Chapter 675: Did anything get solved?

"Well, I feel like the three of you are getting too caught up on the tiny details. All I’m hearing is that you’re working, Cass is trying to reward you, and you’re all putting up a fight to protest what he’s giving you. Do you not like his gifts?" Lucian asked.

Cass turned to stare at both Gideon and Edgar, worried that they were going to say that they didn’t like what he’d done.

Both men looked horrified at Lucian’s suggestion.

"Me? Not liking a thoughtful gift that Cass planned out? Are you trying to make me into a bad guy, Lucy?" Edgar asked, pulling back to place a hand lightly on his chest. He looked deeply offended, while Gideon pulled back with a small smile.

"I would never be upset by something Cass gave me, but, we don’t really have the ability to relax the way that he wants right now, do we?" Gideon asked and Cass froze. They did...though?

Maybe not a lot, but they had been pushing themselves to get through all of the drama with his Aunt and the other fairies, they had to put up with all of the shit that the nobles wanted from them, the dungeon, the demons, the gods. Now they were back home, and the two biggest things Cass could think about after finding a pot for the nursery tree to grow in were this.

Preparing Byron and Sam’s rooms for when they got back, and preparing for their wedding. Mixed into that wasn’t even getting gay marriage approved, though he should do that, but the dungeons hadn’t even bothered them while Lucian was away, and Cass wasn’t sure if that was because of his...other father, or if it was because at this point in the original book, they had a natural break.

Were they even still following the plot of the original book at this point? Or were Fiona and Ava dealing with some of the dungeons? Cass wouldn’t know, or find out, for a while.

Honestly, now that Cass thought about it, he was still owed his time to view his sister and how she was doing from the gods. The shitty thing was that he probably couldn’t go to the temple attached to the mansion because he’d have to go through too many hoops to get there. But, that was still available to him.

It was sad, but now that Cass had come to terms and merged his soul with Cassian, the pull, the need to see her and how she was doing had dimmed. Cass wasn’t sure if that was because he knew he wouldn’t be getting back there, or if it was because of Cassian’s feelings mixing with his own. But this was the first time that Cass had realised that the pull to see his sister wasn’t...it wasn’t what it used to be.

The boys seemed to notice the shift immediately.

Edgar’s defensive stance shifted, Gideon’s face falling immediately. Lucian let out a low rumble.

"Cass? Is everything alright? Are you really upset at us? I’m sorry, I’ll do better." Edgar apologised so easily. Too easily. Cass let out a soft breath, somewhere between a scoff and a sigh before he shook his head.

"No, it has nothing to do with you guys." Cass muttered. He was still tucked against Lucian and his hands twitched against his clothes. "I...I just realised that I haven’t taken the gods up on the promise I made them give me." Cass admitted. "It’s not like me. I usually force the issue, but I haven’t. Realising that and what it might mean after everything that happened is...it’s interesting." Cass muttered softly. Both Gideon and Edgar stared at Cass, at the sudden emotional shift, and turned to look at each other.

"Cass..." Gideon began but Cass shook his head, sighing.

"Either way, we can have some breaks." Cass said, pushing those feelings down. He’d been busy, he was going to continue to be busy, and given what he was doing right now, he would rather wait until he was more stable before he went to peer into her world. He didn’t know how time passed on Earth compared to this planet, but he at least wanted to feel more whole before he went to see her.

She couldn’t see him, but he hoped that she would be able to sense how he had changed. How he was doing better. How he had people he cared about and cared for him as well. Now that he wasn’t just desperately grabbing onto anything that would remind him of his other life, he wanted to go to her and show her that he was going to be okay.

Even without her.

God, it felt like ages ago he was seeing her everywhere and now? When was the last time he’d seen her sitting in his office or somewhere else that he knew that she would love? It had been a while.

"We’ve been doing a lot, and the most we need to do is prepare for Byron and Sam’s wedding when they come back and prepare their rooms as well." Cass said, brushing his feelings aside. Edgar and Gideon stared at him.

"You sound pretty confident about that, Cass. Is there something you aren’t saying?" Lucian asked, and Cass turned towards him. He angled his head so that he could meet his warm orange gaze.

"Well, from my memory, we didn’t have to deal with any dungeons during this time, just petty politics. It’s different compared to what I remember, but I think the premise is the same. That, or Fiona and Ava are dealing with it in our stead." Cass said. Lucian huffed.

"As they should. We’ve dealt with one dungeon without them, they should have to do the same at the very least." Cass found himself nodding in agreement.

"I don’t know if thinking they should go through a dungeon on their own is the same as saying we should go through a dungeon on our own is the same. There are only two of them and four of us." Gideon argued carefully. Edgar made a thoughtful noise.

