24. Chapter 24

Igathered a few of my possessions from my old bedroom before heading to the suite I shared with Cassius. Our space smelled like night and rain. It instantly soothed me and made me tired. I spent time looking over the simple, yet tasteful decor of the small living area. The kitchen was a dark green that reminded me of the forests of forbidden wood.

The couch was a rich dark green too with a cream-colored rug under it. The living room had black accents that made it look so much like the two of us mixed. There were huge windows carved out in the dark stone tower that overlooked the gardens of the castle. I smiled as I admired the castle grounds from the tower. From here, I could easily spot the Wisps dancing in the gardens all a bright happy color.

I wondered how long I had before I needed to go to Cerithia. I hoped I would be able to relax for a few days. I wanted to get lost in Cassius for as long as I could. Heading to our bedroom I set down my things before pausing at the beautiful red gown hanging up. Ophelia must have made it. I headed towards the bathroom but paused and turned back towards the nightstand on my side of the bed. Curiosity pulled me over to it, and I wondered what I had in this room that I hadn't touched for years.

It wouldn't be snooping if it was mine, right? Curiosity overtook me as I walked over to it and opened the drawer. Dozens of dry flowers sat in the drawer with some little knick knacks I didn't remember. I pulled the corner of a paper out from under the flowers. My eyes drifted over the beautiful handwriting.

I'll love you in this life and the next. My soul will always find yours.

-Cass

A love note from Cassius? I smiled to myself as I set the note down and went to take a shower. The bathroom had a large black granite tub in the corner next to a window that expanded the whole wall. It was a dream. The shower was on the opposite side of the room. It was also made from black stone and had shower heads pointed in every direction.

I undressed and crawled in, watching mud and blood swirl down the drain as I washed the grime of the last trial off my skin. Dread filled my chest as I stared at the blood washing off my skin, a reminder that the hardest task was still ahead of us. I could die. No one had ever come back alive. I was from the Kingdom of Cerithia, wasn't I? What would they do if they saw me? I was sure I was a traitor and would be killed immediately.

Shaking the thoughts away, I would give myself tonight before I worried about the last task I needed to complete to get my wish. To break my own curse. To help the Crimson Kingdom. I dried off and lay in the bed staring at the red dress hanging up before exhaustion found me and I passed out.

I sat up abruptly, jolted awake for no particular reason.

My eyes burned with tiredness as I stood up and got ready for the ball. I did my make-up with what I found on the vanity. I left my hair down but tamed the curls as best as I could. My lips were painted with red lipstick. Staring at myself in the mirror as I pushed silver dangle earrings in, I looked—pretty. My face and body have filled out since being here and eating regularly. I was curvier than I thought I had ever been. Huffing loudly, I struggled to get into the red dress that was made like a glove. Two pieces of chiffon fabric clipped together at the shoulder with a pretty silver detail and fell over my chest, leaving little to the imagination. The deep cut of the fabric left a v until right above my navel. The pieces twisted in a beautiful design over my hips before falling behind me and one that fell in between my legs. There was barely anything covering my body. My strong legs were exposed from the sides of my hips to the floor.

One wrong movement and the whole room would see my goods. I strapped on the diamond gleaming heels that twisted and tied up my calf. I trusted Ophelia to know what kind of dress I needed for tonight, but I was showing so much skin. I glanced over myself and admired how well the dress fit me. How it accentuated every feminine part of me. Showed every curve that I had thanks to plenty of food. I walked to the bed, turned around so I could face the mirror, and walked towards it.

Gods above—I looked like a filthy fantasy. A smile spread across my face when I thought of Cassius's reaction to me. He wouldn't be able to keep his hands to himself. I realized how different our situation had become since the last time I had dressed up for a dinner celebration. Now I knew Cassius loved me, wanted me. There was no one but me and that made my smile wider. Never would I have thought this could be my situation. Cassius and these trials had given me a new purpose to keep moving forward. Thank the Gods and stars above that he was mine.

I added a bit more smokiness to my eyes to help accentuate the dress"s sultry nature. Squaring my shoulders, I headed down towards where the ball should be happening. My heartbeat thundered in my chest when I heard the voices and laughter of so many fae. Only this time it wasn't because I was insecure. No. I craved to see how Cassius would look at me. Walking into the room we had eaten fancy dinner in before, I was in awe of the transformation of the space. The table was gone, but new tables lined the room with so much food and drinks.

So many fae filled the room dressed in the most beautiful dresses and clothes. My eyes took in all of the gold and silver dripping off any surface they could decorate. The chandelier shined brightly, and beautiful music played and filled the large space. It looked magical. Breathtaking. The crowd quieted down as they turned to stare at me. My dress stuck out in the sea of dark colors. From the skin showing to the color of it. I held my head up high.

