"Cass, my lovely, sweet fairy, have some restraint. As much as I want to mount you and have you screaming until your throat is hoarse, we must speak of what has happened in my absence. Do not stir me like this." Cass felt his face warm in shame.
That hadn’t been what he had been intending, actually. He’d just been honest with Lucian, thinking it would be nice for him to know. He had no idea it would ’stir’ him. God, he was such a fucking idiot. He should have just laughed it off. He was too absorbed in his own emotions, too reckless.
He was right. They needed to talk about all that had happened, where Cassian was, the fucking attack on his Aunt, the stupid humans and the fact that the Queen was a demon. All the shit with Gideon’s family. He was being so damn selfish. Lucian was right to scold him.
Cass wasn’t aware of the fact that he was deflating in real time, earning a scowl from Lucian and Edgar before he’d even spoken. The brightness, the life that had been emanating from him before dimmed turning dull as his arms hung limply from Lucian’s neck. Cass’ lips trembled, and he wasn’t even aware of it until he tried to speak.
"I-I’m sorry, I didn’t-"
"Don’t you dare try to take it all back." Lucian growled, a warning shiver running down Cass’ spine. Cass, beating himself up about getting so excited, turned his gaze towards the older man. The door closed behind them with a click, Sir Forsythe sliding the lock home to his rooms to make sure no one else came in.
"B-But I-" Lucian growled, a deep, dangerous sound that vibrated Cass’ bones. He’d foolishly missed this. Being about to feel his joy and anger with his bones. Cass gulped. God, he was such a freak.
"No. You don’t get to take back something so sweet. It’s mine, and I won’t let you. I’m just warning you, Cass. It’s just a warning. I know you’ve probably just finished your heat, like I have, so I don’t want to push you more than your already weak body can handle." Cass puffed out his cheeks in silent protest.
"I’ve been very well fed." Cass mumbled. "Gideon’s been able to make up for you, somewhat." Cass muttered, embarrassed. "And I’ve been eating well when it comes to human food too. I’ve put on weight. I can even start strength training." Cass was defending himself from Lucian’s words. For what purpose?
His face burned with the silent answer.
Lucian groaned, a deep sound that had Cass wiggling in his arms.
"My sweet fairy, my mate, please. Have mercy on me. I am glad that they took good care of you, but I want to know what you’ve done in my absence. Before Byron and Sam leave for Byron’s own shed. Will you allow me that much before you drink me dry?" Cass blushed.
"I-I don’t-"
"Mm, forgive me, before I empty myself entirely in you?" It was amazing what a simple rephrasing did. Cass’ head snapped back, meeting Lucian’s gaze. Lucian’s eyes were narrowed, his second lid slowly gliding across his eye before drawing back. Cass sucked in deeply.
Cass knew that they all had been on their best behaviour while Lucian was gone, but he’d seemed to have forgotten with his mind at least, that when Lucian came back, what it would mean.
Cass’ hands tightened on Lucian’s clothes, his body shifting, his breath suddenly ragged. He felt like he couldn’t get a breath in deep enough. Lucian watched him, his eyes unmoving, his pupils slivering until it looked like it was cutting his iris in half.
"Are we...doing that?" Cass asked softly and Lucian watched Cass.
"Do you not want to?" He asked and Cass let out a strangled sound. Did he not want to? Did he, Cass, not want to?
Cass’ hands flickered on Lucian’s shoulders and neck, his nails digging in harshly for a moment before he caught himself and blushed in embarrassment. Cass wanted to tear his gaze away from Lucian’s, but he couldn’t. His breath sounded harsh in his ears and he had no idea how long they stood there, staring at each other.
"I want to get Eddie pregnant." It was such a silly thing to say, such a ridiculous thing to leave his mouth. Edgar choked, coughing off to the side and Gideon trying to help him. Lucian’s expression didn’t change much.
"Can you do that?" He asked, curious and Cass licked his dry lips. He wasn’t sure. It was just a deep, building desire in him.
"I don’t know. I want to try, though." Cass admitted, Lucian gave a small nod.
"And? What about you, Cass? Do you want to be pregnant?" A cold, dangerous shiver ran down his spine. Cass didn’t know he was shaking his head in the negative before he even spoke.
"No. I don’t want to. I can’t. That would be them winning." Cass felt like he was rambling and Lucian gave a slight smile.
"Isn’t getting Eddie pregnant the same?" He asked and Cass paused. Turning a weird mixture of pale and red, Cass elaborated.
"I’m still not comfortable with that part of me." Cass admitted, and Lucian softened.
