Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 51

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Maerwyn trembled, burying her face even lower. A wave of bitter regret washed over her.

I never should have touched Elowen!

But who could have guessed Uncle Cassian would take her side? He’s never shown an interest in anyone’s affairs before…

Elowen must have bewitched him!

Cassian said nothing more, his gaze shifting to Autumn.

The maid trembled violently, prostrate on the floor like a leaf in a storm.

Finally, his eyes rested on the two guards.

No words were needed. The sheer weight of his presence, the cold authority radiating from him, was enough.

Even those two burly men cowered, lowering their heads in panic.

“Cassian…” Isla drew a steadying breath, mustering her courage. “Since the Duchess came to no harm-not a hair on her head was touched-this is really an internal palace matter. Perhaps…”

Cassian’s eyebrow lifted slightly. “A moment ago, Your Majesty invoked the bond between His Majesty and me, urging my wife to keep this from me. Now you call it an ‘internal palace matter,’ as if to exclude me. Having spent my life on campaign, I fear my understanding is simple. Please clarify: do you consider me close to His Majesty, or do you consider our connection severed?”

Isla’s face paled.

Theodric shot her an exasperated glare.

He owed his secure throne in no small part to Cassian’s blood and sacrifice,

With the northern borders still unstable, he relied on Cassian.

How dare she imply otherwise!

“Furthermore,” Cassian continued, a cold edge to his smile, “it is only because my wife is unharmed that we are having this conversation. Had she come to harm, heads would have already rolled within these palace walls.”

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His tone was lethally calm, yet brimming with an undeniable, intimidating authority that filled the entire chamber.

Isla wanted to accuse him of overstepping. But Theodric spoke first, waving a hand. “Cassian, you don’t need to lift a finger. I’d have dealt with them myself—and fast!”

Isla closed her eyes in despair.

Elowen stood quietly, watching as Autumn and the guards, under the combined confessed everything.

pressure,

She watched Theodric thunder at Maerwyn, sentencing her to six months of strict confinement, forbidden to leave her quarters without express permission.

She watched Maerwyn dissolve into ugly, heaving sobs, her eyes flashing with hatred toward Elowen before she caught Cassian’s icy gaze and cowered back, her face contorting further.

Theodric, learning the plot had been genuinely aimed at Elowen-and in front of Cassian no less-was furious.

His recent promise to protect her fresh in his mind, he turned his anger on Isla, blaming her lax parenting for their daughter’s corruption.

Isla, still weak, scrambled from the chaise to kneel before Theodric, kowtowing and begging forgiveness.

“Satisfied?”

Elowen, absorbed in the unfolding drama, started at the low voice near her ear.

She turned to find Cassian watching her intently.

She felt a flicker of embarrassment, but answered honestly with a soft, “Mm-hmm.”

She met his gaze sincerely. “Thank you, my lord.”

A faint curve touched his lips. He seemed pleased by her gratitude.

At least she’s appreciative.

His eyes lingered on her ear for a moment, then narrowed. “You’re injured.”

Elowen blinked. How does he know?

As if reading her mind, he tilted his chin slightly toward her left ear. “Your earring. Half of it is

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broken.”

:

Elowen raised a hand to her earlobe. Her white pearl drop was indeed shattered.

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She thought back. It must have happened when Alaric shoved her against the wall on her way to find Theodric.

“Who hurt you?” Cassian asked, his expression growing serious.

Elowen hesitated. Should she tell him about the encounter with Alaric now? It didn’t seem the right moment.

Theodric had just punished his daughter; to immediately bring up his son’s transgression might wound royal pride and breed resentment toward Cassian.

Even between brothers, one was still the sovereign.

After a moment’s thought, she pressed her lips together. “Noth-”

“Father. Mother.”

Alaric’s voice sounded from the doorway at that exact moment.

He stepped into the chamber, his eyes landing on Cassian. His feet froze mid-step, his eyes widened with instant, visceral fear.

The childhood dread of his formidable uncle seized him completely.

Cassian raised an eyebrow. “Grown so tall, yet you’ve forgotten your manners?”

Alaric’s lip twitched slightly. He forced down his panic. “Uncle.”

Cassian’s gaze was steady. “And?”

Alaric paused, then belatedly noticed Elowen standing beside the wheelchair.

A strange, sick feeling momentarily overshadowed his fear.

Elowen’s hair was elegantly coiled. She wore a gown of deep violet silk, the cuffs embroidered with delicate gold thread in a pattern of waves and clouds.

Cassian wore a tunic of a strikingly similar shade of violet.

One standing, one seated, they formed a picture of unexpected harmony.

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A sharp, acidic pang twisted in Alaric’s chest. It felt as if something precious that belonged to him had been stolen.

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