Chapter 37 Theon
THEON
“You’re sure about this?” Luka asked as they stood outside the Faven Palace gates.
“It’s a little late to turn back now, don’t you think?” Theon replied, adjusting the sleeves of his suit jacket. “Just make sure your wrist stays covered until the lordship is approved.”
“They are never going to agree to this,” Luka warned. “They’re going to feel manipulated and tricked. All the relations you’ve worked on building outside your father’s shadow will be broken and irreparable.”
“Maybe,” Theon agreed, straightening when the gates opened and five Achaz Sentinels appeared to escort them.
But he was willing to risk it at this point. The kingdoms themselves were broken. Devram was irreparable. But his goals had changed. He didn’t want to fix anything anymore. He wanted to start completely over, and that wouldn’t happen without drastic measures and drawing hard lines.
Tessa was nearby, waiting until an agreed upon time.
Having her there right away would be a distraction he didn’t want right now.
Not necessarily for him, but for the other rulers.
But he could feel her down the bond, pacing and restless.
He would have preferred her to stay at Luka’s cave and Travel here when it was time, but that was certainly too far for her and Luka to be separated.
They really needed to figure out the limits of that Mark soon.
None of them had realized what that Union Mark would cost her yesterday, or they would have waited to complete it.
She swore there were no regrets, and she’d drawn from him this morning, refilling her reserves at least enough to get through the day.
The Guardian Bond would draw from Luka for him if things escalated today, but there was no way they could bring Tessa here as drained as she was.
That Mark had been as draining as the Source Marks had been, and it made sense.
The Tri-Union Mark she’d given them tangled pieces of their souls together the same way the Source Marks did.
The difference was the Tri-Union Mark was meant to do that.
It wasn’t some gross manipulation of other Marks.
So while she’d been exhausted and drained, there hadn’t been the physical side effects of pain and vomiting.
“Thank you,” Theon said tightly when a guard opened a door to let him in, and the male’s eyes widened momentarily before snapping back to attention.
Side by side, he and Luka strolled into the makeshift meeting room, and he loosed a small sigh of relief. A part of him had expected his father to be here, but the Arius seat sat empty. The Ladies were here, along with Rordan, but Lady Isleen’s Source wasn’t. That was odd.
His gaze slid among the rulers, holding the Anala Lady’s stare for a second longer than the others, before he lowered into the Arius seat, sat back, and waited.
“Where is she?” Rordan asked coldly.
“I didn’t know my Match would be required to attend to this summons,” Theon answered, bringing his ankle up to rest on his knee.
“That’s not who I mean, and you know it,” the Achaz Lord retorted.
“But that is what this summons was called for,” Theon said casually. “To update everyone on the status of my lordship. Although, I was a bit confused, considering you have known about the status for weeks, and I was waiting for all the Ladies to convene with us.”
He saw Kyra’s lips twitch in approval, and he knew his suspicions were right. They hadn’t all needed to convene. She said nothing, letting the other Ladies voice their questions.
“What is he talking about?” the Celeste Lady asked. “All that was required was proof of a fulfilled Match Union. Everything was agreed to prior. We didn’t all need to be present.”
“Because of the extenuating circumstances involved, I thought it wise to ensure we were all part of the entire process,” Rordan answered, his fingers tightening around the arms of his chair.
“I do apologize I missed our scheduled meeting,” Theon said. “There were some complications.”
“What meeting?” the Falein Lady asked.
“The one to confirm my Match and instate my lordship,” he replied innocently.
“Rordan?” she asked, turning to the male.
“Times were turbulent,” he snapped. “Maya was dealing with things in her kingdom. This wasn’t pressing—”
“Wasn’t pressing?” Theon interrupted. “The people in my kingdom have been in a state of uncertainty for months. I’m the one who’s been taking care of things.
I’m the one who has been pushing forward and making sure their needs are met.
I am the one being summoned to these godsdamn meetings.
The fact is, there are some things I can only do when I have that title attached to my name. ”
“This is easily rectified,” Lady Kyra intervened. “You have taken a Match, Theon?”
“Yes,” he gritted out.
“And where is Felicity?” Rordan asked, a knowing gleam in his eye.
