CASSIAN

Cassian Alwyn didn't have a long childhood. He was forced to grow up and fend for himself much earlier than most. There was only one person he depended on the most in the world when he was in need and that was himself... but after Luke held out his hand, Cassian didn't hesitate to accept it. Cassian knew Luke would take care of him. He'd do the rest.

Leaning against Luke, his vision was going in and out, pulsing along with his booming headache. He didn't know where the pain started or ended, but he could feel the trickle of blood falling down his body, his wings wilted and tail dragging across the ground. He wasn't ready to die but the cold whispered that there was a chance. His nose turned into Luke's hair, and he took a deep, needy breath.

"You're warm," Cassian whispered.

"I'm not. You're just cold." Luke argued, a crack in his voice. He's never been the type to pretend he wasn't strong, but that never made Cassian think he was going to give in. Always stubborn enough to keep going. Also, if he didn't argue with Cassian, Luke just might die with him. "I understand how this curse is going to kill me. With worry."

Cassian chuckled, delirium kicking in along with the ice over his bones, hearing piano music. The first song he heard Luke play. Clair de lune. It's strange. Cassian always thought when you were dying you'd see your own life flash before your eyes, but all Cassian saw was Luke playing the piano, Luke laughing at Cassian after a particularly mischievous joke, Luke in the rain with big blue eyes shining at him before they kissed for the first time, Luke dancing, Luke sharing the pastries on his plate, Luke crying, and Luke now, red in the face and pushing to make it back to the castle.

The doors groaned, opening on their own. Glowing a sickly green, Mingus was off the floor, shining like a lightning bug this night. There were three Mingus's... and the world was tilting. His head was getting too heavy to keep up.

"I'm not letting you in here," Mingus said... to who?

"I live here." Cassian took a swing.

"Let me in," Luke snapped. He adjusted Cassian's arm, hoisting him up again by his waist. Gravity had another thing planned, pulling him to the ground. "No more arguing. Cass needs help. My help. So—" All the sounds changed, Luke's voice sounding like it was dropped into the ocean "—either let me in or let him die."

A beat went by too long to make Cassian think he just couldn't hear anymore.

Mingus finally answered, "You can come in under one condition..."

He said more, but Cassian didn't hear it. The last thing he registered was Luke calling his name.

#

Getting hit by an eighteen-wheeler might've been easier on Cassian's body. Forcing his eyes open, Cassian glanced around what he realized was his bedroom. His bedroom in the castle. Moon beams spilled between the curtains. Pieces of Cassian's memory were coming back together into one full picture.

Iris's apartment.

Flying to the castle.

Rhys.

"Luke?" Cassian called out to the empty room.

His stomach turned like rotten fruit. Sitting up to leave his bed, a wall of pain, so intense he had to close his eyes and furrow his brow to bear the weight of his headache, stopped Cassian. As a black dragon, Cassian was created to withstand the hottest fire on earth, skin stronger than these castle walls, and eyes to see through the darkest of nights. However, in this moment, he'd believe it if someone said if he moved too quick, he'd crumble into dust.

Cassian loathed feeling this weak.

What was he worth if he wasn't strong?

Letting out a breath, Cassian pushed himself up and his stance wobbled, but he refused to sit down. Cassian had a mission now: find Luke, make sure Luke was okay, and know for sure his stupid, poor excuse of a brother hadn't ruined everything.

"Whoa, there..." an echoing voice said, and it took Cassian a moment to recognize it. Looking up, the only mirror in Cassian's room was swirling with a purple smoke before The Magic Mirror appeared, still wearing the same tuxedo as the day they first met. He wore a deep frown. Whether he was disgusted by Cassian's weakness or just unhappy, Cassian couldn't tell. "Don't hurt yourself. Take your time..."

Oh. Genuine concern.

That was new.

"You're here?" Cassian asked.

The Magic Mirror huffed. "Yes. No thanks to you. I can't believe you just left me in some luggage."

"It wasn't intentional and besides, you're here—" As he said it, Cassian realized something. "How did you get here?"

"Luke went back for me."

"He did? When? How long have I been asleep?" Cassian asked the shallowest questions when his true panic ran much deeper, when he really wanted to know where Luke was, to know if he came back with the mirror or not. Had he already gone home? Did he leave Cassian? This line of thinking came with the thought of how quickly he could get on a plane.

