"My Lord," Sam started, his voice low and confidential, "should I know this?" He asked and Cass took a moment to scan over the other man.
They had moved from the bathroom back into the main room. During the time that they had been speaking to each other, Sam had helped Cass get undressed and ready for bed, which was great since Cass was exhausted. Sam had been frowning the whole time, but when Cass had asked he just said nothing.
He told Cass it was nothing, but he could tell that Edgar, who had been helping in Sam’s place, was probably going to get a tongue lashing from Sam. Cass was almost looking forward to it, except for the fact that he wasn’t going to be awake to hear it.
That part was a pity, but there was also a part of him that didn’t care that much. He was sure he would hear both sides.
Cass turned his attention back to the question at hand, realising that his drifting mind probably had to do with how tired he was, and how much trust he had in Sam. His heart ached that he hadn’t spoken to him about the poison, and that he was pushing it to the side, but...He just knew that for his own mind that he needed to push it away for now.
He wasn’t going to ignore it forever. He knew that of all the people-shaped creatures in his life, Lucian was not going to drop it. He was actually afraid of how Lucian was going to react when he found out that Cass hadn’t spoken to Sam about it. Maybe he just wasn’t going to bring it up.
Either way, Cass needed to focus on what Sam had said. Was it too much for a man he didn’t fully trust to know? Yes, but at the same time...it was a good test of loyalty. If word got out, that would truly mean that Sam wasn’t on his side.
Cass felt his brows furrow and his chest ache at that thought, so much so that he had to rub the spot over his heart. Sam stared at him with concern.
"My Lord?" He asked softly. Cass let out a heavy sigh.
They were sitting down now, at the little couches and table set up near the doors, much to Sam’s protests. At one point Cass snapped at him to sit down and Sam had sealed his lips and plopped down.
"Sam, I need at least one other person to know this, otherwise it could go off terribly." Cass told him tiredly. Sam swallowed.
"We should speak of this in the morning. You need your rest." Sam said quietly, and Cass shook his head. While he was probably right, there was this...knowing in Cass’ gut. Call it intuition after having had it once already, but Cass had a feeling tomorrow morning was going to be the beginning of hell, and he didn’t know when Lucian got in.
"No. We need to discuss this, because this week has already been messed up. I think it’s coming tomorrow, Sam." Cass told him, meeting Sam’s worried, and slightly shocked gaze. His lips firmed into a thin line, and his hands clenched in his lap.
"That’s not good, my Lord." Sam said quietly. "It hasn’t changed since I started working for you." Sam told him, and Cass was glad that he was that thorough.
"I had a feeling you would say that, so help me record the rules, will you?" Cass joked. He slid himself down to the floor, sitting on the carpet as he sat next to the table there. Sam looked horrified by what Cass had done, but Cass just shook his head.
"My Lord, are you alright? Let me help you!" Sam went as if to pull him up, but Cass shook his head.
"There should be some paper in the room and something to write with. I need you to grab it, since sitting on that couch and bending over doesn’t seem like a good idea." Cass told him and Sam got up, ran right to where he had noticed paper was in the room, and came back quickly.
"I should write it, my Lord." Sam started and Cass chuckled.
"I am fine to do so. Sometimes it’s nice to sit on the floor." Cass told him, and Sam didn’t look like he believed him. They set about making the rules for Lucian. What was okay, and what was not okay. Cass’ hand shook as he wrote ’no penetration’ but it needed to be done.
He then went into specifics at the bottom, clarifying everything. Not leaving space for wiggle room. Cass did not want to be bound to him like that, especially when he was in a state where he wasn’t fully himself. He needed to make that crystal fucking clear to Lucian. No matter the begging and pleading that Cass did, Lucian had to resist.
If he couldn’t, get the fuck out of the room. Leave Cass alone with the toys and he would figure it out on his own. Lord Blackburn had done it for so long without help, Cass could do the same.
He was only using Lucian because it was convenient, and he knew what was going on, to some degree. That was all.
With the rules written out, Cass made a little spot at the bottom for them both to sign their names. Cass didn’t care much about the date, but once the contract was written up, he felt better. He let out a sigh, resting his head against the table.
This was good. This was the right thing to do.
He needed to show his body that he was in control. He could work around whatever the fuck this was. He could do it, no, he would do it.
