Cassa's POVThen, his arm tightened around me, resting at my back, pulling me close. My eyes flew open and I tilted my head up, meeting his gaze—he was watching me like he was still lost in some trance.“Morning,” he said with a smile that sent my heart into a frenzy, drawing a soft smile to my lips too.“Morning to you too,” I muttered, my cheeks burning as I tried to scoot away—but he pulled me back, one leg wrapping around my waist. I gasped when he kissed me again. My lips responded on their own, tasting him, like something addictive, something I couldn’t resist.He muddled my mind all over again, melting me under his touch, until at la
Cassa's POVI bit my lower lip, staring at the door, my heart pounding in my rib cage like a wild animal trying to break free. My breath came hard, shallow, as the thought hit me again—tonight is the marking. My hands were clammy as I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to steady myself. This morning, I’d asked him to do it tonight, like I was proposing some business deal that needed closing.He hadn’t been pleased with my rush, I knew that. But telling him the truth? That didn’t feel like an option. What good would it do? I had to try—if it worked, then the disappointment, if it came, could be dealt with later. Right now, I could only cling to the hope that this would work. That I wouldn’t have to live in this
Cassa's POVI flipped the paper over—and my heart skipped a beat. There, drawn in black ink, was the symbol of my necklace. My thumb traced the familiar pendant. This isn’t from Aviona.I jumped up from the bench, rushing toward the back door. The maid—where is she? She saw the woman who gave her this! What did the woman look like?I spotted the maid cleaning a window in the waiting room, her back to me. I hurried closer.“Can you tell me if you know the woman who gave you this letter?” I asked. She startled, almost throwing the cloth at me.
Cassa;s POVWhat are you talking about? Julius asked, and I saw the shock on his face. It was like something strange had happened to me, as if I didn’t even know what I was saying anymore. We were facing each other, brows drawn together, the tension thick between us.I forced my face to stay po-faced, swallowing down my own embarrassment. I really just said that out loud, and I should’ve said it inside, when we were seated, not like this.His eyes met mine, searching—like he thought maybe I was joking, like he was waiting for an explanation that would make sense.“You heard me… let’s do
Cassa's POVJulius shook his head. “It’s not like that, Cassa. It’s more than that.”“More than? Care to explain so I understand it fully?” I asked, my curiosity now piqued. The marking… and how do they mark their mate? Could it even apply since I was mortal?He inhaled deeply and gestured for me to sit. I obliged, and he sank back into his chair. His elbows rested on the table, hands clasped together, chin on top, his brows drawing closer. He looked like he was struggling just to say it. That only made my wonder grow.“And what is that?” I asked, my patience starting to fray.
Cassa's POVI groaned from the throbbing in my head and forced one eye open, scanning my surroundings. I was back in his house, in the room I had been using. The calming lavender scent filled the air, coming from the fresh lavender flowers in the vase nearby.I sat up on the bed, my gaze falling on the white wedding dress I was still wearing. Did I forget to change? Right—I did. I stood, my steps weak and slow as I walked toward the closet. I grabbed a dress and changed. Half an hour passed, and I was walking down the stairs, feeling fresh and clean. My head was fine now.The two maids glanced at me and bowed their heads, leaving me wondering. My stomach growled loudly, and I wa