Chapter 73: Adulthood looks good on you
"Byron?" Sam asked, clearly shocked and Cass watched as a bright grin crossed the now giant man’s face. He had certainly grown up, that was sure. His hair length hadn’t changed much, which given the now man’s giant stature, was a bit surprising.
It was a magical place, he kind of expected that to defy normal standards.
Byron’s blue hair did suit him more now that he had more height to him, and his eyes were no longer any shade of brown. They were dark voids in his face, and were quite unsettling. Maybe he lost that after he...aged up, he guessed? More of his natural traits came out now that he had hit his growth spurt, whether real or artificial.
His arms were large, his legs large, and he was probably only a few inches shorter than Draken now. He was still quite a bit taller than Cass, and especially towered over Sam now, but he bent slightly, grinning as he met Sam’s gaze.
"It is I, Sam. I’m sorry I was away for so long. Lord Draken wanted to make sure that all the...kinks were worked out." Byron told him, a soft smile on his face. Sam was shocked. His jaw practically on the floor. If Cass didn’t have so much on his plate at the moment, he would have left Sam to gawk at the new and, clearly improved Byron.
At least, in Sam’s eyes. Cass would have to ask him if he was old enough for him now.
Byron noticed the basket in Sam’s hands, and rushed to take it from him. He was clearly wearing some of Draken’s clothes, and Cass couldn’t say anything. He was wearing the same thing.
"Sam, I know that this is quite shocking, but could we hurry up? I would like to change before we have to speak to the stablebitch." Byron paused, taking the basket from Sam and Sam spun, giving Cass a choked look.
"Stable...bitch?" He repeated and Cass nodded while even his guards stared at him.
"Oh yes. Anyone who sniffs someone else’s ass as much as he is, is one, don’t you agree? Of course, I am not making any comments against our more furry friends, but you won’t tell me that I’m wrong, will you?" Sam shook his head, while Byron’s lips twitched.
"What happened while I was gone?" He asked carefully and Sam sighed.
"What happened in the last 24 hours is the better question. Is it alright if Byron joins us, my Lord?" Sam asked and Cass waved his hand dismissively.
"I would actually love it if he did. I have several questions to ask him before I start reading." Cass told him as his guards opened the door for them. Sam held it open, since his hands were now free, and Byron followed them into the rooms. Cass waited for the doors to close behind him before he glanced back at Byron.
"Did he almost kill you?" He asked and Byron flushed.
"Well, he certainly tried. But it was for my own good. My kind...grow through hardships." Cass narrowed his gaze, trying to read in between the lines. He was sure that Byron had a life-changing experience, but he just hoped it was for the best.
"You didn’t learn any of his bad behaviours, did you?" Cass asked and Byron nearly choked, but Sam gave him the same look Cass was giving him. The two of them were quite serious.
Byron scratched the back of his neck, his face warm.
"I...I wouldn’t know that. I feel like I will need your help to notice. I was with Lord Draken for 24 hours every day for a week." Byron admitted and Cass narrowed his gaze before he nodded.
"Well, we’ll keep an eye on you then, and you don’t need to call that asshole Lord. Draken will do." Cass stated and Sam glanced at him.
"My Lord?" Sam asked as he led the way to Cass’ closet.
"Yes, Sam?" Cass replied and watched as Sam hesitated.
"What...happened while I was gone?" He asked, and Cass was surprised he hadn’t been filled in. In fairness, only him, Tyler, and Draken knew what had happened to him. Cass grew embarrassed. He couldn’t admit that his magic wasn’t responding to him, that would be awful. Especially with Byron around.
"Well, uh, my magic...backfired." Cass admitted. Sam gasped. He’d been pushing open the door to his closet and stopped, turning to cover his mouth. He looked horrified.
"What? What do you mean it backfired?" He demanded, and Cass didn’t take it to heart. He was only concerned for him. At least, he hoped. Cass gestured vaguely with his hand.
"The mark, when Draken bit me. It interfered with my magic, and when I went to cast a spell, it didn’t have any weight to it. I saved the kid I was trying to protect, but in the process, wasn’t able to protect myself. Draken...literally swept in and saved me." Cass mumbled, a weird feeling in his stomach.
He was so mad at the man for his entitled behaviour when it came to him, but at the same fucking time...he couldn’t be fully mad at the damn mark since it had saved his life. He was pissed that he even had it, of course, but he had to begrudgingly admit that it had helped in this particular circumstance.
