CHAPTER EIGHT

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          THE BRUNETTE SAT ON THE WINDOW SILL OF THE OPEN WINDOW, LETTING IN THE CHILLY AUTUMN AIR AS SHE CUDDLED UP WITH A THICK BLANKET, BOOK IN HER HANDS. The early light casted her in a soft glow and she did not need any candles. Willow was deeply immersed in the novel she was reading. The pages turned quietly in her lap as her focus was solely on the pages in front of her. 

Willow had woken up early, her excitement for the day ahead making sleep nonexistent. The thought of her first training session with Cassian had stirred her restless. She wasn't sure where the training would take place, what time it was supposed to start or even how she was supposed to get there. The thought of whether Cassian would come to pick her up or if she was supposed to find her way on her own was a constant buzz in the back of her mind.

Which is why she had picked up the book and was no so engulfed in its pages that she was unaware of the approaching sounds of wings. The quiet whoosh of air grew closer until Cassian hovered beside her, which cascaded her in darkness. 

Startled, Willow's heart raced as she lost her balance and nearly fell out the two story window. A gasp escaped her lips as she flailed for support and dropped the book out the window in the process. Cassian's reflexes were swift and he reached out to grab her by the bicep with a firm but gentle grip and steadied her.

"Whoa, easy there." said Cassian, his voice a mix of concern and amusement. "I didn't mean to startle you. Are you alright?"

Willow's breath came in quick, uneven bursts as she clutched the window frame for support, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and relief. "I'm... I'm okay," she managed, her voice trembling slightly. "You just caught me by surprise."

"And here I thought you liked my dramatic entrances?" Cassian's lips curled into a playful grin, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Next time, I'll try not to send you tumbling out of the window."

The brunette narrowed her eyes slightly as she slid off the window sill and back into the room, in search of her book. 

Cassian watched her with a mix of amusement and curiosity as she searched for her book. "I promise, I'll work on my timing," he said with a toothy grin. "But you have to admit, it makes for a memorable start to the day, don't you think?"

"I suppose it does." she let out a dry chuckle. "But if you keep this up, I might start expecting a dramatic rescue every morning."

"Well, if you ever need one, you know i'm just a wingbeat away."

Cassian spotted Willow's book nestled among the flowerbeds below, its cover peeking out from between the vibrant blooms. With a swift, fluid motion, he descended gracefully, his wings shimmering in the morning light as he touched down softly amid the flowers.

Willow leaned out of the window, her eyes following Cassian with a blend of curiosity and gratitude. Watching him stoop to retrieve the book, his dark wings folding neatly behind him, was both impressive and oddly reassuring.

As Cassian soared back up with the book in hand, he gave Willow a cheeky grin. "Got your book," he said, offering it to her. "And I made sure not to disturb any of the flowers while I was at it."

"How considerate of you." she raised a brow as she took the book.

Cassian watched her with a warm smile. "Well, I do aim to be a gentleman," he said with a wink. "Ready for our training session?"

Willow turned the book in her hands, her gaze drifting up to the Illyrian warrior still hovering outside her window. Cassian was a striking figure, broad and muscular, his powerful frame almost completely filling the window's opening. His dark wings, spread wide, created a gentle breeze that stirred her hair and filled the room with a sense of his commanding presence.

His dark, shoulder-length hair was tousled, contributing to his rugged and untamed look. His deep hazel eyes, intense and focused, were fixed on her, watching her every move with curiosity.

"I am," she nodded. "is what i'm wearing okay?"

Cassian examined her attire with a thoughtful look. "It's a good start, but you might want to wear something more suited for training. Something like the leathers I'm wearing would be ideal. If you don't have those, just make sure it's not too loose, leggings and a snug top should work fine. You'll need to be able to move freely."

Willow nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Got it. I'll change into something more suitable right away."

Cassian nodded with a reassuring smile and said, "I'll be downstairs, take your time. I can wait."

Willow quickly changed into a pair of black, tight-fitting pants and a snug, skin-tight top. As she stood in front of the mirror, she took in her reflection. Her slender frame looked even more pronounced in the fitted clothes, and she couldn't help but grimace slightly. 

The image in the mirror felt foreign to her, she was used to hiding behind looser clothing, not displaying her figure so openly. She took a deep breath trying to push away her insecurities. "You've got this," she murmured to herself, before heading downstairs to meet Cassian.

