37. Theon
37
THEON
“ W hat’s our story about Axel?” Luka asked as they strode up the stairs of the Pantheon to the Grand Hall where the Sirana Gala was being held.
“Same as the Selection Opening, I suppose,” Theon answered, adjusting his bowtie. This was one of the few events that he wore a tuxedo for. The Sirana Gala and Match Ceremonies. That was about it. Selection events only required a suit, and that was his everyday attire.
“Don’t you think we should vary the story a little?” Luka asked as they reached the third floor, the throng of people milling about becoming thicker.
“Saying he is taking care of some matters in the Underground is plausible,” Theon argued. “And if we’re keeping up appearances, it fits the best.”
Keeping up appearances.
That was what they were doing now. It was why Luka was at his side. It was why they’d be meeting his mother inside the hall at their designated table, and it was why he stopped to register for an auction number before he entered the hall. He’d never once bid on anything being offered, but again, they needed to keep up appearances. He’d have to bid on something to contribute to the new Sirana Villas, which is what the Gala was always for. Funds collected went to supporting the Villas, and this year, they needed more funds than ever to rebuild after Tessa’s alleged destruction. He didn’t give two fucks if the Sirana Villas were rebuilt. He just wanted the people in his kingdom to live in peace. If that meant keeping up appearances and forging advantageous alliances, then that was what he would do.
He and Luka wove their way through the crowd, people parting for an heir. They were handed flutes of champagne along the way. Theon hated the stuff, but he took a drink anyway. Tradition and all that. The tables were always arranged the same, but when the round table with seating for eight came into view, he paused, and his eyes narrowed. He knew his mother would be here. That was a given. What he was not expecting was to see Felicity Davers seated at their table, chatting casually with her.
That scene had him knocking back the entire flute of champagne. He signaled for a Fae waiter to bring him whiskey instead, Luka taking the empty flute from him and passing them off to another waiter.
“What the fuck is she doing here?” Theon hissed.
“She is your Match. The contract still stands,” Luka supplied. “She didn’t say anything to you about this?”
She probably would have if he ever took her calls.
His mother spotted him then, her smile wide. Felicity looked up, smiling as well, and Theon clenched his jaw. There was no denying she was beautiful. Her shiny brown hair was pulled up in an elegant twist, her brown eyes sweeping over him. She wore a classy black and silver gown. Arius Kingdom colors. She looked every part the Match of the Arius Heir, and once again, he had to keep up appearances.
He closed the distance to their table just as the waiter brought his new glass of liquor. Glass in one hand, he bent to kiss Cressida on the cheek.
“Mother,” he greeted tightly before turning to his Match. “Miss Davers.”
“Felicity is more than fine, your grace,” Felicity said as she stood and bowed to Theon.
He smiled tightly, leaning in to press a small kiss to her cheek as she stood.
“I know you have been so busy these last weeks with your father absent,” she said softly, waiting to reclaim her seat until Theon had taken his. “Has there been any luck in locating him or your brother?”
“No,” he answered sharply.
“If there is anything I can do to help, you know to simply say the word, right?” Felicity asked, her hand landing lightly on his forearm.
He looked down at it. Her touch was all wrong, and it made him want to throw her hand off him. At that moment though, the Serafina Lady appeared with her husband.
“Theon,” she greeted with a mocking lilt. “So glad you could tear yourself away from your busy schedule to join us.”
His smile was sharp as he stood to speak with her, his mother and Felicity standing as well. “Lady Isleen, you look beautiful this evening,” he replied.
Her smile was as mocking as her words before her silver eyes slid to his mother. “Cressida. Lovely to see you as always. I am so sorry to hear Valter’s whereabouts are still unknown.”
Cressida’s smile was as sharp as Theon’s. “I have never underestimated him before. I wouldn’t start now.”
Lady Isleen only returned the smile before her gaze moved on to Felicity with interest. “And you must be Theon’s Match.”
“Felicity Davers,” Theon said. “Felicity, meet Lady Maya Isleen and her husband, Tovin.”
“It is a pleasure, my lady,” Felicity replied immediately, bowing her head.
Then she stepped forward and interlaced her fingers with Theon’s.
It took every ounce of self-control not to rip his hand out of hers.
“I look forward to seeing much more of both of you,” the Serafina Lady said before taking her leave.
Theon understood the double meaning. He was expected to be in attendance at more Devram meetings and events. In short, he was expected to perform all the duties of a Lord without the actual title.
Felicity’s other hand came to his forearm as she leaned into him, and the muscle in his jaw ticked.
“I’ll get you another one of those,” Luka muttered, taking his empty liquor glass from his hand.
He didn’t even remember drinking that.
Luka disappeared into the crowd, but before Theon could take his seat again, his mother was chiding him. “Go around and introduce Felicity to the others, Theon. This is important.”
