Post by Cassandra Demarais on Dec 31, 2019 17:15:12 GMT -5
CASSANDRA:
The ride back to the castle felt longer than it should have. Through it all, she kept on that mask that she was fine while inwardly feeling herself crumbling. There was only little relief when she made it to the safety of those stone halls...because all it did was remind her of the other ones that kept her caged, that felt like they were shrinking in closer with each passing day. Still, Cassandra held herself poised, not looking anyone in the eye as she was escorted to her chambers where a bath had been drawn for her. Henry was already there, waiting as patiently as he could in one of the chairs. His weathered eyes lit up to see her come in, and he struggled to stand from his seat.
She had to suppress a sigh, wishing he wouldn’t exert himself like that, even if it warmed her heart to know of his relief over her well-being. Despite what she had endured, Cassandra was rushing towards him to urge him back into the chair. “No, my darling, don’t. I’m here, I’m fine…” she lied with a gentle smile as she knelt down on battered knees.
Henry looked at her, cupping her face between his hands before leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead. “I feared the worst,” he said, tears welling up within his eyes. “It killed me not to go myself. I am so sorry...that I could do nothing…”
A slender finger was pressed to the man’s lips to softly silence him, shaking her head as she feared she might cry as well. “Do not blame yourself, Henry. Please.” She was remembering the devastation on his face when the men took her, how he fumbled and tried so hard to stop them.
It was true, Cassandra never wanted this marriage and blatantly fought against it up until her wedding day. It had taken at least a year for her to show any true devotion or respect to the Duke, and she regretted that it took that long. Not once had he ever wronged her or hurt her in any way. Even if she could not find herself to be in love with him as he was so enamored with her, it did not mean Cass did not love him. She truly did, and it was a side of her not many got to see. Henry gave her most everything she could have ever dreamed of, and she’d be forever grateful to him for it.
After a bit of convincing, she managed to help him to bed so that she could tend to herself. Cassandra was not bashful by any means, but she did not wish for her husband to see the bruises and cuts that riddled her body as she bathed. Her breath staggered from parted lips as she slipped out of those ratty garments, looking at herself within the tall mirror. She was skinnier if that were even possible, and her skin more pallid than her usual lovely, porcelain complexion. She gazed down at the red rings about her wrists before slipping into the warm bath.
After a while, Cassandra could do nothing but lay in bed and stare up at the ceiling before she had to quietly climb out from beneath the blankets so as to not disturb Henry. Slipping a robe onto her shoulders, she stepped out into the quiet hall. It was late into the night by now so surely no one else would be around. Slippered feet carried her across the marble- slowly at first before she was practically sprinting, desperately seeking the cool evening air.
When she made it to the courtyard, feeling the breeze wash over her face, Cass let out a heavy breath, realizing she had been holding it in. It staggered, shaking her from the core and inevitably became a sob...until she was hunching forward as the tears wracked her entire being. Once she started to cry, she found that she could not stop.
ORIN:
The rest of the evening had turned into a blur. It always was when he came back to land after being out to sea for a while. He had left Elysium in a rush, so who knew what he was walking back into at home. Since the war, everything had been in shambles. He was barely at home because he was either out helping with rebuilding, or he was out drinking his sorrows or whatever away.
Honestly, Orin didn’t know what he was doing anymore. Did he have a purpose anymore? Alexandria had grown up and was handling things on her own. The fact she had asked him to go find Cassandra for her, made him feel useful and good, for once, despite him really not wanting to deal with that woman, but that was besides the point. In the end, the two of them did have a meaningful conversation, which surprised him. Orin never believed he’d ever speak to that woman if he didn’t have to.
Despite Orin claiming he had a lot to do and needed to leave the scene, he found that he didn’t really have much to do at all. When he returned home, everything was seemingly in order. Maybe Alexandria had servants go in to clean for him, in her sort of way of feeling like she owed him something. If anything, he owed her for how he had been acting lately.
It had grown late, and Orin had too much on his mind to sleep. He worried mostly about his sister and hoping she were making the right choices in life and for Elysium. He did not know anything about Aric, but an arranged marriage was what got them into the war in the first place. It made no sense to him why she was agreeing to one now.
