[Tessa's POV]
I'm halfway down the main corridor when I spot him.
Soren. Walking toward me from the opposite end, his dark hair catching the light from the high windows. The moment he sees me, his pace quickens. His mouth opens like he's about to call my name.
I pivot hard left into the east corridor.
My feet carry me quickly—not running, exactly, but definitely not walking either. Behind me, I hear his footsteps pause, then the sound of him changing direction to follow.
Absolutely not.
I duck into the first alcove I find, pressing my back against the cool stone.
"Running away from conversations now?" Sebastian's voice comes from deeper in the shadows, and I nearly jump out of my skin. "That's not very heir-like behavior."
He's already here, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, looking infuriatingly relaxed. Like we didn't have our hands all over each other a few hours ago. Like his blood isn't still singing through my veins.
"I'm not running," I mutter. "I'm strategically avoiding."
"Mm." That almost-smile plays at his lips. "Very strategic. Subtle, too."
"Do you ever stop being an asshole?"
"Not really, no." His silver eyes hold mine, and there's something in them that makes my pulse jump. Something that remembers. "It's part of my charm."
"You have none."
"You seemed to think I did earlier. In that alcove. When you had your hands in my—"
"Don't." Heat floods my cheeks. "Someone might hear you."
"Then perhaps you shouldn't have kissed me in a semi-public corridor."
"You kissed me back!"
"Did I?" He pushes off the wall, moves closer. Close enough that I can smell leather and night air and something distinctly him. "I don't recall. Might need a refresher to be sure."
My heart hammers against my ribs. This is dangerous. This is so dangerous, standing here in broad daylight where anyone could see, where Soren just walked away and might look back, where—
"There you are." Silas's voice cuts through the moment, but there's warmth in it. "My study? I thought we could talk about tomorrow's arrangements."
Sebastian steps back smoothly, professionally. I try to look like I wasn't just contemplating kissing him again in full view of the entire estate.
"Of course," I say, grateful for the interruption despite the heat still in my cheeks, and follow my Father’s lead, ignoring Sebastian behind us.
Back in the study, Silas gestures to a chair and this time I take it, sinking into the leather.
"So," he says, settling into the chair across from me rather than behind his desk. The casual positioning makes this feel less like a summons and more like... a conversation. "Tomorrow's training with Soren. Are you sure you're comfortable with this arrangement?"
I blink. "You're asking me now?"
"I'm asking you again," he corrects gently. "You agreed earlier, yes. But that was in the moment, you were put on the spot. I want to make sure you actually want this, not just that you felt pressured to accept."
Something loosens in my chest. He's giving me an out.
"I..." I consider lying, then decide against it. "I don't want to spend time with him. The idea of being in the same room makes my skin crawl. But I need to learn Influence, and he can teach me."
"That's not an answer to my question."
"Yes," I say firmly. "I'm sure. I agreed because it makes sense, not because I felt forced."
Silas nods slowly. "Good. But I want you to know that there’s always another choice. Even if you had refused, we’d have figured something out."
"You would have done that?"
"Of course." He leans back in his chair. "You're my daughter, Tessa. Yes, you're also the heir and this Challenge is crucial. But I'm not going to force you to work with someone who hurt you if you can't bear it."
The tightness in my chest eases further. "Thank you. For asking. For... giving me the choice."
"You've had too many choices taken from you already." His expression softens. "I won't add to that list if I can help it."
We sit in comfortable silence for a moment. Then curiosity gets the better of me.
"Why did you want to talk, then? If you weren't planning to change anything?"
"Because I wanted to make sure you know you can change your mind." He stands, moving to pour two glasses of blood wine. "And because I'm curious how you're feeling about all this. Not as heir—as my daughter."
I accept the glass he offers, and something warm blooms in my chest at the distinction. Not heir. Daughter.
"I don't want to feel anything for him," I say quietly. "I don't want to care that he's trying. That he's humiliating himself publicly to help me. I don't want it to matter."
"But it does." I don’t need to confirm. Silas is quiet for a moment, swirling his wine. When he speaks, his voice is gentle. "Having complicated feelings about someone who hurt you doesn't make you weak. It makes you real."
The understanding in his voice threatens to crack something in me.
"You know what I think?" he continues.
"What?"
"I think you're raising your standards in partners." His tone is lighter now, almost teasing. "Soren spends years treating you like an inconvenience, and a few days of proper attention from someone who actually sees your worth has you realizing what you deserve."
I blink. "I—what?"
"Sebastian." Silas says it casually, like he's commenting on the weather. "He's rough around the edges, but he's competent. Loyal. Protective. Better breeding too, technically—his bloodline might not be ancient, but it's powerful."
Oh gods. Oh no.
"I don't—" I try to school my expression into something that isn't screaming guilt. "Sebastian and I aren't—we're just—"
"Training partners?" The smile on Silas's face is knowing. Too knowing. "Of course. That's why he looks at you like you're the only thing in the room worth noticing. And why you blush every time someone mentions his name."
"I don't blush."
"You're blushing right now."
I am. I can feel the heat in my cheeks, the way my pulse has kicked up. Can feel the phantom sensation of Sebastian's hands on my skin, his mouth on mine, his blood hot and rich on my tongue.
"It's a natural progression," Silas continues, and there's something gentle in his voice now. "You were married to someone who made you feel small. Now you're around someone who sees your strength. Who pushes you to be better not because he thinks you're inadequate, but because he knows you're capable of more."
"We're not—it's not like that."
"Mm." Silas doesn't look convinced. "Well. Whatever it is or isn't, he's good for you. You're stronger with him. More confident." A pause. "He's stronger with you too, though he'd never admit it."
I don't know what to say to that. Can't acknowledge what Silas is implying without confirming it. Can't deny it without lying.
"I should go," I manage. "Prepare for tomorrow's training."
"Tessa." Silas's voice stops me at the door. "About Soren. Give him a chance to prove he's changed. Not for his sake—for yours. So you can close that chapter knowing you didn't leave anything unresolved."
I nod, not trusting my voice.
"And about Sebastian." Now there's definitely amusement in his tone. "Try to be at least somewhat discreet. He's technically in my employ."
"We're not—"
"Good night, daughter."
I flee before he can see how red my face has become.