Free Web NovelChapter 591: New body, new ideals
There was no talking when Cass came back to his room. He didn’t really have the strength. He could tell that Gideon was buzzing, but Edgar was exhausted, Sam had a glint in his eyes, and Byron was there to support everyone who needed him.
Gideon and Sam helped the two mages bathe. It seemed that all of the effort that Cass had put into Edgar before they left had finally caught up to him and the man could barely keep his eyes open. Cass was also fighting his exhaustion, but he knew he’d dozed off a few times while Gideon had carried him up.
At the very least Cass let Edgar and Sam know what the nursery tree had told him. It made both of them very emotional, but Sam was emotional for two reasons. Byron even watered up.
It was acceptance by a being that was holy to the fairies. It was a signifier that Sam was welcomed by all fairy-kind, even as a demon. Cass knew it was a big deal.
Cass didn’t want to delay that knowledge, even as exhaustion tugged him under. Cass eventually found himself bathed, clothed, and tucked into a fresh set of sheets with Edgar, Gideon turning to Sam and Byron to discuss the next steps. Cass wanted to be involved, but he couldn’t.
He couldn’t even keep his eyes open.
He let Edgar pull him in, wrapped up in the other exhausted man’s arms and passed out.
The last several days alone had made him tired, add on the insanity of whatever the hell just happened? Well, he felt like he could sleep for days, and he would have earned it.
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"Cass." It was a soft nudge, a warm voice, the feeling of something soft, familiar, and welcoming on his kiss. "Cass." Another call. Another touch. "You’ve got to wake up, bunny." Cass groaned, grumbled, swatted without much effort at whoever spoke.
"That’s more reaction than what we’ve been getting." Someone mused, and Cass swore the voice was familiar, but different from the first voice that had spoken.
"What are these?" The first voice asked, confused and Cass felt someone touch his skin. Where? It felt like his face. Even in his dazed, sleepy state, he could understand that much.
"Don’t know. They showed up at some point while you two were sleeping and we were outside." Cass had no idea what they were saying. He knew that he would understand more once he opened his eyes, but he didn’t want to. Once he opened his eyes he felt like his peace would be over.
He wasn’t sure why he was so certain about it, but he was.
He couldn’t stay down forever, though. He had a lot he needed to do, and some of it made a small thrill run up his spine. Now that he was whole, there were some things he needed to do.
Cass opened his eyes slowly, carefully. The crustiness of his eyes was very unwelcome, and he reached up a hand, grumpy as he rubbed them. Someone laughed, but Cass paid them no mind. He stretched his legs, his toes, his arms. His whole body felt weak and sore. Like he’d run a marathon he’d known nothing about and now he had to deal with the side effects.
When his vision cleared and he’d finally stretched every muscle out, he looked around. At the side of his bed were two grinning fools.
Gideon and Edgar. Both men were smiling, hands in front, their eyes filled with a warmth that made Cass’ face warm and awkwardness fill him. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to it.
"Good morning, bunny." Edgar greeted, his blue eyes warm and his face so damn handsome Cass had to swallow. Gideon’s expression was just as open, and for a man who had been stoic and silent when Cass first met him, this was an incredible turn around.
"G-Good morning." Cass rasped, and then winced. His voice sounded rough, even to his ears. Like sandpaper. It didn’t hurt, thankfully, but he saw how the other two winced.
Edgar moved, turning towards a dresser nearby that had a jug and a few glasses on top. He quickly poured Cass a glass, coming over and helping him wet his throat.
"Thank you." Cass rasped, but he sounded ten times better. Edgar gently helped him sit up, Gideon grabbing some pillows and stuffing them being his back. Cass felt rather content having the two men caring for him. It was odd, but there was a sharp feeling in his chest that felt unfamiliar.
Not anger, but...it felt like a combination of tenderness, confusion and shock. That wasn’t something that felt like Cass’ alone. While it was uncomfortable for Cass to experience...it wasn’t a bad feeling. freēwēbnovel.com
Cass raised a hand to his chest, pressing a fist against his heart and rubbing it. Gideon frowned, watching him.
"Is something wrong?" He asked and Cass frowned in concentration.
"I don’t think so." He muttered, glancing down at where it felt like the pain was coming from. Edgar sat on the edge of the bed, placing his hand on Cass’ knee over the covers.
"You were out for quite some time." Edgar told him, and Cass could tell the more that he looked at them that they looked tired.
