Chapter 38: Chapter 38

A smile immediately stretched my lips upon stirring awake. I had a good sleep, I guess. I turned to my side to see the bed empty, the sheets were crumpled.

“Cassius,” I looked around but the room was empty.

Then I heard someone on the balcony. I got up from the bed and walked barefooted. I'm pretty sure I remember him falling asleep last night with me, in the bed. He looked so tired from work; I wonder what he had been taking care of the whole day. He still managed to get up early.

I saw Cassius leaning on the stone rails of the balcony. He was having his usual cup of coffee.

“Morning,” I smiled and leaned on the rails next to him. My gaze fell on the garden of roses below us, it was a maze. I didn’t notice the roses before as it was dark that night of the incident. There’s also a fountain, a wooden swing and a fence of rabbits.

I felt his stare, “Morning, love.”

“You always drink that,” I commented, looking at the cup in his grip. His cup was almost half empty.

Cassius smiled, “I like the strong taste of caffeine.” It must be bitter by the way it looks; it’s so dark and the smell of freshly brewed coffee beans hit my nostrils. The scent was pungent, it took my sleepiness away. I guess this is why he likes it.

Silence fell upon us as he sipped from his cup again. The weather is unusually great today, there was no snowstorm. The sky is bright and clear, no clouds either. A smile stretched my lips upon being embraced by the cool wave of wind. If I was human, I would be freezing to death but right now, I don’t feel that cold.

“I was told you’ve been asking about humans,” Cassius didn’t even spare me a glance but I could catch a glimpse of his usual teasing smile.

His emeralds bore at me, “You want to drink from a human?”

I shook my head, “No, I was just curious.” I’ve only been drinking blood from a goblet. I wonder what it feels like to drink from a bear or much more from a human. I’m not even sure about the blood they serve here whether it’s from an animal or if it’s human blood.

Cassius let out a chuckle, “It’s normal to get curious,” He tapped my head and messed up my hair making me hiss at him.

“The blood you’ve been drinking is human blood.” He said

My eyes widened, “Am I allowed to?”

“They only allow us to have human blood,” He rolled his tongue over his lower lip as he explained.

I narrowed my eyes, “Why?”

“Because,” He smirked before throwing his gaze over at the fountain below us.

I rolled my eyes at his response.

“Can I ask you something?” I pressed my lip.

Cassius glanced at me before slowly nodding. “I don’t really have much choice about that, love. Do I?” He sneered

“Hm, I guess so,” I smiled

“I’m not sure if it’s alright to ask this but I’m curious.” I paused for a moment, taking a glance at him. He was looking at the wooden swing just below us.

“Are you married?” I asked, without blinking.

His brows shot up, clearly he seemed amused. His gaze now focused on me like I just piqued his interest. When he didn’t respond, I spoke again.

“I heard the rumors swirling around the castle,” I paused, biting the inside of my cheek.

“Oh, so you were roaming around the castle and eavesdropping while I’m gone.” Cassius stared at me unbelievably, a ghost of a smile etched on his lips.

“I did not intend to eavesdrop. So, will you quit teasing me and answer the question?” I asked as calmly as I could. I can’t get impatient again and certainly not with Cassius. Knowing Cassius, he would not give me answers if I misbehave. His words not mine!

It’s only been a couple of weeks since I turned into a vampire and I still couldn’t get the hang of it. I have been irrationally impatient and I’m easily annoyed. My emotions are everywhere; it’s crazy how I own them but could not even for a second, control them. However, Cassius said to give it time and practice upon handling them. I didn’t think being a vampire was this difficult. This is eternal torture!

“Must I answer that?” His emerald eyes bore at me intently.

I nodded, “Yes,”

“I am married,” He answered with a proud smile.

I let out a gasp, “No,” He must be kidding again. Or is he?

“So your wife is in here, in the castle?” I asked, holding back another gasp.

“Uh, I heard it from the servants. That your missing wife is in the castle.” I explained with a nervous laugh.

He stared blankly, “You are my wife, Feyre.”

