20 : Let's Talk Then

When they had reached the palace, the King thanked Cassius multiple times and even promised him a great reward - of course, Cassius was looking forward to it.

It was already night and Xena was desperate for some sleep but she needed answers.

If not, she would stay up all night thinking about all whats and whys.

"So, now that we are not bonded, will you kill me?" She asked curiously while pulling a long nightdress over her body in the powder room.

And then she quickly changed the bandages of her leg.

"I have something else planned for you," Cassius answered while eating another one of the chocolate cakes that the King had provided them.

If that old man was good for anything, it was the cakes.

"And that would be?" Xena questioned and walked out of the room separating them but Cassius ignored her and continued eating the cake on her bed.

His large wings were expanded - covering her whole bed and Xena sighed.

"Move over," Xena ordered but Cassius ignored her again and that made Xena a little annoyed.

"Cassius." She called and Cassius looked up straight into her eyes. Both still for a moment, taking each other in.

There eyes both gleamed while staring at each other, both loosing themselves and if this went on, there might not be a way back.

Xena was the first one to break out of her trance,

"Move over." Cassius shook his head and spoke,

"Find yourself another bed." And took the last slice of the cake before laying on the bed completely with his arms spread open and sighed in content.

It has been long since he slept on a soft bed.

Xena huffed and moved to the couch. She just didn't want to argue with him at the moment, she was too tired. she did mumble her frustrations though,

"Are all the cake and now sprawled on my bed, so troublesome." Cassius heard her and a smile crawled his lips.

After sitting on the couch and trying all weird positions to make herself comfortable, she finally slept in a really uncomfortable position. Her both legs and an arm were hanging off the couch.

Cassius stood over her, watching her sleep, and unknowingly, the small smile he had already grew into a full blown cheshire smile and a chuckle escaped his lips.

"Can't let a princess sleep on the couch, can we now." He mumbled.

He slowly lifted Xena up - who had slobber dripping from one side - and took her to bed. Tucked her in and then moved to the couch. Taking his position and finally sleeping.

His backache was surely going to return.

Morning came around and this time, Xena was the first to wake up - not by choice. She was awoken by the person she would have never expected. Stephen.

He was standing beside her bed staring at her. Guess the brothers do share a similarity.

She was confused. What was he doing here?

"Stephen? How did you get in here?"

Xena quickly gathered the sheets and covered her body that was slightly exposed. She was definitely not comfortable about showing skin to Cassius's little brother.

Cassius himself was another story. Anyways!

"The guards let me in when I told them who I was. I also told them that you asked me to come." Xena nodded and sat up.

"Umm, you sit down. I am just going to be back in a second." Stephen nodded and Xena immediately walked to the closet with sheets still wrapped around her while glancing at Cassius' who was still sound asleep. How is he still asleep? Normally he wakes up as his a knife is at his throat.

While she changed, Stephen looked at his brother.

He was just like he remembered - only by the face that is. His older brother was always the star child and loved by everyone but things changed after the attack it seemed.

When he met him the last time in the cottage, he was anything but the same kind big brother he once had.

He was loved and loving. He was there for everyone. Stephen slightly blow a breath of air and moved closer to Cassius.

Would it be okay if I touch him? It feels like it will burn me.

Stephen moved to caress his face ever so slowly when Cassius snapped his eyes opened and grabbed Stephen's hand in seconds.

Stephen yelped and tried to pull back. Cassius was about to crush his hand until he took in Stephen's face.

"What are you doing here?" Cassius snapped. He sat up and rubbed his hands on his face to remove any sleep from his eyes.

Cassius was surprised but slightly angry at the same time. After looking at Stephen's face, Cassius remembered that his brother couldn't open his wings anymore and that made him more angry.

"I came here to help."

"You are of no help." It had a double meaning of course and it hurt Stephen. He didn't expect his brother's words to be this harsh.

Oh no, he didn't.

"What are you men talking about?" The heated glare broke and now both men focused their eyes on the woman who just entered back in the room with a very gorgeous satin dress on.

"Princess Xena." Stephen bowed and Cassius didn't like it one bit. Who was he to bow to a human? Xena nonetheless.

"Xena," Cassius said rudely and Xena for a second thought if it was the right brother she was helping.

But on the other hand, she didn't mind how he called her - she was used to it by now.

Xena nodded back and started to walk to the door when she added,

"Let's have some breakfast first and then we can talk." Stephen nodded smiling and Cassius grounded his teeth.

They all nevertheless made their way down to the dining room where the King was already seated.

The King had specifically ordered a piece of meat for Cassius - who couldn't care less.

Stephen was as grateful as he could ever be and Cassius was as mean as he could ever be. Cassius didn't even touch the food while Stephen took some from everything.

The tension between the two brothers was very thick and even the King could feel it.

If a fight breaks out, don't care who comes out on top, the palace definitely won't.

Cassius didn't want anything more than trashing the whole place down at that moment.

"Thank you, your majesty. The people here are very kind just like your daughter." Stephen threw another comment and Cassius grit his teeth.

That was enough!

He stood up and without another word, expanded his wings and flew out from the closest window.

If he stayed another moment, it won't be good for anyone.

Everyone watched Cassius in fear and awe while Xena was worried. What had happened to him?

The night rolled in and Cassius was still not back home and it worried Xena to no ends. Did he leave her again? Is he okay? Had he eaten anything?

"He will be back! Relax Princess." Stephen tried to console the princess but it didn't work. She was still worried about him.

Stephen was surprised to see a human care for Cassius, princess nonetheless.

"Why is he still here?" A voice came from the window and Xena immediately turned to find Cassius standing there with blood on his bare chest.

He had eaten alright.

"Cassius!" Xena called and immediately ran to him in hopes to hug him but stopped, thinking otherwise.

Cassius simply glared at his brother, ignoring Xena.

"You want to talk?" Stephen nodded and Cassius' gaze narrowed, "Let's talk then."

...

Um, it was just an insight - sort of. I mean, I love Cassius and all but sometimes, he looks into things too much.

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