12. Tessa

At dawn, Tessa wakes in Theon’s arms, feeling briefly safe before Theon initiates a serious talk over coffee. He condemns her public defiance at dinner; Tessa counters that he humiliated her by making her sit at his feet. The exchange escalates as Theon insists on obedience, framing control as protection.

When Tessa rejects belonging to him, Theon shows her official Fae documents listing him as Master with complete dominium, confirming institutionalized ownership. Agitated by the revelation, Tessa challenges the relationship as property and utility, while Theon argues for a “mutually beneficial” arrangement. The Source bond’s pull grows as Theon touches her, urging her to stop resisting and “be his.”

Tessa wavers, considering genuine attraction versus the bond’s coercion, as Theon remains physically careful and offers space. A near-intimate surrender is interrupted by Valter’s knock. Valter delivers tagged prospects for Theon’s heir-producing Match and mandates nightly family dinners, underscoring that Tessa can never truly have Theon.

After Valter leaves, Theon confirms they depart for the Acropolis in ten days. He ends leniency: until Tessa accepts the bond through obedience, she will not leave his side, must behave impeccably in public, and will face consequences for defiance—though he vows not to force sexual acts. He orders her to prepare for breakfast with Luka and Axel and a training outing to Castle Pines, insisting on perfect presentation.

Alone, Tessa tests the locked balcony doors and counts raindrops, realizing her world has narrowed to strict surveillance and performance, with light visible yet just out of reach.