Chapter 13: Cassian’s dilemma
"Do you think Ares has succeeded in fucking her?"
Cassian turned to the door to see Damon strut in.
"You want me to answer that?"
"Surely, you can see that she spent the night in his bed chambers. Now, what do you make of that?"
"Why are you so concerned where Ayla spends the night."
"I am not." Damon countered. "Am I the only one worried about the prophesy and what would happen if we do not do what needs to be done?"
"It is not for another ninety days, brother."
"More like eighty seven days."
"So there is still ample time to do what needs to be done. And with the way you have been going at bullying Ayla, I wonder what color you would like for us to wear at your funeral." Cassian smirked.
Damon rolled his eyes.
He was just about to say something when the healer walked in.
He was shocked to see Damon there.
Cassian, he could understand. He was always looking to help and to learn. It was one things he liked about the young prince unlike Damon whose only reason for ever being in the healing chambers one time was because there had been a girl, newly employed herb picker and he had been trying to bed her, which he did of course.
"Can I help you, prince Damon?"
"No, I am here for my brother... carry on." Damon waved him aside.
"So am I to presume you do not care for the little Omega anymore? She was yours first."
"Of course, I care about Ayla and she is allowed to be with whomever she wants to be with."
Damon stared skeptically at his brother.
He would have believed his smooth words if his brother did not have his right hand bunched into a fist.
He smirked.
This was the way of his brother, Cassian. Always trying to be the goody two shoes.
"Okay then."
Cassian watched as Damon sauntered off the same way he came and he let out a sigh of relief.
Ayla had spent the night with Ares?
Why would she do that? Did they complete the bond? Does she love Ares?
He rose to his feet.
"My lord, we need to finish the antidote for the ..."
"Finish it yourself, Aldric!" He snapped then apologized immediately. "I’m sorry, I should not have... my mind has been stressed lately.
"Of course, my lord" The healer bowed.
Cassian nodded and walked away.
He was heading back into the princes quarters when he saw a flash of white robe and black hair racing past him.
Wait, was that...
"Ayla" He called out.
The figure turned and missed a couple of steps which sent her crashing to the ground.
Cassian raced forward, reaching Ayla.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded her head, rising to her feet before he could help her up.
Cassian noted that she kept her eyes down.
He stepped closer, hooking a hand under her chin.
She was crying, he realized.
"Ayla"
"I am fine" her voice broke.
"You are not fine. What happened to you?"
He looked her over.
"You are injured. Show me"
"I am not injured."
"Ayla, I can smell your blood. Show it to me, now."
Her arm rose, palms up and I finally saw it. She had grazed her palm no doubt when she fell.
"Damn." He took her hand, staring at it.
"It is fine. I can..."
"No, come with me."
He pulled her to his side and began heading back to the healing chamber.
The healer blinked in surprise as Cassian marched back in.
"Get me the cleansing salve,"
"Right away, my lord."
He hurried toward one of the shelves while Ayla remained standing awkwardly by the doorway.
"You can sit."
"I really am alright. It is only a scratch."
"Perhaps." He said, gently taking her hand. "But scratches become infected."
She hesitated before finally allowing him to guide her onto one of the stools.
The healer returned carrying a small clay jar.
"It may sting a little."
Ayla nodded.
Cassian dipped two fingers into the cool green salve before carefully spreading it over the graze.
She hissed quietly.
"I’m sorry."
"It’s alright."
Her fingers were so much smaller than his. She had tiny calluses near her fingertips. It had to have come from spending her days scrubbing floors.
He wrapped a clean strip of linen around her palm.
"There."
She looked down at the neat bandage.
"Thank you."
"It will heal in a few days."
Before either of them could speak again, Ares’ voice echoed from right outside the chamber.
Cassian felt Ayla stiffen immediately.
He watched the color drain from her face and her eyes dart around the room as though she was looking for somewhere to hide.
Strange, he thought.
"Stay here," He said quietly, rising to his feet. "I will not tell him you are here."
Ayla nodded.
Cassian stepped outside, pulling the door nearly shut behind him.
Ares’ eyes landed on his brother immediately.
"You look troubled, brother."
"I am looking for Ayla. Have you seen her?"
Cassian held his brother’s gaze.
"No, I haven’t."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Ares’ face.
"I wanted to speak with her."
"What about?"
"It doesn’t matter. I will find her later." Ares said, turning to leave.
Cassian watched him disappear down the corridor before returning to the healing chamber.
Ayla was exactly where he had left her. The relief on her face when she saw him alone did not escape his notice.
"He is gone," he said.
"Thank you." she exhaled
"It seems I have become your accomplice."
The corner of her mouth lifted just a little but it was enough for something inside Cassian’s chest to give a strange little leap.
So, he thought. Something had definitely happened between them.
Whatever illusion Ayla had built around his brother... It had clearly shattered. Ares always had a way of disappointing women eventually. Perhaps this time would be no different.
An idea suddenly came to him.
"Would you like to help me?"
"Help you?" Ayla echoed.
"I have been working on an antidote for ruinroot poisoning."
"The poison from the border attacks?"
"You know about that?"
"It is all the maids have been discussing lately. They say the effect is so crazy that a wolf cannot survive up to an hour if attacked with it."
Cassian appeared pleased by her knowledge.
"They are correct. My father is not loving the outcome but I finally have a breakthrough."
"You do? That is amazing news. You are amazing."
Cassian’s smiled widened at her praise.
"We are missing one final ingredient though."
"What is it?"
"Moonleaf."
Her eyes lit up immediately.
"I know where moonleaf grows."
"You do? I was suggesting that we hunt for it but if you know exactly where we can find it then..."
She nodded eagerly.
"There is a stream behind the eastern woods. They grow everywhere there."
Cassian turned toward the healer.
"Aldric."
"Yes, my lord?"
"We are going to gather the moonleaf ourselves."
The healer stared at him. Only moments ago he had not wanted to be involved.
"I thought..." He wisely stopped himself. "...Very well, my lord."
Cassian smiled then turned to Ayla, offering his hand.
"Come on."
She looked at it for a moment before placing hers in his.