He finished his meal deep in thought, drank the tonic, then carefully snuck out from under Ava to see to his needs and bathe. After the tub was filled, he slid into the warm water and leaned his head back, trying to recall anything he might have learned during his imprisonment that could prove useful.
“Aro? Are you alright?”he asked.
I’m fabulous,he answered.Not happy about being stuck with those daemon bastards for that long, thanks to you.
“I’m sorry.”
I know. It’s not your fault. We’re safe now. Though Ava’s friend, Remy, died. He showed up to help.
Remy? No. That sweet little hobgoblin who had been so ecstatic to see her at the ball. He couldn’t believe it. Tears welled in his eyes.
“How did Ava take it?”
Not well. Andras also got a portal open, trapping Ava briefly before she got away.
Water sloshed as Casimir sat up.“What?”
She’s alright. Obviously.
“What does this mean?”
We won’t know until Jorrar is finished translating the book.
“Dammit.”
Get some rest. Things won’t be calm for long it seems.
“No, they won’t be.”
Casimir’s armswere still wrapped around Ava when he awoke again. He groaned and stretched, unsure how long he slept but feeling even better than the first time he came to.
“Cas?” Ava’s voice was thick with exhaustion.
He turned to her, lying on her side facing him. “Hey, princess.”
She looked at him for a long moment, blinking…then reached a hand out to trace his face, as if she wasn’t sure he was real. “You’re awake?”
“I am.”
She burst into tears.
He gathered her up and pulled her close, rubbing soothing circles on her back.
“Shhhh. It’s alright, love.”
Casimir didn’t let go as she released her grief and fear, his own tears threatening to spill at the sound of her sobs. Peppering her forehead with kisses, he murmured reassurances.
“I—I thought you…I thought you were going to die,” she barely got the words out between her whimpers.
“I know. But I didn’t. I’m here. We’re safe now.”
“Remy’s dead,” she whispered.
“I know. I’m so sorry.”
They stayed that way for a long while. Casimir held her as she wept against his chest. He knew this was only the beginning of even more deaths they would face. Remy’s barely scratched the surface of the brutalities of war. It easily could have been Raine in Oakshire…or himself at the daemon camp…or Ava at the ball. And if he lost one of those close to him, Casimir didn’t know if he would be able to handle it.
Ava’s sobs had finally turned to sniffles. Swiping a thumbacross her cheeks, he pressed his lips to her forehead. “I love you,” he murmured.
