It was surprising that after all of that, nothing else of note happened at the ball. It was like the Queen took the wind out of the sails of the King and any scheming he had planned went out the window.
That did mean that the fairies had a great time. Once Byron came back after Cass had danced with the Queen and they had parted ways amicably, the fairies decided to party on the King’s, or Cass’, dime.
They started drinking, they took over the musicians, they began playing their own songs. Cass got roped into several dances he’d never danced before and unlike before when he was dancing with the Queen, he did make mistakes and did cause a few problems. Other nobles got roped in too, the ones that the fairies noticed wanted to get involved.
The party, which was normally a more rigid, hide behind closed doors affair became a fun-loving block party that Cass had seen thrown in his old city. Small communities would do the same thing back in his old world but Cass had never gotten involved or participated. His sister had, but she deserved breaks. Cass usually had to work anyway.
He wasn’t sure how to handle this kind of treatment, or this kind of joy. He’d never experienced it before, especially when he knew he was in a room surrounded by enemies. That didn’t seem to matter to the fairies. They truly didn’t care.
They were essentially wearing armor and dancing around in it while surrounded by the people who didn’t view them as anything more than a pretty face who had lived for a long time. It was a good distraction, for everyone, and Cass found himself enjoying himself. There was guilt mixed in, because he didn’t feel it was right for him to be enjoying himself like this after Gideon had been cornered and drugged.
However, it was Byron who gave him advice.
"My Lord, he would be more upset if you stayed and didn’t have fun. He was trying to be helpful, not ruin the night for you and Lord Edgar. If I was in his shoes I would feel the same way." He said and Cass couldn’t dismiss his words easily. After all, Byron was in love with a man who had a similar dedication to another person like Gideon was. He was able to speak from a place that Cass probably couldn’t.
So, Cass enjoyed himself. He even roped Edgar into a circle dance that he had no idea how to do and neither did Edgar. It was full of laughter and light and so completely different from the normal balls that Cass knew the King had failed in his attempt to regain order.
Cass wasn’t even plotting for that to happen tonight. He was just happy that his family had done what they wanted and that had been enough to shake the powers that had control in the city. Cass could also tell that some of the newer, younger nobles were growing interested in Cass and Edgar. He could see the intrigue in their eyes. Their curiousity. Cass was just happy to see that there was some hope for the people here.
Cass, Byron, Edgar, Ailia and Sir Sanders left near the end of the party. His Aunt and Byron’s Mom came with them to the carriage but planned to stay in the rooms arranged by the royal family. They wished them good night and hoped that they would see them soon before they left.
Ailia was all smiles. She looked like she was positively glowing from the inside and out while Sir Sanders looked exhausted. He had taken on the burden for the two of them when it came to the stress, but Cass had a feeling that was something that they had planned for this day. After all, Ailia was basically going to tuck herself away from view due to the pregnancy now. She had to.
This had been her last public celebration and if there was one thing Sir Sanders never wanted to do to his wife was mute her spark. Cass was a little envious of their respectful relationship and how they were able to work with each other so easily. He knew that it had to come from years of being together and that things were probably a lot rougher under the surface, but Cass found himself being a little envious of that connection.
He knew that his heat was coming up, it had been knocking at the door for a while. He was just also a little scared. He was going to go through this heat and then immediately have to pivot and try to recruit Cassian into merging souls with him. He’d never been that close to anyone else before in his life.
He’d just experienced a wonderful night of laughter and fun, but that was on the heels of one of his people being drugged and trying to be ruined by a fellow demon who had offered to join hands with them for Cass to turn them down. Everything felt so big and strange and even if he wanted to tuck his tail and run, he couldn’t.
Where could he run? Where could he go? And more importantly, what would happen to the people who he had forged relationships with if he did run away? Nothing good, Cass was sure.
So while he was having a great time being with everyone and soaking up the moment, he couldn’t fight the dread and fear that was looming over his shoulder. It also didn’t seem like anyone else sensed Cass’ feelings, but Cass didn’t mind that at all.
Arriving back to their home, Gideon and Sam were waiting for them, the door open and illuminating them from behind. Edgar practically scrambled out of the carriage to check on Gideon who was slightly leaning on Sam for support. Cass let Ailia and Sir Sanders get out before he followed suit.
Edgar was patting the other man down, checking on him, making sure he was okay. Gideon was still in his finery, but the smile on his face was all his. He looked a lot better since several hours had passed since he had been drugged. Sam also looked calm, which did make Cass feel better.
"-ne now, Edgar. You don’t need to panic like that. Sam told me that Byron and Cass made the right judgement call." Gideon assured Edgar and Edgar didn’t seem appeased. Cass turned his gaze to Sam who offered some clarification as Byron tucked himself against him quietly. Cass smiled at the way his face changed colour but he still was professional.
