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“That was because your power had not emerged yet,” Theon answered. “With it awake, it is not necessary.”

“And later?” she asked, referencing the additional injection of tonic she’d had with the first Mark.

“No. That shouldn’t need to happen either.”

She nodded, her hands folded on her stomach, and he reached to push her braid off her shoulder. The low-cut top gavethem perfect access to the place over her heart where the next Mark would go. Luka had already moved to a spot near her head, and she glanced up at him.

“You always stand there,” she murmured. “Even in my dreams.”

The priestess stepped forward, the ceremonial dagger in hand. “When you draw blood, I will draw the Mark. As before, your power will need to overtake hers, but be aware, as the Mark settles into place, you will experience a flood of her emotions,” she explained.

“I understand,” Theon said. Then, turning to Luka, he added, “Once the Mark is drawn, remove one of the bands.”

Tessa shot up, and she moved so godsdamn fast, Theon stumbled back. The only other time he’d seen her move that fast was in the wine cellar the morning after he’d locked her down there.

“Tessa,” Theon said in disbelief because he didn’t know what else to say.

She was already across the room, pressing herself to the wall.

“You can’t take these off in here,” she said, lifting her wrists.

“We’re prepared for this, Tessa,” Theon said. “We’ve been preparing for this every time we’ve gone to the river.”

Her head tilted. “What?”

“Every time we’ve gone to the river, my magic has studied yours, and Luka has always been nearby gauging threats and the best way to mitigate them,” Theon explained.

“So it wasn’t…” Her eyes flashed with sparks of light, and he heard the priestess suck in a sharp breath. “Of course you weren’ttaking careof me. That was all foryou.”

Fuck.

That wasn’t true, but that was exactly how it sounded.

Because yes, they’d been taking Tessa to the river bank in Arius Kingdom to give her a reprieve from her power, but they’dalso been taking her there for this. In order to receive the next Mark, at least one of those bands would need to be off so he could access her magic.

“No, Tessa,” Theon said, taking a step toward her, and he couldn’t help but remember the first time they’d been in this same position. Her across the room, pressed to the wall while he tried to get near. “That was for you. Forus.”

“You chose this, Tessa. Remember?” Luka chimed in, still standing near the sofa.

Her gaze slid to him, offering the same glare she’d given him all week, but her hand fell to her side, right atop the space where Theon knew a bargain Mark was on her skin. He assumed it was tingling, reminding her of their deal. The same deal that required her to make others believe they were so connected they were a threat, and with the priestess here to observe, she was dangerously close to breaking that bargain.

“Come on, beautiful,” Theon said carefully, taking another step and holding out his hand to her. “Let’s get this over with, and then we’ll go home.”

“Home,” she repeated, studying the Mark on the back of her hand. “Will it look the same?”

Theon blinked at her sudden change of subject, but relaxed some as she placed her hand in his outstretched one.

“Different,” Theon answered. “The Marks all look different. You’ve seen Eviana’s.”

“True,” she murmured, settling back onto the sofa as if nothing had happened.

Theon exchanged a confused look with Luka, but his friend was studying Tessa, reaching out to move her braid out of the way.

“It will be like before,” Luka said, meeting her stare.

Tessa’s lips pursed, but she didn’t answer, and Theon turned back to the priestess. Normally, the priestesses would retreatto the hall after drawing the Mark. It was for their own safety since a Fae’s power was awakened and uncontrolled, but he’d already been informed that she had been instructed to remain in the room the entire time to observe. It had been a unanimous decision by the ruling Lords and Ladies.

“We’re ready,” Theon said tightly.