[b][color=red][center]FLASHBACK[/center][/color][/b] [color=lightgray][center][h1][color=D0B4EC]Lottie[/color] & [color=lightsteelblue]Cas[/color] Part 12[/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/3xLx2dH.png[/img] [b][color=D0B4EC]Time:[/color][/b] Sola 26th [b][color=lightsteelblue]Location:[/color][/b] Rosegate [/center] Getting a carriage wasn’t difficult—coin and reputation made things move quickly in Rosegate—but maneuvering her onto the train proved trickier. He had to rouse her just enough to get her to shuffle forward, murmuring something incoherent as he guided her into a seat by the window. She stirred when he draped his coat over her, instinctively curling into the warmth, but never fully woke. Cassius exhaled, sinking into the seat beside her. The train jolted forward, the city slowly rolling away behind them, and for the first time since leaving the club, the tension in his chest loosened—just a little. Then his gaze flicked to her lips. He hadn’t meant to think about it. Not right now. But it was impossible to ignore with her curled up next to him, her head tilted slightly toward him in sleep. That kiss had been…[i]something else[/i]…and it had damn near pulled him under. Cassius ran a hand through his hair, huffing out a soft, self-deprecating chuckle. [i][color=lightsteelblue]You’re in deep, you idiot. Maybe too deep.[/color][/i] The train rattled onward as he contemplated, the dim lantern light casting shifting shadows across her face. He watched her for a moment longer—just long enough to memorize the way she looked like this. Then, finally, he let his head rest against the seat and he relaxed. Calm, but vigilant throughout the journey. [hr] The shrill whistle of the train cut through the morning haze, dragging Cassius back to reality from the depths of his pondering. Sorian stretched before them, alive but rather quiet at this late hour. Cassius blinked, rubbing a hand over his face before glancing beside him. Charlotte stirred at the sound of the brakes, her brows furrowing as she blinked blearily into consciousness. He smirked as he saw her stir. [b][color=lightsteelblue]“Rise and shine, Princess. We made it.”[/color][/b] A soft whimper escaped her lips as her lashes fluttered open. The world around her felt heavy, blurred at the edges, like she was waking from a dream she couldn’t quite remember. Her head lolled slightly, her fingers instinctively curling into the fabric draped over her—Cassius’ coat. Her brows furrowed as she blinked up at him, her expression drowsy and confused. [i]Hadn’t they just been dancing? [/i] Her lips parted, her voice barely above a murmur. [b][color=D0B4EC] “Mmm... I fell asleep?”[/color][/b] She shifted, attempting to sit up, but the movement made her sway, and, she instinctively grabbed at Cassius' sleeve for balance. The train’s lantern light cast a warm glow over her sleepy expression, her usually sharp gaze clouded with lingering drowsiness. Charlotte blinked at him again, searching his face as if piecing things together. Her fingers, still loosely gripped his sleeve as her lips curved into the dazed yet sweet smile. Then, she got to her feet, staggering a step away from her seat. [b][color=D0B4EC]“Mmm… I’m fine…”[/color][/b] she mumbled before he could protest, though her body told another story. She swayed again, letting out a tiny, frustrated huff as she slumped back into a seat. [b][color=D0B4EC]“Just… Just give me a moment.”[/color][/b] Determined now, she scrunched her nose and tried again, this time managing to stand, and grabbed his coat that was still draped around her shoulders. She clutched it tighter like it might keep her upright and looked over her shoulder at him. With all the bravery of someone far too drunk to be making grand declarations, Charlotte straightened her posture and raised her chin with newfound resolve.[b] [color=D0B4EC] “Onward!”[/color][/b] she proclaimed as if they were about to embark on a grand adventure instead of just stepping off a train. Cassius came up behind her and guided Charlotte toward the train doors with a firm yet gentle hand at her waist. She leaned into him more than she probably realized. The station was quieter than usual, but not empty. Sorian was never truly asleep; its heartbeat pulsed on, even in the dead of night. A few carriages lingered outside, their drivers waiting patiently for the late-night travelers who trickled off the train. He led her through the thinning crowd toward the carriages stationed near the cobbled street. The clop of hooves and the creak of wooden wheels echoed softly through the night air. One driver noticed them approaching and tipped his hat politely as he offered them a ride. Cassius slid in beside her, pulling the door shut behind him with a soft click. The carriage jolted forward, wheels rattling against the cobbled road as they rolled through the quiet streets of Sorian. Charlotte’s head dipped, resting lightly against his shoulder as the city lights outside blurred into an assortment of colors through the window. Her hand found his again, fingers curling around his like it was the most natural thing in the world. The city passed in blurred strokes of lantern light and shadow, but Cassius paid little attention to the world beyond the window. His focus remained on the woman beside him—the weight of her head resting against his shoulder, the way her fingers curled around his. It was a simple thing, almost absentminded on her part, but for some godsdamned reason, it struck him deep. [i]Charlotte Vikena.