By the time that Sir Sanders came back, slamming into the room angrily, Ser Hune had dragged Cass over to the couch that she had claimed as her own and had Cass tucked against her, her arms around him and his head against her shoulder.
Sir Sanders was carrying a small orb with him, literally a magic ball, and he looked pissed. He slammed his body down onto the couch on the other side of Ser Hune and wrapped his arm protectively around her stomach.
Cass was thankful that the man wasn’t glaring at him at the very least. He was glaring at everyone else.
"Those fuckers. Got the ball, babe." Sir Sanders said, handing over the orb to Ser Hune. She chuckled, turning and giving the man a forehead kiss. It honestly was a bit surreal given how pissed the man was.
Well, at least they were a match made in heaven.
Ser Hune had to release Cass slightly to grab the orb, taking it in one hand and Sir Sanders offered her his hand to help support it. She glanced towards Cass, giving him a warm smile.
"Have you seen one of these before?" She asked and Cass, recalling Cassian’s memories, nodded.
"Yeah. In the Blackburn Estate." He said and watched as she smiled wickedly.
"I’m assuming you can guess what it does? After all, the humans copied our magic to create their own." She sounded smug, and honestly? She should. Edgar was watching the orb, fascinated, and Cass had to remember that he was a mage as well. This was probably rather interesting to him.
"It’s a communication orb." Cass told her, and she grinned. She shifted her hand, ruffling Cass’ hair in a way that felt so reminiscent of how his sister treated him sometimes that Cass had to swallow his emotions down.
"That’s right. However, this isn’t a general orbs. You can use those when in fairy camps and towns to reach others, but when you’re abroad like this it’s best to have more direct lines of communication. This one goes directly to the head of my village." She said and Sir Sanders let out a soft sigh.
"You should clarify that that is your Mother." He ratted her out without hesitation and Ser Hune rolled her eyes.
"I’m not going to inherit the title. That’s not how it works for fairies." She scolded her husband who made a loud scoffing noise.
"It doesn’t have to be the way that fairies do it, but often that is the case. You just don’t want the responsibility, not that you don’t want to do it." He said and Cass watched as Ser Hune’s face shifted slightly. It took him a moment to realise that she was embarrassed since her skin was so dark he couldn’t tell that she was blushing.
"Dustin." She warned and he shut up. "Anyways, she’s probably expecting a call from me, so let’s see how this goes." She said. Cass, since he was pressed against her, felt her magic begin to swell and the orb began to glow a soft blue shade. Almost like a sky blue in colour.
Cass wasn’t sure what to expect, a video call, just a voice? Maybe a 3D model? The answer came quickly.
"Hello? Ailia? Is that you? Or is it that dog of a husband of yours?" The voice sounded aged, wizened, but the response alone told Cass that he was dealing with someone that had to be related to Ser Hune. Sir Sanders growled.
"Watch it. I still haven’t forgiven you for the dog grooming kit you got me last solstice." He warned and warm laughter sounded on the other side of the orb. It crackled slightly, but the connection remained.
It was like a phone call, plain and simple. Cass felt his shoulders relax.
"Mom, I have to warn you not to embarrass Dustin too much. We have several listening ears." Ser Hune warned. "My Lord, Cass, is listening, as well as several of his...playthings?" She suggested mildly.
Lucian was grinning at the suggestion, giving Ser Hune two big thumbs up in agreement while Lord Ridgewood looked shocked. Edgar wasn’t displeased per se, but he didn’t look thrilled at being called a plaything.
Ser Hune’s grin widened.
"Oh, and Byron." She said and there was silence on the other side for a moment before the other woman spoke.
"Oh, pardon me. I was just so overwhelmed. Did you say the wee fairy is there?" She asked and Ser Hune gave Cass a squeeze.
"He is. He’s right here. He’s not used to our terms, so you might have to human it down for him." Ser Hune said and Cass felt distinctly like that was a dig. However, Ser Hune was still smiling as she said it, not a single drop of malice or teasing in her voice.
"Right, right. Hello uh, Lord Cass? Is that what I should call you?" She asked, attempting to be respectful. The comedy and surrealness of the situation had Cass relaxing slightly.
"You can just call me Cass. Ailia only called me her Lord because I hired her to work for me." Cass clarified and there was such a big, relieved sigh on the other end that Cass’ lips curled up slightly.
"Oh thank the great tree. That was going to be a nightmare to navigate. Thank you for hiring her, by the way. Oh, it is so nice to speak to you and hear your voice. You were such a severe young fairy when I first saw you from a distance. It is good to hear your voice." She said, and Cass could feel the warmth in her tone through the orb.
