they spent as little time as possible with his parents. But after the events of the Emerging Ceremony, not to mention the night before the ceremony, Valter was coming around more and more, and Theon could no longer keep her hidden and protected. It was a miracle she was even here. The Achaz Lord had pushed for her to be housed at the Pantheon until her lineage was figured out, but Theon had fought for her.

Well, maybe notforher, but to keep her at the very least.

Theon suddenly released his hold on her, his hand dropping to his side. “I should have made sure we were removing those bands every other day at the very least. Things have been chaotic, and—” He sighed, his hand going through his hair once more. When he spoke again, the agitation was gone, replaced by something that sounded almost defeated. “I’ll make some time today to take you to the training arenas so they can come off for a bit.”

Tessa looked down at the bands, as black as the Mark on her right hand. “But I can’t control the magic,” she said, suddenly wary of the gesture. He never did anything for her just because. There was always some ulterior motive, something he could gain from her or his actions.

“The power training arenas are enchanted for working with magic,” he replied.

“For the Fae,” she deadpanned. “I do not have elemental magic, Theon.”

“I am well aware of that, Tessa,” he retorted. “The training arenas are warded and enchanted with old magic from whenDevram was created. The Keeper maintains them. They can withstand Fae and Legacy power.”

“Oh,” was all she said.

“Go get ready. I’ll have clothes out for you.”

She rolled her eyes. He hadn’t picked out her clothing since they’d made their pointless bargain about her being free of him when he ruled Arius Kingdom. Why he suddenly felt the need to start doing so again she didn’t know, but she was also already too exhausted to care. Without another word, she slipped around him and went to the bathroom, brushing her teeth and taking a shower.

When she emerged and made her way to the large walk-in closet and dressing room, she found rather formal clothing waiting for her. A tight fitting black skirt with a white blouse. Black heels, of course. It was never flats, always heels.

“Hair up and light makeup. Nothing drastic today,” came Theon’s voice, and she turned, finding him fully dressed now. He was even wearing a tie. He didn’t usually wear one for their day-to-day activities, and it only furthered her suspicion of something bigger happening today. His body was tense and coiled. She could tell he’d restyled his hair, but he’d also already run his hand through it again.

Worried.

He was worried about something today.

She didn’t ask questions. He had made it perfectly clear it wasn’t her place to know anything. Just to do as she was told.

So, she watched and listened and learned all she could.

Thirty minutes later, Theon was leading her out of their room. “Luka is waiting for us downstairs. Do you want to walk?”

“Walk where?” she muttered. If she was walking anywhere in heels, it needed to be a short distance.