The crowd parted and my eyes met with Cassius's as he sat on a throne at the front of the room. His clothes were the finest I had ever seen him in. The fabric was stark black, with small silver detailing like the Crimson Kingdom's crest. He wore a crown similar to the King's. Black, powerful, and decorated with dark green and silver jewels. His eyes locked on mine as the crowd parted to allow me through. He was sitting with such powerful arrogance on his golden throne that it made me smile at him. All of his movements froze as he caught a glimpse of me.

My hips swayed as I walked for him, making his eyes immediately turn black as they watched me. It was easy to forget that others were in the room with us. They all faded away when Cassius watched me like he physically couldn't look away. I stopped in front of his throne and gave him a smug smile as I curtsied. Before I stood up, he had left his throne and walked down the two granite steps to me. He lifted my face to his.

"Do not ever bow for me, My Love." He gave me a soft kiss as the crowd behind us grew louder. "I don't know if I should thank Ophelia or curse her for this dress."

Turning slowly, I let him admire the whole dress.

"Do you like it?" I purred and batted my lashes at him.

His eyes held me firmly where I was.

"Let's see how long we can make it through this celebration before I haul you off to some dark corner and have my way with you."

My face faltered at his words. It was he who wore a teasing smile this time. He grabbed my hand and led me to the middle of the floor where others danced. He pulled me into him and wrapped his arms around me. I didn't know how to dance, but I knew he was touching me more than necessary.

"You aren't allowed to dance with anyone else. It feels like you"re naked against me," his said, fingers tightening against me. I laughed at his possessiveness. I laid my head against his shoulder as we swayed to the pretty music. I could feel others watching us, but it was easy to ignore them when Cassius was holding me like he wouldn't ever let me go.

"When I was in Exile, I spent so much time thinking about how there was likely no one waiting for me in the realm. I wouldn't let myself even think that it was a possibility because I feared this the most," I whispered. "That I had someone like you, and you were suffering while I couldn't remember anything."

His hand gripped my naked skin tightly on my back.

"I would wait for all eternity if it meant I got to hold you like this for only one night." He kissed my forehead. "I will make you fall in love with me over and over again, Thea, because you and I are one soul in two bodies and life would be meaningless if we were kept apart."

Tears sprang to my eyes.

In all those lonely nights in Exile, I never would have dared to let myself think I had this. I didn"t know I had this waiting for me. My heart swelled at the sight of Cassius when I pulled back to look over him. He gave me a bright smile that he didn't show often. How did I get this lucky? Even if I never remembered our beginning or my past, I could die being truly happy with what I did know. The song ended, but we danced through another and another. His eyes glanced at something behind me, and I saw his father nod for him to come over to him.

"Work awaits me. I'll be back momentarily." He gave me a kiss, signaling to everyone in the room I was his. It was likely enough to keep everyone away from me. The aroma from the food table caught my attention. Everyone was having such a great time. Haden was dancing with a beautiful woman, but he smiled at me like we were truly friends.

An overwhelming feeling settled in my chest. Would I make it back from the last trial? What if Cassius had to endure losing me all over again?

The room felt too small and too loud, so I headed towards the large black velvet drapes behind the thrones to get a break. I didn't know where Cassius had gone, but I wouldn't be long. Slipping through the drapes undetected I immediately leaned against the granite pillar. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I didn't even hear him when he grabbed me.

"My Love, are you hiding?" Cassius had pulled my back into his chest. His lips pressed into the elite mark behind my ear. The dark stubble on his jaw scraped against my skin and it sent a jolt of electricity through me.

"I felt overwhelmed," I whispered.

"Hmm, I can help relieve stress," he whispered. "It wouldn't be the first time we snuck back here for the same reasons."

I turned slightly towards him as a mischievous glint met his eye. I just pressed myself back against him in response. Cassius moved us so quickly that I didn't realize until my chest was pinned to the pillar. It was cold compared to my too-hot skin. Cassius's big hands ran up the back of my bare legs with a hum of appreciation. His fingers slipped under the thin underwear I was wearing and groaned softly into the crook of my neck.

"Such a good girl." He praised me when I widened my stance so he could feel all of me. His teeth grazed the flesh on my shoulder and bit down and my hips jerked back into him when his fingers circled my clit. His hands tugged me by my hips back into him, rubbing his hard length into me. I should be horrified that only thick black velvet drapes separate us from everyone else, but it only fueled my need to have him now. Cassius's clothes felt rough against my skin when he moved one scrap of fabric to the side.

"This will be fast, Thea. We don't want others to come searching for us."

"Please," I panted. His hands traced my skin before grabbing harsh handfuls of my ass. Cassius let out a loud breath as he undid his trousers. His hand covered my mouth as he sank into me so quickly that my knees buckled under me. Cassius held me between his body and the pillar. My ears rang with the sounds of everyone around us.