[/i] If someone had told him a month ago that he’d be here—escorting a noblewoman home after an actual date, carrying her out of a den of snakes—he would’ve laughed in their face. Yet here he was, his arm tucked against his side so she could hold onto it without interruption, his body careful not to jostle her too much as the carriage rocked along the uneven road. The night had not fully gone as planned. In most ways it was even more perfect than he would have dared to imagine. In other ways, perhaps he was too reckless. Cassius leaned his head back against the cushioned seat. He’d wanted to give her a good time, to see her laugh, to watch her come alive in the way she did when she wasn’t guarding herself so fiercely. And, for a moment, he had. That kiss—it had been impulsive for sure, but also... something else entirely. Something that made his blood run hotter just thinking about it. But the Crimson Veil had proven to be more than just a dance club. Something was off about that place, about Lucian D’Arcy and the way he’d looked at Charlotte. Cassius had walked through countless dangerous halls before, felt the weight of unspoken threats pressing in from all sides. Tonight had been no different. And yet, it completely was. Because this time, he wasn’t just looking out for himself. He wasn’t a stranger to protecting others, but there was a difference between watching a comrade’s back and this. This quiet, unspoken need to make sure she was safe, to see her through the night and ensure that no harm ever came close to touching her. It wasn’t just obligation. It wasn’t just some passing attraction, either. He sighed, shifting slightly, feeling the warmth of her seep through his coat where it still draped around her shoulders. He wasn’t fool enough to pretend he had everything figured out. But one thing was certain—Charlotte Vikena was trouble. Not the kind he was used to, not the kind that came with a blade in the dark or a contract with blood on its edges. No, she was the kind of trouble that made him want to stay. The kind that made him think of things he had no business thinking about. She was in his fucking veins. The carriage gave a slight lurch as it slowed, and Cassius lifted his head, casting a glance outside. The Vikena estate loomed ahead, its grand structure bathed in the cool glow of the moonlight. The driver guided the horses toward the entrance, the rhythmic clatter of hooves gradually softening until the carriage rolled to a full stop. Cassius drew in a breath, steadying himself. Then, with one last glance at Charlotte—peaceful, tucked against his side as if she belonged there—he slowly disentangled himself. He stepped out first, the night air crisp against his skin, a stark contrast to the warmth inside the carriage. Turning back, he extended a hand toward her, his voice low, steady. [b][color=lightsteelblue] “Come on, Princess. You’re home.” [/color][/b] Charlotte clumsily made her way out of the carriage, taking his hand with a breathless giggle, her fingers fumbling as she tried—and failed—to steady herself on the side of the carriage. As she stepped out, her eyes set on the estate before her. The brick manor stood tall and proud as it always did; the winding path leading up to the grand entrance lined with neat hedges. The gentle trickle of the fountain in the garden broke the quiet as Charlotte stepped forward. She paused for a moment, her eyes taking in the familiar, comforting sight of home. Turning on her heel, she glanced back at Cassius. Her lips curled into a sweet, almost bashful smile. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her voice light and airy as she teased, [b][color=D0B4EC] “Well, Sir Vael… I must admit, you do have quite the talent for delivering a lady home safe and sound.”[/color][/b] Her gaze lingered on him just a second longer than necessary. Charlotte folded her arms behind her back, her gaze dropping briefly as a soft, sheepish smile tugged at her lips. [b][color=D0B4EC]“I suppose I didn’t quite realize I was such a lightweight,”[/color][/b] she admitted. Her eyes lifted to meet his again, warm and sincere. [b][color=D0B4EC]“… My mother used to permit me one drink a gathering,”[/color][/b] she added with a soft laugh, her tone carrying a trace of wistfulness. [b][color=D0B4EC]“Nonetheless—thank you, truly. For everything tonight.”[/color] [/b] The words slipped out with genuine affection, her shoulders relaxing as she let out a breath. [b][color=D0B4EC]“You took care of me, and… I won’t forget that.”[/color][/b] Then, with a girlish giggle, she leaned in just a touch closer, her voice softening as she confessed, [b][color=D0B4EC]“And I think that may have been the most fun I’ve had in, well, [i]years[/i].”