"Of course, Cassy baby. Take your time. We have no need to rush. Well, not in that regard." Lucian said with a teasing smile. He was the one who turned away from Cass’ eyes first, checking on Edgar. "Is he alright, Gideon?" He asked and Gideon gave a soft chuckle.
"It’s always surprising to hear Cass say those words, but he’ll be fine. I think we all thought those feelings would fade. You didn’t mention anything during the last heat, Cass." Gideon spoke kindly as Cass felt his face burn.
The last heat. Where Edgar had eaten him when he’d gone into it planning to eat Gideon. Cas coughed.
"We had other things to worry about, and it wasn’t like I could exactly speak with your-" Cass cut himself off, his face burning. What the hell was he about to say in front of Sir Forsythe of all people?! Without even a set of stairs around? "T-The office?" Cass mumbled, realising what exactly he was doing.
Lucian pulled him tighter against him, laughing.
"You’re so cute when you blush like that. Ah, it’s good to be back. So, my little fairy had a desire to get Edgar pregnant? Well, we can all take turns trying." Lucian said amicably, and Edgar coughed.
"What am I? A free womb for you to try and impregnate? I don’t even have one of those!" Edgar complained loudly. "I also don’t want to be a father or mother, thank you!" Edgar was loud in his words and when Lucian opened the door, Sam was staring at them in surprise.
"Can sex demons get pregnant and vice versa?" He asked and Cass blinked. He stared at Sam, wondering why he was asking such a question when he was the one who had gotten a knowledge bump from the demon king when it came to sex demons.
"Well, I’m not sure." Cass admitted and Sam, who had set up the sitting area with cups of steaming tea, a plate of treats that Cass could no doubt eat, slid his gaze to the towering dragon behind him.
Cass sucked in.
Oh. Oh.
"I’m not sure, Sam, but you can always try?" Cass suggested and Sam flushed. Edgar marched over to the couches, plopping himself down on a cushion and crossing his arms. His handsome face was flushed and he looked annoyed. Gideon, smiling, came and sat next to him. Lucian went to the couch and sat down across from them, Cass still in his arms.
"Thank you for the tea and snacks, Sam." Lucian thanked him with a smile. "It is also good to see you in good health. I am glad to see my nephew is taking such good care of his mate." It was payback, plain and simple. However, Byron just soaked up the words with a bright smile.
"Thank you, Uncle. It means a lot to me. I watched how you treated my Lord and knew that I needed to make sure I treated Sam with the same, if not more. I can’t lose to you when I completed my mating bond first." It should have felt like a dig but it seemed to stir something inside of Lucian.
His nostrils flared, his eyes widening as he remembered something.
"That’s right! I have something I must ask you, but I got distracted seeing you up close after two months! What did you do? The bond snapped clean in half at one point, clearing up my mind so that I could come here sooner to check on you. How did you do it? That normally only happens when you die, but I had faith that wasn’t the case." Lucian said, his eyes full of concern and Cass felt his mouth open.
He closed it shortly after, worried now that he had to tell him the truth so soon.
"I, um, well I don’t think I did anything. I think the gods had a role to play in that." Cass started carefully, worried that Lucian would treat him strangely after this. "I...merged souls with Cassian. Cass and Cassian are now one being." Cass said gently.
Lucian didn’t react the way that Cass expected him to. He was expecting something similar to how Sir Forsythe had reacted. With needing some space, a few seconds of quiet, any of that. Instead, Lucian exhaled loudly, sounding relieved.
"So you aren’t leaving?" He asked and Cass blinked.
"No?" Cass responded carefully and he grinned. He pulled Cass close, hugging him tightly.
"Good. I was worried. You seemed so distant and fragile that I worried that I might do everything I could for your body, but your soul would leave again." He paused, then stiffened. "Wait, did that hurt? Are you alright? Who is at the front?" He was asking questions rapidly, so quickly that when he pulled back after Cass hadn’t answered immediately, Cass found himself laughing.
He pulled his hands back from Lucian’s neck, reaching up and placing his hands on Lucian’s cheeks. The stubble, the soft, dark hair against his palms was a reminder that yes, this was his dragon. He was deeply worried for him and Cass melted into a puddle in his lap.
"I’m fine now, you silly reptile." Cass said with deep affection. "Far better now that you’re here and I’m in your lap." Cass told him. He watched as Lucian’s face flushed, before he narrowed his gaze.
"I just warned you about seducing me." He growled and Cass smiled.
"I can’t help it. Both Cassian and I have feelings for you. It’s hard to fight them, especially when Cassian wanted to do so much more with you." That was news to everyone, but especially Lucian. He looked stunned.
"What?" He asked and Cass grinned. He wasn’t going to tell him more intentionally. He liked that stunned look on his face. Cutie.