"Um, the...mark did that?" Byron repeated, and Cass shot him a warning look. Byron’s gaze widened, before he swallowed and glanced back to Sam, who was glancing at them. "It-It’s nothing. The Lord is right. It’s a lesser known side effect of the mark. I was just confused." Byron told him while Sam began to shake.
"So Draken saved you? My Lord, this is a very serious issue if you can’t use your magic right now! If the mark is interfering with it, then we must do something about it! You could be in grave danger if you aren’t able to use your magic. That is your lifeblood. You’re part fairy. You could literally have health complications if the magic inside of you is thrown into turmoil." That was new to him, and Cass had read some books on fairies.
He didn’t doubt Sam, especially because he looked so fucking desperate and worried. But...something wasn’t quite right about what he said.
"We can’t do anything about it, Sam. It lasts...a while. I, of course, won’t do anything to lengthen the..." Cass sighed. "It’s basically a contract, but it will still take a while. Something like, 3 to 4 months?" Cass glanced back at Byron for confirmation and Byron seemed thoughtful.
"Yeah. For a being as old as Lor-Draken, that might be on the lower end of the suggested time, but you are probably right. Have you two had close contact at all since then?" Byron asked and Cass flushed.
"Does saving my life count?" Cass asked, frustrated and Byron’s expression told him everything he needed to know.
"Well, kind of? Any time he is able to successfully use the mark to help you, it does form a stronger bond. I would expect that the time could have been reset already." Cass wanted to curse. Fuck!
"I’m gonna kill him." Cass rumbled, pissed, and Byron gave a snort.
"Might I suggest waiting till winter? You aren’t going to be able to kill him in the summer, ever. Maybe the winter solstice?" Byron suggested helpfully, and Cass, too pissed to give a fuck, gave him the middle finger. Sam gasped, while Byron chuckled. "Heard and received, my Lord. I shall shut up." Byron told him, and Cass was surprised to notice that the man had dimples.
Cass wasn’t the only one to notice.
Sam had been having a hard time taking his eyes off of Byron as soon as he had turned the corner, and Cass knew that Byron noticed as well. The man was practically glowing with all of the attention Sam was giving him. Cass was just happy his deep voice now matched his exterior as well.
"Sam?" Cass prompted again and Sam flushed, dropping his gaze and rushing into the room ahead of them. Cass followed after him, Byron keeping watch near the door.
Sam only took a few minutes to find him something else to wear. Cass actually told him to find the most intimidating top he could think of, and Sam had practically glowed upon given that request.
With that being said, Cass was probably going to send Byron now that he was back, or Sam, to the boutique he had gone to with Vespertine to get some new clothes for himself. He was tempted to send Byron, to check his loyalty and his ability to blend in. That, and he couldn’t do as much for him by his side as Sam could. But, Sam would also be a good choice no matter what. He hadn’t really shown any signs of betrayal, except in the carriage on the way here.
"Sam." Cass started and Sam glanced up.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Why did you leave me alone in the carriage with Draken?" Cass asked and Sam froze. Cass watched as he began to sweat, his fingers shaking.
"I...my Lord, I swear I wasn’t trying to go against your wishes. I really wanted to get into the carriage and protect you, I really did, but the-Draken was letting off such an intimidating aura that I could not dare to get close. My lips were moving before my body caught up to what I was saying. I am so sorry for what I did. I know that there is nothing I can do to make you forgive me. I just beg for a second chance." Sam dropped to the ground, pressing his forehead against it without hesitation.
Cass felt a little bad making the man do this. Cass had just been curious, especially since it was clear that Sam had enough strength to break Cass free from a dragon’s grasp, even if it was momentarily.
"Sam, it’s okay. You were faced with...a great beast. A normal person would not be able to handle him. I doubt Byron was even able to deal with him, and they are of the same race. It’s okay. I was just curious." Cass told him and Sam raised his head from the ground, his eyes watering.
"I swear I will fight it next time. I felt my heart break when you looked at me. I never want to experience something like that again. Please forgive me." Sam begged, and Cass sighed.
"You are forgiven, now get to your feet. We have some reading we need to get done, and while I am doing so, you are allowed to catch up with Byron outside of my study. Just keep an eye on when the stablebitch arrives, knock on the door when he does, and we are going to make him wait. Do not offer him drinks. Do not offer him food." Cass warned, giving orders out and watched as Sam came to life.
"Are we bullying him, my Lord?" Sam asked, excited, and Cass chuckled.
"Bullying? Sam, we’re going to fire the man, but not before we get everything we need from him."