“Unfortunately, I haven’t seen Ms. Davers since the Celeste Estate,” Theon answered, taking on an air of regret.
“I believe you were away when the former Estate Mother appeared and attacked us. I know the Estate suffered greatly, and I am told there are a number of young Fae missing since that attack. If there is any way we can be of aid, Lady Candra, please let us know. As for Ms. Davers, she was terrified and was released from her obligations.”
“How is that possible if she is your Match?” the Serafina Lady asked.
Theon turned his attention to her, and she looked…haunted. As though she was grieving and had no desire to be here. “Are you well, Lady Isleen?” he found himself asking.
“Of course I am,” she retorted, lifting her chin. “Answer the question.”
“While I had a contract with Ms. Davers, it was not carried through,” he answered. “As I said, she was released from the obligation when it became apparent she could not handle the role.”
“Then you do not have a Match as required,” Rordan said with an air of triumph.
“I did not say that,” Theon countered.
The Achaz Lord glanced at Luka where he stood off to the side. With a sneer, he said, “While I won’t be surprised if you and Mors have finally admitted to involvement, unfortunately, that Match would not allow for an heir and will not fulfill your obligations.”
If he only knew.
Theon replied with a flat smile, reaching into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and withdrawing a document. He passed it to the Anala Lady as he said, “Luka has taken a Match as well. Again an extenuating circumstance. But I bring the required proof of my own.”
Kyra unfolded the piece of paper and held her palm above it, her power reading the magical signature that proved the document wasn’t forged.
“Everything appears to be in order,” Lady Kyra said. “A Match Union was done and proof has been provided. The terms are fulfilled as agreed. Congratulations, Arius Lord. We welcome you. May your rule be fruitful for those in your care.”
The other Ladies murmured sentiments of the same, and Theon couldn’t believe it was really that simple. After years of dreaming and scheming. The torture and determination. It was his.
The Arius Kingdom.
He was the Arius Lord.
He straightened, his foot dropping back to the ground as the weight of everything he was about to do pressed in on him.
We can still change the plans, Luka said down the bond, clearly sensing his conflicting emotions.
No, Theon replied. We push forward.
“He doesn’t bear a Union Mark. Give me that,” Rordan was saying in outrage, standing and ripping the document from Kyra’s hand.
“It is done, Rordan,” she said, her tone turning sharp and deadly. “All was agreed to before this moment. You signed the obligation along with the rest of us. It is legal and binding. As the kingdom in charge of upholding the laws and justice, you of all people should understand this.”
Theon stood, removing his suit jacket and draping it over his chair. “Due to our…unique situation, we had to be a little creative. The common place for a Union Mark is taken by another Mark on my wife,” Theon said, beginning to roll back the sleeve of his left arm.
Rordan’s head snapped up, his power undulating and coiling around him. “She cannot be your Match. It is not acceptable.”
“It is already done,” Theon said.
Rordan whirled on the Anala Lady. “You accept this?” His eyes flashed to the others. “He has taken her as his wife!”
“What’s done is done,” Kyra said too calmly, her power slowly making an appearance while her Source stepped forward, adding flames of his own.
“Absolutely not,” Rordan snarled. “It upsets the balance of everything we are.”
“I have agreed to all your terms and jumped through every fucking hoop,” Theon said, his darkness falling into place like armor, and Luka drifted closer.
Rordan rounded on the other Ladies. “He has taken his Source as his Match. You find this acceptable?”
The Celeste Lady’s eyes went wide, while the Serafina Lady couldn’t seem to find it in her to care. The Falein Lady tipped her head with interest.
Now, clever tempest, Theon sent down the bond as voices rose and arguments broke out.
A crack of thunder sounded so loudly it vibrated around them, and Theon smiled as everyone lurched to their feet.
Luka also removed his suit jacket, draping it with Theon’s on the Arius chair.
The air was crackling with energy, and everyone’s power in the room was vibrating with restraint and turmoil.
Because Chaos always craved more, and the people in this room were among the most powerful in Devram.
But she was still more.
“What is happening?” the Celeste Lady demanded.
Theon slipped his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels. His smile was pure death and violence when he said, “Our wife is here.”