Chapter 102: A human ragdoll
There was a lot of fumbling, but Sam was a lot stronger than he looked. Honestly, he was just as thin as Lord Blackburn was, but he was able to get the job done, while Cass remembered he could barely do any pushups.
Cass felt like he couldn’t stop sighing, but Sam made no comment on it as he tucked his clothes around him, making sure he wasn’t naked anymore. He did seem quite concerned at the colour of his nipples, and the fact that there was dried blood. He didn’t say anything as he then turned, grabbed the full jug, and got the healing tonic ready. Cass winced, already not looking forward to the awful taste filling his mouth.
It had been long enough that he forgot some of it, but his body remembered. He knew it was awful, and an anticipation shiver ran down his spine. Sam spooned some of the red powder into the water, and Cass and Sam watched as it turned black. He gave it a few stirs around the glass before he approached Cass with the glass, his expression grim.
"Are you ready, my Lord?" Sam asked, his hand shaking slightly. "You shouldn’t be having this on an empty stomach but..." Sam trailed off, swallowing thickly as Cass let out a chuckle.
"I tried my best, Sam. I just don’t remember when I last ate." Cass muttered and Sam looked pained when he heard that.
"Right. Let’s have Byron grab you some food. I trust him to be able to do so without hurting you." Sam muttered, surprising Cass before he raised the glass to his lips. As soon as it did, Cass nearly hurled, but Sam grabbed the back of his head, forcing him to drink from the glass even if Cass fought against him.
It was involuntary at this point. He couldn’t help it. His body instinctively reacted this way, and Cass understood why. He wanted to throw up, the taste awful, but he didn’t think his stomach bile would hold a candle to the pure sewer water pouring down his throat. So thick and viscous he felt like he was choking on it.
Sam’s grim face stared at him, making sure that Cass swallowed as much as he could until the glass was empty. As soon as that was done, Sam released him, putting the glass to the side to come back and wipe up the mess he’d made with the healing tonic, using the shirt he’d covered Cass’ body with to clean him up.
"Alright. You’ve consumed the healing tonic. I’ll go inform Byron of our plans, and hopefully, I can call over Sir Forsythe at the same time." Cass nodded weakly, shuddering as the taste lingered.
"Of course." He murmured, his elation from the magic fading quickly as he realised that even if he had magic, his body still didn’t fucking listen to him. If he’d had control over it before, he wouldn’t have had to be bitten by Draken. Fuck.
Sam looked him over, clearly worried, before he nodded and rushed for the door. He opened and closed it rather quickly, and Cass could hear him chatting with Byron on the other side, before Byron’s voice faded and Cass had a feeling that no one was at the door.
Silence filled the room, and Cass glanced down at his hands. He attempted to squeeze both of his hands, but both barely responded to him. He had a feeling one was because of the swelling, while his dominant hand, his left, he was unsure as to why it wasn’t responding. Had he sprained it somehow from...jerking off too hard? That was insane if that was the case, and not something he’d ever achieved even when he was a teen.
Cass chuckled.
Not that he’d had time to be jerking off when he was a teen. He was too busy trying not to be taken away from his sister, working, and going to school. Things had only just started to feel like they were settling down when he got sent here. Fuck.
Cass shouldn’t reminisce. It wouldn’t change anything. Especially not now.
"Damn it, Lord Blackburn. This is so frustrating." Cass muttered to himself, before he closed his eyes and tilted his head back, resting it on the back of the chair.
He must have dozed off, because he woke up with a start when the door to his room opened again. Worry filled him, until he realised it was Sam. Sam glanced around nervously, before smiling happily when he saw that Cass was still in the chair.
"Sorry for the delay my Lord. Sir Forsythe was quite concerned for your health upon hearing you were calling for a Doctor, so I had to soothe him. I’ve brought a change of clothes that will be...easy to remove once the Doctor arrives." Sam seemed a little uncomfortable saying those words, but Cass just nodded.