He made his way down the halls, finding his way outdoors to the courtyard. The air was cool and refreshing, and the night was quiet. At least until he began hearing sobbing. Bluish-green eyes searched the area until he spotted the woman hunched over and in tears. He could not quite make out who it was though. For a brief moment, Orin contemplated his actions. Leave the woman be to her tears, and walk away? A heartless action, maybe, but perhaps this woman wanted to be left alone to cry. Or maybe she needed someone to talk to. A sigh escaped him and he shook his head at himself as he quietly approached the woman. Cautiously, he spoke gently. “My lady, are you alright?” He squinted his eyes, trying to get a better look at the woman, waiting for her to lift her head.
CASSANDRA:
Her chest felt heavy. Her breath was becoming shorter and shorter, and she felt dizzy. She had to stop this ridiculous nonsense. And yet...she was struggling to. Viewed as cold by so many, she probably never let herself really release any of her emotions when she was alone, as she should, so this became the inevitable end result- an overabundance of feeling, just spilling out of control. Like a waterfall that kept filling the pool without proper drainage for the water to go. Her heart was palpitating, her wrists were raw and sore like she was imagining the rough rope again. A hand flung to her neck, feeling as though those thick, foreign fingers were wrapping around it again, tightening...before the sound of a voice startled her.
A heavy gasp fled passed her lips, and Cassandra made the mistake of turning her head to regard the man, only to be horribly shocked by who it was. “Oh, for God’s sake!” she murmured in a surprised whisper, frantically trying to wipe away the trails of tears on her cheeks. Had he known it was her? Of course not. He couldn’t have, because he most likely wouldn’t have approached her. It also didn’t help that she was not dolled up; red curls still slightly damp and left to the night’s air and not done in some fancy updo.
Although she turned away, a small part of her felt guilty for her alarmed reaction, but he was the last person she’d ever want to see her this way. “Yes, I’m fine,” she lied, trying to sound stern but half failing in the attempt. She was tugging down on her sleeves and wrapping the robe around her tighter as his presence managed to give her the strength to stop those incessant tears. Cassandra could still feel another sob building up within her chest, though.
ORIN:
The moment Cassandra turned towards him, he regretted taking the concerned route and knew he should have just walked away. At her reaction, he took a step back and raised his hands to show he meant no harm. Green-blue eyes watched her as she scrambled to hide the fact that she had been crying, and as she lied about being fine, he couldn’t help but frown.
Orin, despite his appearance and how he came across, was certainly capable of being a caring human being. He could also tell when someone was in distress, and Cassandra appeared that way now. Though, he could also understand pride and not wanting to be seen in such a vulnerable state. He spoke gently towards her. “I’m sorry… I did not mean to startle you.”
He took another step backwards, as if he would just walk away and leave her alone. But he hesitated and couldn’t help but feel he should pry a little bit. “Are you sure? You do not look fine, to me…” Oh, maybe he shouldn’t have added that last bit to his question, but he was stating the obvious, he thought.
CASSANDRA:
Cassandra was possibly one of the best liars in the entire land...but even she could not make this appear to be what it wasn’t. It was quite clear that she had been crying, even if he hadn’t actually seen her whole body shuddering with each sob. The tears still stained her face.
Turning her head just enough to be able to watch him in her peripheral, she paused at his apology. She also took note of how he kept backtracking, and she knew she should just let him go. “No, it’s-” Hesitating, because it wasn’t actually fine, nor was she willing to spill her heart out in that very moment. “You’re fine.” Struggling to dry her face and make herself look somewhat presentable, Cassandra slowly climbed back up to her feet...but the weight and memory of what she endured- what she could have endured- was still trying to push her back down.
‘You do not look fine, to me…’ It was instinct to glare at him immediately after that, even if her mind knew that it wasn’t necessarily a slight against her appearance. Maybe. Still, her reaction couldn’t be helped, and Cassandra had to bite her tongue to refrain from saying something snarky and unwarranted. For the second time today, he was attempting to be civil. The least she could do was return the favor. “I’m not...fine,” she finally answered, unable to look the man in the eye now when she could usually stare down her nose at him. “A lot had...happened on that island. A lot that…could have happened…” Her voice was quieter than usual, as though she feared it would crack if she spoke any higher and give away her wavering emotions. “And it’s all just...rushing back…” Her chest heaved again, feeling the strange, uncontrollable palpitations of her heart. It wasn’t so much her thinking about it all again, but that she hadn’t been able to release her fear until now.
ORIN:
He just knew he should have walked away. But if this had been Alexandria, he would not want her to be left alone with her misery. It was that thought that pushed him to be a little more compassionate than he typically would, specifically with women.