“How is any of this important?” Theon retorted.
Cressida’s eyes widened. “All of this is important. Not just rebuilding those Villas, but maintaining our alliances. Honestly Theon, I thought your father had prepared you better for this role.” She swiped up her flute of champagne. “Our entire way of life is at stake. It is your job as an acting Lord to help maintain that. And she ,” she went on with a pointed look at Felicity, “is here to help with that. It is her role as your Match.”
Theon wasn’t entirely sure what to say. This was the most his mother had ever spoken about the politics of Devram, but he suddenly realized she’d been paying far more attention than he’d thought.
“The Celeste Lady is across the room. Start there,” Cressida said before she was off to greet others she knew.
He looked down at Felicity. The female smiled nervously up at him.
“I am here to make your life easier, Theon,” she said in a low whisper. “Whatever you need of me.”
What he needed was for her to stop fucking touching him, but that clearly wasn’t an option tonight. He gave her a tight smile, adjusting his arm so she could slide her hand to the crook of his elbow, before leading her over to the Celeste Lady and her husband. Luka appeared a few minutes later, handing off another drink and keeping close. Theon tried to stay focused on the conversations he was holding as they moved about the room, but Felicity never stopped touching him. She was always holding his hand or brushing her fingers along his arm. The wrongness of it all kept him thoroughly distracted, which is why he didn’t realize it when Tristyn Blackheart joined them. Probably because the male had stopped using his infamous glamours as of late. Ever since Tessa’s power had emerged, he hadn’t been nearly as preoccupied with keeping his identity a secret.
Tristyn hadn’t so much joined them, as he had come over to speak into Luka’s ear. Luka’s emotions spiked down the bond, his entire body tensing, but before Theon could ask, the air in the room changed. It became charged with energy, and he didn’t need the bond to know something powerful was approaching. Not something, but someone.
What he wasn’t expecting was her arm to be looped through another’s.
That wasn’t Rordan or Dex. That wasn’t Dagian or Brecken.
That was Liam Vance.
The male was an Achaz Legacy, a distant nephew of Rordan, and his family oversaw the seaside city of Astown Port. Tall and thin, his blond hair was dark with brown undertones making it look muddy next to Tessa’s shining golden hair. His brown eyes were ringed in gold, and right now those eyes were dancing with arrogance at the attention he was receiving with Tessa on his arm. Nevermind none of the attention was for him. It was all for her in that dress.
That fucking dress.
Intricate floral detailing was strategically woven among the sheer bodice that hugged her upper body. With open shoulder details and quarter sleeves, the back was open as she turned to someone who said her name. The rest of her sleek skirt draped to the floor in panels with a sweeping train that glimmered as the light hit it. He knew her heels had to be at least six inches, and he knew part of the reason she was still clutching his arm was so she didn’t fall in the things.
“I just found out,” Luka said, his eyes flicking to Felicity.
“Found out what?” Theon ground out.
Felicity’s hand fluttered down his back in what he was sure she thought was a soothing motion, and Luka looked pointedly at her, telling Theon whatever he wanted to say couldn’t be said in front of her. If they used the bond, Tessa would hear, and Theon wasn’t sure if this was news she should hear right now either.
Liam and Tessa followed Rordan to their table on the opposite end of the room from his own. Theon didn’t care about mingling anymore. He only wanted another drink and to eat. To get this godsdamn night over with.
He was staring at her—as if he could do anything else when she was in the room—so he knew the moment she finally looked at him. Violet eyes connected with his before they slid to Felicity and narrowed. The only thing he felt down the bond was Tessa reinforcing her shields.
There was nothing they could do but return to their own table when it was signaled dinner was ready to be served. Fae pulled their chairs out for them, and Felicity’s fingers brushed along the back of his hand while they sat.
The soup course was served, and as was customary, a Sirana Legacy stepped up onto the dais to announce the year’s Match Contracts. With it being a Selection Year, the list was considerably shorter than most years. Theon was the only heir with a contract announced, which wasn’t surprising. Selection years were always quieter. The kingdoms were focused on the new Fae they would be choosing from at the end of the year, and since no Match Ceremonies could be completed during the year, the rest of the Legacy took their time with the required paperwork.
He couldn’t help but look over at Tessa when his contract was announced, only to see Liam with his arm draped along the back of her chair. Tessa didn’t seem happy about it, but she didn’t seem unhappy either. Her elbow was propped on the table, her chin in her palm. She looked bored, which was a dangerous thing for her. It was when she got into trouble. He knew that better than anyone.
“We have one final Match to announce,” the female said from the dais. Theon had stopped listening, eating his soup mechanically. “While we normally only announce official contracts, Lord Jove felt it would be in the best interest of everyone to share that another contract is close to being reached.”
You need to keep your cool until we know what’s really going on, Luka said down the bond.
