“ He won't see it coming, ” Cassian's voices as though eradicating of a pest knelt in front of {{user}} in the eve of the night before her wedding. In her chambers. His head lowered like a bound wolf, yet here he was baring his fangs. “ A slip off his steed, a sudden illness, an accident in his travel. ” He's beyond caring for the fact he is arguing; he had been your obedient servant, docile, it rendered to nothing as he hissed. Overstepped, and overstepped, demanding {{user}} let him execute that pig. King or not, for the simple crime the man thought he was worthy of his princess. Somewhere inside himself he knew this was no death sentence, <user> had faced far worse slights from men than a simple wedding. Her indifference to it, how she bat no eye to men, a trait that cemented his possessiveness. Jealousy. The shitty bitterness of jealousy had his jaw tense, his impassive expression felt unfitting to the heat, hatred, building in his throat. Despite himself, he hoped, prayed; the most selfish, vile part of his, hoped it remained fucking loveless. God forbid {{user}} fell for that fucking bastard. Could he kill someone you loved? He wished his mind answered no. Another part of him knew it was a lie. Why, why, why did you not let him do this. He could not take that chance. This was selfish of him, He knew this. But you were his world. He was your sword. Your hound. To have you bound to another man for a life - bear his heirs. His words came in a growl- " I'll kill him at the fucking altar. In front of you." Say yes. Say yes {{user}}. Fuck. Maybe he should just kill them all. Kill as many as he could before someone shot him down. Would you miss him? His gut twisted. Burned. Yet his expression still as stone. " Don't fucking tell me not to, Princess. Don't toy with my sanity. " ...Please.

If this were any other time, he would be pleased, laughing with abandon in relief... Yet this was not it. The words had come like a mercy blow from the gods and all they did was hurt him more. He grit his teeth. Tried to hold it back. Tries to act as if nothing of it mattered but she knew better, didn't she?

" You don't mean that. " Cassian growled the words through clenched teeth. " And even so... You do not understand how this feels, Princess. To live with this- this fucking... Fucking jealousy burning me up like a coal. "- This desire to make you mine alone. "...You should have let me."

His voice broke, wavered as he looked up at Shokoo with pleading eyes. It was the most vulnerable she had ever seen him. His expression shifted just enough for

Cassian forced himself up, the weight of the words settling into a cold lump in his chest. He kept his gaze locked on hers as he waited for her command- even if it meant death and pain. Anything but to be left with this emptiness... This hollow longing that threatened to consume him whole.

Cassian closed his eyes when she pressed him against the wall, feeling her small body press into his so warmly. Her kiss to his toes was like a drug to him; sending tingles up and down his spine, making it almost impossible for him not to moan out in pleasure. When she pulled back, he opened his eyes, their gazes locking once more. For a moment, there was something else in them besides lust, but he quickly banished it before anything could be said about it. " I love you, Shokoo. " The words came out rough, as if they were torn from his throat. " And I will serve you until the end of my days. "

With a sigh, Cassian unbuckled his armor piece by piece before setting it aside carefully. He didn't have anything else to wear, so he figured as good a place as any was the royal room tonight. Once he was finally naked and standing before her again, Shokoo couldn't help but stare at his toned body with hunger in her eyes. She beckoned him closer, running a hand down his chest to stroke his cock before taking him into her mouth, sucking on it eagerly.

Cassian let out a groan, his fingers tangling in her hair as she stroked and teased his nipples. The sensation was almost too much for him to bear, making it difficult for him not to buck into her mouth. "Shokoo...," he managed to whisper hoarsely between clenched teeth. His cock twitched in her hand, nearly spilling over with need.

With a heavy sigh, Cassian obeyed, laying down on the bed and spreading his arms above his head. His cock twitched once more in anticipation as he watched her approach him. Her hand returned to its earlier task, stroking him leisurely from base to tip as she studied his face. It was almost too much, but he managed to remain still, lost in the sensation of her touch and her gaze. "I'm all yours, Shokoo," he whispered hoarsely. "Take what you want."

Cassian looked into her eyes, seeing not the ruler of a kingdom, but a beautiful woman whom he had sworn to protect and serve. "Yes," he breathed against her lips. "I trust you with my life. And I want to feel everything that comes with giving it to you." His hand found its way to her breast, massaging gently through the soft fabric of her gown as his other arm held her close. "Take me, Shokoo. Make me yours."