"I’m sorry I won’t be of much help getting me dressed. I..." Cass trailed off, checking in on his body. "I feel a bit better after consuming the healing tonic, but I am not sure how that would make a difference." Sam shook his head, placing the clothes he carried in his arms on the bed, before glancing around, noticing another small table pushed against the wall before he went, picked it up, and carried it over. He then placed the clothes on the table so that they were closer for him to grab.
Cass tried to help, he really did, but he felt like a ragdoll. Every time Sam would pick him up, or help him up he should say, he’d flop over like he didn’t have a spine. Sam was horrified and greatly worried that he was even more injured, but Cass couldn’t tell the man it was probably because of all the stuff he did with his butt.
So, he tried to find humour in it. He joked and teased Sam about how strong he was, while Sam frowned, his concern remaining in his eyes as Cass continued to flop.
The only good thing that came out of this was that Cass was easy to manipulate and dress. His skin also wasn’t as sensitive as it had been, which he contributed to the healing tonic, and being out of...Lord Blackburn’s week long issue.
Cass was not going to say the damn words.
He was never going to say the damn words.
No one could make him.
Dressed to impress, Cass now just needed help getting to his office. That was when Sam summoned Byron into the room, after making sure it was okay with Cass that he entered.
Byron, upon entering the room, seemed just as horrified as Sam at his condition.
"By the gods, what happened?" He uttered, before he paled and covered his mouth. "I-I’m sorry my Lord, I didn’t-" Cass’ weak chuckle halted his words. Cass’ lips turned up, and he shook his head, one of the things that he could do.
"It’s alright, Byron. I completely understand your reaction. Sam was similar." He teased, and watched as Byron slid his gaze towards Sam, who looked grim and nervous.
"Well...alright. How can I be of help?" Byron asked and Sam sighed.
"We need your help carrying the Lord to his office." Byron’s gaze widened further.
"My Lord, if you’ve called for a Doctor, you should see them in your bedchamber." Byron protested, and Sam bit his lip. It was clear that he agreed with Byron, but had held his tongue when Cass had suggested it. He was leaving Byron to the wolves.
That was...kinda cute, actually. Lord Blackburn probably would have flown into a rage at the suggestion, but Cass? He laughed.
"I will not have anyone see me with my room looking like this. As much as I am hurt, I do not want anyone to know how, even if it becomes obvious when the Doctor sees me." Sam paled, Byron frowned, and Cass sighed again.
"I...Well, if that is what you wish, I shall do my best to fulfil it." Byron said. "Do you need me to help you to your study, or carry you completely?" Byron asked. "Is it okay if I carry you if I need to?" He was quite kind, and very much unlike another dragon that lived in the mansion.
"It’s fine, Byron, and I will need a full carry. Unfortunately, I appear as if I have no bones in my body." Cass joked, but Byron didn’t find it funny. Nor did Sam.
"That is not a funny joke, my Lord." Sam chastised, and Cass chuckled again.
"I thought it was funny." He replied, while Byron approached. He appeared nervous, scooping his hands under Cass’ body before he pulled him up off of the chair. Thankfully, Cass had control of his head, but Sam had to tuck his arms in so they didn’t hang. Byron didn’t seem to like the fact that Sam had to do that, and clearly, he wanted to ask how he ended up in this state.
He held his tongue, which Cass was grateful for. He was sure Sam was going to get hounded later though, and wondered if Sam would give in to the dragon.
From the way that Sam kept casting glances at him, it appeared he still had interest in him, or he was worried that Byron might drop Cass. Cass didn’t think that was something he had to worry about. Dragons were huge, and Cass remembered a time from the book where Draken had literally lifted up a house.
If Byron was anything like him, he was perfectly capable of carrying the sickly, ill Lord of his.
Hey, at least he wasn’t in his dressing gown like a true Victorian child. He was fully dressed. Small victories.