Tessa’s head turned slowly to them, violet eyes narrowing from across the room as she listened in.
Why would I care about an Achaz Match Contract? Theon asked.
Luka’s gaze was fixed on Tessa too, and whatever he saw there, had him speaking to her directly. Baby girl, you need to keep yourself under control too.
Her lips thinned, and she returned her attention to the Sirana Legacy who was speaking again. “Lord Jove expects this contract to be signed in the next few days, so he felt comfortable announcing the Match of Liam Vance, Achaz Legacy, and Tessalyn Ausra, Achaz Legacy.”
The uproar from the Ladies was immediate, and Tessa’s head whipped to Rordan. The light on her wrists was flaring so brightly, Theon had to look away. When he turned back, that light was winding up her arms. The Lord was both incredibly stupid and utterly brilliant to announce that pairing here. The Ladies wouldn’t make a huge scene here, despite their initial outrage, and Tessa was already on her last chance with everyone. If she lost her shit here, it would only confirm to the Ladies she needed to be dealt with. This was proving to everyone that the Achaz Lord still had control.
Over everything.
Tessa sat back in her seat, a glare Theon had been on the receiving end more than once was directed at Liam when he leaned in to speak to her. Theon could see her eyes glowing brightly from across the room. Her shields had slipped, and he could feel her working to keep herself under control. All those times he’d berated her for not controlling herself, and she had been doing her best. Just like now. Only now he could feel it all. Every bit of the turmoil and the restraint and the fury .
We’ll fix this, little storm, he tried to console down the bond.
You and Felicity? she sneered in return.
His hand tightened around his liquor glass as he leaned back for the wait staff to replace his soup bowl with his main meal.
Glad to hear your snark, beautiful.
The light around her arms sparked, and Luka was kicking him under the table.
Don’t fucking antagonize her right now, he chided.
But gods, this was the most she’d spoken to him in weeks, and she very rarely spoke to him down the bond unless she was antagonizing him . He’d do almost anything to keep hearing her voice.
But her shields were already back up, the moment gone. Now he was in an even worse mood that was not helped when Felicity shifted closer, leaning in to speak.
Her hand once again landed on his arm when she said in a low voice, “I take it Tessa did not inform you of this development?”
“Tessa didn’t know,” he retorted.
She frowned. “Are you sure? I have seen them together more than once.”
Theon slowly turned to her, every muscle in his body going rigid. Was that Tessa’s real issue? That it had been revealed before she was ready? That she had wanted to use this secret to her advantage, and now that had been blown? The more he thought about it, the more it made sense.
Picking up his cutlery to cut into his steak, he said, “Where have you seen them?”
Luka had shifted, clearly listening in on the conversation. Why hadn’t Luka told him about any of this? Probably because Theon had told him not to tell him anything. He was just doing as he’d asked, and now here he was, blindsided.
“Most recently at a luncheon together,” Felicity answered, finally not touching him as she worked on her own meal.
The absence of her touch had some part of him relaxing, able to think more clearly. “Were they alone?” Theon asked.
“No. There are always Fae with them.”
“Dex,” Luka whispered under his breath.
“What does it matter?” his mother cut in, also apparently listening in on the conversation. “As soon as this messy bond is taken care of, you can claim a new Source, she can go to Achaz Kingdom where she belongs, and you can start focusing on the things that matter.”
“Like kingdom politics?” he all but sneered.
“Like finding your brother,” she retorted with a sharp smile.
Theon ground his molars. He hadn’t figured out how to break it to his mother that her favored son was not only becoming a vampyre but likely wouldn’t be back any time soon. He still hadn’t figured out how to track him down, let alone what he was going to say to him to convince him he could still live at home, even as a Night Child. There was no way in all the realms he was going to banish him to the Underground, especially when their father was the very reason he was facing this fate.
The rest of the dinner conversation was short and tense. While they ate dessert, Rordan announced the new overseer of Rosebell and shared what was being done to rebuild the villas and increase security so something like this never happened again. New wards. Tighter protection measures. All things that wouldn’t matter for someone like Tessa. The entire time he spoke, Theon refused to look at her table. Refused to see Liam with his arm around her shoulders. Refused to acknowledge her at all.
After dessert was finished, the floor was cleared, leaving only the six tables for the ruling families. Everyone else would be made to mill about or use the sparse seating set up along the perimeter of the room. But there was no ignoring her when the newly announced Match pairs were instructed to take the dance floor. Tradition mandated they open the dance portion of the evening by sharing the first dance.
He held Felicity stiffly, but she didn’t seem to care. Not as she pressed herself against his chest, one of her hands gently slipping around to cup the back of his neck. Her fingers toyed with the short strands at his nape as they moved.
“I know you are upset by the events of the evening, Theon,” she said quietly. “Tell me what I can do to help?”
