Cassian left Sher's office after some heated kissing and other uses of both's mouths, which he'd coaxed her into, though she urged him to head to the frontlines soon, warning of big things brewing there today.
The city buzzed louder than ever, its streets flooded with people pouring in from the villages and outskirts beyond the walls, their numbers swelling daily. Today was the busiest Cassian had seen, the gates packed with tight security and mages perched atop buildings, watching the crowds stream in. Few left the city, Cassian among them.
Those departing were soldiers like him, alongside cunning businessmen and women eager to exploit the war. It brought not just death but wealth and chances to climb the ranks. Where many fell, others rose to meet their destiny—or saw it crumble.
Cassian didn't think that far ahead; he just craved strength and the thrill of battle, even with death looming. Death was a destiny you'd face no matter what.
As he marched with others toward the city's army camp, a group of women heading the same way stopped him. "Hey there, good soldier, need to blow off some steam before the war?" one called out, her tone bold and teasing.
Their clothes were loose and revealing—some showed off ample cleavage, others bared their thighs, and a few wore backless outfits, flaunting the curves of their stomachs or the smooth lines of their backs. They caught Cassian's eye, though he looked puzzled. Noticing his confusion, one woman grinned, making a crude hand gesture near her mouth, mimicking stroking something invisible. "You know, that tension? Just five silver coins, Just five silver coins, special rate for a handsome face like yours…"
The others on the road regarded the women with mixed reactions: some men with disgust, others with desire, and a few with disdain, while most women showed only contempt, recognizing the group as prostitutes setting up their trade near soldier camps.
Many soldiers, returning alive from battle, would likely seek them out to indulge fully, a grim business but one that persisted as the oldest profession known.
Cassian eyed the woman offering her services. Her clothes were as revealing as they could be while still concealing the main allure to maintain an air of mystery, enticing clients to pay for more. Though Cassian was intrigued, having just left Sher's company, he hesitated to dismiss her outright. Despite her profession, the woman was strikingly beautiful, with hazel eyes and long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her almond-toned skin gleaming. She was as captivating as they came.
Cassian's grin was unrepentant as he raised his hands in mock surrender. "Apologies, love. Taken—else I'd be very tempted."
The woman's friends dissolved into giggles, already weaving toward fresher prey among the soldiers. But she lingered, brow arched, as Cassian extended his fist. Her palm met his—and silver coins clinked into her grasp. She stared at the money, then up at him, a head shorter and twice as fierce. "Then why are you giving me money?"
"For the privilege of admire, beautiful face of yours," Cassian said with a grin as she fell into step beside him as he walked. He hadn't planned it, but she followed, The coins were thrust back toward him, her laugh sharp as a dagger's edge, "Spare me the flattery. I'm no beggar."
He caught her wrist, pressing the silver back into her fingers. His oath came low, graveled with sincerity:"On my warrior's circle—that face of yours could launch mutinies. And if I weren't sworn elsewhere…" A deliberate pause. "Well. Best you take the coins and run."
A smirk curled her lips as her gaze dropped to his hands—the warrior's oath was no trifling thing. Break it, and the consequences came swift as a blade's kiss. Yet nothing stirred. No wrath, no curse. Just the quiet certainty that Cassian meant every word.
Her fingers dipped into the neckline of her blouse, tucking the coins away—slow, deliberate—somewhere perilously close to the swell of her bosom. Cassian's eyes followed, his throat tight, his imagination burning brighter than the tavern's hearth. Cloth or no cloth, he'd have gladly traced every inch of her with his gaze.
"Well, thanks then...?" Her voice hooked into him, a question dangling like a challenge.
"Cassian," he supplied, rough-edged, already tasting the shape of her name before she'd spoken it.
"Cassian," she echoed, a laugh like dark honey. "If that girl of yours ever slips her leash... you know where to hunt me down. Name's Maya." A wink—blade-sharp, promise-laden—and she was gone, swallowed by the crowd.
The air hummed in her wake. Cassian exhaled, teeth grazing his lower lip. Oh, he'd find her alright. And next time? He'd bring more than coins.
As Maya disappeared into the crowd with her group, Cassian's thoughts shifted to the war effort awaiting him. He wondered where he'd be assigned this time, with the conflict intensifying on both sides. From what he'd heard, the monster waves were nearing their end, but the defensive bands of the city's armies would remain, with plans to connect key points to form a stronger front at critical locations. He itched to fight there, certain that the main battles would unfold at those fortified lines.
but before that he should first met up with his unit unlike him who was granted a short leave they were call back from fights but had to stay in camps to help with other stuff as the city was short on manpower.
Guarding the city and waging war stretched their forces thin—but Magisteria still fared better than most against the cult's onslaught.
"Cassian?" A familiar voice cut through the noise. Lumine stood there, eyes wide, her surprise melting into a radiant smile as she hurried toward him. "You came back?"
Cassian stiffened for half a breath—had she seen him with Maya? But Lumine's joy was unchecked, her arms already reaching for him. The stares of their teammates prickled his neck as he pulled her close, burying his guilt in the warmth of her embrace.
"Orders," he admitted, then flashed a grin. "But even without them, I'd have found my way to you." Not a lie. He'd missed her—missed all of them. Katherine, Raeves, Sher—good company, but never enough.
Lumine's laugh was sunlight after a storm. "Liar," she teased, though her fingers curled tighter into his coat.