The Legacy Series, #1
Rain of Shadows and Endings
by Melissa K. Roehrich
Contents
14. Tessa
Overview
Tessa endures three days of controlled quiet until an early text to Axel triggers Theon’s monitoring and a confrontation. He forbids her running with Axel, imposes exercise as a “consequence,” and pushes boundaries with charged intimacy. Tessa reluctantly agrees to run with Theon, while Axel arrives with breakfast, underscoring her isolation.
Summary
After three days of rigid compliance and emotional withdrawal, Tessa wakes early, savoring rare solitude and coffee while watching Axel run in the rain. She texts Axel to join him. A monitoring alert wakes Theon, who confronts Tessa for using the phone and being out of his sight.
When Theon reads the brief exchange, he refuses to let Tessa run with Axel but offers to take her himself. Tessa resists, and the dispute escalates from sarcasm to defiance as she slaps Theon’s phone away to force his attention. Theon physically corners her on the bed, creating intense, nonsexual intimacy that distracts her from her argument.
Theon presses for compromise, insisting Tessa needs exercise, framing it as a consequence for leaving his sight. Tessa argues consequences and punishments are the same and nearly reveals past trauma before shutting down. To stop his probing, she reluctantly agrees to run with Theon.
Axel arrives with breakfast from Pen, lightening the mood with banter, but Tessa retreats inward again. Theon tends to her coffee and chooses a muffin for her, signaling care within control. The scene ends with Tessa feeling more isolated than ever despite constant company.
Who Appears
- TessaFae Source, emotionally numb after three silent days; seeks autonomy by asking to run; forced to accept Theon’s terms; struggles with isolation and control.
- Theon AriusArius heir and Tessa’s Master; monitors her phone, enforces constant proximity; forbids running with Axel; imposes exercise; escalates intimate tension.
- AxelAlly within the house; morning runner Tessa texts; suggests asking Theon; brings breakfast and banters, offering brief normalcy.
- PenHouse servant and baker; provides muffins; Theon plans to have her fetch running gear for Tessa.