"It was made from demon byproducts. Most normal humans might get high or drunk from it, but clearly Lord Gideon was fed too much and also given how he has holy power in his body, it could be more harmful. You did the right thing by making him throw up." Sam confirmed and Cass nodded.
"I’m glad to hear it. Well? Shall we all head in? You can fuss over Gideon upstairs, Edgar. While we’re in the bath." Cass told him. Gideon flushed while Ailia let out a laugh.
"Not even hiding it, are we?" She teased, nudging Cass’ shoulder. Cass flushed, coughed, but then shrugged.
"Does it matter? My heat is coming up and it’s not like anyone here are blushing violets. Hell, you’re pregnant, Ailia." Cass said. Ailia raised her hand to her mouth, gasping in fake shock.
"What? How did that happen?" She asked, turning wide eyes to her husband. "Did you do that?" She asked but Sir Sanders wasn’t in the mood to joke.
"Of course I did, and I won’t stand for anyone suggesting someone else did." He warned, flashing his fangs. Cass smirked but Ailia grabbed her husband’s face and kissed him silly.
"Who else would I allow so close to me, hmm? Only my adorable, charming husband." She told him and Cass felt his chest ache. Was that from him, or Cassian? He wouldn’t know.
He turned back to Sam and Byron, who were also rubbing it in his face that they were a happy, settled couple. They were even planning a wedding for them. Why was Cass suddenly feeling this way? Was it the heat? Was it the fact that Lucian had been gone for what felt like a year already, but Cass hadn’t even gone through one heat without him yet?
Cass didn’t know the source, he just knew that he didn’t want to be outside in the cold night air anymore.
~
Cass knew that his behaviour was a little strange. He could tell that the others were picking up on it too. It wasn’t like Cass was hiding it either. When they got into the back, Cass didn’t stay far away from the others like he tended to do. Instead, while the three of them were sitting in the bath, Cass creeped towards them. He didn’t stop until his shoulder was rubbing against Edgar’s and at that point Edgar was giving Cass a rather strange look.
Cass didn’t think he was upset, it was more of a curiousity but Cass was feeling a little clingy and prickly at the same time. He was blaming his heat. He knew it was a cop out, but that was the only way he was going to get through this strange feeling in one piece.
It was Gideon who reached out, his expression perplexed as he placed his hand on Cass’ shoulder.
"You okay, Cass?" He asked softly. Cass swallowed thickly.
"Are you okay?" Cass deflected and Gideon softened.
"I am. I feel almost back to normal. The bath is helping tremendously. Eddie was just telling me about what you two got up to while I was gone." Gideon hesitated for a second. "Do you...want to come closer?" Gideon asked. It was like he was testing if he had read Cass’ cues properly and when Cass gave a small nod, Edgar gasped quietly. Gideon didn’t react to that, instead reaching for Cass and gently pulling him closer.
It was clear he was worried about how close he could pull Cass in. He thought that Cass would stop at his knees or at his side. Gideon was not prepared for Cass to let him pull him into his lap. Not straddling him, but Cass let him tug him until his legs were draped over Gideon and Edgar’s laps and Cass’ ass was on his thigh.
Gideon’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide as Cass shifted awkwardly. He hadn’t really sat like this before so he wasn’t quite sure what the right position was. Should he...wrap his arms around Gideon’s neck? He wasn’t sure.
Edgar was stunned, staring at Cass and Gideon like he couldn’t quite wrap his mind around everything that was happening. With his hair damp, like Cass and Gideon, he looked even more handsome since it was slicked back.
"What is this? Why are you climbing into his lap and not mine?" Edgar demanded and Cass easily began to move. Edgar gasped, quickly pushing Cass back into Gideon’s direction. "I was joking! You weren’t supposed to do that!" Edgar said, but Cass couldn’t understand.
"You don’t want me in your lap?" Cass asked, sounding a little hurt. He was being sincere and Edgar turned his gaze to Gideon. He looked a little confused and lost himself. Gideon had no answers. He just shook his head and wrapped an arm around Cass’ waist under the water.
"It’s not that, Cass. He is just confused by the sudden behaviour. Not that we’re complaining, but did something cause this?" Cass couldn’t very well tell them that he’d suddenly gotten jealous over how close the other couples in his life were. He didn’t want them to make fun of him and it wasn’t the full truth anyways. So, he told them a partial truth.
"I’m...scared about what’s going to happen. I’m also scared that this is going to be my first heat without Lucian and I’m worried about him while also worrying about everything else. Is it bad that I had a good time tonight without you or Lucian?" Cass asked. Edgar’s expression grew pained while Gideon froze.
"Oh Cass." Gideon whispered before he tugged him closer and wrapped his arms around him. The hug was exactly what Cass needed right now.