Chapter 70: Not the sharpest tool in the shed

It was clear that the others didn’t want to leave him alone with Lady Ava. Cass had no idea why Draken was behaving that way. He didn’t seem to care what he’d done to him, at least, he didn’t care or know how much anger he had towards Lady Ava for her not stepping in.

Lady Ava, however, could not sense, or straight up ignored the glares she was receiving from Cass’ ’people’. Sam had his arms crossed, practically killing her with his gaze. Sir Forsythe was relaxed, but his hand hovered close to his sword. Ser Hune stood watching with open curiousity while Cass led the way a few paces away.

He wasn’t looking at Draken. He’d get distracted, and he needed to have his wits about him. Whether or not Lady Ava knew that she had an ability to manipulate people was beyond him, and he didn’t care if she knew. He just knew that it was true, and fuck, he was going to have to make sure she had her back to the others so that no one felt bad for her if she started crying.

For some reason, the closer he got to Lady Ava, the more his joints began to ache. He wasn’t sure why that was the case. He also had no one to ask. Was that the same with other fairies? He’d have to look into that.

“Here should be good enough.” Cass turned and crossed his arms, facing Lady Ava who had been staring at the back of Cass’ head. Her eyes were wide, the brown getting caught in the light and making her already ethereal looks even more vibrant. Fucking ’gods’

“O-Oh. This is far enough away?” She asked carefully, glancing back at, specifically, Draken, and Cass felt his brows furrow. Why did she care that Draken was so close? As far as he could tell, Draken and Lady Ava didn’t have any issues.

Draken had even said that he had looked out for her personally because she had been the weakest member of the team. At least physically. He wasn’t going to acknowledge that Draken believed that had changed. Cass wasn’t weak. He had never been weak, and he was going to have to get this body on a work out plan or something.

“Well, I believe Draken can’t hear us, so probably?” Cass offered and Lady Ava glanced back at him.

“You’ve gotten quite close with Draken.” Cass didn’t like how she said that. She sounded…envious. Why? She had been close to everyone, all the time. From the moment she entered the party. In fact, Cass was pretty sure she was the reason Lord Blackburn had never had a chance, but he didn’t think that was intentional.

If it was, she was one wicked fucking woman, and an incredible liar.

“Not by choice. You heard how he views me as the weakest now, so I assume once I am up to his standards things will go back to how they were before.” Lady Ava’s expression seemed pained, and she clasped her hands together, squeezing them tightly.

“Back to how they were before, huh? Do you want that?” She asked, and Cass was surprised. He didn’t think she’d have the balls to ask.

“Does it matter what I want? It doesn’t appear that anyone cares about what I want.” Cass told her and she flinched. Cass, for all that he knew, didn’t think Lady Ava was intelligent enough on her own to figure out where his anger came from. She’d been blank-faced when it had happened.

Hadn’t even cared that he had been hurt. Lady Fiona had seemed to understand something was wrong, but Lady Ava had looked like a damn doll as it had all happened. With Lord Ridgewood, he at least took that to be his personality. Lady Ava wasn’t like that. She was emotional. She was easy to tears.

So the only truth he could come to was that she had talked to Lady Fiona. Figures.

“Of course it matters what you want. I…I know that I haven’t been the greatest at supporting you,” she started and Cass nodded.

“Mmhmm.” He said and she flushed.

“B-But I was sincere when I told you that I wanted to get closer to you and get to know you better. I…I didn’t realise that you would be in pain.” She whispered and Cass felt his face twist in disbelief. Didn’t know? Cass could barely fucking move! Was she blind as well as ignorant? She saw how his face twisted and she raised her hands, trying to placate him. “I-I know it sounds like an excuse, but I’ve always had really strong powers, even as a kid!” She dropped her gaze. “Really, really strong powers. I wasn’t able to control them, even with normal shackles. I had to get something similar done to me when I was kid by a roaming priestess from a different faith. She would come by twice a year until the temple found me.” Lady Ava said, exhaling slowly.