"Quite some time, I believe. My hobby isn't to watch time tick by..." The Mirror said, and Cassian was finished the idle chatter. He needed to get moving. He walked to his dresser, taking out a shirt to go over his healing scars and easy sweatpants as the Mirror went on, "... as I don't age and I'm omniscient."

"A little over a week," Mingus piped up, his head popping up from the floor, slowly rising until the ghost was fully formed, floating off the ground. It was not the warm welcome or at least halfhearted welcome Cassian was typically given when he arrived back at the castle. He raised higher, staring down his nose at Cassian.

"Where's Luke?" Cassian didn't wait for his answer, shuffling out of his room.

Sighing, Mingus floated behind him. "I can't believe you. Getting tricked by another Whitlock."

"It's not the same."

"Why? Because you never had sex with Iris—"

Cassian stopped whirling around to gawk at his ghostly butler. "How did you..."

Somehow, Mingus's grimace deepened. "I didn't. It was a guess."

Trying to control his temper, Cassian just sighed and rolled his eyes before starting his trek again. He didn't want to discuss it with Mingus. He shouldn't have to explain himself. Mingus wanted to talk, though, chasing after Cassian. "It is exactly the same. You trusted Iris, and I'm sure you trust this one, too. I'm sure you love this one, too."

Panic surged through Cassian as if something fragile fell from his hands and he barely had the chance to keep it from shattering. Cassian opened the nearest room, searching for Luke and relieved to not find him. He kept his voice low, so if Luke was close, he wouldn't overhear. "Don't say that so loud. You're going to freak Luke out."

Mingus whirled ahead, floating in front of him as he hurried to the stairs. "That's not normal!" He raised his voice, despite Cassian's frustration. "You do understand that's not normal, right?"

"It's not a normal situation."

"You're refusing to acknowledge me, so I need you to know I'm rolling my eyes so hard they're going to pop out of my head."

"Mingus. I understand your concern," Cassian said, finally stopping long enough to give Mingus his greatly desired attention. "And I appreciate your concern for me."

"You've forgotten yourself." Mingus's glare only intensified, and Cassian started hurrying again. If Luke wasn't on this floor, maybe Mingus wouldn't let him up the stairs. The bottom floor. Cassian reached for the stairwell and Mingus flew over his head to block his path. "What happened to getting the ring and coming home to hibernate? What about the plan? What happened to you?"

Cassian walked through Mingus again, hoping the ghost would let it go. He didn't want to talk about it. Didn't want to hear it. "I'm still planning on getting the ring back."

"And hibernating?" Mingus asked and when Cassian didn't immediately answer, Mingus asked again, "What about hibernating?"

"One thing at a time," Cassian muttered and hit the ground harder, hurrying to the bottom floor when his steps slowed. A creeping sensation tickled the back of Cassian's neck. He could sense movement, something stirring in the air, but when Cassian turned around, he was alone. It was his horde. Someone was inside of his horde.

Throwing his hands up, Mingus disappeared with a sigh and Cassian traveled downward. It struck him as funny that Iris Whitlock kept her most prized treasures underneath her home the same way Cassian did. They were more alike than Cassian wished to admit. Pushing through the iron doors, Cassian could only take one step inside and not one more.

All the breath left his lungs. He finally found Luke Whitlock. It dawned on him that maybe he'd been searching for him much longer than just tonight. Curled up on a mattress just slapped on the floor, silk, and velvet bedding tangled Luke up as he cuddled a long pillow in his arms. Treading lightly, Cassian made his way to Luke's bedside, hoping he'd stay at peace. Luke's hair was messy and with his leg sticking out, Cassian could see him wearing sweatpants and a slouchy button up. Cassian's button up.

Fire licked the side of Cassian's heart, heat flooding his veins. Something about Luke being here with his horde, wrapped up in his things drove Cassian a little more than crazy. Collapsing on the ground, Cassian moved the bangs off Luke's forehead and just watched him breathe.

Mingus asked what happened to Cassian.

Luke happened.