He had almost turned away after Cassandra came to her feet, thinking that she was dismissing him when she said he was fine, but she spoke again, causing him to face her once more. Green-blue eyes watched her carefully as she spilled her thoughts out at him. Another frown tugged down on his lips and instead of taking a step back this time, he took one forward, though unsure of what he should do in this moment. But he could understand. When you are in the moment, you do what you can to survive, and then once it is over, the shock sets in.
Cassandra had denied that anything bad had happened to her. Had she lied to them? Orin hesitated for a moment before he carefully reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. He spoke quietly and cautiously. “I am so sorry for whatever happened… And you are lucky for what didn’t happen…” He opened his arms indicating that if she needed the shoulder and support to cry on, she could use him. “It does nothing good to hold it in. I can stay with you until you feel better.” Orin did have a heart, strange.
CASSANDRA:
Perhaps she should be more open to being coddled and soothed...but she wasn’t. Cassandra had never been the type. Not even Henry knew everything that happened with her, and they were supposed to share everything as husband and wife. It was that mask she so often hid behind, only letting any insufferable emotions out when she was alone and away from the watchful and judging eyes. It was that damn pride, never wanting anyone to see her weak. Not Henry, not even Aric. It was why she was so taken aback by the fact that this man had seen her break. Even for a moment. Cassandra didn’t know what to do with it.
She half pulled away out of mere reflex when his hand fell to her shoulder, but she visibly calmed when looking back to him. It appeared as though she had temporarily forgotten where she was, that she was in Elysium. That she was safe.
If only she knew the queen had suffered the same before...and far worse than she. Cassandra had been lucky, despite the bruises that visibly circled her neck and the red rope burns on the skin of her wrists.
Her brow furrowed, unable to help the confused look that graced her tired features when he offered to stay. And offered a...hug? Was she hallucinating? Because this didn’t seem like the same man from the ship, the same one who had embarrassed and made his sister cry in front of a room full of people. There was further hesitation as a hand went to her throat; the other resting upon his forearm as though she were thinking of taking him up on this strange but charitable offer. Instead, green eyes seemed to unfocus, her lips moving and speaking words before her mind could register them, “A few of them...came into the cave. One...he...I can still feel his fingers around my neck. They were going to-” Cass cut her words off, shaking her head as though it would make it all go away. She couldn’t finish her sentence, but he would know. Anyone would be able to guess what she had been ready to say.
“But then something stopped them. A voice...it was you, or...maybe it was Commander Northam.” Not that she was claiming the Commander sounded like a man, but she simply couldn’t remember now. Blinking, eyes seemed to clear a little when she looked back at him; not even realizing that she was shaking. “Whomever it was...you all arrived at the perfect time.” Her voice sounded calm and strong, but her face betrayed her.
ORIN:
It was rare that Orin ever opened up to anyone, or showed what kind of person he was capable of being. He kept to himself, stayed distant, and that just made things easier for him. But then there were moments like this, and while his cold and distant demeanor could come across as he being heartless, that was far from the truth. Orin cared, it just took a lot for him to show it.
He assumed Cassandra was this way, too, and he could understand how this must have been hard for her to open up to him like she was.
The moment replayed in his mind of when they found Cassandra and fought off the bandits, but he couldn’t remember if it had been him or Naeva that was the one who supposedly saved Cassandra from what could have happened. Either way, they had saved her and she was safe now. Though, that didn’t dismiss how she was feeling.
Orin lightly placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. “Well I am glad we got there at the right time, then… I wish we could have gotten there sooner before they entered the cave and touched you. I’m sorry we didn’t.” He let his hand drop down and frowned. “But I’m glad we saved you from anything worse happening…”
He was at a loss for words and didn’t really know what else to say to make her feel better. All he could think of was: “Is there anything I can do to help?”
CASSANDRA:
Was it strange that, even if it were only to be in this particular moment, that they understood each other? They were no longer on that ship with contradicting opinions, but two people who were probably more similar than either would outrightly admit. Even this might change come morning, whenever Cassandra could find that mask once more to wear in public. The mask that hid this vulnerable side of her, this weakness she refused to share with anyone. Thankfully, he wasn’t making her feel worse about this breakdown.
Simply thinking about that moment back at the cave was making her throat close up and she had to struggle to breathe properly, especially when he had placed that reassuring hand upon her shoulder. Cassandra found herself involuntarily tensing up for the briefest of moments, breath held within her throat. Images flashed in front of her eyes, not seeing Orin but the man who had dared to touch her. Nearly taking a step back, he was lowering his hand and she snapped out of it.