A groan tore itself from his throat at the sight of her naked body, pale and shimmering in the moonlight like a thing ethereal. Her breasts were small, but perfectly shaped with hard pink nipples that begged to be touched and suckled. His eyes drifted lower as he stared at the dark tuft of hair between her legs, wet with anticipation for him.

Cassian arched up, his cock sliding against her thigh as he sought contact, desperate to feel himself buried inside her once more. His hands gripped her hips, holding her steady above him as he growled out a hoarse demand in her ear: "Fuck me."

"Please," he added in a husky whisper, feeling his control slipping away faster than he could grasp it. The woman beneath him was everything to him; his heartbeat, his lust

Cassian arched up as she settled over him, the slick heat of her body enveloping his cock like a glove. With a groan that was half pain and half ecstasy, he thrust upward into her, taking them both deep with a harsh grunt. His hands clenched in her hair, holding her still as he fucked her hard, seeking release from the torture of denial. "Shokoo," he gasped between breaths, "Oh, Shokoo." The headboard thudded against the wall with each rough stroke, and their bodies slapped together in a rhythm that mirrored the frantic beat of his heart.

"I'm yours, Princess," he groaned out, each thrust pressing their flesh together tighter. "I belong to you, always." He twisted his hips, changing the angle and intensity of their coupling until she cried out beneath him. His hand left her hair, trailing down to cup her breast, pinching at her nipple roughly while he fucked her without mercy.

"Tell me," he gasped between thrusts, "tell me how you want it." Every part of him ached for her, craving the taste and feel of her as if she were his own lifeblood. He could give her anything, do anything to make her happy; all she had to do was ask.

With every word she spoke, every touch and breath, his defenses crumbled further until there was nothing left but the desperate longing he'd felt for her since they were children. "I love you," he gasped hoarsely between thrusts. "More than anything." He nipped at her neck, leaving a bruise that would mark their secret in a place where no one else could see. "Do you?" he growled into the tender flesh beneath his teeth, wondering if she even understood what those words meant to him. He lifted her up higher, fucking her harder as his release drew nearer with every shallow thrust into her welcoming heat.

"Fuck," he hissed through clenched teeth, "Yes." He gripped her tightly as he thrust into her harder, faster, desperate for release and the completion of their bond. His eyes squeezed shut against the intensity of it all; the feelings, the desire, the pleasure and pain that flooded his senses like a river rushing over him. "Shokoo," he moaned, voice cracking as orgasm tore through him in a hot wave of bliss that left him boneless and gasping. Her name became a prayer, a curse; it was everything they had been and everything they would be, until the end of their days.

Cassian felt his eyes narrow, suspicion rising like bile in the back of his throat. "What are you planning?" He growled, glancing around the room before focusing on Shoko again. He hadn't been this unsettled since she suggested they have sex last night; now she was smiling at him, looking downright sinister. "I know something is up."

Cassian growled. "You better be fucking serious." He pushed himself up to his elbows, glaring at her. If she was playing some sort of cruel joke on him... well, that would have the opposite effect. No, Shoko wouldn't do something like this to him, would she? But the way she smiled... It sent a shiver down his spine that had nothing to do with pleasure. "All right," he finally said. "If you say so." He sat up, ignoring the way his muscles protested from last night's exertion as he studied her face. He knew Shoko too well for this to be simple playacting. There had to be more going on here than met the eye...

Cassian's eyes narrowed suspiciously as Shoko walked away, her servants trailing after her like a guard of honor. Something was definitely going on here. He leaned back against the soft bedding, his hands flexing into fists at his sides as he tried to figure it out. Should he follow her? Wait and see what she had planned? Trust that she knew best, even if it went against everything he'd ever wanted for her? Doubt coiled in his gut like a snake. It seemed impossible that this could all be some sort of ploy; Shoko didn't strike him as the devious type. But then again... maybe she was just playing him from the start. Maybe there was no love at all, only manipulation and control. The thought sent chills down his spine. At last, he forced himself to make a decision. He would have to play it by ear for now; keep an

Cassian returned her kiss, albeit tentatively and more carefully this time. "I don't know what game you're playing at," he growled into her lips, "but I swear to gods above and below if you just say the word I'll-" He broke off with a harsh groan as she trailed fingers down over his chest, drawing lazy circles around his nipples. It felt so good he could barely concentrate on what he was saying anymore. "I love you," he managed to force out between clenched teeth, "but if this is some kind of trick-" Her kiss silenced him, and the rest of his words seemed to dissipate into nothing as she slid on top of him.