Luke happened to Cassian like he was a meteor crashing down into the earth and Cassian was at the center of that crater. No one wants to be hit by a meteorite. Cassian never wanted to be hit by love, but it happened, and he was sitting amongst the wreckage.

Grumbling, Luke's face pinched as he snuggled deeper into the bed. Face pressed against the pillow, only one eye appeared, squinting up. He hummed, closing his eyes again and Luke lifted his arm towards Cassian, motioning him onto the bed. "Come here..." his voice dragging across a patch of gravel. "You shouldn't be up."

Half smirking, Cassian would not argue. There was nowhere else Cassian wanted to be. Melting into the bed, Cassian shifted up against Luke and Luke didn't waste time holding him. This human pressed his face to Cassian's chest, like he was a man, like he wasn't a dragon that could so easily destroy him.

Cassian laid his cheek against Luke's hair, an arm underneath him. He whispered, hoping to stay in this soft bubble for a little while longer. "Why are you in here and not a proper bed?"

Groaning, Luke shifted into a more comfortable position. He grumbled, "Your brother said something funny."

"Maybe I don't want to know."

"Just listen..." Luke sighed, obviously wishing he was sleeping instead of talking. "He mentioned something about a human being in a horde and how that could add to a dragon's power. The Magic Mirror explained it all to me about how—" Luke yawned "—how a dragon's power starts at their horde."

"So, you added yourself into my horde?"

"I guess... I mean, I understand how the gold, the treasures, and all this stuff gives you power, but I don't understand why or how I help you."

"It's your aura."

"That's what Rhys said."

"It's white. Your aura is white."

"What does that mean?"

A beat passed between them, and Cassian half hoped Luke had fallen asleep, but didn't. Cassian admitted, "It means you live without greed. It means you don't want to take anything from me. It means... it means you don't want anything at all."

Luke lifted his face, his brows pinched together. "That doesn't make sense. I want things."

"Do you? What do you want?" Cassian asked with every intention of giving Luke anything he wanted.

"I want you—" Luke said and that would've been enough for Cassian and an easy gift, but Luke finished his sentence "—to take care of yourself." With a huff, Luke pushed himself up, looking down at Cassian and the bluest eyes in the world looked him over. The worry didn't ease from his brow. He asked, "Are you okay?" He brushed Cassian's hair back. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Luke," Cassian assured him, leaning into the touch. "I bounce back easy."

His worry twisted into frustration. Luke all but snapped at Cassian. "You didn't trip Cassian, your brother tried biting your head off. This wasn't a normal day—"

Cassian rolled his eyes. "If you're about to blame this on the curse, don't. The curse will not get me." When Luke opened his mouth to argue, Cassian bellowed, "I'm a dragon, Luke. I understand your previous partners were humans, but you have to remember I'm not just a man—"

"But you're my man."

The words dropped into the room like a bomb and everything after that statement was the aftermath. Horrified by the catastrophe of his own making, Luke jerked back, his arms snapping straight. Cassian grabbed his arm just as quickly, knowing Luke would want to take it back. But he couldn't. Just as much as Luke couldn't unsay it, Cassian couldn't unhear it. Cassian's hand slipped around the back of Luke's neck and brought him into a kiss.

Cassian kissed him deeper and deeper, crossing his arms around Luke to hold him closer. Luke's pulse reverberated through Cassian and made his heart tremble. With their bodies pressed, Cassian took a deep breath, squeezing him even tighter. He wasn't allowed to express his feelings with words and this love overwhelmed Cassian. Hopefully, this close, Luke could hear his heart beating for him. Luke melted into Cassian's arms, resting his elbows on the other side of Cassin's head, grabbing handfuls of his hair.

It seemed like ages before this kiss was over. Luke lifted, resting against Cassian's forehead. He took in a deep, shuddering breath. "I... I didn't mean-"

"Don't," Cassian begged. He cupped Luke's face, bringing him up so their eyes could meet. He could plummet to the bottom of his ocean eyes. "Don't."

He brought Luke's lips back to his and kissed him over and over, tasting the nectar of Luke's essence. Wrapping an arm around Luke, he flipped this human around, so he'd laid flat on the mattress.

With Luke in here as a part of his horde, there was actual power in this kiss.