[/color][/b] Cassius smirked at her teasing, but the warmth in Charlotte’s eyes, the way she lingered just a second too long—that was what caught him. Held him. Her laughter was soft, a little breathy, and the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, the subtle, bashful shift of her weight—it was a dangerous kind of sweet. The kind that made his pulse tick just a little harder in his throat. The kind that made him think of a different kind of warmth, one that had nothing to do with the whiskey he’d downed earlier in the night. [b][color=D0B4EC]“…I think that may have been the most fun I’ve had in, well, [i]years[/i].”[/color][/b] That did something to him. It was such a modest thing, really—just words, softly spoken. But it cracked something open in him, something he wasn’t sure he had the strength to shut again. He should let her go. Should let her walk up those steps, through those doors, back into her world—away from him. Because despite whatever wild turn the gods had taken in their whims, Charlotte Vikena wasn’t meant for men like Cassius Vael. But… fuck, she was standing so close. Close enough that the scent of lavender and wine curled around him, close enough that he could see the way the moonlight caught in the depths of her blue eyes. And those eyes? They were looking at him like she wanted this too. Cassius stepped in, slow, deliberate. He didn’t move recklessly this time—no, this time, he wanted her to feel it coming. Wanted her to know what he was about to do and to choose whether she let it happen. His fingers caught the edge of her sleeve, barely grazing the soft fabric, as he dipped his head toward her ear, voice low, rough around the edges. [b][color=lightsteelblue] "Your eyes are saying that I don’t have to ask." [/color][/b] He let the words settle, let the weight of them fill the space between them. He could feel the heat of her, could almost hear the little hitch in her breath as she stared up at him in surprise. Then he paused, his mouth a heartbeat away from hers, not quite touching, but close enough that the anticipation was its own kind of torment. He wasn’t a patient man, never had been, but for this? For her? He could wait one more heartbeat. [b][color=lightsteelblue] "But if I’m wrong…" [/color][/b] He exhaled softly, his lips barely brushing hers, teasing, promising. [b][color=lightsteelblue] "All you have to do is tell me to stop." [/color][/b] He gave her the chance. But the moment she didn’t take it, the moment she stayed exactly where she was, that was all the invitation he needed. Cassius closed the space between them, claiming her lips with a kiss that started slow—reverent, savoring, almost tender. He meant for it to stay that way, meant to kiss her softly, properly, like a man with any sense of restraint would. A small, breathless noise escaped her, the sound almost innocent yet carrying something deeper. Her hands rose to clutch at his collar gathering the fabric like she was afraid he might vanish if she let go and the gentle press of her body into his was tentative at first, but then she leaned in like she was letting herself forget every reason why she shouldn’t. As she melted into him, a low sound rumbled in his throat, his hand sliding up to cradle the back of her neck, drawing her deeper into him. The kiss shifted—more urgent now, more consuming. He let himself taste her, let himself lose just a little bit of control. His free hand settled at the small of her back as she kissed him back, fingers pressing just enough to bring her flush against him. The feel of her—warm, delicate, real—sent heat flooding through his veins. He angled his head, deepening the kiss, a slow, sinful drag of lips and breath and [b]need[/b]. The warmth of his lips was perhaps more intoxicating than the alcohol she had drank and all she could was meet his intensity. However, only briefly, as a familiar voice made her suddenly break off the kiss. [b][i][color=7ea7d8] “Good heavens.”[/color][/i][/b] Delilah’s voice filled the still air as she rushed toward them from the brick estate, lantern light catching in her blonde curls beneath her simple maid’s cap. Worry shone in her wide eyes as she hurried toward them. Perhaps one might have felt caught red-handed in her shoes, but Charlotte simply smiled very sweetly at Cassius before looking over her shoulder. [b][[color=D0B4EC] "My Lilah!"[/color] [/b] Charlotte’s voice rang out like a melody, and the moment she caught sight of her rushing down the stone steps, her whole face lit up. Wrapping an arm around Cassius’s neck, she leaned into him and got on her tippy toes to call out to her, [b][color=D0B4EC] "My beautiful Lilah!"[/color][/b] Delilah had seemed worried, perhaps even angered, as she rushed toward them, but the second Charlotte’s affectionate voice rang out, her expression softened and she paused. The tension in her shoulders eased, and for a fleeting moment, that familiar fondness swept over her features. After a pause to give Charlotte the warmest smile known to man, she quickened her pace. But then—[i]then[/i]—her eyes flicked to him. And everything changed. The softness in her expression vanished like a flame snuffed out in an instant. Her gaze locked onto Cassius like a hawk catching sight of prey. Her jaw set, lips pressed into a thin line. Delilah didn’t need words to convey what she was thinking. [i]Her eyes said it all.