Chapter 370: When it rains, it pours 1
CIAN
I was about to enter the hall when I heard footsteps behind .
I turned and saw Elara approaching. Her face was pale and her hands were clasped tightly in front of her. She looked like she had been crying recently or was about to start.
"Cian."
Her voice was quiet. Too quiet for soone who usually carried herself with so much confidence.
I waited.
She stopped a few feet away from
and looked up at
with eyes that reminded
too much of her father’s. The sa shape. The sa color. But none of the calculation I had co to expect from Aldric.
"Did he really do those things? All of those horrible things? Do you think he would? I an... Threatening Madeline... It doesn’t make sense to . It cannot. I need you to tell
it cannot be real."
I kept my expression neutral. The trial was minutes away from starting and I did not have ti for this conversation. But she was my cousin. And she was hurting. I couldn’t be that person. But I didn’t know what sort of person to be for her.
"The trial will reveal all," I said.
Her jaw tightened.
"Please do not do that."
"Do what?"
"Treat
like a child." Her voice cracked slightly. "I am old enough to take the truth. Information must have gotten to you too. You know sothing. You must know sothing."
I looked at her and felt the pull of family loyalty warring with every instinct that told
to be cautious. Elara had always been kind to . She had never given
reason to doubt her. But she was Aldric’s daughter. And I did not know how deep that bond ran or what she might do with information if I gave it to her.
"I don’t know what to tell you, Elara."
Her face crumpled.
Then she dropped to her knees.
I stepped forward instinctively but stopped myself before I reached for her. She looked up at
with tears streaming down her face and her hands pressed together like she was praying.
"You have to be rciful."
"What?"
"Please." She was sobbing now. "Please. Maybe he did do it. I know he is a man of many faces. I know he is not always kind like he portrays himself. I know he has hurt people. But I am his daughter and I will carry his sins whatever they are."
The words hit
harder than I expected.
I crouched down in front of her and shook my head.
"That is far from the truth. You will carry nothing. His sins are his own. None of yours."
"You do not understand—"
"If he is guilty, it does not matter." I made sure my voice was firm. "It does not change our relationship. You are my cousin and I will love you regardless."
She laughed bitterly through her tears.
"Those are just words. Even if they are true and you might love , what about everyone else?" She wiped at her face with shaking hands. "You cannot force them to love
or not distrust . They will see
as his daughter first. Always. I know I am asking for a lot. But please tender rcy. Stop this. It will be the biggest public humiliation."
I felt sothing tighten in my chest.
"Your father was the one who asked for this," I said quietly. "To deny it, which by the way is impossible now that the elders are here, is to deny what he wants. My hands are tied."
"Cian—"
"It will be fine."
"No." She stood abruptly and stepped back from . Her face was red and her eyes were wild. "Before I am a Donlon, I will be my father’s daughter. Aldric’s daughter. I am a finished woman now. This affects everything for , moving forward."
I reached for her but she turned and ran before I could get close enough.
I watched her disappear around the corner and felt guilt settle heavy in my stomach. I wanted to go after her. I wanted to tell her that none of this was her fault and that I would protect her no matter what happened in that hall. But I could not. Not right now. I had a trial to oversee and a pack to protect. I couldn’t give her the one protection that wanted from . Because no matter what... my uncle... Aldric Donlon needed to be brought down.
So I did the next best thing. I hardened my heart and turned back toward the hall.
That was when I saw Fia and Maren approaching.
Sothing was wrong... At the very least, sothing was off.
I could see it in the way Fia held herself. Her shoulders were tight and her hands were clasped in front of her and she looked like she was holding sothing back. Maren walked slightly behind her with a worried expression on her face.
I walked toward them and stopped when I was close enough to see the tension in Fia’s eyes.
"Whatever it is, it will be alright," I said. I reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. "Everything will go according to plan."
She looked up at
and her brow furrowed.
"What do you have planned exactly?"
I glanced at Maren. It wasn’t like I didn’t trust her. It was just instinct I guess. Maren on the other hand, understood imdiately and took a few steps away to give us privacy.
I turned back to Fia and lowered my voice.
"Aldric will not survive this. No matter how hard a fight he puts up." I paused and made sure she was listening. "I also know that Elder Moira will be on our side because her side is the Goddess’ side. I intend to use her particular gifts to weed out the traitor in powerful places."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"If Aldric is to fall, his allies and foes will be present," I continued. "No one in that room will escape an oath."
She looked down at her hands and I saw worry flicker across her face.
"What is it?"
"What if Aldric just dies?"
I frowned.
"What does that an?"
I pulled her closer and studied her face. There was sothing she was not telling .
"What did you do?"
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