Darius POV
The blade at my throat was sharp enough to draw blood.
I didn't move. Didn't breathe. Behind me, Elara made a small, terrified sound, but I kept my hands exactly where they were—on her hips, claiming her even with death an inch away.
"You always were too slow, brother," Cassian whispered, his sword steady despite the rage burning in his eyes. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice? The way you watch her? The way she trembles when you're near?"
"Cassian, please—" Elara started.
"Shut up." The words cracked like a whip. "You've done enough talking with your eyes, my dear wife."
I felt Elara flinch, and something murderous rose in my chest. "If you want to kill someone, kill me. Leave her out of this."
"Leave her out?" Cassian laughed, harsh and bitter. "She's the center of it all, isn't she? My pure, innocent bride. My peace offering. My lying, faithless queen."
The blade pressed closer. I felt it bite into my skin.
"When?" he demanded. "When did you first touch her? The wedding night? Before?"
I said nothing. Let him guess. Let him wonder.
"Answer me!" The roar echoed through the temple, bouncing off ancient stones.
"The night she married you," I said quietly. "While you were passed out drunk on wine, celebrating your prize."
It wasn't entirely true—we'd met in the shrine before the wedding night. But I wanted to hurt him the way he'd hurt her with his cold indifference.
Cassian's face went white with fury. "You touched my wife on my wedding night."
"I touched my mate." I met his eyes steadily. "The woman the goddess chose for me, not you."
The sword trembled with his rage. For a moment, I thought he'd do it. Drive the blade home and end this here.
Instead, he stepped back, the weapon still pointed at my heart.
"Treason," he said, almost conversationally. "That's what this is. Adultery with the queen. Theft of royal property. Sedition against the crown."
"I didn't steal anything." I moved slowly, carefully, putting myself between him and Elara. "She was never yours to begin with."
"She married me. She made vows."
"Under duress. For a peace treaty. That's not a marriage—it's a business arrangement."
"A business arrangement that keeps thousands of people alive." Cassian's voice turned cold. "But you don't care about that, do you? You'd burn down the kingdom for a piece of tail."
I moved before thinking, lunging for his throat. He was ready for me. The sword swept up, catching me across the ribs. Pain blazed through my side, but I kept coming.
We crashed into the temple wall, both of us snarling. His blade clattered across the floor as we grappled, fists flying.
"Stop!" Elara's scream echoed through the chamber. "Stop, both of you!"
I had Cassian pinned against the stone when her words penetrated the red haze of my fury. Blood ran down my side from his sword cut, but I barely felt it.
"Get off me," Cassian panted.
I stepped back, chest heaving. He straightened his torn clothing, eyes never leaving my face.
"You want her so badly?" he said. "Fine. Take her."
The words were too easy. Too calm. I waited for the trap to spring.
"But understand this, brother." He picked up his sword, sheathing it with deliberate care. "She's still my wife. Still my queen. And if she carries a child..." His smile was razor-sharp. "Well. Bastards have such unfortunate accidents."
Ice flooded my veins. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that any child born to my queen belongs to me. By law. By right. By royal decree." He smoothed down his hair, once again the perfect king. "Whether I sired it or not."
Elara made a sound like a wounded animal. I turned to see her pressed against the altar, one hand instinctively covering her stomach.
Cassian's eyes followed the gesture. His smile widened.
"Ah," he said softly. "How interesting."
"You're imagining things," I said quickly.
"Am I?" He moved toward Elara like a predator stalking prey. "You do look rather pale lately, my dear. Rather... delicate."
"I'm fine." Elara's voice was barely a whisper.
"Of course you are." Cassian stopped just close enough to touch her. "But just to be safe, I think we should have the palace healers examine you. Regular checkups. Can't be too careful with the queen's health."
The threat was clear. If there was a child, he'd find out. And when he did...
"Don't touch her," I warned.
"Touch her?" Cassian turned back to me, eyebrows raised. "She's my wife, Darius. I'll touch her whenever and however I please."
His hand shot out, gripping Elara's chin and forcing her to look at him. "Won't I, my dear?"
Elara's eyes were huge with terror, but she managed to nod.
"Good girl." He released her and stepped back. "Now, here's what's going to happen. Tomorrow, you'll announce your engagement to Lady Catherine. You'll marry her within the month and move to her family's holdings in the north."
"And if I refuse?"
Cassian's smile turned deadly. "Then I'll have you executed for treason. Publicly. Slowly. And your precious mate can watch from the front row before I lock her in the highest tower for the rest of her very long life."
The temple fell silent except for the sound of our harsh breathing.
"Choose," Cassian said. "Your life or hers. Your freedom or her safety."
He was already walking away when he paused at the temple door.
"Oh, and Darius?" He didn't turn around. "If she carries, the child is mine—or it dies. Remember that when you're warming Lady Catherine's bed."
The door slammed shut, leaving us alone in the flickering candlelight.