“You have...nothing to apologize for,” she managed to say, her voice quiet again as though she were afraid it would crack. “But...I suppose I am indebted to you.” Or perhaps to Naeva, or the queen herself, since she had been the one to order the people to go in search of her in the first place. Maybe it didn’t really matter. They all deserved her thanks.
When he asked if there was something he could do, green eyes lifted to his face with an expression that appeared tired, confused, yet almost blank. She currently didn’t know how to feel or how to even answer that. Not truly, anyway. “If you could not speak of this to anyone…” It was more of a plea than an answer. Cassandra wasn’t really sure she wanted anyone to know. Nothing too severe happened. Perhaps she was mentally scarred, but those bruises on her neck and wrists would eventually heal. Pity from people would only make it worse.
Arms wrapped about herself as the robe did little against the night air all of a sudden. It made her remember the cold harshness of that cave. The duchess had been so desperate for air after she bathed, but the shadows now moved in a way that was beginning to frighten her, like she expected it to be the bandits lurking around a corner to snatch her up again. “Would you...walk me back to my room?” Truthfully, as kind as he was currently being, he was the last one she’d ever ask this of. It made her appear weak and timid again, but she simply couldn’t shake the shifting shadows all around her now.
ORIN:
Some flashbacks suddenly ran through his mind then, of finding Alexandria after they had been separated for several years. He had barely recognized her as he had remembered her as a teenager, but there she was, a grown woman--bruised and battered as if she had been through hell and back. He still hated himself for not watching her better-- for letting her wander off on her own. How could he have been so careless? Alexandria never told him exactly what had happened--only that she had been captured and enslaved. No matter how much he pried, she had been very candid about the whole thing. He was only left to imagine what could have happened to her, and it killed him.
He could only hope Cassandra hadn’t endured more than what she was letting on, too. No one deserved such treatment.
Her voice suddenly jarred him from his thoughts and he barely heard her. It took a moment for her words to register to him. “No… You are not indebted to me.” Perhaps Cassandra felt she owed him for saving her life— but Orin didn’t see it that way. He was just doing his job as a protector of Elysium.
With Cassandra’s request— or rather, her plea, Orin couldn’t help but grin that devilish grin of his, and the faintest of a laugh escaped him. What was so funny to him? That he had ammo on her and could easily tell everyone what a sobbing mess Cassandra was? Or that she would think he was that heartless he would go telling everyone? He shook his head and lifted his hand, motioning as if to lock his lips shut with a key. He grasped her hand into his and placed the imaginary key in her hand and shut her fingers over it. “I won’t. My lips are sealed.”
The wind was beginning to pick up and it made creepy noises and shadows around them. He noticed the panicked look on Cassandra’s voice, and didn’t blame her. Before she could finish her question, he extended his arm to her and motioned towards the door. He led her back inside and down the hallway towards her room. When they arrived there he slowed down and faced her. A sincere smile graced his lips and he spoke quietly, as to not wake anyone. “Try to get some sleep…”
CASSANDRA:
Orin’s sudden laugh, although small, made her regard him with cold, narrowed eyes. Was he now about to mock her? Had this gentle kindness been nothing but a ruse so he could see how terrified she truly was?
All of these silly thoughts were quickly thrown aside as his grin remained and he made light of the situation by jokingly sealing his lips, even placing the pretend key into her hand. Cassandra was almost taken aback. This was not the ignorant brother of the queen from the party, this was not the aggravating man from the ship. If she had been drinking, she may have questioned just how drunk she was to imagine him in such a state. But it was Orin, making an honest effort to calm her nerves.
In truth, it made it all the worse in a different way.
He managed to leave the duchess speechless for a moment longer before the faintest of grins curled a corner of her own mouth. Fingers pretended to take that key and stow it away between her breasts for safe keeping. Cass would hold him to his word. Yet, despite everything that happened previously, she didn’t believe he would repeat any of this. Or maybe that was simply hope she clung desperately to.
With her tears finally beginning to dry, she held the robe around her firmly with a hand while she graciously slid her other arm through his offered one. The night air bit at her skin, further reminding her of the cave before the slightly warmer air of the castle began to ease her panic.
Opening the door to her chambers, she turned to lean lightly in the doorway. The real Cassandra was beginning to seep through in the way she watched him in lingering silence, studying him brazenly. She was trying to figure him out again and didn’t feel the need to hide that fact. This whole run-in had been...interesting. “I’ll try...” she finally answered him. “Thank you, Mr. Evans.” A flash of a gentle and amused grin, she would finally step back and regrettably close the door quietly.