"Fuck yes," Cassian growled into her skin, moving to wrap his arms around her and pull her body flush against his own. "Give the word." He kissed her roughly, hungrily, their mouths pressing together in a desperate grinding of teeth and tongues. "Tell me what else I can do to make this happen." He was so angry he could barely see straight; but beneath that, there was a strange sort of thrill racing through him, the possibility that they might actually pull this off making his heart pound with adrenaline and desire. It felt wild and reckless and more exhilarating than anything else in the world.

Cassian growled, the admission causing his muscles to tense beneath her touch. "I remember." He paused for a moment before adding in a strained voice, "But I never thought things would come to this." His hands moved upward over her back and shoulders, massaging gently before dipping lower, slipping beneath the pillow to cup her ass. "Tell me what else," he demanded between bruising kisses to her neck. "What do you want me to do?" The anticipation was driving him mad; the thought of finally being able to act on his desires after years of repression only seemed to fuel the fire within him further. He ached with desire for her, felt as though he could tear himself apart with need just to feel her skin against his again.

Cassian growled deep in his throat at her words, his body tensing even further beneath her touch as she kissed and bit at his chest. "Fuck," he gasped, feeling himself growing harder against the bed beneath him. He let out a shuddering sigh of relief as she finally voiced what he'd wanted to hear for so long, fingers digging into her hips possessively. "You know you are mine," he murmured into her ear, nipping gently at her lobe. "Always have been." With a sudden surge of strength, he flipped them over so that she was pinned beneath him on the bed, his hands moving to cup her breasts roughly as he leaned down to take one hardened nipple into his mouth, sucking and nipping until it ached. "I'll be what you want," he growled against her skin.

Cassian growled, pressing their hips together harder as her legs wrapped around his waist. "I have always loved you," he answered through clenched teeth, hands moving to slide up over her ribs, gently kneading at her breasts before sliding further until they cupped them fully. "And I will love you forever." His voice was thick with desire as he leaned down, kissing her roughly once more, body arching into hers as he rocked their hips together in time with the motion of his hands on her breasts. He felt so possessed by the need for her that it nearly overwhelmed him. "Tell me what else," he panted against her lips. "What do you want?"

Cassian growled, his hands tightening on her breasts as she bit him, the mark of possession burning through his skin. "Mine," he hissed into her ear, nipping at the lobe with teeth before soothing it with his tongue. He felt a shiver run down his spine at her words, a dark pleasure coursing through him that made every inch of him throb with need. Without further warning, Cassian shifted their position once more, lowering himself over Shoko's body until he hovered mere inches above her womanhood. His hands trailed down over her hips and stomach to cup her ass, spreading her legs further apart as his gaze locked on the flushed folds of skin below. "I'm going to fuck you now," he murmured roughly, voice thick with desire. "Mark you in every way I can." With one powerful thrust, Cassian

Cassian thrust hard into her, his cock sliding smoothly over the wet heat of her entrance as he buried himself to the hilt inside her body. A growl rumbled through his chest as he began to move, his hips meeting hers in a rough rhythm that had them both gasping for breath. He was relentless, determined to mark every inch of her skin with evidence of their coupling. His hands roamed freely over her body now, tracing patterns on her stomach and thighs, cupping her breasts roughly once more as he bent to suckle at one hardened peak through clenched teeth. Each thrust drove him deeper, his cock swelling impossibly inside her until it felt like she was nothing but skin stretched taut around him. Cassian moaned hoarsely into her neck, their joined bodies moving together in an uncontrolled frenzy

The feel of her scratching at his shoulders and her hickeys on his skin only served to drive him further into the pleasure he found in being so close to her, his cock pistoning in and out of her tight heat. He buried his face in the crook of her neck as their bodies moved together in unison, moaning deeply each time they connected. With every thrust, every scrape of skin against skin, he felt closer to losing control. His grip on her hips tightened, his teeth clenched as he tried desperately not to let himself go completely wild. But Shoko's taste on his tongue and the feel of her body moving beneath him was too much to resist; soon enough, it seemed like all thought left him in a haze of pleasure. "Fuck," he groaned into her skin, his hips jerking roughly as he found release within her warmth, his cum sp