Luke cradled his face, prolonging this kiss and this closeness and the need for no words. Cassian had never felt this deep desire to make-out with someone for so long and without pause. It was like this on their first night together and tonight; Cassian realized he couldn't help it.

But Cassian would still like to get a little closer.

Slipping his hand down between them, Cassian pulled at Luke's waist band while rocking his body forward. Luke gasped, breaking their kiss. Luke asked, "But what about your injuries?"

"All healed," Cassian obviously said, too fast for Luke to believe him. Rising to his knees, Cassian pulled off his shirt and said, "I'll show you."

Finally, Luke cracked a smile and held his arms out to receive Cassian again. Wrapping an arm around his neck, Luke curled around Cassian like a replacement for that pillow, running his hand down Cassian's back, around his side, and down the side of his leg as Cassian rocked against Luke's middle, shaking him to his core. Staring down at this human encased in his arms, every reaction that sparked and rattled Luke's body mesmerized Cassian. Cassian buried his face inside the crook of his neck just to breathe him in and when he made a sweet sound, Cassian kissed him there because he wanted to hear it again. Biting the skin because he thought he could do even better.

Slipping his hand down, Cassian pulled at Luke's pants, inching them farther and farther down until he revealed Luke's hard on. Cassian smiled as he wrapped around the base, jerking upward and Luke's whole flushed body followed suit, his mouth open in a silent scream.

"You're not wearing underwear," Cassian commented, his mouth watering at the sight of Luke writhing from his touch.

His brows furrowed, Luke trembled as Cassian's hand teased the top of Luke's other head and his pre-cum slicked back to its base. Breathlessly, Luke posed, "And you're complaining?"

Shaking his head, Cassian just smiled wider and kissed Luke's cheek, then down his jaw to his neck. Luke grabbed Cassian's arms, squeezing tight with every pump of Cassian's hand. His legs pressing against Cassian's and Cassian hoped every touch stained his skin. He hoped his scales underneath burned a white as bright as Luke's aura.

The ghost was right.

Cassian had not been thinking of the Fortress Ring as of late. Another sort of ring had been present in his mind. One, he'd slip down Luke's long ring finger and would never go missing. Cassian would like one to match.

"Cass," Luke gasped and grabbed his face, running his mouth across Cassian's lips as he desperately brought him for a kiss. "I wanna cum," he whispered, rocking into Cassian's hand and Cassian obliged with a smile, forcing Luke over the edge until he orgasmed in shaking and shimmering ecstasy.

Despite the mess he made, Cassian didn't lift off Luke. He wanted to cling to this human as he came down from heaven. Luke smiled and Cassian had the feeling everything was going to be okay. Cassian whispered, "We can sleep if you want."

"If you're asking me what I want," Luke licked his lips. "Don't. You know what I want."

Cassian nodded and scooped Luke off this mattress to transfer to his bedroom with the supplies they needed.

#

LUKE

The buzz from Luke's phone made him stir. He patted around Cassian's bed until he flipped his screen towards him. Kostas texted again.

KOSTAS: [Have you found the ring, yet?]

KOSTAS: [You're coming home soon, right?]

Confused and blurry from days of nothing but eating, sleeping, and mind-blowing sex. Even his bones ached from the exhaustion. He made a move, but Cassian's arms wrapped around his stomach only tightened. The corner of Luke's mouth quirked, and he patted Cassian's arm to reassure him. Sleepily, Cassian mumbled nothing and nuzzled the back of Luke's neck. His breath tickled the little neck hairs and Luke tried to keep his horniness down. If they keep going at it like this there wasn't going to be any Luke left.

Luke checked the date.

It struck him as odd for some reason. He stared at it longer and longer until the recognition flattened him like an eighteen-wheeler. Luke fought Cassian's hold to sit up. Heart slamming his chest, Luke pulled up their flight schedule. "Cass," he tapped the top of his head. "Cass, we missed our flight."

"Hmm?"

"We missed our flight," Luke raised his voice because Cassian obviously wasn't hearing him. "I've never missed a flight in my life. Shit." Luke jumped out of bed and hurried towards the bath connected to Cassian's room. "We're supposed to be in New Zealand—" Luke rolled his eyes at himself and grabbed his toothbrush, then lunged for the shower. He'd have to multitask. "This means we're going to miss check in at our hotel too!"

