22. Theon

From an observation room, Theon watches Priestess Zefira’s assessment escalate until Tessa screams, bleeds, and is pumped with black elixir. Overwhelmed by the Source bond and his own rage, Theon nearly unleashes his shadows but is restrained by Luka and Axel. When the procedure ends, he bullies a staff Fae into leading him to recovery.

At Tessa’s bedside, Zefira admits no element manifested despite their strongest methods. Instead, the results indicate Tessa’s raw capacity is overwhelming—she will be the most powerful Fae within whatever element she eventually emerges. Zefira also suggests Tessa’s recorded lineage is fabricated to hide her in plain sight, contradicting the documents that influenced her Selection.

Theon forbids Zefira from reporting to his father and stays with the unconscious Tessa until she wakes. He soothes her with water, insists on holding her despite Zefira’s caution, and allows a precautionary contraceptive injection due to the assessment elixirs. As fluids finish, he carries Tessa back to the waiting room.

Theon briefs Luka and Axel: the element remains inconclusive, but Tessa’s power will eclipse all peers—including Eviana if Tessa is earth. They agree secrecy is essential; Theon arranges a forged report, heightens protection, and assigns Luka to train Tessa, planning never to leave her unattended at the Acropolis. He postpones lunch with Felicity to dinner to avoid arousing his father’s suspicion.

Privately, Theon debates telling Tessa her true potential. He worries it could increase her resistance or, conversely, compel her to accept the bond for safety. He resolves to control access to her and, once she is fully Marked and emerged, to wield her power to secure his dominance over Arius Kingdom.