Ser Hune came by it naturally.
"Mom," she began, "we have something rather shocking to tell you. Two things, actually. I would like to start with the bad news first." She said. "It’s partially why I have Cass here. I want him to be able to answer any questions you have, and also, be gentle. He’s been crying." Ser Hune said and Cass felt his body tense.
"Oh no! Has he been drinking enough water to compensate? It’s never good when a young one like him gets too dry." A young one? Getting too dry? Cass felt his head spin with the way that this woman, this elder fairy was referring to Cass. Ser Hune’s smile was wide and sudden.
"He’s not fully a fairy, Mom. He’s able to regulate, remember? Besides, there are a few teacups here. I think he’s been hydrating just fine." She said, looking towards Cass and winking. Cass just gave a quick nod.
"Oh good. I forget sometimes. He’s just so cute I want to squeeze his cheeks." Cass felt his face warm at that and Lucian let out a bark of laughter.
"He’d bite your fingers off if you attempted." Lucian warned, warmth in his gaze as he looked at Cass. A bark of laughter over the orb.
"Good. He shouldn’t let some random old fairy touch him." She said. "I’m ready, Ailia. Tell me the bad news." Her Mom said and Ser Hune glanced at Cass.
"I can do it this time, Cass." She said, taking the choice away from him. Cass wanted to protest, but Edgar shaking his head, along with Lucian, told him that he should let her do so. Cass felt torn. It was his truth, he should say it, but if they all thought letting Ser Hune handle it this time was best...
He remained silent, and Ser Hune took that as his consent when it dragged on a bit too long.
"Alright. Mom, you know who Cass’ Mom is, correct?" Ser Hune started, and her Mom scoffed.
"What fairy wouldn’t? Of course I am familiar with the Songbird." She said and Ser Hune sighed.
"She did what her ancestors could not, and in the process, did an unspeakable act against Cass." Ser Hune held nothing back, the clear disdain in her voice making the air in the room dark. "She made a deal with a demon, and in the process, harmed her unborn baby in her stomach. She created a fairy/demon hybrid at the cost of Cass’ humanity." It was amazing that she was able to piece that together without Cass saying it. Then again, she knew that what he was was impossible.
She was the one who told him that.
Silence reigned on the other side of the orb for a long, long moment. So long that Cass worried they had lost connection. Only the fact that the orb was still glowing told him otherwise.
"Is she dead?" It was the first question that she asked. Ser Hune let out a bitter laugh.
"Cass confirmed that she is a demon now. So, yes, but no." Ser Hune answered before Cass began to hear crashing on the other side of the orb. Cass flinched and Ser Hune tightened her arm around Cass’ body. "Mom." She warned and there sounded like a lot of curses on the other side.
Cass couldn’t understand what she was saying. However, it didn’t take him being able to understand her to know that she was pissed.
"I know." Ser Hune said, speaking still in the language that Cass could understand. "However, we can’t do anything. I’m not even sure how she was able to speak to a demon yet. My guess, she wasn’t able to until she was pregnant with a human/fairy child. That monster. However, Cass exists. The nursery tree kept him alive, much like it now tends to the little one in my stomach." Ser Hune said, revealing the good news.
The sounds of violence on the other side of the phone stopped.
"Is this true?" She asked, whispering, and Ser Hune let out a wet laugh.
"The tree confirmed it. Dustin and I are going to have a little one of our own. Cass also said anyone could come and be with us while we tend to the tree and keep them safe. As long as they don’t damage the property or the tree." It was so obvious to Cass that they would never do so, and the soon to be grandmother let out a wet laugh.
"What a series of terrible events. I am so excited for you, Ailia, and so devastated for our little fairy. Do not worry, daughter. I can feel what you want. She will be struck from our good records, and added to the bad ones. No more shall the songbird be spoken of well. How dare she harm one who cannot defend itself? Like the damn humans who came before her." There was no forgiveness in her tone and Cass realised how seriously they took children.
That was not something the fairies let anyone fuck with.
Cass hoped for a safe birth for Ser Hune then.
"Is there anything I can do to make sure that Ser Hune and the nursery tree are safe and that the birth goes well?" Cass asked softly. Ser Hune turned to look at Cass, a deep affection in her gaze.
"He’s been worried since he heard." Ser Hune said, and a soft chuckle sounded over the orb.
"Oh sweet one, it’s kind for you to worry. Provide nutrients for the tree and both Mother and tree shall be fine." Ser Hune’s Mother said. "I shall let the council know, Ailia. For now, I have some questions."