Chapter 7
Soft light appeared, visible beneath Casimir’s still closed eyes.
But it wasn’t the pale orange light of torches. No, it was almost like…daylight. Sunlight.
He moved an arm, prepared for the rattle of chains, instead finding something soft against his skin. His arms weren’t bound above him. He wasn’t shivering. There was no pain.
Was he dead?
Willing his eyes to open, his vision came into focus on a tangle of green vines hanging above him.
Where am I?
There was no cold, damp cave. No smell of dirt or urine.
No monsters growling or screams from the enemy camp.
There was only peace, quiet, warmth. Songbirds warbled outside glassless windows.
A breeze rustled velvet curtains. The sharp scent of rosemary wound around him, carried in from the nearby gardens.
Home. He was…home.
Another smell jarred him. Something familiar…lavender and vanilla.
A soft snore reached his ears. His eyes trailed down, landing on strawberry blonde hair fanned across his chest.
Ava.
She was here. With him. Safe and in their bed.
What happened?
He took a deep breath and studied her delicate features. Beautiful and at peace in slumber, clutching him as if she was afraid he’d disappear. Their legs were tangled together and his left arm was around her waist.
He lifted his other hand and traced her face, in awe and wonder that she was here. Was he dreaming? Perhaps he was still a prisoner and, delusional, was dreaming about her. About this.
A door opened and Kai walked in, followed by Raine. Instinctively, he pulled Ava closer and eyed them warily, ready to fight. Prepared to protect her.
Raine stopped and smiled, eyes glistening.
“Hey.” His voice cracked.
“Is this real? Am I truly home?”
“We all made it back. We got the book and Isolde. Actually, Ava got you and the book practically by herself.”
“You’re sure I’m not dreaming?”
“Promise.”
Real. This was real. He closed his eyes and opened them again. Still in the bed. He pinched his arm. Still in the bed. Casimir sighed, overcome with guilt over his capture. Over his friends risking their lives to free him.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? Why are you sorry?” Raine came closer.
“For getting myself into that situation. They should never have captured me. I should have figured out a way to escape without risking all of you.”
Raine sat at the edge of the bed, placing his hand on Casimir’s shoulder, an ache in his expression. “Cas. It wouldn’t have mattered.”
“What do you mean?”
“It was Vivienne.”
“I don’t understand.”
Raine explained what he and Ava had discovered when they first entered the camp to search for him. How they’d found the advisor bloodied and beaten and then Raine had ended her life. Casimir shook his head in disbelief.
“Does Thorne know?”
“Yes. So don’t you dare apologize for what happened. You don’t have to take on everything all the time. Share the burden with us.”
Casimir swallowed.
“I…I don’t know what any of us would have done had we lost you. If I had lost you…” Raine’s voice was hoarse.
Casimir studied his friend’s face. The friend he grew up with; whose father adopted him when he was lost and alone in a cruel world. Who was always there for him and supported him. Who called him out when he was being a stubborn bastard and yet never hesitated to show his affection.
Reaching out, he grabbed Raine’s hand and squeezed. They looked at one another for a long moment, saying nothing. They didn’t need to. Their love and loyalty didn’t have to be spoken aloud.
Raine leaned in, clasping the back of Casimir’s neck and pressing his forehead to his.
“I’m glad you’re alright, Cas.” They both took a breath.
Raine stood, adjusting his tunic as he strode away.
“I had best let Kai check you over now.” He paused at the door with a smirk.
“By the way, Aro is a complete asshole when he’s stressed. Kind of like you.”
Casimir couldn’t contain the laugh that tumbled out of him as Raine disappeared.
Kai approached and sat on the chair, crossing his legs. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired and a little sore. Why won’t Ava wake?”
“You’ve both been asleep for about three days. Ava had her great tribulation when she was rescuing you and drained herself much too quickly. She’s still recovering.”
“How much longer do you think she’ll sleep?”
“I’m not sure,” he said. “I was able to rouse her and get her to eat and bathe yesterday but she went right back to sleep and hasn’t stirred since. Could be a few more days.” Kai stood. “You need to eat.”
Casimir nodded. He was starving, and as he was about to ask for Cirilla, she entered with a tray of food.
“Perfect timing,” said Kai. “Eat. Then drink this. I’ll come check on the two of you later.” Kai handed him a vial and left.
Casimir thanked Cirilla as she pulled the side table close to the bed and set the tray down.
“Don’t you go off and put yourself in danger like that again, general,” she chastised him, but there was a hint of affection in her eyes. “You had the whole castle up in arms.”
