Lucian turned back into a human. It caused another uproar from the nobles who had been under his ass and stomach, but he simply wiped the corners of his mouth, belched, and smiled widely as he joined Cass. The crew seemed a little worse for wear.
Lord Ridgewood seemed to be taking the brunt of the shock and fear. He kept glancing at his father, then back to Lucian, to the King, and back to Fiona. It was like he was on a loop, and Cass felt a little bit of pity for the man. This had to be a lot to take in considering he hadn’t listened to anything he had said before. He was now getting smacked in the face with the truth.
Edgar was fairing better, but still seemed a little shocked. This was not helped by the fact that Edgar’s father, who Cass had not brought up prior to this, was currently speaking urgently, but quietly, to Edgar and Lady Ava.
Both siblings looked stricken, but were listening intently to whatever their father was saying. When Duke Vespertine noticed that Cass, Lucian, and Cass’ entourage were approaching, he straightened himself. His expression was flat, and Cass almost thought he was going to throw a finger at him, accusing him of...something.
Instead, the man surprised him by bending at the waist, a serious sign of respect for this man, and bowing to him and Lucian.
"Thank you for saving the kingdom once more." His voice rang out, even as he was bent at the waist. He had to be using magic or something like it. He wasn’t sure if holy power could be used like that, but maybe he was using a ring or something that enhanced one’s voice. He had to have an accessory like that since he gave sermons to that huge fucking temple.
"All I did was have a snack." Lucian said casually, and Cass had to fight the laughter that wanted to spill out of him. Fiona was having a hard time too.
"And I just told him to have a snack." Cass replied, smiling softly. When Duke Vespertine rose up, glancing between Lucian and Cass’ closed off expressions, he let out a sigh. He shook his head, a small smile touching his lips.
"How very hero-like of you to say." He muttered, and Cass felt his blood run cold. That motherfucker better not- "Either way, you have my thanks. Not only that, but you found out he was a demon as well. We are blessed by the gods to have you...helping Lady Fiona in her endeavor. I will pray to the gods for your safety, though I doubt you’ll need my prayers." He didn’t do it.
It was a small blessing, as Duke Vespertine bowed once more, but not as deeply, before taking his leave of the group.
Once that was done, Cass glanced around the room, seeing if there was anyone else he wanted to speak to, before he waved his hand, the knights and Duke Ridgewood fell to the ground and Fiona took the lead. She turned, taking Lady Ava’s arm in hers and marched for the exit. No one was going to stop her when her expression looked like fucking death. Cass wondered if her bloodline had been announced when they were out as well, but he didn’t think so.
The King would have wanted to see the shock on her face in person.
Everyone moved out of their way, Edgar waving his hand so that doors opened before Fiona even needed to push them open, and she gave him a grateful look over her shoulder as she continued to move. Cass hung back, making sure that Edgar and Lord Ridgewood were in between him and Lucian, and Fiona and Lady Ava. Sir Sanders and Byron trailed behind Lucian and Cass.
Lucian kept burping every once in a while, rubbing his stomach. Cass glanced at him as they moved through the castle hallways.
"Upset stomach?" He joked and Lucian gave him a pouty look.
"Yeah. I forgot what eating demons tasted like. I only have one demon I want to eat, and honestly, he tastes better than this." He complained. Edgar sputtered, coughing as he heard Lucian’s words. Cass nearly tripped, Lucian’s hand jerking to catch him but Cass jerked out of his hold almost immediately.
"W-What did you just say?" Cass asked, flustered, and Edgar smirked as he turned to look back at Cass.
"Honestly, I can’t help but agree. Other demons must taste awful. Thankfully, I know one that tastes sweet." Cass stared blankly at him, before Edgar turned back and Cass blinked, flustered. Had he...really just said that while standing next to Lord Ridgewood?
Cass was confused. Cass was sooo confused.
Fiona’s laughter at the front filled the air and Cass wanted to take off his shoe and throw it at her.
"Hey! No laughing up there!" Cass snarled, and that only made Fiona laugh more. Even Lady Ava was giggling.
"I had no idea there was a difference in the way demons taste. Care to elaborate, Lucy?" Lady Ava asked, all innocent eyes and gentle looks. Cass felt his jaw drop. That harlot! Liar!
Fiona snorted.
"Now Avie, you know all about how different things taste, don’t you?" Fiona teased and this time it was Edgar who covered his ears and made a noise of protest. Lady Ava gasped, but Edgar’s actions covered up the sound.
