Chapter 607: Never fully alone
Cass hadn’t realised it because he hadn’t even been out of the carriage when he’d launched himself at Sir Forsythe, but a lot of the servants had come out to greet them. They lined the area, as did a small cluster of people who all looked suspiciously like a blonde woman who was not here.
Edgar came to a halt as soon as he noticed them, then glanced at Cass, Sir Forsythe, and Sam. He had a small, accusing look in his eyes before he remembered what Cass had told him before. Gideon didn’t even flinch.
"I see we have some guests, Cass." Gideon said and Cass nodded.
"Yes. This is Ava’s birth family. We are currently hosting them at our manor while she is absent." Cass explained. He didn’t say much, which was a clear sign that they couldn’t or shouldn’t say anything either. Gideon nodded firmly. He left Cass’ side and offered his hand to them, shaking their hands despite the clear look of confusion, fear and apprehension that was on all of their faces, but especially the face of Ava’s brother. He couldn’t remember if he was older or younger at the moment, but he did know that he was the one who instigated everything with his grandfather.
He had every right to be afraid. He had been plotting against them as a whole because the Vespertine family had not upheld their end of the bargain when taking their prized daughter. Cass knew that he had plotted with his grandfather to get back at the other Duke’s family, which was why he had snatched them when they had.
Sir Forsythe may have explained things to them, he may not have. That wasn’t any of Cass’ concern. He had made a promise after Ava had done something nice for him in the past, and he was fulfilling that promise whether Ava knew it or not.
Cass wasn’t even sure if the whole family was in on it or if it had just been the older brother. He didn’t really care either, not as he watched Gideon show them respect that they probably didn’t deserve and Sir Forsythe’s lips twitched. Cass couldn’t tell if he was holding back a smile or laughter, probably both, as Cass turned his back to the front of the house and looked towards the many, many carriages that were coming onto the property.
"What did you buy, my Lord?" Sir Forsythe asked and Cass laughed.
"Whatever I wanted." Cass replied.
"Understood, my Lord." Sir Forsythe said and that dry response had Cass laughing. Ah, he’d missed him terribly, but hadn’t realised it until he was at his side.
"How did managing the estate without us go?" He asked, glancing at Sir Forsythe. The man gave a grunt in response.
"Not as well as I had hoped. I fear that there are just some things that only my Lord is capable of. Forgive me for not being able to fully complete the task that you had given me." Sir Forsythe said and Cass waved his hand dismissively.
"I expected you to do what you could, not solve world hunger, Sir Forsythe. Getting everything into place so that I could clean up easily is also something nice and appreciated." Cass told him and Sir Forsythe’s eyes curled at the corners, the crow’s nests there making him into a handsome older knight.
Cass pushed that thought down immediately. He could be handsome, that was fine, but there was no fucking way that Cass was going further then that. That was an abuse of power, even if he was older than him. He was his damn employee, Cass, and you already had three problems to worry about. No fucking more.
"Is Lord Draken still not back?" It took Cass a moment to process what Sir Forsythe had asked because he hadn’t heard his last name in so long. When Cass realised what Sir Forsythe asked, he nearly choked.
Lord Draken? Lucian wouldn’t like that, at all.
"He’s still away, yes. Probably won’t come back until after my next...monthlies." Cass clarified and Sir Forsythe gave a nod and another grunt in response.
"Understood, my Lord." He replied as they watched the carriages pull in. Sir Forsythe turned to Sam. "Are you working or are you off until the wedding?" He asked, not missing a beat. Sam blushed.
"I-I am working for a while yet! These weddings apparently take a long time to plan and we’re even rushing it. I would never leave my Lord alone for so long anyways. I’d go insane." Sam muttered and Sir Forsythe reached out and ruffled the top of his head.
"You wouldn’t, that’s right." Seeing him be affectionate with Sam had Cass jerking his gaze towards Byron, worried that the dragon would react poorly. To Cass’ surprise, and Edgar’s, Byron didn’t even twitch. Maybe it was the bond between the three of them as Cass’ most trusted aides but it seemed that they had something that the others couldn’t understand.
"I will be making sure he rests before the wedding." Byron piped up and Sir Forsythe chuckled.
"Let me know if you need help, Byron. I remember having to help Dustin for his wedding to Ailia as well. I’m also familiar with their customs, Sam, so don’t be afraid to ask if you are confused." Sir Forsythe said and Cass had a jarring moment to realise that of course he did.
He had a friend who was a fairy, a lord who was half fairy, and a friend who had married a fairy. Those were enough connections that Sir Forsythe probably had a lot of knowledge that Cass...didn’t.
Damn it, he probably would have been very helpful to have at his side when he was going through everything with Taniora, his Aunt Alysora and all of the others. Sure, he’d had Byron but there was a big difference between Byron and Sir Forsythe. Maturity was one, and the other was experience.
