lคץ ๓є l๏ฬ

[assassinrue]

Cassius watcher her go, his expression blank. He wasn't himself right now. Or at least, he wasn't the version of himself who could feel. He turned back towards the man, cocked his head, then stepped forward to press a few more buttons. Just because.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Perhaps the logical place to flee would have been her room, but instead Averyl went to the kitchens. She didn't know why, but that's where she found herself when she stopped. Geoffrey, she thought in despair. There had to be some kind of mistake. Her uncle would never betray her, he couldn't have.

[assassinrue]

When Cassius had quite literally finished with the man, leaving others to clean up what was left of him, Cas went to clean up.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The kitchens were mostly empty, what with the recent attack, and at the moment she didn't see anyone. She collapsed onto a stool sitting in the corner and pressed her body against the two walls. This couldn't be happening. She was supposed to be leading her house and guarding this land, but she suddenly felt like a little girl again.

[assassinrue]

There wasn't much he could do as a servant. The already dirty linen only managed to blend the blood in with dirt but the hot water felt good and he looked less filthy than he actually was. One day he'd have a proper bath again, but today was not it. He wandered back out of his quarters, letting his humanity creeping back in slowly.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Eventually, Averyl looked up and glanced around. Where was everyone? She felt like at least someone should be in the kitchens. Many had died in the attack, but everyone at the palace still had to eat. Where was her cook?

[assassinrue]

Kaleb came and found him, walking silently with him. He knew better than to say anything when Cas was in a mood.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Eventually, Averyl forced herself back together and made her way toward her room, still in a slight haze. What would she do when she saw him? She'd have to order the guards to arrest him... all on the word of one man. He could be lying, she told herself. It could all be a lie. But something told her, deep down, that he wasn't.

[assassinrue]

Eventually they returned to the house. The tension of torture lessened somewhat but not altogether gone. Cassius felt bad for Averyl. What she must be going through knowing her uncle was responsible.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

At one point, Averyl called for a servant and told him to find Cassius and bring him to her room. She didn't know why--honestly, she was afraid to see him. Maybe she just hoped that she could look in his eyes and see the man she'd come to know, not the merciless interrogator she'd just seen.

[assassinrue]

By the time the servant came for him he had cured himself. He rushed to her room, paused in the doorway, then without reservation rushed to her side and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

As soon as he touched her, Averyl forgot everything that had just happened, forgot he was a servant. She turned into him and pressed her cheek against his chest, a shudder going through her body. "I can't believe it," she whispered.

[assassinrue]

"I'm sorry." He mumbled, soothing his hand up and down her back. "I'm sorry."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"How could he do something like this?" Averyl breathed. She squeezed her eyes shut, sheltering in the warmth and solidity of his body. Finally, something tangible she could hold onto.

[assassinrue]

Cassius shook his head. "I can't fathom why anyone does what they do, much less the horrible things."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Averyl lifted her face from his chest and looked up at him. "What about the horrible things you do?" she asked tentatively.

[assassinrue]

Cassius shut down. "I was trained."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Averyl's heartbeat picked up a little. She had so many questions, but she didn't really want to know the answers to any of them. So, instead, she nuzzled her face up against his neck and breathed him in. This was her Cassius, not the one from before. Strange that she thought that way... hers. He didn't belong to her.

[assassinrue]

Cassius held her softly, aware of who they were supposed to be. This was wrong but he let her.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"He won't give up, will he?" Averyl asked quietly, her lips brushing his skin as she spoke. She pulled back a little. "Not even now that I know. He'll still try to have me killed."