He had no other choice. If he didn’t show up to this ball, the hero party could be fucked beyond reason. Cass couldn’t have that, and the fall back plan was eating the king and some other nobles. That also would fuck up the hero party, and he was fairly certain that wasn’t what the gods had been hoping for when they ’hired’ him.
Cass gave a snort.
It would be funny to see them panic though.
To see everyone panic.
Okay, maybe that wasn’t so bad of a plan. Fiona probably wouldn’t mind if they ate her father, right?
"My Lord, you are falling asleep here. Let me help you to the bed." Sam sounded desperate, and Cass let out an annoyed sigh.
"Go let Edgar know everything is all good and that he and Byron can come back first." Cass mumbled against the wood of the table. Sam looked displeased that he had to do that first, but did scurry off. Cass chuckled.
He was getting more bold, more aggressive. He wasn’t sure if he was happy about that or not. It had to be good that he was standing up for himself more, but seeing all of his little reactions that he tried to keep to himself before? Cass wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad thing.
He bet Byron had a role to play in that. He should speak to him privately when this next hump was gone and done with.
Fuck, would Cass never be able to catch a damn break?
As soon as Sam had finished calling for them, he came back over and helped Cass to his feet. It felt like it had only been ten seconds, but then there was a second set of hands on Cass’ other side, Edgar’s frame filling his gaze. Cass snorted.
"Ran, did you?" Cass teased and Edgar froze, before he let his body relax again.
"You’ve been pushing yourself, Cass. Of course I want to make sure that you get to bed. I’m sure that Lucian will be here in the morning when you wake up, so you need as much sleep as you can manage. He’s going to be chomping at the bit since you plan to bring Lord Ridgewood to the mansion." Edgar said calmly, and Cass could feel Sam watching them, watching Edgar.
Vigilant. He wasn’t going to forget a damn thing that Edgar had done prior.
"Well, when he gets here, make sure that he reads the thing that Sam and I just put together. That might change his attitude considerably." Cass mumbled, his head bobbing as tiredness crept into his body. He’d been fighting it off, but now that most of the stress was gone, his battle plan was put into motion and he’d written up the rules of the...game he was planning with Lucian, his body wasn’t listening to him.
Edgar reached over, turning his head gently so that it was resting against his shoulder.
"I’m a little sad that I’m not included, but I’ll keep that to myself. You let me help you with work, so I’ll take that as a small victory. Sam, I’ll leave him in your hands." Edgar said softly, and Cass twitched.
"You aren’t sleeping with me?" Cass asked, raising his head to meet the man’s stunned gaze. Edgar’s mouth was open, his blue eyes wide.
"I...you want me to?" He asked, his gaze sliding to Sam and then back to Cass.
"Never mind what Sam might do," Cass told him and watched as Edgar’s cheeks warmed, "are you not planning to sleep with me tonight?" It was something that Cass had gotten used to.
They didn’t cuddle or anything crazy, but Cass had gotten used to having another warm body in his bed. He had a feeling it was what was staving off the worst of his issues, and he had been kind of banking on it.
Edgar hesitated.
"I...I think Lucian would be quite upset if he knew I was sharing a bed with you while he wasn’t here." Edgar started carefully and Cass sighed.
"I’m not some toy that you two can share custody of. I’m a fully grown adult. If you don’t want to, you can just say as much instead of beating around the bush." Cass told him sharply, frustrated. Great. Now his time was going to speed up.
Edgar’s gaze grew even wider and he flushed. HIs grip around Cass’ shoulders tightened.
"No! I want to spend more time with you, but I didn’t want to overstep when your...people were around. I wasn’t sure if I was welcome." Edgar admitted softly and Cass let out a sigh. These damn fools.
"It’s just sharing a damn bed. It’s not like we’re doing anything crazy." Cass told him, and watched as Edgar’s cheeks warmed.
"No. You’re right. We aren’t wrapped in each other’s embrace." Edgar echoed. Cass was almost positive he could detect something in those words, but it was buried. Cass ignored it.
"Exactly. I also didn’t really prepare a room for you to stay in at the mansion, so you haven’t really had your own bedroom until now. We’ll get that sorted for tomorrow since I’ll be..." Cass trailed off, shaking his head. "Either way, come to bed, Edgar." Cass told him and watched as colour touched his cheeks.
"U-Understood, Cass. I’ll get you tucked in, and then I’ll join you shortly after." Edgar promised, and Sam remained silent on his other side. Cass knew that was only temporary. He would confront Edgar once Cass was asleep.
He hoped that Edgar survived Sam.