The ride back to the castle felt longer than it should have. Through it all, she kept on that mask that she was fine while inwardly feeling herself crumbling. There was only little relief when she made it to the safety of those stone halls...because all it did was remind her of the other ones that kept her caged, that felt like they were shrinking in closer with each passing day. Still, Cassandra held herself poised, not looking anyone in the eye as she was escorted to her chambers where a bath had been drawn for her. Henry was already there, waiting as patiently as he could in one of the chairs. His weathered eyes lit up to see her come in, and he struggled to stand from his seat.
She had to suppress a sigh, wishing he wouldn’t exert himself like that, even if it warmed her heart to know of his relief over her well-being. Despite what she had endured, Cassandra was rushing towards him to urge him back into the chair. “No, my darling, don’t. I’m here, I’m fine…” she lied with a gentle smile as she knelt down on battered knees.
Henry looked at her, cupping her face between his hands before leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead. “I feared the worst,” he said, tears welling up within his eyes. “It killed me not to go myself. I am so sorry...that I could do nothing…”
A slender finger was pressed to the man’s lips to softly silence him, shaking her head as she feared she might cry as well. “Do not blame yourself, Henry. Please.” She was remembering the devastation on his face when the men took her, how he fumbled and tried so hard to stop them.
It was true, Cassandra never wanted this marriage and blatantly fought against it up until her wedding day. It had taken at least a year for her to show any true devotion or respect to the Duke, and she regretted that it took that long. Not once had he ever wronged her or hurt her in any way. Even if she could not find herself to be in love with him as he was so enamored with her, it did not mean Cass did not love him. She truly did, and it was a side of her not many got to see. Henry gave her most everything she could have ever dreamed of, and she’d be forever grateful to him for it.
After a bit of convincing, she managed to help him to bed so that she could tend to herself. Cassandra was not bashful by any means, but she did not wish for her husband to see the bruises and cuts that riddled her body as she bathed. Her breath staggered from parted lips as she slipped out of those ratty garments, looking at herself within the tall mirror. She was skinnier if that were even possible, and her skin more pallid than her usual lovely, porcelain complexion. She gazed down at the red rings about her wrists before slipping into the warm bath.
After a while, Cassandra could do nothing but lay in bed and stare up at the ceiling before she had to quietly climb out from beneath the blankets so as to not disturb Henry. Slipping a robe onto her shoulders, she stepped out into the quiet hall. It was late into the night by now so surely no one else would be around. Slippered feet carried her across the marble- slowly at first before she was practically sprinting, desperately seeking the cool evening air.
When she made it to the courtyard, feeling the breeze wash over her face, Cass let out a heavy breath, realizing she had been holding it in. It staggered, shaking her from the core and inevitably became a sob...until she was hunching forward as the tears wracked her entire being. Once she started to cry, she found that she could not stop.
ORIN:
The rest of the evening had turned into a blur. It always was when he came back to land after being out to sea for a while. He had left Elysium in a rush, so who knew what he was walking back into at home. Since the war, everything had been in shambles. He was barely at home because he was either out helping with rebuilding, or he was out drinking his sorrows or whatever away.
Honestly, Orin didn’t know what he was doing anymore. Did he have a purpose anymore? Alexandria had grown up and was handling things on her own. The fact she had asked him to go find Cassandra for her, made him feel useful and good, for once, despite him really not wanting to deal with that woman, but that was besides the point. In the end, the two of them did have a meaningful conversation, which surprised him. Orin never believed he’d ever speak to that woman if he didn’t have to.
Despite Orin claiming he had a lot to do and needed to leave the scene, he found that he didn’t really have much to do at all. When he returned home, everything was seemingly in order. Maybe Alexandria had servants go in to clean for him, in her sort of way of feeling like she owed him something. If anything, he owed her for how he had been acting lately.
It had grown late, and Orin had too much on his mind to sleep. He worried mostly about his sister and hoping she were making the right choices in life and for Elysium. He did not know anything about Aric, but an arranged marriage was what got them into the war in the first place. It made no sense to him why she was agreeing to one now.
He made his way down the halls, finding his way outdoors to the courtyard. The air was cool and refreshing, and the night was quiet. At least until he began hearing sobbing. Bluish-green eyes searched the area until he spotted the woman hunched over and in tears. He could not quite make out who it was though. For a brief moment, Orin contemplated his actions. Leave the woman be to her tears, and walk away? A heartless action, maybe, but perhaps this woman wanted to be left alone to cry. Or maybe she needed someone to talk to. A sigh escaped him and he shook his head at himself as he quietly approached the woman. Cautiously, he spoke gently. “My lady, are you alright?” He squinted his eyes, trying to get a better look at the woman, waiting for her to lift her head.