"While I normally would agree with you, Giddy, in this case, I think Fiona is more than capable of recruiting strong people to help her fight. Same with Ava. They’ll be fine since they were able to secure us before. I have faith that they’ll be able to do the same again." Edgar told him. Gideon didn’t look soothed. However, he didn’t argue further.

"So, from Cass’ words, we all deserve a break, right? That’s great. That means that I can also relax." Lucian said. "And then we can focus on getting their rooms ready. That part won’t take long. I can help with that. We don’t need to hire people to get that done if you don’t want more people in the den, Cass." Cass waved off Lucian’s words quickly.

"I want to support the town. If I don’t hire outside forces, the town won’t grow and they will have no reason to bring in skilled craftsmen. I would rather not put a damper on the town’s growth, even if magic can be a solution. Plus, magic isn’t the end all and be all. What happens if magic suddenly leaves this world and we have nothing to rely on after?" Cass asked.

The blank looks that Cass received meant that he had asked a question that made no sense to these people. They had never even considered something so preposterous and Cass felt Lucian tighten his arms around him, squeezing him.

"Why are you trying to curse us, Cass? Did we upset you that much? Do you need some petting and relaxation? Why are we even sitting here if that is something that you need so deeply that you’re uttering threats against our world?" Lucian asked. Cass wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness of his statement.

"I’m not threatening this world. Why would I? Plus, I don’t have the power to be a threat to this world." Cass argued and Edgar and Gideon did not look convinced. Gideon in particular didn’t seem to believe him now that Lucian had spoken up.

"You are the hero, Cass, and the second one at that. That’s rarely happened in recorded history, and when it is, the second hero is sent to prevent something most heinous. That is what you are doing." Cass nodded.

"Yeah, the end of this world and all words as we know it. No biggy." Cass joked while Edgar’s eyes tightened at the corners. He frowned, placing his hands on his hips.

"That’s no laughing matter, and if he’s speaking like this, he really does need a rest. Ember, can you ask Sage to bring the snacks to the bedroom? We’re going to rest there." Edgar was ordering his people around. He should be upset.

He knew Cassian would have, but times were changing. For Cass, Cassian, and the others. Edgar was allowed to do that, especially if Edgar’s office was going to end up besides Cass’. However, Ember was good at her job and she hesitated.

"As long as that is good with my Lord, of course." Ember said. Edgar scowled, not at her, turning his gaze to Cass. He looked hopeful, if not a little annoyed, and Cass just sighed. This was...a lot. He’d gone through a lot in just a few moments sitting here but what he was taking away from it was that he was in good hands.

"Ember, it’s okay to listen to Edgar, Gideon’s and Lucian’s orders. For the most part, at least. They don’t intend to harm me. At least I hope not at this point." Cass said with a chuckle and a small smile. Edgar looked completely aghast at Cass’ attempt at a joke.

"That’s not funny, Cass. We would never harm you. That’s not-I would rather die." Edgar told him seriously. Gideon was right beside him, looking severe and upset.

"I second that. I would rather die." Gideon confirmed. Cass, concerned, met Lucian’s gaze and he gave a slow, confident smile.

"I, too, would rather die. I’ve told you to take my hearts if you think I’ve done something too offensive to survive." Lucian told him and Cass was once more surprised by their dramatics.

"Either way," Cass said, ignoring to lean over Lucian’s shoulder and meet Ember’s eyes. "You can listen to them without having to get my permission every time. However, if you’re still concerned, don’t be afraid to ask to confirm with me. Something like this? Bringing snacks to our room? That’s something that can easily be followed in my opinion." Cass told her. Ember nodded, taking his words to heart.

"Of course, my Lord." She agreed, looking relieved.

"You run a tight ship, Cassy Baby." Lucian teased. "Sam’s going to come back and weep." Lucian joked and Cass shuddered.

"Don’t say that. I don’t want him to think I replaced him. He’s impossible to replace. He’d sob nonstop if he thought he didn’t have a home by my side anymore." Cass didn’t even like thinking about that. Thankfully, he didn’t have to as Lucian rose to his feet, Edgar tucking his jacket around Cass to protect his bottom.

"He’d make a new lake on the property." Lucian joked. "We’d call it Sam’s well or something. I think that might be cute, but Byron wouldn’t like it." Lucian said, nodding to Gideon as he opened the door and they moved as a unit towards the bedroom.

"Sam’s lament might be good too." Edgar added and Cass rolled his eyes. At least they were in better spirits, he guessed. At Sam’s expense, but...

He’d never know.