Willow made her way down the stairs, her nerves settling slightly as she approached the foyer. Cassian was waiting there, but he seemed to be quite occupied. He was stuffing his face with a few muffins, crumbs scattered around his mouth. As soon as he noticed her, he tried to offer her a smile but a piece of muffin fell from his mouth, landing with a soft thud on the floor. His cheeks were puffed out and he looked a bit embarrassed but still genuinely pleased to see her.

"Sorry about that," he said, his voice muffled by the muffin. "I was starving. You look great, by the way." He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, a bit flustered, but his eyes twinkled with his usual warmth.

There was not a single ounce of judgment in his gaze as he glanced at the brunette, his eyes lingering on her slender frame. There was a flicker of concern in his gaze but Willow didn't notice. He felt the bond tug at his chest and he wondered if she could feel it too. 

"Thanks," she uttered, crinkling her nose at his eating habits. 

Cassian's wings ruffled behind him and he grinned as he leaned against the kitchen counter, entirely too large for it. "We'll be training at the House of Wind. We got some training grounds set up there."

"The House of Wind?" she repeated, eyes widening at the thought of how they were going to get there. "Does that mean...?"

Cassian's grin grew at her facial expression and winked. "Yes, it means we'll be flying there. I thought you might enjoy the view. Ready for an aerial adventure?"

"Uh..." Willow mumbled, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her top. The idea of being so close to Cassian while he held her made her heart race. She wasn't sure she was ready to be this close to him, feeling his strong arms around her as they flew through the air.

Cassian noticed her unease and gave her a reassuring smile. "I understand it's a bit intimidating. But consider this, Feyre wasn't born a flyer she had to learn and it took time. I've been flying since I was a child, and it's second nature to me. I promise I'll be gentle, and you'll be completely safe with me. I'll make sure it's a smooth ride."

Willow hesitated, her nerves still dancing across her face but for some reason she knew that the Illyrian would never do anything to put her in danger. Perhaps it was the way he looked at her, the concern and kindness behind his eyes, she did not know. Or that strange pull at her chest whenever he was near or whenever she thought of him. 

She took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing just a bit. "Alright,"

Cassian sighed in relief and said, "Good, or we'd have to walk up ten thousand steps to get there and I was not looking forward to it."

He gestured for her to follow him and led her outside, the crisp morning air tingling against their skin. Cassian's dark wings unfolded with a dramatic flair, catching the first rays of sunlight that filtered through the towering trees. The sunlight reflected off the leather of the membrane and she almost reached up to touch them. 

Her heart raced as she followed him, her steps tentative but her curiosity pushing her forward.

Cassian turned to face Willow, taking in the contrast between her petite frame and his own.He noticed how small she looked next to him, and it struck him just how delicate she seemed. He knew what was coming next and he could not wait to have her in his arms like he had before when she was asleep. He wanted her close but he was not about to scare her away.

Willow was acutely aware of the moment approaching, her heartbeat pounding so loudly she half wondered if Cassian could hear it. With a trembling hand, she reached up and grasped his shoulder, a small but significant gesture of trust. The Illyrian's eyes softened and with a gentle and kind smile did he carefully lift her into his arms. 

The brunette felt the warmth of his body seep through her clothes, mingling with her own skin and sending a shiver down her spine. The steady rhythm of his breath helped steady her racing pulse, though her heart still fluttered wildly in her chest. Cassian's grip was firm but reassuring, his strong hands cupping the backs of her knees and supporting her back.

As she wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers brushed against the solid muscle at the back of his neck. The sensation of his body pressed so closely against hers made her acutely aware of every movement, every breath he took and almost held her own breath. She was supposed to be uncomfortable but she felt safe in his arms. 

As Cassian's steady breath brushed against her cheek, it synchronized with the rapid pace of her own heartbeat. The close proximity heightened her senses, every inhalation and exhalation blending together, creating a shared rhythm between them.

She found herself momentarily lost in the depths of his eyes, her breath hitching as the world around them seemed to dissolve into a blur. It seemed as if all the anxiety she had felt about flying melted away. 

"Are you ready to fly?" he asked, offering her a smile. 

Willow nodded her head and Cassian's wings unfurled, creating a cocoon around them. With a powerful thrust, he lifted off the ground. As they ascended, Willow felt her stomach drop, the sensation of weightlessness making her gasp and she clung to him. The city below them began to fade as they went up, up, up, higher into the sky.

Cassian, ever mindful of her comfort, kept his movements steady and smooth and he offered reassuring glances as they ascended into the sky.

Yeah, he was a much better flyer than Feyre was.