CASSANDRA:
Her chest felt heavy. Her breath was becoming shorter and shorter, and she felt dizzy. She had to stop this ridiculous nonsense. And yet...she was struggling to. Viewed as cold by so many, she probably never let herself really release any of her emotions when she was alone, as she should, so this became the inevitable end result- an overabundance of feeling, just spilling out of control. Like a waterfall that kept filling the pool without proper drainage for the water to go. Her heart was palpitating, her wrists were raw and sore like she was imagining the rough rope again. A hand flung to her neck, feeling as though those thick, foreign fingers were wrapping around it again, tightening...before the sound of a voice startled her.
A heavy gasp fled passed her lips, and Cassandra made the mistake of turning her head to regard the man, only to be horribly shocked by who it was. “Oh, for God’s sake!” she murmured in a surprised whisper, frantically trying to wipe away the trails of tears on her cheeks. Had he known it was her? Of course not. He couldn’t have, because he most likely wouldn’t have approached her. It also didn’t help that she was not dolled up; red curls still slightly damp and left to the night’s air and not done in some fancy updo.
Although she turned away, a small part of her felt guilty for her alarmed reaction, but he was the last person she’d ever want to see her this way. “Yes, I’m fine,” she lied, trying to sound stern but half failing in the attempt. She was tugging down on her sleeves and wrapping the robe around her tighter as his presence managed to give her the strength to stop those incessant tears. Cassandra could still feel another sob building up within her chest, though.
ORIN:
The moment Cassandra turned towards him, he regretted taking the concerned route and knew he should have just walked away. At her reaction, he took a step back and raised his hands to show he meant no harm. Green-blue eyes watched her as she scrambled to hide the fact that she had been crying, and as she lied about being fine, he couldn’t help but frown.
Orin, despite his appearance and how he came across, was certainly capable of being a caring human being. He could also tell when someone was in distress, and Cassandra appeared that way now. Though, he could also understand pride and not wanting to be seen in such a vulnerable state. He spoke gently towards her. “I’m sorry… I did not mean to startle you.”
He took another step backwards, as if he would just walk away and leave her alone. But he hesitated and couldn’t help but feel he should pry a little bit. “Are you sure? You do not look fine, to me…” Oh, maybe he shouldn’t have added that last bit to his question, but he was stating the obvious, he thought.
CASSANDRA:
Cassandra was possibly one of the best liars in the entire land...but even she could not make this appear to be what it wasn’t. It was quite clear that she had been crying, even if he hadn’t actually seen her whole body shuddering with each sob. The tears still stained her face.
Turning her head just enough to be able to watch him in her peripheral, she paused at his apology. She also took note of how he kept backtracking, and she knew she should just let him go. “No, it’s-” Hesitating, because it wasn’t actually fine, nor was she willing to spill her heart out in that very moment. “You’re fine.” Struggling to dry her face and make herself look somewhat presentable, Cassandra slowly climbed back up to her feet...but the weight and memory of what she endured- what she could have endured- was still trying to push her back down.
‘You do not look fine, to me…’ It was instinct to glare at him immediately after that, even if her mind knew that it wasn’t necessarily a slight against her appearance. Maybe. Still, her reaction couldn’t be helped, and Cassandra had to bite her tongue to refrain from saying something snarky and unwarranted. For the second time today, he was attempting to be civil. The least she could do was return the favor. “I’m not...fine,” she finally answered, unable to look the man in the eye now when she could usually stare down her nose at him. “A lot had...happened on that island. A lot that…could have happened…” Her voice was quieter than usual, as though she feared it would crack if she spoke any higher and give away her wavering emotions. “And it’s all just...rushing back…” Her chest heaved again, feeling the strange, uncontrollable palpitations of her heart. It wasn’t so much her thinking about it all again, but that she hadn’t been able to release her fear until now.
ORIN:
He just knew he should have walked away. But if this had been Alexandria, he would not want her to be left alone with her misery. It was that thought that pushed him to be a little more compassionate than he typically would, specifically with women.
