Katherine lay there with a blissful expression, her body completely relaxed, practically melting into the sheets. Cassian, still massaging her butt, glanced up and called softly, "My lady?"
No response. He tried again, a bit louder. Still nothing. Then he heard it—light snoring. Cassian let out a quiet sigh, part disappointed, part amused. He had done too good of a job. She was out cold. "So much for finishing," he muttered under his breath.
Beside him, Ravess looked visibly relieved. "You're not planning to wake her up... are you?" she asked, voice flat—but it was more a warning than a question.
Though Cassian was a bit disappointed he wouldn't get to pound that soft, tempting butt tonight, he just smiled and shook his head. Leaning down, he planted a gentle kiss on Katherine's bare shoulder.
"She deserves a good rest," he murmured. "I've got all day tomorrow to make her restless again…"
With a bit of care, he pulled a sheet over her naked body, tucking her in like she was the most precious thing in the world. Then he turned his gaze toward Ravess.
"Which means," he said with a lazy grin, "we've got a long night ahead to get to know each other, Miss Ravess. So tell me—what's your weapon of choice?"
As he stepped off the bed and made his way to Katherine's work table, he picked up the jug of juice she'd set aside for him—she knew he liked it, always did.
Ravess sat down on her bed nearby, shooting Cassian a glare full of pure disgust.
"I don't want to get to know a manipulative bastard like you," she snapped.
Cassian just smiled as he took a slow sip of the sweet, pinkish juice. "Don't be like that, Miss Ravess," he said, his tone almost mockingly gentle. "We serve the same lady. Getting to know each other a little wouldn't kill us."
Kicking off her shoes, Ravess scoffed and muttered, "Not interested. Now that you're done, get out of the room."
Cassian finished his glass and casually poured himself another. "Why not? I sleep here. Lucy's not around tonight, so even if I sleep in an hour or two, it's no big deal." He took another sip, then added, "By the way, where did she go? I didn't get the chance to ask my lady about her."
Ravess ignored the second question entirely, staring at him like he'd grown two heads. "You can't sleep in the lady's room—you're a servant!"
"So are you," Cassian replied coolly, "but you're still sleeping here. The only difference is, I'll be sharing the bed with her."
"Miss Ravess, I have put my dick in her, in places you don't want to know," he declared bluntly after noting her stunned expression, adding, "Sleeping in the same bed is the least of that."
Ravess looked even angrier, but couldn't find the words to argue back—especially since Katherine herself had admitted to sleeping with Cassian regularly. Cassian, meanwhile, couldn't help but find her shock almost amusing. For a woman her age, her reaction felt oddly innocent.
Watching her sit there frowning, clearly deep in thought, he tilted his head and asked, "Miss Ravess, can I ask you something?"
Before she could respond—or glare at him again—he added quickly, "In exchange, you can ask me anything too. I swear on my warrior circle, I'll only speak the truth."
Ravess looked thoughtful for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly as she studied Cassian sipping juice with that annoyingly content smile. After a minute, she gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. Ask your question. Just know I'm not answering anything weird or anything that could compromise the Ven Dyke army or duchy secrets."
"Understood," Cassian said with a grin. "So, from what I've gathered… you're married, right?"
"How long? Got any kids?"
"Fifteen years," she replied flatly. "And no—we never had time to raise one."
"My turn," she said sharply, eyes narrowing. "Are you really a Ven Dyke? And did you actually grow up in the slums?"
"Yes, I am a Ven Dyke—as you can clearly see," Cassian said, gesturing toward his red hair and matching eyes. "Even down there," he added with a smirk, "it's red. You might've noticed earlier."
Ravess flushed slightly but said nothing.
"And yeah, I lived in the slums—the ones in the capital," he continued casually.
She blinked. "Then how did you end up hundreds of miles away, standing in front of the Sacred Castle's gate?"
Her tone was laced with disbelief, but there was no sign of a lie in his voice—or his aura. The oath he took through his warrior circle would've shown some kind of reaction if he'd tried to deceive her.
"I'm not exactly sure how it happened," Cassian said, setting down his empty glass. "But I think someone—or something powerful—teleported me there. Maybe they were trying to save me. I was being hunted by some cultists at the time… not that I knew they were cultists back then."
He leaned back slightly, watching her with mild curiosity. "My turn. Why do you get so shocked whenever sex is mentioned? I mean, sure, it might be surprising that Lady Katherine and I are involved, but you act like it's something completely unthinkable—like there's no reason for us to do it."
Ravess scoffed as she shifted on her bed, crossing her legs. She unfastened her leather armguards and set them aside, revealing toned, muscular arms—stronger than Cassian's, just as he suspected. But on her tall, statuesque frame, they didn't look out of place. If anything, they were striking.
"There is no reason," she said bluntly. "What exactly do you achieve by just rubbing your private parts together?"
Now it was Cassian's turn to look surprised. He stared at Ravess, stunned by the scoffing expression on her face—and slowly realized something.
This woman… had probably never experienced real pleasure in her life.
He leaned forward slightly, voice curious. "What does your husband do again?"
At that, a proud smile bloomed on Ravess's face. "He's a mage. He and Lady Katherine studied together when they were young. While she came here to train, he stayed and became a Luminara. He's a genius—maybe not on Lady Katherine's level, but still… brilliant."
Cassian listened, his suspicion growing stronger with every word she spoke. It was starting to add up.
But Ravess quickly waved the topic aside. "Enough about him. Let's get back on track. About the sex—how exactly did you get Lady Katherine to do it with you… again and again?"