Chapter 679: A long awaited talk

They didn’t ambush him right away. Cass didn’t see the point.

He couldn’t escape them forever, and he knew that too. So Cass and Edgar ran the day down. They let him continue his renovations on the bathroom, waited until he was done for the day and came to join them for dinner, same with Gideon.

Gideon was completely unaware of what had happened that day, but there was no way he wasn’t getting roped into this conversation either. It was important, especially since they were a team, a group, a unit. He would not be excluded in any capacity.

Lucian had a false sense of security as he came back into the office later. Cass hadn’t put a table in the bedroom yet, so they were eating dinner in the office again. Gideon sat on his own on the couch across from them as Edgar and Cass crowed Lucian on the other couch.

That was probably his first sign that something wasn’t quite right, but Cass and Edgar didn’t jump into it right away. They remained calm, collected. Patient.

It wasn’t until dessert was served, tea had been poured, and Cass had dismissed Sage and Ember for the day that they pounced.

"Edgar and I think that we need to have a chat about expectations of this relationship and where it will lead." Cass said, teacup in his hand, saucer underneath supporting it. Gideon had been taking a sip of his own cup, same with Lucian. Both men sputtered, coughing, and Cass and Edgar waited for them to catch their breaths.

"W-What?" Lucian asked, his voice higher than normal. It was clear he knew he was caught in some capacity, and he, unlike normal, was trying to flee. Cass and Edgar were not going to allow that to happen.

Gideon collected himself, coughed a few times, and nodded.

"I understand. I think I would also like some clear boundaries that I should not cross and where I stand." He said. Now that just made Cass sad, because that wasn’t what he wanted Gideon to take away from this conversation. Even Edgar was frowning, but whatever. Clarification was clarification.

"Well, whatever happens, I do think this conversation is overdue, especially after what you joked about earlier, Lucy." Cass said. Lucian flinched as Gideon turned a confused look towards him.

"What did he say?" He asked and Edgar answered him while Lucian covered his face with his hand, looking deeply embarrassed.

"It was a mistake. I didn’t mean it." Lucian muttered and that only seemed to confuse Gideon further. Edgar explained.

"He told Cass’ family over the orb that they could make up Lucian looking out for Byron by looking after his child, because they would be part fairy." Edgar explained. Gideon gave a soft gasp, his hand rising to his mouth.

"He did? Oh my gods. Lucy, you can’t say things like that!" Even Gideon was shocked by what he’d said. Cass was sure it felt particularly bad to be scolded by Gideon compared to Cass and Edgar.

"So, after that and having to smooth it over with them, I thought it was a smart idea to discuss what our relationship means, what we want out of it, everything." Cass said. "I’m going to be honest right off the bat, I’m sure you’re probably aware, but I never expected to be in a relationship, let alone one that led to children since I was never able to give birth before, but we can’t pretend like we can’t read the writing on the wall. My body is changing and there is a chance I could get pregnant." Cass said.

Gideon nodded and when Cass glanced over at Edgar, he was nodding too. Cass swallowed, a thick lump in his throat.

"Which is why I’ve been so nervous about anyone touching me...there. I’m unfamiliar, terrified actually, and while I’ve enjoyed people touching it with fingers and tongues," Cass’ face burned saying it out loud, "I’m terrified of playing into the games that the demon king wants me to play. He wants me to have a kid. That’s the contract that he made with my mother and he’s changed my body and my DNA so that is possible. I have no idea what that could mean, and I don’t really want to play into his plans. He’s not a good man, regardless of whether he’s the demon king or not." Cass said.

"I agree that we should be hesitant until we have more information." Gideon agreed. "We have very little understanding of what the contract your mother signed with the demon king is in truth. Is there a way you can demand a copy? I mean, your name is signed on it." He brought up a good point.

Cass hadn’t even considered it.

"It could also be in the main Blackburn manor. It would explain why your grandfather hates you and hates the idea of you having a child. Or, Fiona having a child." Edgar brought up. Everyone was speaking around Lucian, the bigger man hunched in on himself as the others brainstormed.

"That’s not a bad suggestion, but I’m not sure he would have kept me around if he had such solid proof. He’s a purist, but he wouldn’t want his grandchild to stay the heir to the dukedom if it was proven they were a demon. He would have rather forced his son to have another child, or have one of his own, instead. He would have killed me ages ago if he had solid proof." Cass told them plainly.

It upset all of them to consider it, but it was the truth.

"So, regardless of what we feel, we have to be careful with your body for two reasons. One, you’re still developing as per the Doctor’s opinions and what we can see with our own eyes, and two, we can’t make a mistake where you end up pregnant without knowing more of their plan." Gideon said seriously. Cass flushed, but nodded. That was...that was the truth.

