Chapter 12: A strong, powerful...wife?
Cass didn't know how he was going to live down this embarrassment in this life, or the next.
"Cheer up, Lord Cassian. At least none of the others have seen you." Lady Fiona whispered, her tone teasing and Cass fought a groan. He hadn't had a choice in this. As soon as Lady Fiona had gotten the idea into her head, it was done.
Lady Ava had been no help either. She had jumped up and down, clapping at the idea of Cass being carried by his wife.
He knew he was being weird about it, but there was the clear fact that to him, Lady Fiona looked like his sister. If his sister had done this to him? Fuck, he could already hear the years of torment he'd receive. Plus, they currently lived in a society where men were supposed to be strong.
He knew that Lord Blackburn was a stick, but this was bound to hurt his pride. And even if she said it like that, it wasn't as if the castle was empty. It was a fucking castle! He was sure there were several people who already witnessed him being carried up those damn main stairs by the heroine of the whole country while Lady Ava and his entourage trailed behind.
It didn't help that they were a sweeping main staircase with an elaborate chandelier that glistened and glittered. He'd seen his own damn reflection in the crystals as they went up the stairs, as well as the glee on Lady Ava's face as she trailed behind. It was like some damn movie scene, but the genders had been swapped.
"If you disliked me so much, you could have just killed me." Cass whispered back and Lady Fiona nearly stumbled over her feet down the hallway before she burst out into laughter. They were getting close to his rooms, or chambers as Sam called them. It was wild; he now lived in a castle with chambers .
"I had no idea you had a sense of humour! That's hilarious." She told him, smiling down at him and Lady Ava popped her head in so she could glance between them.
"What did he say? I want to know!" She asked and Cass closed his eyes, sighing. The two women were going to be the end of him. He'd thought he'd done the right thing by getting them on his side. Instead, he was already regretting it.
He should have known better. The goody two shoes always annoyed him. Even when he'd been in school. He'd gotten into more fights with rule abiders then rule breakers. Lady Ava and Lady Fiona both struck him as rule followers.
Fuck.
"Lord Cassian was just saying that he's having a great time and he hopes that everyone sees him like this." Lady Fiona said, and Cass snapped his eyes open. She winked at him, all cheeky mischief and Lady Ava laughed.
"I doubt that. Cassian has been a lone wolf for so long that I think he's just embarrassed to be taken care of." Lady Ava's giggle filled the air and Cass closed his eyes again. He didn't mind, but his image?
He feared he didn't have one after this.
"Cheer up Lord Cassian. Everyone knows you were injured." Lady Fiona told him helpfully and Cass sighed.
"Yes, I am sure they do know that. So they are going to be so understanding when my strong, powerful wife carries me to my room." Lady Ava giggled.
"You don't sound upset about that." She teased and Cass groaned.
"I am not, but I doubt the others will remain sane about it." Cass muttered. It was Lady Fiona who snorted, rolling her eyes.
"The others wouldn't even dare, Lord Cassian. Not if I say something." She sounded so confident and Cass didn't have it in him to tell her that it didn't matter what she said. The castle was huge, and he didn't know how to use his magic right now.
If the other men wanted to get rid of him to have less competition, now was the time. The one with black hair, Lucy, probably would love that idea. Along with the blond one. Both seemed to have a hatred for him, while the redhead seemed indifferent.
Sure, it wouldn't do him any good if he died again, but it wasn't because of anything he did. Again. So why would those creeps have any reason to be upset with him? He'd done his best, yet someone still wanted to kill him.
Wait. What if the whole point was to keep Lord Blackburn alive past the ending of the story? It wouldn't be something as stupid as that, right? Right?
He'd have to remember to ask about that when he went back to talk to those damn grifters. For now, he'd spoken enough to them to last him hopefully, six months. As long as the one he'd spoken to upheld his end of the bargain.
"Whatever you say, Lady Fiona." Cass deadpanned and Lady Ava giggled.
"You don't seem to believe her, Cassian." She said and Cass grew uncomfortable.
"Uh, well, it's just..." Cass glanced towards the walls of the hallway they were walking down. "I sensed some animosity when I woke up." He replied and Lady Fiona chuckled.
"I had no idea that Lord Cassian was such a sensitive soul. I'll have to keep that in mind." Cass doubted that someone as busy as Lady Fiona would remember this. It wasn't a mark against her, but it was clear that they were neither of each other's top priority. Before, and probably after this. Cass didn't say anything about it though. It wouldn't do him any good to point it out.
Cass' guard that he left behind came into view and Cass watched as his whole expression shifted. From shock, awe, and then into anger. He moved quickly towards them and held out his arms.
"I can take my Lord from this point, Lady Adderberry." He stated and Lady Fiona laughed lightly, her grip tightening on Cass.
"While I appreciate your help, it is unneeded. Or, am I not allowed to help out my own husband?" The guard's jaw tightened and Cass wondered how he was going to react. Instead of glaring at Cass which was what Cass expected, he turned his gaze towards the other guard.
"No, Lady Adderberry. Who am I to interfere between a married couple? It is just that neither of you have gone to each other's chambers since the marriage that I worried that my Lord was being neglected. It is clear that I was wrong. I apologise." Holy shit. Did that man just quietly diss Lady Fiona?
From the expression on Lady Fiona's face, that appeared to be the case. Cass watched as he bowed stiffly, but clearly allowed them to pass. Sam opened the door while Cass had to fight the grin from crossing his face. It would be highly inappropriate to high five the man.
Cass shifted in her arms, watching behind him as the other guard came into view before the door closed. Cass watched as the guard who had remained behind smacked the man, hard, and then the door closed.
"What? Did you like him insulting me?" Lady Fiona's words held a bite and Cass dropped back into his relaxed position. He shook his head.
"No, not at all. I was testing him though, so I am sorry that he took it out on you. I expected him to take it out on me." Sam, upon hearing his words, tossed him a strange look.
"Why would you test Sir Forsythe? He's been loyal to you since before I arrived." That was news to him, and Sam frowned. "Ah. You did not know that. Sorry my Lord. I should have taken a few moments to explain that to you. I forget that you don't have all of your memories. You behave as if you remember everything that it takes me a moment." Cass waved his hand dismissively as Sam bowed in apology.
"Easily forgiven. It actually soothes me to hear that even with my memory loss I don't appear to be too different." He sighed. "I would hate it if someone accused me of being a different person." He joked, but no one found that funny.
When Cass glanced over at Lady Ava, her expression was grim. Wait, did that happen?
"Is that...something I should be concerned about?" Cass asked as Sam escorted them to his bedroom. Lady Ava glanced at his two servants before glancing at Lady Fiona. It was clear that she wanted to speak, but knew she had to keep it a secret. He sighed, closing his eyes. "Once we get to my rooms, Sam can you help me take off my cloak and then depart until Lady Ava and Lady Fiona leave? We need a few moments to ourselves." Sam turned and met his gaze before he nodded.
Byron remained in the main front chamber of his chambers, clearly by Sam's orders. It must have happened when Cass had been embarrassed by Lady Fiona carrying him since he didn't remember hearing it.
Or it could have been when they were in the temple. Either way, it was just Sam with them as they entered his bedroom.
Lady Fiona gently put Cass down on his feet, everyone holding their breath as he wobbled, before Sam helped him take off the heavy, villain cloak and then helped him into the giant, villain coded bed.
God, he needed to change this space up. It was going to give him a permanent headache.
Once he was all tucked in and Lady Fiona had pulled over two chairs for her and Lady Ava, Sam disappeared from the room. It was now time to talk.