Chapter 46: Fair Game

As Cassian walked through the castle of Shadow’s Edge, his mind wandered elsewhere despite his eyes being fixed on the path ahead of him.

Is she truly alright?

The thought had been nagging at him ever since she had dismissed him so coldly in the study corridor.

Cassian stopped mid-stride, his boots scuffing against the stone floor. He pressed a gloved hand to his chest, feeling the rapid, traitorous thumping of his heart.

Wait. Why do I even care?

He had partially come to Shadow’s Edge for entertainment. To annoy his insufferable cousin. To observe the legendary "changed" Empress who had supposedly driven Leonidas to the brink of madness.

So why was his chest tight with concern? Why did the memory of her flushed face and trembling hands make his blood run hot?

This is ridiculous, Cassian thought, shaking his head vigorously. She’s my cousin’s wife. Soon-to-be ex-wife, but still. I have no business worrying about her.

But even as he tried to convince himself, the image of her burned in his mind. The way she had stood up to Drystan....

She’s magnificent.

Cassian groaned, rubbing his temples. What is wrong with me?

He resumed walking, forcing his long legs to eat up the distance. He needed to focus. He was a Sovereign. He had a land to run, a plague to solve, and a border to secure. He didn’t have time to develop a sudden, inexplicable fascination with his cousin’s wife.

"Lord Cassian!"

Cassian turned, his white hair swinging, just as Nalani rushed around the corner. She looked both relieved and exasperated.

"Where have you been?!" Nalani demanded, skidding to a halt in front of him. "I’ve been looking everywhere for you!"

Cassian blinked, his scattered thoughts instantly snapping into focus. He offered her a sheepish smile, the familiar playful mask sliding effortlessly back into place.

"Ah, Nalani. My apologies. I was.....distracted."

Nalani placed her hands on her hips. "Distracted. Of course you were. By the Empress, I assume?"

Cassian’s smile faltered for just a fraction of a second, but he recovered quickly. "The Empress is a fascinating woman. Can you blame a man for being curious?"

"I can blame you for being reckless," Nalani shot back, her voice sharp but tinged with genuine worry. "You punched a Dragon King in the face! In front of the entire courtyard! Do you have any idea what kind of political nightmare that could have caused?"

"I was defending the Empress and her son," Cassian said, becoming serious again. "I would do it again."

Nalani stared at him for a long moment, her expression shifting away from frustration.

She had served Cassian for years. She had seen him charm, manipulate, and outmaneuver the most dangerous nobles on the continent. She had seen him lead armies through blizzards and negotiate treaties with bloodthirsty warlords. He was a brilliant leader, a cunning strategist, and a genuinely decent man beneath all the flirtation and mockery.

But whenever they came to Shadow’s Edge, something changed.

He became restless. Edgy. He picked fights with his cousin, provoked the court, and generally acted like a man who was running from something he couldn’t name.

And now, this sudden interest in the Empress....

Nalani didn’t understand it. She had watched the Empress from a distance, and yes, the woman was impressive. She had a spine of steel and a tongue that could flay a man alive. But she was also Leonidas’s wife, bound by law and politics to the very man Cassian seemed determined to antagonize.

Why does he become like this whenever we come here?

Nalani pushed the thought aside. It wasn’t her place to question her Sovereign’s motives. Her job was to support him, protect him, and clean up his messes.

She cleared her throat, forcing her expression back to neutrality. "The physicians came back from the lower city markets."

Cassian cocked a brow. "And?"

"They gave me a list," Nalani said, pulling out a long, rolled parchment. She unrolled it, and Cassian’s eyes widened slightly at the sheer length of it. "It’s a very, very long list."

Cassian took the parchment, his gloved fingers tracing the script. His brow furrowed deeper with each entry.

"Nightshade," he murmured. "Wyvern bile. Black lotus extract. Hemlock root. These are all deadly substances, Nalani. Some of them are heavily restricted. Why are they suddenly flooding the markets?"

"The physicians believe someone is buying them in bulk," Nalani replied. "Or at least, someone is attempting to. The apothecaries have reported a significant increase in suspicious inquiries over the past few weeks."

Cassian’s jaw tightened. "Any suspects? Any leads on who might be behind it?"

Nalani opened her mouth to respond, but before she could utter a single word, a voice rang out.

"Well, well, well."

Cassian’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. That insufferable, arrogant drawl was unmistakable.

Rafael.

The blonde Leonidas boot-licker cat-walked into view, his sapphire chains clinking with every self-satisfied step. His emerald eyes were sparkling with mockery, his lips curled into a sneer that made Cassian’s fist itch to punch him too.

"Lord Cassian," Rafael purred, coming to a stop just a few feet away. "Still lurking around, I see. Shouldn’t you be frozen in your little snow kingdom? I hear the Glacier’s Crown is lovely this time of year. Cold. Desolate. Perfect for someone with your... temperament."

Cassian’s huffed. "Rafael. Still leeching off my cousin’s court, I see. Shouldn’t you be simpering at Leonidas’s feet? Or perhaps you’re here to collect his sloppy seconds?"

Rafael’s sneer faltered, a flash of anger crossing his handsome features. "You have a lot of nerve, coming here and acting like you own the place."

"I don’t act like I own anything," Cassian replied smoothly. "I simply act like a Sovereign who has better things to do than play politics with a glorified court jester."

"Glorified—" Rafael’s voice cracked with indignation. "You white-haired bastard—"

"Enough," Nalani interjected, stepping between them before the situation could escalate. She shot Rafael a cold glare. "Did you have a purpose for interrupting us, or did you just come here to stroke your ego?"

Rafael’s jaw tightened, but he composed himself, smoothing down the front of his outfit. "I was sent to fetch the Sovereign," he said, his tone filled with disgust. "His Majesty, King Leonidas, has requested your presence in the war room."

Cassian’s eyes narrowed. "Requested? Or demanded?"

Rafael’s smile was thin and brittle. "Does it matter? He said to come quickly. Something about the plague."

Cassian’s irritation instantly evaporated, replaced by attention. "The plague? Have they found something?"

"I don’t know," Rafael said, his tone making it clear he didn’t care either way. "I’m just the messenger. But if you want to find out, you’d better come now. His Majesty isn’t known for his patience."

Cassian didn’t waste another second. He strode past Rafael without a second glance, Nalani falling into step beside him.

Rafael watched them go, his sneer deepening. "By the way, going after Leonidas’s wife, are you?" he called out, his voice echoing down the corridor. "That’s a dangerous game, Cassian. Even for you."

Cassian paused. He didn’t turn around, but his voice carried clearly through the stone hallway.

"I am not ’going after’ her," he said calmly. "She is the Empress of Zyleria. She deserves respect, not the scheming and manipulation your court seems so fond of."

He turned his head slightly, offering Rafael a smirk over his shoulder.

"And besides, she’s his soon-to-be ex-wife. So technically, she’s fair game."

Rafael’s face flushed with anger. "You insolent—"

But Cassian was already gone, disappearing around the corner with Nalani close behind.

The moment they were out of earshot, Nalani exhaled.

"You don’t truly think the Empress is ’fair game.’ You just said that to irritate him, didn’t you?"

Cassian’s smirk widened into an unrepentant grin.

"You know me so well."