"Did you two not sleep while I was unconscious?" Cass asked. All he got in response were two tight smiles and eyes that weren’t smiling at all. Cass let out a heavy sigh. "You two are ridiculous." Cass muttered, no heat to his words. "How many days?" Cass asked. Edgar patted Cass’ knee. freewёbnoνel.com
"Only a few. Nothing crazy. We expected as much." Edgar told him carefully. Cass nodded, glancing between them. Gideon seemed calmed, and so did Edgar. It was just the strain around their eyes that revealed how much they had worried about him. Cass swallowed.
"I don’t feel any different." He admitted, broaching the topic he was sure they were all curious and hesitant about. Edgar let out a slow breath, his hand flexing on Cass’ knee.
"You don’t?" He asked and Cass hesitated before nodding.
"Not really. It’s...different to feel the emotions, my emotions, now. They’re blended, but before my connection with Cassian weakened we were experiencing each other’s emotions together. That was strange and new, similar to feeling our emotions blended together. It’s...not uncomfortable, and something I can easily get used to." Cass told them. They seemed relieved.
"Are you...sorry if this is rude...the dominant personality?" Edgar asked carefully. Cass nodded.
"It’s not rude to ask. The gods told me that I probably would be, but it’s safe to confirm." Cass gave a wistful smile. "It’s strange to know that I can’t just ask him for advice anymore." He admitted. Gideon’s expression softened.
He stepped forward, putting his hand on Cass’ shoulder and gave it a squeeze. His eyes were warm, considerate as he stared at Cass.
"You have us, Cass. You can ask us. I know we’re a rather consolidation prize after having someone as smart and cunning as Cassian on your side, but we’re at the very least, good at listening to you run difficult situations with." Gideon told him. Cass appreciated his words, he did, but he dropped his head and sighed. There was a loss to it, a grief he hadn’t fully expected.
It washed over him at that moment. He wouldn’t hear him, wouldn’t get to poke fun at him about his feelings for Lucian anymore. They were his feelings now. Their feelings.
Cass swallowed, looking at the two men and realised...the feelings he felt for them had changed. Not negatively, not in the slightest. If anything, they grew. Cassian had had respect and attraction to them, but apparently, Cass had been holding it all down.
Now that Cass was acknowledging it and looking inwards, his whole face turned red. He’d never truly experienced this before. He was aware of it now. Nothing had been broken in Cass, he had just been different. Having Cassian merge with him had changed that, just slightly.
Cass’ pulse raced, his palms grew sweaty, and he shivered. Warmth spread through him, and he wasn’t sure what to do.
"U-Um, how is everyone else doing?" Cass asked, needing a distraction. Edgar gave it to him, his eyes warm as he started as Cass’ flushed face.
"Good. Ailia is having very little issues, the fairies have been causing the King to pull out his hair, Sam and Byron are doing well, and we think we have found the mole in the mansion." Edgar told him. It took Cass a moment to process everything.
"Oh. That’s...a lot. The mole?" Cass asked. He felt that was the more important part. Gideon cleared his throat, drawing attention to himself.
"Yes. You were asleep so I wasn’t able to brief you on this, but my father and family had planted a mole in the mansion. They had kept them informed of our plans. It was how they were able to do what they did. However, they tried to stop us from getting to the temple. Sam and I dealt with that while Edgar and Byron got you to the temple on time." Gideon said.
Cass blinked.
"You’re okay? Not harmed? Physically? Emotionally?" Cass asked, and Gideon gave a boyish grin at Cass’ obvious concern.
"Better now that you’ve expressed your worry. Hearing both you and Edgar fuss over me has helped heal any injuries I may have had." Gideon was being cheeky, but Cass didn’t hate it. "But no, Sam and I were not the ones who left injured, and no one left severely injured outside of their pride." Gideon puffed up, raising his chin slightly. "I beat my father in a duel." He told him.
Cass felt his jaw drop before his body was moving. He couldn’t stop himself as he threw his body at Gideon, wrapping his arms around the other man’s shoulders. Gideon caught him, surprise all over his face as Cass squeezed him.
"I’m so proud of you! Congratulations, Gideon!" Cass was overjoyed for the knight. That was a big fucking deal, and while Cass wasn’t all too familiar with sword-fighting, he was immensely proud of him. Gideon accepted the hug, melting into it after a few seconds.
"Thank you, Cass." He hugged Cass closer, letting out a shaky breath. "I was nervous, but I wasn’t going to let him get away with his treatment anymore. The Ridgewoods shouldn’t bother us anymore. Duels are final, and the law." Gideon told him solemnly. Cass just nodded, not really caring about the ins and outs of a family that Gideon wasn’t a part of anymore.
"We’ll make our own family away from the fucked up Ducal houses." Cass spoke Cassian’s dream out loud, with his own lips. "We don’t need them, anyways." The boys stared at Cass, silent, but hopeful.
