ATASHA’S POV
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I looked at Cassian, struggling to understand his decision. Lead them? For what reason? These people didn’t belong here, and their story didn’t add up. Yet he had given them exactly what they wanted.
Another question pressed inside my head. If they truly knew the Lord of the North, why hadn’t they recognized Cassian on sight? Was it because his cloak and face were still drenched in blood?
“Then, as a way to thank you, allow us to offer this illuminating fae stone,” the older man said with a practiced smile. “My name is Agape. This is my grandson, Kae,” he pointed at the younger man. Then towards the two other people behind him. “This <b>is </b>Eron and that is Lani. The one behind them is called Zeryn. It is an honor to meet you, Your Excellency.”
Cassian made a low sound, a nomittal “Hmm.”
Hearing this, Agape drew out a pearl like stone and tossed it toward him. Cassian caught it easily with one hand, his eyes narrowing slightly as he examined it. I immediately noticed that it was the same stone that we found in the cave. I quickly reached towards my pocket and made sure that still had possession of that stone.
Finally, Cassian went back to what he was doing. He didn’t bother saying another word.
“Your Excellency… may i know what you are doing?” Agape asked.
“Meat,” Cassian said.
“Are you saying you are going to consume the meat of those nasty beasts?” the younger man named Kae said.
“Do you not know that those are poisonous,” Eron blurted. “Besides, only another beast could consume their own kind.”
The others began speaking over one another.
“Beasts are filled with toxins,” Lani said. “Their flesh can burn skin if handled too long.”
“Yes,” Zeryn added, shaking his head. “Even the smoke from their meat can poison the lungs<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Their words piled on, each description worse than thest, I froze as the memory struck me. This morning, when Cassian had prepared the meat for me, I hadn’t touched it beforehand. There had been no sign of poison <b>at </b>all. The flesh was safe, clean, and edible. How had he managed that? What method had he used to strip the poison away?
Cassian didn’t answer their usations. He didn’t even look at them or acknowledge their words.
Agape gave an awkward chuckle, raising a hand as if to calm them. “The world is wide, children. There are methods beyond what we know. Techniques to clean even the most dangerous flesh. Do not assume what you have not seen,”
Kae scowled. “But only those-”
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<b>68 </b>
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“Enough,” Agape cut in. “Observe and learn. There are many things here we have yet to understand.”
The group fell quiet, though their unease lingered. All eyes turned back to Cassian.
He worked without hesitation, his dagger carving the meat expertly. He stripped the meat away from bone, discarding what was useless and keeping what wouldst. Once done, he crouched low, scooped up handfuls of snow, and rubbed it across the cuts of meat until the blood ran clear. He did the same to his own hands, the cold water dripping down his wrists. Then he wiped the snow across his face, clearing away the dried blood.
When his skin showed again, their stares changed. Even hardened men like Eron faltered.
I couldn’t me them. Without his red eyes, Cassian already looked like something carved from stone. But when those crimson eyes gleamed against his now, clean face, the sight was just different. Dangerous and beautiful in a way that left them staring longer than they should have.
Cassian paid them no mind. He wrapped the meat in cloth, then turned his gaze upward, toward me.
Before I could react, he moved. In a single leap, hended on the branch, his hand firm around my waist. My stomach lurched as the ground rushed back into view.
Then, just as quickly, he jumped again, carrying me with him. We hit the snow below in one smoothnding.
The strangers‘ heads snapped toward us, their eyes narrowing, not just at Cassian, but at me.
“Your Excellency this is…” Agape smiled.
I expected Cassian to brush them off, maybe call me apanion at most. But instead, the words came without hesitation. “My wife.”
I froze. Warmth spread through me, but I forced my face to stay still. I nodded stiffly, hoping it looked natural, while inside I had to bite back the urge to smile.
Smile? Why would I smile? <b>I </b>scolded myself instantly. What was the point of hiding it? I was his wife. And yet, it felt strange hearing him im it so openly.
“Oh…” Agape’s eyes flicked toward me. He reached into his pocket without pause and pulled out a small stone, faintly glowing red. “Please forgive me, this is all I have that would suit ady. A red fae stone. It can be used to heal wounds and cuts, small ones. It will even prevent scars. But you can only use it three times.”
I blinked but epted it with both hands. “Thank you.”
The moment his hand brushed mine, something strange rushed through me. It wasn’t fire or pain, but a sudden jolt that shot across my skin, sharp enough to make me flinch. My breath caught, and before I knew it, I had pulled back, the stone slipping from my grasp and falling into the snow.
Seeing this, Cassian moved instantly.
Steel shed as Cassian’s dagger came free. In less than a breath, he was on Agape. One hand seized the old man’s cor, the other drove the de against his throat.
The sudden movement sent the others into a frenzy. Kae and the others immediately reached for their
9:42 Tue, Sep 16
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weapons, but it was already toote. Cassian had Agape pinned, his crimson eyes fixed, and one wrong move would end the man’s life.
“Stop!” I shouted, panic rising in my chest. I took a quick step forward, my hand half–raised. “Cas–Husband, stop!”
The word slipped out before I could stop myself. I wasn’t sure why I said it. Maybe because using his name in front of strangers would expose his identity. Or maybe because, in that moment, it was the only thing I could think of to make him stop.
As soon as the word left my mouth, Cassian’s head turned toward me. His crimson eyes narrowed. “What did you just <b>say</b>?” he asked.