Chapter 12: His plan to never accept a mate

Luna asked Darius to show Elowen and Theo to their room, he offered a small smile and nodded, gesturing for them to follow. Elowen walked silently behind him, Theo holding her hand tightly.

She tried to focus on the thought of getting some rest, but her mind kept drifting back to what she had seen earlier—Cassian smiling so tenderly at Aria, holding her as if she meant the world to him.

Despite her earlier words to Luna, the thoughts gnawed at her, and she couldn't hold them in anymore. She hesitated for a moment before quietly asking, "Darius…how close are Cassian and Aria?"

Darius stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her. Elowen immediately regretted asking and lowered her gaze, bracing herself for a scolding. But instead of reprimanding her, Darius reached out and gently patted her head.

"You're just like my little sister," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of sympathy. "And I really pity you, so I won't lie."

Elowen blinked in surprise, looking up at him, her heart racing. Darius sighed and continued, "Cassian and Aria…they've been close since childhood. There was a time before Aria met her mate when everyone thought Cassian would be the one. It was rumored all over the place. But then Aria met her true mate and left with him."

He paused, his expression darkening slightly. "Cassian…well, he wasn't exactly the same after that. But he never interfered in their relationship. He wouldn't do that. However…Cassian owes Aria a lot. She helped him through some difficult times. He respects her more than anyone. In his eyes, he thinks he owes her a debt that he can never repay."

Elowen listened quietly. Darius wasn't telling her everything—she could feel it. There was more to the story, but he wasn't going to reveal Cassian's secrets.

"And Aria..." Darius shrugged slightly, his gaze distant. "I'm not sure what kind of relationship she thinks they have. But whatever it is, Cassian's feelings toward her are more about respect and obligation than anything else."

Elowen nodded slowly, trying to absorb his words. It made sense, in a way. She could see that Cassian wasn't the type to love easily. But knowing that he felt so indebted to Aria, that he respected her so deeply, didn't make the situation any easier to bear.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice small. She appreciated Darius's honesty, even if it left her feeling even more conflicted.

Darius smiled warmly at her as they reached the door. "Don't shy away if you need anything. Just ask. I'll come to get you both when breakfast is ready."

Elowen nodded in response, her thoughts a jumble. Once inside, she gently set Theo down on the large bed and took a moment to look around. The room was massive, far bigger than anything she and Theo were used to, though not as grand as Cassian's.

A wave of frustration hit her—why was she comparing her room to his? Why did she keep thinking about him at all?

She cursed herself inwardly, sitting down on the bed. The mattress was soft beneath her, so different from the hard floors they had grown accustomed to.

She tried to push the thought of Cassian out of her mind, but the image of him smiling warmly at Aria crept back in. Was that the reason he rejected her? The idea gnawed at her insides, filling her with an inexplicable sadness. If Cassian loved Aria, what chance did she ever have? And why had fate tied her to a mate who wanted nothing to do with her?

The soft bed creaked as Theo bounced on it happily. He giggled, his bright eyes shining with joy. "It's so soft, Elowen!" he exclaimed. "I've never slept on anything like this before!"

Elowen smiled faintly, watching him jump around. The sight of him laughing was enough to momentarily lift her spirits. They had lived so harshly, sleeping on the cold, hard floor, barely getting by with what little food and shelter they had. She had tried her best to keep Theo safe, to shield him from the cruelty of their stepmother.

But it had been difficult, and now, in this soft room, with a warm bed, it felt like a strange dream.

"At least one of us is happy," she thought, her heart warming slightly at her brother's laughter.

Suddenly, Theo stopped bouncing and looked at her with wide eyes. "El, I'm thirsty."

Her stomach tightened with nerves. She hadn't even explored the house yet, and the thought of wandering around alone terrified her. What if someone scolded her for not knowing her way? What if they pointed her out, ridiculing her the way her stepmother's servants always had?

But she couldn't let Theo go thirsty. With a deep breath, she stood up. "I'll be right back with water. Don't go anywhere," she assured him, forcing a smile.

"Hmm," Theo hummed, busy playing with the pillows making a tower.

As she quietly made her way down the hall, her steps were slow and hesitant. Her heart raced as she passed by closed doors, half-expecting someone to step out and berate her.

Then, she heard voices—muffled but unmistakable. She froze in her tracks, recognizing the sound of Aria's voice coming from behind a partially closed door. Her heart skipped a beat, her curiosity piqued against her better judgment.

"But you said you'd never accept a mate, Cassian," Aria's voice was filled with disbelief. "You promised me!"

Elowen's breath caught in her throat. She pressed herself against the wall, her hands trembling slightly. Never accept a mate? Her mind spun. She couldn't understand what that meant. She knew Cassian had rejected her, but was it more than that? Had he always intended to reject any mate the Moon Goddess gave him?

Her chest tightened painfully as the realization hit her. He hadn't rejected her because of anything specific about her—he had decided long ago that he wouldn't accept a mate, period. And here she was, tied to someone who never wanted her from the start.

Tears welled up in her eyes, though she fought to hold them back. Why did it hurt so much? She barely knew him, yet the pain in her chest was undeniable. It felt like a betrayal, though she didn't know how to name it.

She hated this feeling—hated how small and insignificant she felt, standing there listening to them.

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