Byron was technically older, but Sir Forsythe had been doing this kind of work for much longer. Byron could pick up on things easily, but Sir Forsythe was able to react to things he could predict. Damn it. He would have been good to have at the balls.
Regret filled him as he realised that, but...who else could he have had at the manor then to make sure it was safe? Cass was going to have to add more people to his trusted circle. Even the thought made his skin crawl.
"My Lord?" Sir Forsythe’s voice broke through Cass’ intense thoughts and Cass turned a blank expression towards him. Sir Forsythe chuckled. "I was just saying that I asked for the Doctor that you had visited before to come to the estate tomorrow. I had a feeling that you hadn’t been getting any kind of medical care while you were in the capital and it was something that Ailia mentioned to have checked. They have had no interactions with...those folks, and I have also made sure of it." He said carefully.
Vague, broad but out in public. It was a test as much as it was Sir Forsythe showing his care and consideration for Cass. Cass blinked as Edgar stepped closer and wrapped his arm around Cass’ waist and pulled him close.
"That’s very considerate, Sir Forsythe. It’s probably exactly what Cass needs right now." Cass watched Sir Forsythe blink but didn’t react further than that. Cass turned to look at Edgar, raising his eyebrows.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Cass asked pointedly and Edgar grinned from under the brim of his hat. All handsome face, smiling, and Cass could tell that several of the staff noticed Edgar’s handsome features.
"What do you think it means? We’ve been trying to fatten you up, we should check in with a professional to see if it has actually happened, and in a healthy way. Who knows? They might be well versed with your blend of special." Edgar teased, winking. He knew that wasn’t the case, but instead he was playing into the fact that Cass was a mixed child from a human and a fairy. Cass huffed.
"Yeah. We’ll see." Cass replied while Edgar leaned in a little closer, his hat hitting Cass’ head and pushing it back slightly.
"Plus, the doctor that Sir Forsythe is calling is the one who made you those...things, right? Maybe we should ask for more?" Edgar suggested and Cass felt his whole face go red.
"Edgar Vespertine." Cass hissed, flustered while Edgar held Cass close, laughing.
"Shall we?" Sir Forsythe asked, gesturing to the manor and Cass felt his shoulders relax. He was flustered because there were so many new faces around, and there would be more new faces for a while. Cass turned to the family that he had yanked here for safety and smiled.
"We’ll talk tomorrow, everyone. For now, get some rest, relax, and I’ll explain everything then." Cass told them and watched as they tensed, but there was relief in Ava’s mother’s eyes as well.
"May I be so bold to ask if she’s okay?" She asked and Cass paused. He had been about to go into his home, his manor, when she asked that. Cass paused for only a moment before he nodded.
"You’re her mother, of course you can ask something like that." Cass told her kindly and watched as the two men stiffened, but she relaxed. "She’s traveling, but she’s fine. She’s with the hero on a mission." Cass saw no reason to tell them the full truth or lie about Fiona’s pregnancy to them. They had probably heard the rumours that she was pregnant and that she had lost it by now.
They could take what they wanted from the news that Cass gave them. Cass had no idea their views on homosexuality and didn’t really care. It was a favour for Ava, and not because they got along.
"Thank you, Lord Blackburn." Her mother thanked Cass, bowing to show that she was grateful. The tears in her eyes were answer enough to that question while Ava’s Dad looked a little guilty. The brother just looked worried. Cass wasn’t sure if it was for himself or his sister, but he didn’t care.
He left them there, letting Sir Forsythe lead the way, Edgar wrapped around him and Gideon following behind them. Sam and Byron wrapped up the group and they all headed for Cass’ rooms. They went directly to Cass’ office, going through the several doors to get to the familiar space.
Cass felt like he was finally home when he saw the big desk, the bookshelves, the smell of paper and sweat and hard work. Was it a bit ridiculous that Cass moved to the desk and laid on top of it, hugging it? Yeah, but no one said a damn thing about his actions. How could they?
He’d been through hell and back, found out truths about himself, about Cassian, merged souls, had a few heats, developed weird shit, argued with the gods, and now he was back home. He even pressed a kiss against the worn wood for good measure.
"I’m finally home." Cass mumbled and Sam let out a soft sound.
"You are, my lord." Warmth coated his tone and Cass tilted his head back and gave him a boyish grin.
"I am, aren’t I?" He replied and watched as Sir Forsythe seemed shocked by the smile while the four other men relaxed. Edgar took off his hat, hanging it from the small coatrack in the corner of the room by the doors and Gideon stood smiling at Cass brightly.
"You are, Cass." He told him and Cass laughed. For just this moment he was allowed to be thrilled that he was here. Then he could get back to work.
Comments