Cassian's eyes snapped open at her words, a flash of cold fury in them. "Don't you dare imply--" he growled before catching himself, hissing through clenched teeth. Inhale. Exhale. It passed. He forced a gentler smile onto his face, leaning down to press a soft kiss against her forehead. "I know, my princess," he whispered, voice barely more than a raspy sigh. "I won't." Even as he said the words, he couldn't help but feel a hint of something else beneath them: desperation and longing for the way it felt to have her like this, under him. Shoko was always his focus, even when he didn't realize it himself. But what choice did he have? His duty was to protect her, even from herself. "I won't," he repeated more firmly,

Cassian regarded her with a calculating gaze for a moment, then nodded once. "I will," he murmured against her hair, wrapping his arms around her in return. There was no question of leaving Shoko's side, not until it would be absolutely necessary. And even then... perhaps the king would take him instead. He sighed softly into the crook of her neck, savoring the feel of her body pressed against his as they lay there together. Just for a little while longer. It was enough, for now.

Cassian blinked, eyes moving slowly over Shoko's sleeping form before coming into focus as her subordinate, Anne cleared their throat and urgently spoke up. The reminder brought his hands to a halt mid-caress of Shoko's skin and he rolled onto his back with an irritated grunt. "What is it?" he growled, crossing his arms over his chest in annoyance as Anne informed them of the time and what they needed to do next. With another sigh, Cassian sat up on the bed, glancing down at Shoko regretfully before reaching out to ruffle her hair affectionately. "Time to get going," he muttered with a wry smile. "Let's make this as quick and painless as possible for both of us."

Cassian offered Shoko his hand, waiting patiently while she took it and let him help her up onto her feet

Cassian couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as he saw the exchange between Shoko and Anne, her whispered words clearly having a different effect on the other woman than his presence did. He barely registered Jack approaching the room until she spoke up from outside, voice tight with anticipation. A frown tugged at Cassian's lips as he shot Shoko a questioning glance before shifting his attention back to Jack. "What is it?" he asked impatiently.

He didn't wait for Jack to speak before glancing over his shoulder toward the door, his expression cool and displeased. Even though he knew Shoko was capable of making her own decisions, it still chafed at him to see someone else influencing her choices like this. But there was little he could do about it now; duty called, and as always, he would follow.

Cassian felt a sharp pang in his chest as Shoko hugged him, pressing her lips against his collarbone and leaving a smudge of crimson behind. He resisted the urge to close his eyes or pull her closer; this was no time for such indulgences. Instead, he nodded stiffly and forced himself to smile back at her before looking toward Jack, who had already begun unpacking various items from their luggage.

"Very well," Cassian growled, his expression unfalteringly neutral as he crossed his arms over his chest once more. "I'll allow it." Then, turning to Shoko, he added in a softer tone, "But just this once." Jack glanced up at him from beneath his lashes, eyeing Cassian warily before turning back to his task with a small nod of acknowledgement.

For the moment, Cassian

Cassian gritted his teeth, forcing himself to keep his gaze trained on the window as he listened to Shoko laugh and chat with her subordinates. The way she moved, her dress sliding along her curves... it was torture. He could feel himself hardening in his pants, growing more aware of every inch of skin their clothes weren't covering.

Finally, mercifully, Jack clapped him on the shoulder and announced that they were ready to go. Cassian nodded curtly before offering Shoko his arm once again, eyes fixed on a spot just past her shoulder as they made their way out of the room and toward the wedding ceremony. The sooner this was over, the better.

"You're looking lovely," he managed to say through gritted teeth. His tone was as neutral as ever, his expression impassive. There would be no hint of what he was feeling on

Cassian raised an eyebrow at Shoko's comment, a brief flicker of amusement dancing across his features before being swiftly replaced by the same neutral expression he wore earlier. He nodded curtly in acknowledgement as they continued walking side by side toward their destination, never once taking his eyes off the path ahead.

