Chapter 108: The less people who know, the better
"I am just going to ask this for medical purposes, but did anyone do this to you?" The Doctor asked as Sam helped Cass undress. Cass let out a low chuckle as more of his bruised and damaged skin was revealed, along with the terrible state his hands were actually in. The Doctor did their best to keep their expression neutral, but it was clear that even they thought he was in poor condition.
"I can assure you, this was all done to me by my own hand." Cass said. It was clear that they assumed maybe Draken had a role to play in this, but Draken didn’t pick up on what they were implying. Instead, the dragon looked glum and horrified by what he was witnessing. He was standing still, allowing Sam to take over the spot that he had beside Cass so that he could help him.
He was only a few steps away, standing between the coffee table and the other loveseat. Steam was rising from his nostrils, and if he was trying to hide what or who he was, he was doing a piss poor job.
Cass wanted to laugh, but it was clear that no one else found this situation humourous. Sir Forsythe was in a similar state as Draken, but without the steam. Byron was maintaining his composure, but just. His dark eyes wouldn’t leave Cass’ swollen wrists and hands.
"What were you doing to harm yourself like this?" The Doctor asked and Cass felt his heart begin to race. Draken, noticing this change, sharpened.
"Cassian, what happened? You seem worked up." Draken asked, his voice a little loud, but his words were genuinely concerned. That, or he was a great liar.
He might have believed that to be the case if it was Vespertine, but Draken was too...honest to be good at that kind of deception. Too animalistic to beat around the bush like that.
"Are you alright?" The Doctor asked carefully and Cass closed his eyes. He was relatively okay, given the situation. This was just embarrassing to admit out loud.
"Byron, Sir Forsythe, could you leave for a moment? I would like everyone to, but I know that is asking too much. Sam or Draken will let you know when you can come back in." Cass said, opening his gaze and meeting the almost betrayed gazes of the two men.
"Are we...did we displease you?" Byron asked. Cass slid his gaze to Sir Forsythe. While he wasn’t saying it out loud, he could tell that the man shared the same thought.
"No. It’s just embarrassing, and the less people who know about my private life, the better." Cass said. "That shouldn’t surprise you. It was only recently that someone besides Sam could enter my bedchamber." When Cass put it like that, it appeared that the two men relaxed.