Chapter 92: A Fantasy
The man tilted his head slightly and leaned in until their foreheads touched. Cassian opened his eyes briefly and caught a glimpse of the glowing crimson eyes. Their intensity was softened by an emotion he could not name.
Their breaths mingled in the cool air. The space between them was reduced to mere inches. Cassian’s fingers tightened around the man’s hand as if he was afraid this moment would slip away.
The man let go of Cassian’s hand. He brought both arms around him instead and pulled him into a firm yet gentle embrace. Cassian melted into it and rested his head against the man’s broad shoulder.
The warmth of the embrace felt like a sanctuary. It felt as if nothing in the world could touch them here.
But suddenly the Scene shifted. They were no longer standing at the edge of ethereal lake. Now they sat together beneath a towering tree with dark branches spreading like veins across the crimson sky. The man rested his hand on Cassian’s and traced idle circles against his skin with his thumb.
Cassian opened his mouth to speak. He wanted to ask who the man was and why this felt so real. No words came out. Instead, he heard the man’s voice in his mind. It was a whisper that sent shivers down his spine.
"You don’t remember me, do you?"
Cassian shook his head as frustration bubbled within him. He tried to see the man’s face again, but it was hidden by an impenetrable haze.
The man leaned closer. His glowing red eyes locked onto Cassian’s as if he was searching for something. A soft and bitter laugh escaped him. He rested his forehead against Cassian’s again.