Cassius ran his tongue over his lip, “When you disappeared, you left me something. I should be mad at you for leaving without a notice but I simply couldn’t hold a grudge against the mother of my child.”

He paused to look at me.

“A child?” My lips parted at the sudden revelation.

I didn’t know I had a child. “What do you mean?” My voice cracked, I found myself looking at the ground with teary eyes. My knees became wobbly. I had to grip on the stone rails in order to not fall.

“We have a child.” Cassius looked over below the balcony.

There I saw a lady approaching the wooden swing. She sat on it with a smile on her pale lips; her graceful movements were nothing less like a royalty. Her gestures were as beautiful as her. On her chest was placed a white rabbit. She was caressing its soft fur with her slender fingers until the rabbit closed its eyes, falling asleep onto her delicate touch.

“Her name is Rose,” Cassius spoke beside me.

“Rosamund?” I asked, not tearing off my gaze from the young lady.

He smiled, “You’ve met her?” He didn’t even sound surprised.

I nodded, “Yes, twice, in the ball and in the music room.” My tone died down upon the slow realization that I really have a child. I’m freaking married and I have a daughter.

“How come she looked almost the same age as me?” I asked, bewildered.

Cassius stared at Rose, “Vampires grow up faster than humans,”

My gaze fell upon Rosamund who was smiling at her pet rabbit.

“She has your hair,” Cassius spoke behind me; his hand traced my waist while his lips traveled on my ear.

“I noticed,” I spoke, smiling unknowingly.

“She has beautiful eyes too,” I glance over at Cassius from my shoulder.

“Well, yes she got those from me. She’s also smart but she can be really stubborn too just like her mother.” He teased; a deep chuckle erupted from his lips.

Rosamund whispered into her rabbit’s ear, “You’ve been a very good pet to me, Mr. Bun Bun.” A ghost of a smile stretched on her pale, plump lips.

Then all of a sudden she pierced her fangs through the rabbit’s skin. Mr. Bun Bun’s blood has now tainted her lips into cold, blood red. After sucking the bunny dry, she walked away carrying poor Mr. Bun Bun in her arms.

A curse escaped from my lips, “Did she just feed from her pet rabbit?” She ate her freaking pet rabbit.

“Uh, yes. She does that,” Cassius stared at her daughter blankly.

Okay, so I’m confused. She eats her rabbit as if it’s not her pet. I don’t even want to ask how Cassius is as a parent. I mean, I’m simply speechless right now.

“Where did she go?” I asked, knotting my brows. Rosamund just disappeared.

“She’s gone to the forest to bury Mr. Bun Bun,”

I let out an exasperated breath, “Is she even allowed to leave the castle?”

“Don’t worry, she has guards with her. She dislikes the idea of having people surrounding her but she has no choice, it’s for her own safety. And she has undergone training so she’s good.” Cassius explained with a proud smirk on his face. He’s really proud of this, huh?

My lips parted, “Training? What training?” I pulled away from him.

“Yes, she learned how to fight. Don’t glare at me; I didn’t force her into it. She did like being in control at times. Rose was nine when she insisted upon combat training so I trained her myself.” He reasoned with his lips pressed.

I shook my head, “Unbelievable,” He stared at me intently as if trying to figure out my expression.

Cassius frowned, “You’re upset. I’m sorry.”

He pulled both of my hands, gently caressing the back of my palm. I looked down at our intertwined fingers. My heart pounded loudly in my chest. Cassius was always gentle with me and I appreciate him for that. Even when I couldn’t remember him, he wasn’t afraid to show his affection.

I bit my lip, trying to hold back my tears. For some reason I find it so difficult to look him in the eye.

“No, I am sorry. I shouldn’t have left you. I feel sorry even if I can’t remember. Thank you for taking care of her while I was gone. I promise, I will make up for the times I wasn’t here with you.” A shaky breath escaped from my lips and I felt a strong pair of arms wrapped tightly around my small body.

“Shush now. You don’t have to force yourself to remember. Just seeing you here by my side is enough, Feyre.” He whispered softly in my ear.

The corner of my lips curved up into a small smile as I hugged him back.