Chapter 9: Marked Territory
Cassian POV
Something was wrong.
I stood in my study, reading the guard's report for the third time. Two wine cups in the queen's chambers. Voices heard through the door. Rumpled bedding despite Elara claiming she'd been praying.
"You're certain about the cups?" I asked.
Captain Morris nodded grimly. "Helena swore she only brought one. Said she always counts them when she collects the dishes."
"And the search?"
"Found nothing, Your Majesty. But..." He hesitated.
"But what?"
"The balcony window was unlocked. Helena insisted she'd checked all the locks before retiring."
My blood turned cold. The balcony was three stories up, accessible only to someone desperate enough to climb the drain pipe. Someone with intimate knowledge of the palace layout.
Someone like my brother.
"Double the guard on her chambers," I ordered. "And station men in the courtyard below her window. If a bird so much as lands on that balcony, I want to know about it."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After he left, I poured myself wine and tried to think. Darius was cleverer than I'd given him credit for. While I'd been focused on blocking the obvious routes to Elara, he'd found another way.
But why take such a risk? What could have been so urgent that he'd chance his life to see her?
Unless...
I set down my cup so hard the wine splashed across my desk.
The pregnancy signs. Elara's pallor, her nausea, the way she'd instinctively covered her stomach in the temple. I'd assumed she was simply stressed, but what if there was more to it?
What if my faithless wife was carrying my brother's bastard?
The thought made me want to tear the palace apart stone by stone.
But first, I needed proof. And I needed to remind everyone—especially Darius—exactly who Elara belonged to.
The next morning, I summoned the entire court to the throne room for an emergency assembly. Nobles filed in looking confused and worried. Emergency assemblies usually meant war or death.
Today, they meant something else entirely.
Elara entered flanked by guards, her face carefully composed. She wore deep blue silk that made her skin look like porcelain. Beautiful. Regal. Mine.
When she reached the throne, she curtsied perfectly. "Your Majesty."
I didn't offer her the queen's chair beside mine. Instead, I gestured for her to remain standing while I addressed the assembled nobles.
"Lords and ladies," I began, my voice carrying through the vast hall. "I've called you here to address certain... rumors that have reached my ears."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. In the corner of my vision, I saw Darius enter with the other royal family members. His face was carefully blank, but I caught the way his eyes immediately sought Elara.
"Rumors," I continued, "about the loyalty of our new queen. About where her true allegiances lie."
Elara's face went pale, but she didn't move. Didn't speak. Good girl.
"Such rumors are, of course, treasonous lies spread by enemies of the crown. But I believe in demonstrating the truth rather than simply declaring it."
I stood and moved to Elara's side. She tensed as I approached, but held her ground.
"My queen," I said loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Tell the court—who is your husband? Who is your king? Who owns your body, your heart, your womb?"
The questions hung in the air like a blade. I saw several nobles shift uncomfortably. This was more intimate than royal proclamations usually got.
"You are, Your Majesty," Elara replied, her voice steady.
"And who would you die for? Who would you kill for? Who commands your absolute loyalty?"
"You, Your Majesty."
"Good." I took her chin in my hand, angling her face toward the watching crowd. "Then you won't object to proving it."
Before she could respond, I pulled her against me and kissed her hard. Not a ceremonial kiss or a gentle display of affection. A claiming. A brand. A statement of ownership that left no room for doubt.
She went rigid against me, her hands pushing weakly at my chest. But she didn't pull away. Couldn't, with half the kingdom watching.
I deepened the kiss, making it last longer than propriety demanded. When I finally released her, her lips were swollen and her eyes blazed with humiliation and fury.
Perfect.
"You see?" I announced to the court. "My queen is devoted to me and me alone. Any suggestion otherwise is not just treasonous—it's laughable."
Scattered applause echoed through the hall, but I noticed how many nobles looked uncomfortable. How many avoided meeting Elara's eyes.
And I noticed how Darius had gone completely still, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
"Now," I continued, still holding Elara possessively against my side. "I want to address another matter. Recent security concerns have forced me to make some changes to the royal household."
Here it came. The trap I'd been planning all morning.
"Prince Darius will be departing immediately for the northern provinces to oversee our mining operations there. He'll be taking a full retinue and will be expected to remain in residence for... an extended period."
I felt Elara go even more rigid beside me. Darius's face showed nothing, but I caught the muscle jumping in his jaw.
"When do I leave?" he asked, his voice carefully controlled.
"Today." I smiled. "Your escort is already waiting. I thought it best not to delay such important work."
"How... efficient of you."
"I pride myself on efficiency." I turned to address the court again. "In Prince Darius's absence, I'll be taking a more active role in palace security. Particularly concerning the protection of the royal family."
The message was clear to anyone with half a brain: I knew about their meetings, and I was ending them permanently.
"Are there any questions?" I asked.
The hall remained silent.
"Excellent. You're all dismissed. Except you, my dear." My hand tightened on Elara's waist. "I have additional matters to discuss with my wife."
The nobles filed out in uncomfortable silence. Darius was among the last to leave, and I caught the look that passed between him and Elara. Desperate. Heartbroken. Furious.
Good. Let him burn with it during the long, cold nights in the northern wastes.
When we were alone, I finally released Elara. She stepped back immediately, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
"That was unnecessary," she said quietly.
"Was it?" I moved closer, backing her toward the throne. "Because from where I stood, it looked like my wife needed a reminder of her place."
"I know my place."
"Do you?" I braced my hands on the throne's armrests, trapping her between my arms. "Because your place is in my bed. Bearing my heirs. Obeying my commands. Not sneaking around with my brother."
Her eyes flashed with defiance. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't you?" I leaned closer, my lips almost brushing her ear. "Two wine cups, Elara. Voices in your chamber. An unlocked window."
She went completely still.
"Did you really think I wouldn't find out?" I pulled back to meet her eyes. "Did you think I was that much of a fool?"
"Cassian—"
"Your Majesty," I corrected sharply. "You will address me properly, or you'll find your accommodations significantly less comfortable."
She lifted her chin with that stubborn pride that both infuriated and aroused me. "Your Majesty."
"Better." I traced one finger along her jaw, feeling her shudder. "Now, let's discuss your condition."
All the color drained from her face. "My condition?"
"Don't play dumb. It doesn't suit you." My hand moved to rest over her stomach. "When were you going to tell me about the baby?"
The lie came immediately to her lips—I could see her formulating it. Instead of speaking, she did something I didn't expect.
She bit me.
Her teeth sank into my lower lip hard enough to draw blood. The copper taste filled my mouth as I jerked back in shock.
"You'll never own what my wolf has chosen," she whispered, her chin still lifted in defiance.
For a moment, I was too stunned to move. Then rage flooded through me, hot and absolute.
I wiped the blood from my lip with the back of my hand, never breaking eye contact.
"We'll see about that," I said softly.