“I apologize.”
“Eat,” she ordered, patting his arm before she left.
Casimir carefully pushed himself up and Ava whimpered, clinging to him in her sleep.
“Shhh…It’s alright, love,” he whispered, stroking her hair.
He covered his very naked lap with a blanket, then a pillow, and carefully arranged Ava’s head on top. She clung to his legs but didn’t wake as he continued to run his fingers through her hair, ensuring she was comfortable.
Reaching across the bed, he grabbed a forkful of roasted potatoes and took a bite, almost groaning at the taste of real food.
He didn’t remember much after he was captured.
Bits and pieces of the torture performed by Vazgeth and overseen by Andras and Deidamia.
It was as if he blocked it out, shoved away the pain so he wouldn’t have to re-experience it.
He had a vague recollection of Ava coming into the cave, then Vazgeth pinning her against a wall.
Wait…did she kill him? A hazy picture of Vazgeth’s body on the ground—in two separate pieces—formed in his mind along with an abundance of plants growing along the cave walls.
There was a moment where she gave him to Pax in the woods, and the feeling of panic as she left again. But that was it. He didn’t remember getting back to the castle or anything else.
He finished his meal deep in thought, drank the tonic, then carefully snuck out from under Ava to see to his needs and bathe.
After the tub was filled, he slid into the warm water and leaned his head back, trying to recall anything he might have learned during his imprisonment that could prove useful.
“Aro? Are you alright?” he asked.
I’m fabulous, he answered. Not happy about being stuck with those daemon bastards for that long, thanks to you.
“I’m sorry.”
I know. It’s not your fault. We’re safe now. Though Ava’s friend, Remy, died. He showed up to help.
Remy? No. That sweet little hobgoblin who had been so ecstatic to see her at the ball. He couldn’t believe it. Tears welled in his eyes.
“How did Ava take it?”
Not well. Andras also got a portal open, trapping Ava briefly before she got away.
Water sloshed as Casimir sat up. “What?”
She’s alright. Obviously.
“What does this mean?”
We won’t know until Jorrar is finished translating the book.
“Dammit.”
Get some rest. Things won’t be calm for long it seems.
“No, they won’t be.”
Casimir’s arms were still wrapped around Ava when he awoke again. He groaned and stretched, unsure how long he slept but feeling even better than the first time he came to.
“Cas?” Ava’s voice was thick with exhaustion.
He turned to her, lying on her side facing him. “Hey, princess.”
She looked at him for a long moment, blinking…then reached a hand out to trace his face, as if she wasn’t sure he was real. “You’re awake?”
“I am.”
She burst into tears.
He gathered her up and pulled her close, rubbing soothing circles on her back.
“Shhhh. It’s alright, love.”
Casimir didn’t let go as she released her grief and fear, his own tears threatening to spill at the sound of her sobs. Peppering her forehead with kisses, he murmured reassurances.
“I—I thought you…I thought you were going to die,” she barely got the words out between her whimpers.
“I know. But I didn’t. I’m here. We’re safe now.”
“Remy’s dead,” she whispered.
“I know. I’m so sorry.”
They stayed that way for a long while. Casimir held her as she wept against his chest. He knew this was only the beginning of even more deaths they would face.
Remy’s barely scratched the surface of the brutalities of war.
It easily could have been Raine in Oakshire…
or himself at the daemon camp…or Ava at the ball.
And if he lost one of those close to him, Casimir didn’t know if he would be able to handle it.
Ava’s sobs had finally turned to sniffles. Swiping a thumb across her cheeks, he pressed his lips to her forehead. “I love you,” he murmured.
“I love you too.” She tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, her eyes filling with longing. “Cas…I need you…I need to be close to you.” She kissed his lips. “I need to feel you.”
His hand moved to the back of her neck, and he pulled her in. Her soft lips met his gently, exploring. He needed her too. To touch her, hold her, worship her. Explore every curve as if he’d forgotten how she felt, how she tasted.
He needed the connection, the reminder their souls were intertwined by fate. Bound forever. Unbreakable.
“Ava.” He broke the kiss. She stared at him, panting, eyes half-lidded with lust. “Are you well?”
“Yes. I feel fine. Are you?”
“Absolutely.”
Clutching her hips, he rolled her onto her back, hovering over her. Her chest rose and fell, desire burning in her eyes.
With a groan, he kissed her again. “Let me show you how much I need you,” he murmured against her lips.
“Yes…please…”