"As much as I love hearing what I do to you. I don't want others to hear what belongs to me," he whispered against my ear as he held his hand firmly across my mouth. "So be a good fucking girl and keep quiet."

I groaned and squeezed my eyes shut tightly with every thrust of his hips. My hands tried to grip the pillar, but it was pointless. Cassius turned me so my back was against the pillar. His hand wrapped around my leg and lifted it around his waist before sinking back into me. His thumb ran over my lips, smearing my red lipstick intentionally.

"Fuck." He hissed, and his mouth descended on mine immediately as he swallowed all of my moans. My arms wrapped around him and pulled him so close that he couldn't leave. I tried to pull away as my orgasm tilted on the edge of a breakthrough, but he pinned me by my throat to the pillar and didn't let me move.

"Not too loud, My Love," he growled before his lips found mine again. I tried but nothing would have tamed the orgasm that ripped through me. He didn't mind as he muffled my noises and kept them for himself. Cassius kissed my neck, his stubble skimming my skin, and groaned his release so softly that I knew no one could hear but me.

We stayed against the pillar for a long moment before he gave me a soft kiss and wiped my smeared lipstick off of both of us. I gave him a lazy smile that he returned.

"I do love this dress." He chuckled softly.

My eyes looked at the crown that still sat on his head. It was weird to see him with it on. He was the next King of the Crimson Kingdom. My eyes traced over his handsome face. Everything about Cassius drew me to him. I was like a moth to a flame. An overwhelming urge to tell him how much I loved him hit me like a tidal wave.

"I lo—" I was cut off by the huge explosion in front of us. We both tumbled onto the floor of the room. My ears rang at the force of whatever hit the castle.

"Thea!" My eyes met Cassius as he pulled me up to him. His crown was gone. I could feel my head bleeding as I tried to make sense of what had just happened. Ringing filled my ears making it impossible to think clearly.

"What's happening?" I spoke frantically as the loud screaming and chaos erupted at the celebration.

"We're under attack." His black shadows swirled around him and when they disappeared, he was in his armor. Cassius grabbed me by the shoulders so that I was facing him. I didn't like the worried expression on his face. "Listen to me, Thea. You need to go get changed, get weapons, and you need to take the others to Cerithia now."

"What?" I shook my head no. "I don't want to leave you yet."

Cassius's face twisted in pain at my frantic words, but they were true. I didn't want to leave him. I thought we would have days.

"You have to. Cerithia probably got word that you survived the trials and are attacking us to prevent you from coming. If you can sneak out and get there, you'll have a higher chance of getting the stone and coming back to us sooner. We will have a lifetime together after that."

I stared at his terrifyingly handsome face for a long moment before giving him a lingering kiss. He held me tightly as chunks of rubble and castle flew around us. The screaming of other guests increased. Cassius kissed me once more before pulling back.

"How am I supposed to concentrate on my task if I'm worried about you?"

"I'll visit when you sleep."

"That might not happen at all." I complained, knowing that sleep would be a luxury in the coming days. After a resigned frown, he grabbed my wrist before his finger came up to my hairline where blood seeped from a wound. Confusion filled me as he wiped it on the inside of my left wrist. Then he wiped blood from himself and smeared it with mine.

A hot searing pain had me ripping my arm from him with a pained sob. Red and black mists swirled over my wrist before vanishing, revealing a mark in the shape of a crown where our blood had mixed. The crown glowed slightly like the swirls on my skin that appeared. It was a vibrant red as if it had been burned into my flesh, but it no longer hurt. My eyebrows knitted together as I tried to understand the marking. The base of the crown wrapped around my wrist and the points of the crown moved up my forearm toward my elbow.

"It's a blood mark. It will link us together. I'm not entirely sure how to communicate through it or how much we can. Although I can feel how much you don't want to leave me right now." He frowned.

"How did you know how to do this?" I traced the raised burn of the crown.

"A blood witch showed me once." He spoke so casually, so simply, but I had so many questions that I didn't have time to ask. Blood witches had become extinct with the humans, or at least that was what I had heard before.

Glancing at his wrist, I noticed he didn"t have one. "What about you?"

"I can feel it without the brand because our blood is sealed together in the mark.

"How?" I asked, confused. Another explosion interrupted my questioning. Fae screamed all around us. I gave him one last kiss instead of waiting for an answer.

"Be safe," I demanded.

"I'll see you soon, my love."

Then he was gone, and I was running through the rubble of the celebration. Dead fae littered the ground, but I couldn't linger to see who was lying there. I headed up the stairs and changed into my clothing as quickly as I could. I twisted my hair into a braid before getting my daggers and bow but paused so I could scribble a note for Cassius down just in case.

My heart will remember you, seek you, love you even if my mind cannot remember. My soul will always seek its other half.

Love,

Little Viper

I set it on his nightstand and then headed towards the mens' sleeping room.