"Interesting indeed," Soren muttered, his gaze narrowing as he looked between Elian and Lucien. "Which means nothing in this room has been a secret from either of you, has it? Every alliance, every hesitation, every hidden motive—you've known from the start."
"Only when a touch demands it," Elian replied calmly, holding his ground against Soren's sharp scrutiny. "I do not walk around harvesting minds, Soren. But when the truth is forced into my path, I don't need to look twice."
Cassian was still staring, his mind reeling as the pieces clicked together. All those moments Elian withdrew from him... he was being respectful not to invade his privacy. Not because he didn't entirely want him.
"Is that why you never let me touch you? You could have told me," Cassian said.
"He did not trust you enough to tell you, Cassian." Lucien stated calmly.
"And did he tell you out of trust?" Cassian asked, his eyes shifting to the dark-haired duke standing defensively beside Elian.