“So? Why does that matter to me?” Cass asked and watched as she turned a brighter shade of red. Her eyes began to water but she powered through. Cass was oddly proud of her, even if he felt that this was just an excuse.

“I-I’m just trying to explain why I didn’t find it odd that Fifi told Draken to bite you. I had the same thing happen to me for over 7 years, twice a year. I didn’t realise it was a big deal until after, and I’m sorry I didn’t step in and say anything. I didn’t even realise that others didn’t…We’re both powerful. We were both born with strong powers so I didn’t think that…I didn’t realise that we grew up different.” She finished, mumbling the last words and not making eye contact with him.

Ah.

So she felt bad for him now.

How fucking typical.

“Lady Ava,” Cass started and she flinched. “While I appreciate that you are trying to right your wrongs, I don’t think you are really understanding why I am upset.” He bent, leaning in so that he didn’t have to speak loudly. “You two used something that I had disclosed to you in private against me. I doubt, if it had been a female who would have had to put that kind of control on me, that either of you would have allowed that. No one asked for my opinion, not even after. You also didn’t even come to check on me. Even if I was angry, you should have done that. Dropping some linen wraps or something nearby for my guards to find, but no. None of you did. I understand that this all stemmed from me being overwhelmed by everyone interrupting my work, but when you do something like that, hurt someone without any consideration for their wellbeing, the first thing you are supposed to do is apologise.” Cass knew his voice was cold. He knew that didn’t have to explain this to her, but she was so dumb that he needed to.

Lady Ava was getting whiter by the second. She jerked her head up, her eyes water.

“I-I’m sorry Cassian! I really-”

“It’s too late for you to sound sincere, Lady Ava.” Cass cut her off, and she shut her mouth. Her lips trembled.

“I really am sorry. I didn’t-we weren’t even thinking that way. I know Fifi wouldn’t-”

“It wasn’t a conscious thought, Lady Ava, but that doesn’t make it forgivable. Someone could figure out the truth. None of the men are idiots.” Lady Ava’s face crumbled and she hung it.

“I…I am so sorry. I worked so hard not to out myself that I didn’t even…I am so, so sorry Cassian. I really mean it. I had no idea that you were thinking about those kinds of things. Did it hurt when he bit you?” Cass nodded.

“Greatly. I don’t have self-healing abilities like you do, Lady Ava.” She winced.

“I am even more sorry. I didn’t-I am so sorry. I’ve been telling you I wanted to be your friend but I’ve done nothing but hurt you. I…I won’t ask for your forgiveness. You don’t…you don’t have to forgive me.” Her voice caught on a sob and she covered her mouth. “B-But I just want you to know how apologetic I am for my actions. I won’t bother you, but know that I will always be open for anything. I still want to be friends with you.” She told him and Cass rolled his eyes. She wasn’t looking at him, so she didn’t notice.

Lady Ava was trying hard not to break down. Cass thought she was being a bit ridiculous. He should be the one breaking down, not her, but alas, she was the healer that the heroine was in love with.

They were supposed to be a little weak. Draw the attention of the heroes.

Cass shifted on his feet, sighing as he looked over the woman crying. If any of the people from the mansion arrived right now, they would think he was a terrible bad guy. Fuck. He just wanted to go home.

“I can’t forgive you easily, Lady Ava.” Her shoulders shook as she sobbed. “I’m sure you can understand why. You nearly passed out when I came across you two, so you can understand where this is stemming from.” He wasn’t going to promise a relationship with her. He couldn’t. He couldn’t trust someone who had done this once already, even if she had explained where she came from.

He shouldn’t give a fuck about her history. So what if she had gotten this treatment for seven years? That wasn’t any of his fucking concern.

“I do need to get back to the mansion. I won’t avoid you if I see you, Lady Ava.” Cass told her, moving past her to head back to his carriage. She had a wonderful way of making someone feel like an asshole.

He had a feeling Lady Fiona was going to show up and yell at him later. Fuck.

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