He had almost turned away after Cassandra came to her feet, thinking that she was dismissing him when she said he was fine, but she spoke again, causing him to face her once more. Green-blue eyes watched her carefully as she spilled her thoughts out at him. Another frown tugged down on his lips and instead of taking a step back this time, he took one forward, though unsure of what he should do in this moment. But he could understand. When you are in the moment, you do what you can to survive, and then once it is over, the shock sets in.
Cassandra had denied that anything bad had happened to her. Had she lied to them? Orin hesitated for a moment before he carefully reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. He spoke quietly and cautiously. “I am so sorry for whatever happened… And you are lucky for what didn’t happen…” He opened his arms indicating that if she needed the shoulder and support to cry on, she could use him. “It does nothing good to hold it in. I can stay with you until you feel better.” Orin did have a heart, strange.
CASSANDRA:
Perhaps she should be more open to being coddled and soothed...but she wasn’t. Cassandra had never been the type. Not even Henry knew everything that happened with her, and they were supposed to share everything as husband and wife. It was that mask she so often hid behind, only letting any insufferable emotions out when she was alone and away from the watchful and judging eyes. It was that damn pride, never wanting anyone to see her weak. Not Henry, not even Aric. It was why she was so taken aback by the fact that this man had seen her break. Even for a moment. Cassandra didn’t know what to do with it.
She half pulled away out of mere reflex when his hand fell to her shoulder, but she visibly calmed when looking back to him. It appeared as though she had temporarily forgotten where she was, that she was in Elysium. That she was safe.
If only she knew the queen had suffered the same before...and far worse than she. Cassandra had been lucky, despite the bruises that visibly circled her neck and the red rope burns on the skin of her wrists.
Her brow furrowed, unable to help the confused look that graced her tired features when he offered to stay. And offered a...hug? Was she hallucinating? Because this didn’t seem like the same man from the ship, the same one who had embarrassed and made his sister cry in front of a room full of people. There was further hesitation as a hand went to her throat; the other resting upon his forearm as though she were thinking of taking him up on this strange but charitable offer. Instead, green eyes seemed to unfocus, her lips moving and speaking words before her mind could register them, “A few of them...came into the cave. One...he...I can still feel his fingers around my neck. They were going to-” Cass cut her words off, shaking her head as though it would make it all go away. She couldn’t finish her sentence, but he would know. Anyone would be able to guess what she had been ready to say.
“But then something stopped them. A voice...it was you, or...maybe it was Commander Northam.” Not that she was claiming the Commander sounded like a man, but she simply couldn’t remember now. Blinking, eyes seemed to clear a little when she looked back at him; not even realizing that she was shaking. “Whomever it was...you all arrived at the perfect time.” Her voice sounded calm and strong, but her face betrayed her.
ORIN:
It was rare that Orin ever opened up to anyone, or showed what kind of person he was capable of being. He kept to himself, stayed distant, and that just made things easier for him. But then there were moments like this, and while his cold and distant demeanor could come across as he being heartless, that was far from the truth. Orin cared, it just took a lot for him to show it.
He assumed Cassandra was this way, too, and he could understand how this must have been hard for her to open up to him like she was.
The moment replayed in his mind of when they found Cassandra and fought off the bandits, but he couldn’t remember if it had been him or Naeva that was the one who supposedly saved Cassandra from what could have happened. Either way, they had saved her and she was safe now. Though, that didn’t dismiss how she was feeling.
Orin lightly placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. “Well I am glad we got there at the right time, then… I wish we could have gotten there sooner before they entered the cave and touched you. I’m sorry we didn’t.” He let his hand drop down and frowned. “But I’m glad we saved you from anything worse happening…”
He was at a loss for words and didn’t really know what else to say to make her feel better. All he could think of was: “Is there anything I can do to help?”
CASSANDRA:
Was it strange that, even if it were only to be in this particular moment, that they understood each other? They were no longer on that ship with contradicting opinions, but two people who were probably more similar than either would outrightly admit. Even this might change come morning, whenever Cassandra could find that mask once more to wear in public. The mask that hid this vulnerable side of her, this weakness she refused to share with anyone. Thankfully, he wasn’t making her feel worse about this breakdown.
Simply thinking about that moment back at the cave was making her throat close up and she had to struggle to breathe properly, especially when he had placed that reassuring hand upon her shoulder. Cassandra found herself involuntarily tensing up for the briefest of moments, breath held within her throat. Images flashed in front of her eyes, not seeing Orin but the man who had dared to touch her. Nearly taking a step back, he was lowering his hand and she snapped out of it.