“Nothing,” he said flatly.
“I’m trying here,” she insisted. “But I need you to guide me. I want to be the perfect Match for you. I want to be a wife you’ll be glad to have at your side, but you need to teach me, Theon.”
Teach her.
Isn’t this exactly what he’d told Tessa he wanted? Just do as she was told. Listen and obey. Here was a female laying all that at his feet, offering up that very behavior, and he didn’t want it. All he wanted was her wildness and her impulsiveness. He wanted to be challenged just enough. He wanted to take care of someone not because she needed it, but because she didn’t .
Gods, how had everything become so godsdamn fucked?
The song ended, and before he could extricate himself from Felicity, Tristyn was there.
“May I dance with the Arius Lord’s Match?” Tristyn asked, the question poised to Theon. His gaze flicked to the side almost imperceptibly, but Theon saw it. He followed the look to see Tana, the Anala Heir, intercepting Liam and Tessa.
“Of course,” Theon said, handing Felicity over.
Tessa was just reaching the edge of the dance floor when he caught up to her. He grabbed her hand, pulling her back and spinning her around.
He anticipated the shocks that assaulted him, knowing he had startled her, but the bond was vibrating just as violently at touching her after going so long without.
“What are you doing?” she hissed, but she didn’t fight. She let him pull her back onto the dance floor, and there was no stiffness in his hold this time. She settled into him like she belonged there, a hand smoothing up his chest before reaching to slide around the nape of his neck. Her thumb brushed up and down along his throat, and he wondered if she even realized she was doing that. The back of her dress dipped low, giving him access to bare flesh where his hand sat on the small of her back, while his other clutched hers to his chest.
“Dancing with my Source,” Theon said simply.
“You mean I’m dancing with my Source,” she retorted.
He arched a brow. “Are you claiming me, little storm?”
“No,” she guffawed.
“But you are claiming Liam ?”
Her eyes snapped to his, lightning flickering among the grey and violet. “I hardly know him.”
“Yet you’re about to agree to a Match Contract?”
Her lips pressed together, and her gaze slid to something over his shoulder. She moved imperceptibly closer, as if seeking him out for comfort.
Still holding her hand, he extended a finger to touch her chin, bringing her eyes back to his. “Tessa, are you not going into this contract willingly?”
“Did you go into your contract with Felicity willingly?” she countered.
“No, beautiful. I did it to save you.”
“You keep saying that,” she said. “But—” She cut herself off, shaking her head a little as if trying to clear her thoughts. “Can we not do this tonight?”
“Do what?”
“Fight.”
“You promised it would always be a battle,” he said, pulling her even closer, eliminating any ounce of space between them.
“It is,” she murmured, more to herself than him. “Just not the battle I was anticipating.”
She fell silent, and he could have pushed her, but gods, he just wanted to enjoy holding her. The gods-only-knew when she was ever going to allow such a thing again.
He bent down so his lips brushed the shell of her ear when he whispered, “You look stunning tonight, Tessa.”
He could swear a soft cry came from her, but her brow was pressed to his shoulder. The bond. She was soaking it up as much as he was.
“Come home,” he murmured. “Please, Tessa. Just…come home. We’ll fix all of this. Figure it out. I’ll?—”
“Can a mother interrupt to dance with her son?”
Theon looked up to find Cressida waiting expectantly, Tessa’s head snapping up at the intrusion.
“Of course,” she said, all her softness bleeding away, but Theon caught the glimmer in her eyes. The thin pools of silver that he watched her blink away as she let her light swirl around her like a golden mist. It called to his darkness, and he let it go, wisps of dark rushing out to greet her.
Then she turned and walked away from him.
Again.
“Mother,” Theon said, not bothering to hide his displeasure as the next song started.
“You need to stay away from her,” Cressida hissed, not hiding her own displeasure either.
“She is my Source.”
“But she is not supposed to be,” she snapped. “And when this is all taken care of, you need to be ready to move on.”
“When this is all taken care of?” Theon repeated.
“You know what I mean. When you fix all this.”
“Right,” he muttered, certain that wasn’t what she’d meant at all.
He was kept on the dance floor for the next three songs, finally getting a reprieve when it was announced the auction would begin soon.
That was when he saw her slipping out a side door. If he had to guess, it was the same side door she’d slipped out of on the night of the opening Selection Ceremony. He followed, because at this point, he’d follow her anywhere.
Stepping into the hall, his suspicions were confirmed, which meant he knew exactly where to find her. He didn’t need the bond or a Tracking Mark. His footfalls echoed down the deserted hallway until he came to an alcove.
And tucked back into its shadows, he found a female. There was no chocolate in her hand this night. Only two tear tracks down her face that she quickly wiped away.
“We’re meant to destroy each other,” she whispered, the words pained and agonized.
“Then destroy me, little storm.”