Page 223 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

Emerald eyes studied her, and she could feel everything he was feeling. Theon never shut her out. Ever since she’d returned from Faven, she could feel all of his emotions all the time. It was as if he was trying to let her in. As if he was trying to help her understand or prove something to her.

As if it wasn’t too late.

As if any of it would matter in the end.

Swallowing down her nerves, Tessa stepped into the room, forcing herself not to flinch when he shut the door behind her.

“You didn’t think this Mark was going to happen, did you?” Theon asked, stepping into her line of vision once more.

“Why do you say that?”

“You seemed surprised when Lord Jove said it would proceed, and now you are hesitant.”

“Anyone would be hesitant about this, Theon,” she retorted. “I know how this process goes. It isn’t exactly pleasant.”

“For a minute there, it looked like you were contemplating running,” he replied, stepping into her even more and sliding a hand into her hair.

“I’ve tried that before,” she said, her tone breathy as the bond delighted in his touch. “A couple times actually. You’ve always chased me.”

“I’ve alwayscaughtyou,” he corrected. “I always will, little storm.”

For a moment, she almost let herself embrace those words. For a split second, she almost let herself sink into what they could mean, but just as quickly, she sent him a dark smile. “What happens when you can no longer keep me?”

His hand tightened in her hair, and she tipped her head back even more to relieve some of the sting. His other hand drifted up, fingertips sliding along her throat. “I will always fight for you, Tessa. I will always come for you. You will forever be mine.”

“Not just yours though, right?” she said with a faux innocence.

“What do you mean?”

“I am bound to youandLuka now. Then again, that was always the plan, wasn’t it? Match me with him?” she asked, feeling Theon’s fingers flex on her throat. “It seems only fair. You will never be wholly mine, so?—”

“Stop, Tessa,” Theon snarled.

“It’s so difficult to control the uncontrollable, isn’t it?” she said, reaching up and tugging on the knot of his tie.

“The priestess is going to be here any minute,” Luka cut in. “Tessa, you need to change.”

Neither she nor Theon moved for another few moments, and she nearly got lost in those eyes swirling with darkness. He broke whatever they’d been caught in, turning away from her and yanking his tie fully off before shrugging out of his suit coat.

Making her way to Luka, she took the pile of clothing he held out to her before she turned, gathering her hair over her shoulder. “I need you to unzip me,” she said.

She could swear Luka’s eyes flashed to vertical pupils, but maybe she’d imagined it. He wouldn’t look at her as he quickly and efficiently pulled the zipper down the length of her spine. She didn’t bother hiding anything. Both of these males had seenher naked. If anyone was bothered here, it was Theon. Or maybe Luka? Because that was definitely a bolt of lust slipping down the bond. She ignored it all, sliding on the usual athletic leggings and tank she always wore for these markings.

Luka was already handing her a hair tie when she went to search through the bag. The third Mark went on the back of her neck at the base of her skull. She quickly knotted her hair in a messy knot atop her head. She turned to say something, but whatever she’d been about to say slipped her mind when she found two sets of heated eyes on her. There was no mistaking the emotions filtering down the bond now.

Hot want and dark desire.

A mixture that had her thinking back to that morning and how she’d let herself pretend. She’d entertained a lot of what ifs in those quiet morning moments before Luka had started to stir. He always woke first, and he never groggily came out of sleep either. It was instant, and the moment he opened his eyes, he scanned the room. Then he turned to them. Theon first, naturally, and then her.

This morning, she’d felt his jolt of surprise at finding her eyes open and returning his gaze. The palm that was splayed across her belly moved, rough fingertips trailing along her hip. There was the barest touch as the pad of a finger brushed against bare skin where Theon’s shirt had bunched up during her sleep.

And that was it.

That was all he’d done before he’d slid from the bed, once again completely naked, and went to the bathroom. But she’d let herself pretend a little longer after that. Pretended his hand had gone lower. Pretended he’d warned her to be quiet or there would be consequences, but she couldn’t. Pretended Theon had woken to her muffled cries, been his usual possessive self until his darkness had?—

Godsdammit.

Tessa quickly turned away from them, feeling her face heat as that unacceptable fantasy replayed in her mind at a very inopportune time. She couldn’t believe she was actually grateful for the knock that sounded, signaling the arrival of the priestess.

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