“You have...nothing to apologize for,” she managed to say, her voice quiet again as though she were afraid it would crack. “But...I suppose I am indebted to you.” Or perhaps to Naeva, or the queen herself, since she had been the one to order the people to go in search of her in the first place. Maybe it didn’t really matter. They all deserved her thanks.
When he asked if there was something he could do, green eyes lifted to his face with an expression that appeared tired, confused, yet almost blank. She currently didn’t know how to feel or how to even answer that. Not truly, anyway. “If you could not speak of this to anyone…” It was more of a plea than an answer. Cassandra wasn’t really sure she wanted anyone to know. Nothing too severe happened. Perhaps she was mentally scarred, but those bruises on her neck and wrists would eventually heal. Pity from people would only make it worse.
Arms wrapped about herself as the robe did little against the night air all of a sudden. It made her remember the cold harshness of that cave. The duchess had been so desperate for air after she bathed, but the shadows now moved in a way that was beginning to frighten her, like she expected it to be the bandits lurking around a corner to snatch her up again. “Would you...walk me back to my room?” Truthfully, as kind as he was currently being, he was the last one she’d ever ask this of. It made her appear weak and timid again, but she simply couldn’t shake the shifting shadows all around her now.
ORIN:
Some flashbacks suddenly ran through his mind then, of finding Alexandria after they had been separated for several years. He had barely recognized her as he had remembered her as a teenager, but there she was, a grown woman--bruised and battered as if she had been through hell and back. He still hated himself for not watching her better-- for letting her wander off on her own. How could he have been so careless? Alexandria never told him exactly what had happened--only that she had been captured and enslaved. No matter how much he pried, she had been very candid about the whole thing. He was only left to imagine what could have happened to her, and it killed him.
He could only hope Cassandra hadn’t endured more than what she was letting on, too. No one deserved such treatment.
Her voice suddenly jarred him from his thoughts and he barely heard her. It took a moment for her words to register to him. “No… You are not indebted to me.” Perhaps Cassandra felt she owed him for saving her life— but Orin didn’t see it that way. He was just doing his job as a protector of Elysium.
With Cassandra’s request— or rather, her plea, Orin couldn’t help but grin that devilish grin of his, and the faintest of a laugh escaped him. What was so funny to him? That he had ammo on her and could easily tell everyone what a sobbing mess Cassandra was? Or that she would think he was that heartless he would go telling everyone? He shook his head and lifted his hand, motioning as if to lock his lips shut with a key. He grasped her hand into his and placed the imaginary key in her hand and shut her fingers over it. “I won’t. My lips are sealed.”
The wind was beginning to pick up and it made creepy noises and shadows around them. He noticed the panicked look on Cassandra’s voice, and didn’t blame her. Before she could finish her question, he extended his arm to her and motioned towards the door. He led her back inside and down the hallway towards her room. When they arrived there he slowed down and faced her. A sincere smile graced his lips and he spoke quietly, as to not wake anyone. “Try to get some sleep…”
CASSANDRA:
Orin’s sudden laugh, although small, made her regard him with cold, narrowed eyes. Was he now about to mock her? Had this gentle kindness been nothing but a ruse so he could see how terrified she truly was?
All of these silly thoughts were quickly thrown aside as his grin remained and he made light of the situation by jokingly sealing his lips, even placing the pretend key into her hand. Cassandra was almost taken aback. This was not the ignorant brother of the queen from the party, this was not the aggravating man from the ship. If she had been drinking, she may have questioned just how drunk she was to imagine him in such a state. But it was Orin, making an honest effort to calm her nerves.
In truth, it made it all the worse in a different way.
He managed to leave the duchess speechless for a moment longer before the faintest of grins curled a corner of her own mouth. Fingers pretended to take that key and stow it away between her breasts for safe keeping. Cass would hold him to his word. Yet, despite everything that happened previously, she didn’t believe he would repeat any of this. Or maybe that was simply hope she clung desperately to.
With her tears finally beginning to dry, she held the robe around her firmly with a hand while she graciously slid her other arm through his offered one. The night air bit at her skin, further reminding her of the cave before the slightly warmer air of the castle began to ease her panic.
Opening the door to her chambers, she turned to lean lightly in the doorway. The real Cassandra was beginning to seep through in the way she watched him in lingering silence, studying him brazenly. She was trying to figure him out again and didn’t feel the need to hide that fact. This whole run-in had been...interesting. “I’ll try...” she finally answered him. “Thank you, Mr. Evans.” A flash of a gentle and amused grin, she would finally step back and regrettably close the door quietly.
