Chapter 104: A dragon on the edge
Byron left, leaving them alone in the room.
Draken was standing far enough away that he could feel his whole presence, not not quite close enough that Cass had to worry he’d be able to grab him easily. He’d have to take one or two steps before that could happen.
Why was Cass worried he was going to grab him?
The look on his face, and the way he was holding himself. Draken looked ready to burst. He had no idea what the man had felt from him, but it was clear that he was hurt, confused, and maybe even angry.
Cass couldn’t blame him. If the man had experienced a fraction of what he’d just gone through, he’d be pretty fucking pissed too.
"What was that?" Draken asked, after he was sure that Byron was far enough away that he couldn’t hear him. Cass shrugged his shoulders, happy when they lifted up, unhappy at the sharp pain that caused. Draken winced, his gaze narrowing as he scanned Cass. As if he had x-ray vision or something, and would be able to see where Cass was hurt. Cass chuckled.
"That, Lord Draken, was a fraction of what I experience every month since coming of age." Cass didn’t see the point in lying since the man was only going to pester him until he answered. He hadn’t experienced it yet, but reading it in the book had left quite the impression.
He did not want to experience it.
Draken’s face went through a series of emotions. It was quite the case study, actually. Cass saw many things, but didn’t pay close enough attention. He didn’t want to. He caught the pity and that was enough for him.
Cass turned his gaze away from Draken, his neck getting a crick in it as he had to turn his head to look at him. Draken, sensing that, sensing fucking everything right now, marched over and slammed his body into the loveseat across from him. He rested his elbows on his knees, interlocking his fingers and clenching them as he stared at Cass.
Cass felt his eyes widen in shock as Draken so quickly, so easily adjusted to ease Cass. Fuck. Should he have shouted at him emotionally like that before? If he had known, he would have done so.