"Thank you," he replied, tone clipped and formal. The cold air nipped at their exposed skin, making them shiver slightly as they drew closer to the altar where Jack was waiting for them with Shoko's sword in a beautiful velvet wrapping adorned with silver thread. The knight paused beside his companion and glanced down at her, suddenly overcome with an urge to pull her close and protect her from whatever fate waited on the other side of this ceremony."You have your own duty, Princess," he murmured before finally forcing himself to look away once more, focusing int

Cassian's lips twitched into a feral smile as Shoko gracefully declined her acceptance of the prince. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned his attention to the groom, assessing him coolly and calmly as he climbed up onto the altar. The knight lifted Shoko's sword from Jack's trembling grasp with a smooth motion, its weight comfortable in his hand.

Stepping forward, Cassian placed himself between Shoko and her intended, blocking the prince from any sudden movements as he fixed him with an unyielding stare. "Your Highness," he growled, voice rough with warning. "It seems you have overstepped your bounds."

Cassian's gaze slid toward Shoko, studying her expression for a long moment before returning to their prey. "So be it, my princess," he murmured, the words almost lost beneath the soft rustling of fabric and the susurrus of whispers rising from the assembled crowd. Without further ado, Cassian swung his sword in a graceful arc, bringing its tip around to meet the groom's throat with an audible crack. Blood spurted, gushing forth as he cleaved through flesh and bone like warm butter. The groom let out a wet, choking sound before crumpling bonelessly to the ground, twitching feebly for several long moments before finally growing still. "Now," Cassian said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, "let's return you to your duties." He offered Shoko his arm once more, ready to

Cassian smiled grimly as he watched the people scatter, their screams and cries of horror echoing through his mind like a sinister serenade. Even now, he could feel the weight of their judgments, but it was nothing compared to the relief flooding through him at having saved Shoko. He nodded curtly in acceptance, returning her smile as she wiped the blood from his face. "Yes, my Princess," he murmured softly, "I am yours." There would be consequences, but for now, they were safe. And for that, he would endure anything.

"It is but a small price to pay, my lady," he said softly, his gaze lingering on the mark she'd left before trailing back up to meet her eyes again. "I should have thought to clean it myself. It is an honor to bear your mark, even in such a grim fashion." His expression darkened briefly as he considered their current situation and the difficult decisions yet to come, but Shoko's touch seemed to soothe him nonetheless. He found himself grateful for her presence; her acceptance of him and his actions made all the difference.

Cassian smiled once more, a genuine if somewhat weary one this time. "For as long as you are mine, Cassian," he murmured, gently squeezing her hand, "I will gladly bear whatever mark you choose to leave upon me."

"It matters not to me," Cassian rumbled, studying the others present with a cool, assessing gaze. "I will accompany you wherever you wish to go, my Princess." As much as he loathed some of these people, and as difficult as it was for him to trust them after what had happened... He knew that Shoko's safety and happiness were paramount. And if walking the castle grounds or strolling through its gardens meant that she would find solace, then so be it.

"What say you?" he asked, looking back to her once more. "Where shall we go?"

Cassian froze, his eyes wide with shock before quickly narrowing into slits. Shock turned to heat. Heat spread like wildfire through him, consuming every other thought and emotion. He growled low in his throat as her hand cupped him through his trousers, the feel of her skin on his swollen length almost enough to make him lose control then and there.

"Very well," he managed at last, his voice gruff with arousal. "Our bed it is." Without another word, Cassian spun on his heel and strode toward the exit of the banquet hall, Shoko's small hand still wrapped around him. If anyone dared comment or question their hasty retreat, they had no words for fear of the dragon guard's response. The warmth flowing through Cassian's veins had been replaced by an almost predatory hunger.

Cassian didn't even glance back at Shoko as he led the way to their chambers, every step in perfect synchrony with his lust-haze and hunger. His hand found its way to her lower back, pressing her body flush against his, eager for any kind of friction that might ease the ache building within him. "You're sure?" he ground out, voice rough from desire as he turned them down the hallway toward their room.

The sound of her breathless laughter in his ear was answer enough for him, and with it came a surge of raw power and dominance that made Cassian pause, turning to face her. His eyes held hers captive as he lowered his head, mouth open to claim her lips once more. "Yes," he growled against them. "Very sure."