[/i] For a split second, Cas was still caught in that intoxicating moment—breath unsteady, lips tingling. And then—[b]that glare[/b] It was like a cruel bucket of ice water being dumped on him. He stiffened, his head snapping up, gray eyes narrowing as he took in the sheer severity of that look. Cassius—who had stared down killers and men twice his size—[i]almost[/i] tensed. It was the kind of glare that could peel paint, the kind that makes a man consider his sins. But some men just have too many sins. And—well, this was Cassius, after all. A quiet chuckle escaped him as he leaned just slightly closer into Charlotte, all too amused by the spectacle of it all. Getting caught kissing the neighbor girl goodnight felt like something out of a story book, and that in of itself was enough reason to find humor in this moment. He met it all head-on. But where Delilah’s stare was severe, his was the perfect counterpoint—smoldering, shameless, and utterly unrepentant. His eyes gleamed with something dangerously close to mischief, his smirk just this side of wicked. For all the weight of her judgment, he looked at her like he was entirely unbothered—like he had never been scolded in his life and had no intention of starting now. And then, because he just couldn’t help himself, his smirk deepened, his voice smooth as silk. [b][color=lightsteelblue] “Lovely evening, isn’t it ma’am? And even lovelier company.” [/color][/b] [b][color=D0B4EC] "Oh, I think she’s going to [i]kill[/i] you," [/color][/b] Charlotte giggled in his ear, her voice a hushed, mischievous whisper. Delilah stared at him, unblinking. She inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly—like a woman restraining herself from committing a crime. [b][color=7ea7d8]“This evening would be far lovelier if you had the decency to bring Lady Charlotte home at a more reasonable hour.”[/color][/b] She arched an unimpressed brow before shifting her focus to Charlotte, eyes scanning her flushed cheeks, the slight sway in her stance. Her lips pursed, and a quiet sigh left her. [b][color=7ea7d8] “[i]Again[/i], Lottie? Really?”[/color][/b] With a dreamy sigh, she let her forehead drop against his chest for just a moment, giggling again like a schoolgirl caught passing love notes. [b][color=D0B4EC] "I [i]should[/i] be scolded, I know," [/color][/b] she admitted in a not at all remorseful whisper, her words muffled against the fabric of his shirt. [b][color=7ea7d8]“This is the second time I’ve ever seen you drunk off her feet like this and in the same week at that. ”[/color][/b] There was a teasing lilt to her words, but her gaze flicked sharply to Cassius. [b][color=7ea7d8]“And I do wonder what—or rather [i]who[/i]—may be the common denominator.”[/color][/b] She put her hands on her hips, [b][color=7ea7d8] “And kissing her in the streets, Lord Vael? Have you no sense of discretion? She is not a… [i]tavern wench[/i].”[/color][/b] Cassius simply raised his hands in a playful gesture of surrender, tilting his head slightly—a roguish acknowledgment that, while Delilah had a point, he wasn’t exactly apologizing for it. Charlotte reached out to take the maid’s hand, [b][color=D0B4EC] "You mustn’t be too cross, my Lilah," [/color][/b] she pleaded sweetly. She blinked up at her maid with wide, innocent eyes before adding with a giggle, [b][color=D0B4EC] "I promise I was in the [i]best[/i] of hands." [/color][/b] Delilah exhaled slowly, as if summoning the patience of a saint, before shaking her head and wrapping an arm around Charlotte’s waist. [b][color=7ea7d8] “Okaaayyy Lottie, let’s just get you inside.”[/color][/b] As she gently pulled Charlotte toward the manor, the younger woman leaned into her, resting her head against her shoulder, laughter still bubbling from her lips without reason. [b][color=D0B4EC]“Goodnight, Cassius!”[/color][/b] she sang, swaying slightly in Delilah’s hold. Then, with a sweet little giggle, she added, [b][color=D0B4EC]“Dream of me!”[/color][/b] Just before they reached the door, Delilah shot one last glance over her shoulder at Cassius, only this time, rather than a glare, she stuck her tongue out at him. Cas let out a soft laugh, his eyes following the two women up to the doorway, the warmth of Charlotte’s words still lingering in his ears. [i]Dream of me[/i], she had said, and damn if he wouldn't. [b][color=lightsteelblue]“Goodnight, Lottie.” [/color][/b] He said simply. But as Charlotte disappeared into the estate, Cassius lingered a moment, breathing in the cool night air and letting the quiet settle around him. He simply shook his head, running a hand through his hair as a crooked smile tugged at his lips as he glanced up at the stars overhead, the realization settling into his bones that this night had changed something inside of him. Charlotte Vikena wasn’t just a fleeting amusement, nor was she another passing fancy. No, she was trouble wrapped in a pretty bow, a puzzle for sure…and a whole lot of fun. He huffed a quiet laugh as he turned away, starting back down the cobbled street toward his father’s estate next door. [b][color=lightsteelblue]"Dream of you, huh?"[/color][/b] he murmured softly into the night air. [b][color=lightsteelblue]"Oh, love. As if I even have a choice."[/color][/b] [/color]