"La la la! I don’t need to hear this! This is something I do not need to know about my sister!" Edgar protested and Lady Ava’s face flushed more. Fiona gave her a naughty grin, and Cass wanted to bury his face in his hands.
There was no way they were going to be able to fight the allegations that the hero party was just one big poly relationship. Hell, that would be better than the fact that they were all just gay, minus Edgar and Lucian. They were half gay, half not gay.
Lord Ridgewood was yet to be determined, and Fiona and Lady Ava? Well, Lady Ava couldn’t have a straight bone in her body, but Fiona was...undecided. Maybe she was bi, maybe she was pan. Cass was leaning more towards pan given some of their conversations.
"Can we not have these conversations in fucking public? We were doing so damn well. Being around you all ruins my reputation." Cass muttered quietly, and Lucian let out a loud laugh.
"Oh come on! That’s not true! You’re plenty scary even when you’re around us. Even we can be scared of you sometimes." Lucian said, fighting his urge to wrap his arm around Cass’ shoulder and pulling him close. Cass watched as his arm hovered, jerking towards him like a repeating, broken robot before he was finally able to control himself and drop it down to his side.
"Sometimes? I’m scared of Cass ALL the time." Fiona said, turning back and winking at Cass. She meant her words, but they were said so sweetly that it only made Cass’ face flush. He felt fucking ridiculous, and it only got worse.
"I’m scared of Cass too." Lady Ava said, raising her hand like they were in a class, not like they had just fucked up a royal ball and were walking away from the aftermath. Nobles pressed against the hallways as they moved through the vast castle.
"Oh, I’m absolutely terrified of Cass. All the time. I just tremble in my boots whenever the man approaches." Edgar insisted, his eyes curled up at the corners as he spoke. Cass narrowed his gaze at the other man, then turned to Lord Ridgewood. He wondered if the man was going to participate in this strange display.
He seemed...torn. Conflicted.
"I...don’t like lying." He muttered quietly at first. "While I do find the man...intimidating, I’m not scared of Cassian. I’m scared of what his actions will reveal about myself." He spoke softly, quietly, and Edgar sighed next to him.
"Always a stick in the mud I see." He muttered, and that seemed to hurt the man more. Lord Ridgewood flinched at the muttered words, and Cass glanced at Edgar. He didn’t seem mad, or even angry, just...calculating.
Cass wondered if his plan was to break Lord Ridgewood down into small, bite sized pieces before he put him back together again. Devious, a lot of work, but seemed like something Edgar would do.
Cass was going to mind his own fucking business. Lord Ridgewood had nothing to do with him.
They eventually got to the front door, the carriage waiting for them as if by magic. Fiona, ever the hero, held the door open for everyone, Lucian being the only one who was able to usher her inside instead of letting her continue to hold the door.
Lucian also made a surprise announcement once everyone else was inside.
"I’m going to stay outside. My last meal is really not agreeing with me. I’ll stay with the carriage, but I think I need to fly home. Hopefully that will work things out." Lucian told them, and then Cass felt bad.
"Oh no. Are you alright?" Cass asked, genuine concern in his voice. Lucian’s expression, which had been flat, brightened immediately.
"I’ll be fine, but thank you for worrying about me. Don’t regret anything that you did. He’s the one who’s making it harder on me in the end. It’s also been a while since I’ve eaten someone like this." He teased, winking before he closed the carriage door and leaving Cass with everyone else, his face going red, and Fiona smirking.
"Oh? He’s been doing another kind of eating? I had no idea." She deadpanned and Cass fought the urge to throw his shoe at her again.
"Can it, Fiona." Cass muttered quietly and that only made Fiona laugh more.
"We’re not in public anymore. Why should I? Actually, what were you and Lucy doing the last couple of days? I couldn’t get a hold of either of you." She teased and Cass couldn’t help the way that his face warmed. Fuck. Her.
"Do you want to start this fight? I will finish it." Cass warned, and Fiona, sensing he was serious, reached up and pretended to lock up her lips. She shook her head, but her eyes were sparkling, and Lady Ava seemed to have something clicked in her mind.
She gasped, covering her mouth, before she glanced between Cass and Fiona.
"What? No way!" She sounded shocked, but then she seemed to turn as if she was about to go off pelting Cass with questions.
It was Edgar who stopped her.
"Avie, don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to." He warned softly, kindly, before the carriage began to move and they were truly on their way back home.
The ball was finally done and over, and the more pressing issue was dealt with. Cass could now...finish his hell week.