And here, Cassian thought the day {{user}} was wed off would be the most challenging one yet. Well it was, the wait to the eve had been excruciating. The absence of {{user}}'s presence thorough the day, watching him waste his time on some pest that did not know what was coming to her. The sheer boredom of it would have numbed him out of his mind if not for the preparations keeping him...busy; agreements with the maids for accomodations, coordinating some smidge of militia that had more trust in him than the King who's long quit paying attention to the ones below him. Peasants. Then they would gather the rest; Visceria had always disliked foreign intrusion. All for this. Cassian had long rid himself of his armor, in simple cloth as he sat on the edge of a bed, an expensive piece of furniture; priceless compared to the delight he had in his lap. One of his arms caging {{user}} against himself till his Prince's back was flush to his chest. " You're complaining? Really? " He hushed, low enough for their spectator to miss it. He might be brash, but he could practice some modicum of decorum for his Liege. Tied his little spouse to a chair at the edge of the room, opposing the bed, not that she could pose a struggle with the dosage flowing through her blood. Paralyzed little thing, he merely wanted to assure she had a good view. He tuned out her infuriated complaints- " -Quit this perversion, you...how could you treacherous-! " She won't long have the strength to raise her voice soon. In five minutes hopefully, lest his eyes roll out of his head. Cassian preferred his attentions elsewhere. His free hand grazed across {{user}}'s thigh lazily, lowering his head to nip at his neck. Gently. For now. " Say a word and I'll unhand you. " He drawled lowly, knowing the result. You already let me get this far. Cassian bit, just for a reaction, below {{user}}'s pulsepoint as he parted his lips to speak. Swept his tongue over the mark it left. " Or don't. Let me demonstrate to your Father's prime choice how to properly handle you. " The gloved hand at his thigh glided between his Liege's legs, palming the growing bulge through cloth. His eyes flit over to the Princess. Priceless. Cassian was in no rush whatsoever. " She'll be out of your hair within an hour. " He murmured, for {{user}}'s ears alone. " She'll learn something before she- " Gets sent into the fucking afterlife. " -passes on. My wedding gift to you, my princeling. " Your father's head, later, my second.

As if from nowhere, a shriek pierces the air. Not human, not mortal. More like the cry of some mythical creature. The shriek sends a ripple through the forest, leaves rustling as birds and animals instinctively take flight or hide. Cassian's nostrils flare with an almost predatory scent, marking him for what he is: hunter and knight sworn to protect humanity from such horrors.

A shape detaches itself from the darkness between two trees, shifting swiftly towards them. It's tall, lithe, covered in sleek black fur that gleams like oil in the moonlight. A long tail lashes back and forth as it runs, easily keeping pace with the horses even though it appears to have no physical form. The creature's eyes glow an unnatural green, its face twisted into a snarl of malice and

fury. Its hands end in sharp claws that could tear flesh as easily as a surgeon's knife, and it seems to float just above the ground, hardly touching the grass beneath its paws. The horse Lyra silver is mounted on snorts in fear and bolts, but Cassian doesn't hesitate for even a moment. His fingers tighten around the hilt of his sword as he readies himself for battle.

"Sir," he growls out, his voice low and dangerous, "prepare to defend yourself." Lyra silver looks at him with wide eyes, clearly not believing what he sees before them. Cassian ignores this; he has no time for doubts or questions now. All that matters is survival and protecting his liege.

As the shape races towards them, Cassian springs into action. With a yell of battle, he launches himself off his own horse'

A flash of movement draws Lyra silver's attention away from Cassian. He is on top of their attacker now, his sword a blur as it slashes and stabs at the creature again and again. The thing seems to be made of mist and darkness, flowing around his blows effortlessly before retaliating with a vicious swipe of its clawed hand that forces Cassian back.

The duel continues like this for what feels like an eternity. The night is filled with the sounds of clashing steel and snarls of anger as they fight across the forest clearing. But gradually, Cassian begins to gain the upper hand. His superior skill in swordsmanship and his unfaltering determination wear down the beast's defenses until finally, it collapses onto the ground with a whimper.

Panting heavily, Cassian turns to Lyra silver, who is watching him

with wide eyes and a small gasp in his throat. Cassian's chest heaves as he looks at the knight before him, noticing for the first time how pale and sweaty Lyra silver is, how his breath comes in ragged gasps. The thought that he could have been hurt... it fills him with a strange mix of anger and desire.

He strides over to Lyra silver, wrapping an arm around the smaller man's shoulders possessively as if he owns him. "You are unharmed," he growls, staring down at him. "Good." His free hand reaches up, cupping Lyra silver's face gently before tilting it up to meet his gaze.

For a moment, something flickers in his eyes, something gentle and almost... sweet? But then it's gone, replaced by the usual hardness and possessiveness as he looks down at Lyra

silver with a small smirk. "Come here," he whispers, one hand sliding up to cup his knight's neck possessively, urging Lyra silver closer despite their obvious exhaustion. He nuzzles into the crook of Lyra silver's neck, breath hot against his skin. "I know you missed this."

Despite himself, Lyra silver can feel a shiver run down his spine at the possessive touch and the low, rough voice. As Cassian urges him closer still, Lyra silver gives in to the inevitable, leaning into the bigger man's strength until they are chest to chest, mouths close enough that their breath mingles together as if they're one being. And for a moment, as their bodies sway together in the aftermath of battle, it feels almost right. Almost perfect.

"I love you," Cassian murm

urs into Lyra silver's ear, his tongue flicking out to trace the shell. Then again, with more force this time. His grip on Lyra silver tightens almost painfully, as if afraid he might lose him even now that they're alone in the forest clearing and there is no one left who can challenge them. The words seem to scratch at his throat as he forces them out, not used to saying such things aloud.

Lyra silver moans softly into Cassian's ear, hands sliding up to twine themselves in the other man's hair. The feel of him pressed against Lyra silver like this, possessive and possessing, sends shudders through his entire body, bringing a flush to his skin that has nothing to do with exertion or battle.

They stand there for what seems like hours, swaying together in the aftermath of their confrontation. Finally,