"And that leads us to the next question. I’ve not made my mind up on whether I’d want kids or not. I didn’t think it was feasible, adoption or otherwise, because I didn’t think anyone would care enough about me, nor did I care about anyone else enough to form a deep relationship with them. I was content watching over and helping my sister raise my nieces and nephews." Cass glanced at the other three. "What do you think? Did you want kids?" Cass felt it was a little late in the game to be asking this, but it still needed to be asked.

Edgar answered first.

"I never wanted kids." Edgar said firmly, surprising Cass, until he continued. "I never wanted my children to suffer the obligation of taking on my role in my family. I think the biggest, most fulfilling thing I could do is end the Vespertine line. That would ruin my father the most, and I intended to live that way." Edgar said seriously, his blue eyes still. Even his expression was flat.

"What if...you wanted kids later? After he had passed? You could also speak to the gods, or ask Cass to on your behalf, Eddie." Gideon spoke softly. Edgar didn’t look convinced. He didn’t look at Cass, his eyes forward as he stared at Gideon.

"I understand what you’re saying, but I truly do not see any good coming out of continuing the Vespertine line." Edgar said. "It felt like punishment enough when my father decided to pull me into public life after my brother’s passed, and then he forced me to marry, so this can only be my last solution." He turned to Cass then, looking apologetic. "Not that I don’t think we’d make cute babies, Cass, I just-" Cass raised his hand and that was enough to silence him.

"It’s okay, Eddie. I understand. You don’t need to justify your feelings. They might change, my Gideon said when your father passes, but I won’t force you to create a child. Not at the cost of your revenge." Cass told him and watched as Edgar swallowed, nodding. Cass turned to Gideon. "What do you feel, Gideon?" He asked.

Gideon sat there, his eyes downcast as he thought hard and long about his feelings for a moment.

"I think I thought very similarly to Cass in this regard. I never thought I’d have a chance to have a family from my own loins, so I never considered it before. I might have to think about it more, but I’m not completely opposed to the idea. I don’t have as strong of feelings as Edgar does on my family lineage, but there is the concern how your body would fair with the mixing of our blood, Cass. I wouldn’t want to put you through that harm, but if we were able to confirm that everything would be safe and under ideal conditions...I think I would like being a father." It was such a Gideon response that Cass couldn’t help smile. He glanced at Edgar, who was also smiling.

"I think you’d be a great father." Edgar added, smiling warmly. "Truly. Much better than your brothers or your father." Edgar added for good measure and they watched as Gideon turned pink and coughed, but he looked pleased.

That only left...the giant dragon who had been acting like he was invisible between everyone.

"Lucy? How do you feel about children?" Cass asked carefully. The large dragon huffed, warmth fanning out from his exhale, warming the very air they were breathing. It was clear he was fighting some kind of demon, and Cass couldn’t help but smile slightly. He raised his hand, placing it lightly on his back and felt Lucy flinch.

"I...fuck." Lucian muttered. "I lied. I lied that my heat was over. I’m sorry, but I wanted to make it back to you before I missed anything else." Lucian was shaking as he spoke. Cass wasn’t as surprised as he should be.

"Is that right?" Cass asked softly and Lucian nodded, his body shaking under Cass’ hand.

"It is. Despite that, I just...I really like the idea that you can be full of my seed, carrying my child. I want it. Gods, how I want it. You full, heavy with my child, round with my seed. Waddling about, all annoyed and lovely and I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before now. It wasn’t an option, but as soon as it was revealed I tried to swallow these feelings down. These desires. It was another reason why I didn’t want you to come with me during my shed. I would have impregnated you then, whether either one of us wanted it." Lucian sounded horrified by the words leaving his mouth.

Cass got it. Some of it was horrifying, but it was a huge step for Lucian that he could see why it was horrifying and how he’d had the ability to realise all of it and protect not only himself, but Cass from it.

Cass stared at his sharpened nails on his fingers, pressed against Lucian’s back, and let out a soft sigh.

"Well, I’m glad that you realised whisking me away and impregnating me would only ruin our relationship." Cass told him and felt Lucian flinch. "It feels like bare minimum, but given how you reacted when I first arrived...that is a significant improvement." Cass joked. "Dragons do tend to whisk away pretty princesses to castles and hide them away from the rest of the world, but knights usually come to save them in the end." Cass joked.

Lucian let out a low, deep groan.

"I’m sorry. I’ll be better." Lucian mumbled. "It was a slip up. I won’t joke about it again." Lucian was clearly upset but Cass just chuckled. He leaned in, pressing a kiss against the side of his head, his long hair covering his face so Cass couldn’t see it.

"Lucy, the answer isn’t a hard no, it’s a ’not right now’ until we know more answers. I might decide that I don’t want kids or it’s not safe and then that might be the answer. As long as you can respect that, I don’t see any reason that you need to apologise like this. Just...next time, warn me? So I can be in on the joke?" Cass teased and Lucian nodded glumly.