Groaning, Cassian finally stirred, the bed creaking. "Calm down," he said annoyingly indifferent to the situation and Luke's panic. "It's not like we can go back. We'll figure it out, Luke. Your phone is going off."

"Who is it?" Luke asked, sticking his arm out to check the water temperature.

"Astrid."

"Answer it. See if she's alright."

Cassian did. "Good morning, Astrid or I suppose, good afternoon. It's Lord Alwyn—"

Luke walked into the shower. He stood directly under the showerhead and savored the pressure and heat, closing his eyes and holding his breath. All this anxiety needed to wash off and spill down the drain. This was all on him and he was letting everyone down: leaving Astrid alone, not taking The Mirror back home, and still leaving Cassian with nothing. Well, other than no hope of finding his ring.

"Luke!" Cassian shouted and Luke jumped a little. He hasn't shouted at Luke like that in forever, which made Luke realize they'd basically stopped fighting all together. He definitely preferred the latter.

With Cassian lighting a fire under him, Luke quickly grabbed one of the black robes and hobbled out of the tub. "What? What? What?"

Phone to his ear, Cassian had thrown on a pair of pants and Luke's intuition seemed correct. Cassian's jaw set in the pissed off position with a glare that made Luke's stomach queasy. "Luke," Cassian snapped. "Where's your heart medication?"

"It's right here," Luke said, more confused than ever. Dripping from the five second shower, he went to the duffel bag on Cassian's dresser, pulling out a small orange bottle. When Luke turned, he bumped into Cassian, glaring at the little pills rattling around the bottom.

"It's not much," Cassian said, and it took Luke a second to realize he was talking to Astrid. Not him. "Is he supposed to be taking this medication daily?"

"Hey," Luke snapped and went for his phone as Astrid told something to Cassian that made Cassian's brow furrow even harder. "Don't talk about me when I'm right here!"

Cassian shook his head. "No. He hasn't."

"Astrid!" Luke huffed, getting his phone back and swallowed down at the curse, even though that's how he felt. Anger simmered at the very top of Luke's skin. "Astrid, what gives?"

"You forgot your second bottle of medication, Luke..." As she spoke, Cassian grabbed Luke's bags and tossed them on the bed. He searched the room and anything that looked remotely like Luke's was packed inside. She said, "I refilled your prescription early so you'd have enough for your full trip."

"I forgot. I'm sorry—"

"You can't forget Luke. You have to have this medication."

"I know!"

"Luke."

Luke softened. Closing his eyes, he touched over his heart, running his hand over the scar. He whispered, "I know. I'm sorry. I just..."

"You've never been this careless."

"Honestly, I forgot. It just hasn't been on my mind like usual. I remember now, Astrid, so don't worry. I'll come back home."

More than the flight and the mission, Luke had forgotten about too many things lately. Maybe this was the reminder he needed.

"We're going back to Virginia," Cassian instructed.

"No," Luke said. "Astrid, I'll call you back." He huffed and stepped in front of Cassian's path. "I'll go back. Let me give you the keys to Zipper's apartments. You can still go to New Zealand and Florida. It's not fair to you."

"I'm not letting you travel alone. What if something happens to you?"

Luke shook his head. Cassian's priorities had been twisted. He had been poisoned by Luke, who had made him sick in the head. Luke said something with venom, said something sharp enough to find purchase and make Cassian bleed. Cassian needed to remember he was in danger around Luke. "You're not my boyfriend, Lord Alwyn. You're not my lover. You don't have to worry about—"

His words bounced off Cassian and punched Luke right where it hurt. Cassian spoke over him, "Just because I'm not your boyfriend doesn't mean I can't care about. It doesn't mean I don't care about you. I care for you a lot, Luke."

Cassian's eyes didn't say they cared about Luke.

They said something much worse.

Luke had let this go on for too long. It had to end.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hello friends! In TRUE Miss Bonnett fashion, I have written a SUPER long chapter. lol. I'm just happy I was able to write again 😭😭😭 I've been so busy and I missed these boys so much. Also, while figuring out a few little things here and there, this book really doesn't have much long until the end. I wrote this book to be short! Haha. But we'll see.