The warm light coming through the bay window coaxed Cass from his restless slumber. The rhythmic stroking of his hair from Misha's soft hand sent tingles throughout his body and made it impossible to move. Cass's eyes opened. The small but extravagant room was bathed in a variety of orange hues, courtesy of the waning sun
"Finally up?"
"Damn it. I didn't move a muscle and she can't see my face…How does she always know?"
"Don't tell me you've been staying up late while I was away?"
"I wouldn't dream of it."
She raised her eyebrow as Cass looked away.
"I don't get why mother needs you everywhere she travels. It's stupid, she's a Blessed, any maid would do."
"Oh? Are you saying I'm easily replaceable?"
"No! That's not what I meant…whatever."
"Oh no, you really are a teenager now. Where'd that cute little boy I used to look after go?"
Cass's face was burning up.
"Well, I guess you're still pretty cute." She giggled. "You know how nobles are, everything has to be just so. Appearances are very important when you move in those circles."
"God, I'm so tired of hearing that." Cass fiddled with a loose thread on the couch cushion. "You went south to Hamakesh, right? I'm sure Jewel got her gaudy trinkets she asked for. What a brat."
He peeked over at Misha. She turned her head away slightly.
"She did…Unfortunately, your mother was very busy, so a few of the stops on our itinerary had to be cut."
Cass's head sank and he stared at the floor.
"I knew it. Who cares? They're probably not even as good as I remember."
A small box appeared in his periphery. It was black, adorned with gold trim and intricate lettering in a language Cass couldn't read; all wrapped up in a matching bow. His eyes gleamed and he snatched the box.
"Luckily, some of the stores stay open all night in Hamakesh." She said with a smirk.
Cass crammed one of the chocolates in his mouth.
"Ah~so delicious!"
He paused and looked at her, smiling back. "Why is it so hard to say?"
"...Thanks."
"Anytime."
"Just be careful sneaking out. Don't get into trouble." Cass said, failing to meet her gaze.
"I don't mind risking a little punishment for you."
"God, I can't imagine how red my face is. I wonder if she notices?"
Cass was about to eat another one but hesitated. He offered it to Misha, her expression shifting to slight surprise.
"They're really good. You should try-!?"
She leaned over and bit the chocolate in half. "Mmm~! That is really good! You have excellent taste, Lord Cassiel."
"Honorifics? I heard that enough from your substitute."
"Though it certainly feels…interesting coming from Misha."
His shaky voice caused her to laugh. "Well you won't have to hear it for a while. I'm home, Cass."
"Her smile…How can something be so perfect?"
"Nice to hear it from someone. I guess she was too busy." Cass sneered.
Misha hesitated. "No, Cass, you're right to be angry. Excuses we make for our parents become excuses we make for ourselves. I'd much rather you…not turn out like them. Their actions towards you, it's…unacceptable."
She shifted and adjusted her dress. "I apologize, I shouldn't speak so frankly about your family. It's not my place as a maid."
"I don't mind. I've got no love for those people."
He glanced at Misha's face to judge her reaction.
"Love has to be earned, Cass. You're free to give it to whomever you deem fit. That's how I see it. Loving someone just because you share blood makes you no different than a mindless beast. The Gods gave us reasoning, we might as well use it."
Cass thought for a moment.
"I guess. Father dragged me along to one of their social events. I had to sit there for hours, both there and back, listening to Jewel and Heilyn prattle on and on about nothing. I could've gotten out of it if Cadeyrn wasn't home."
He scowled. "I was even in my best hiding spot…How does he do that?"
The birds chirping outside filled the silence.
Misha's dress rustled as she shifted in her seat. "Even in this age of freakish powers, no man rules alone. They need to form their coalitions to maintain power. Did you at least have fun? Meet anyone interesting?"
"I suppose Lady Islay was alright. Most of them are just as arrogant as my family. Even more in some cases."
"It never hurts to have friends in high places, Cass. Honestly, I'm worried for your future. Even if your family forsakes you, that doesn't mean other nobles will."
"As long as Cadeyrn vouches for me, I think I'll be okay. I've still got 5 years to become Blessed anyway. Hopefully my blessing is something unremarkable but respectable enough to fly under the radar."
"Cass, haven't you ever heard of 'shooting for the stars'? It wouldn't hurt to dream a bit."
"I'd be happy just living in one of their smaller houses, kept out of the public eye and forgotten about…" He cleared his throat. "Maybe a maid or something to help me out. That'd be fine."
"Such a smooth talker." She smiled as the flames in his cheeks were stoked yet again.
"Don't forget, you're a maid! I could just order you, either way."
Her face turned to ice. Cass's heartbeat picked up pace. Before he could speak she laughed.
"Anything you say, Master."
'Master'…He'd be lying if he said he didn't try to annoy her at times just to hear that. Even if it was like poking a sleeping fog beast.
"You aren't lying when you say mother treats you well, are you?"
He fiddled with his sleeve. She pulled him into an embrace.
"Cass, I told you not to worry about stuff like that. You're young, I wouldn't expect you to understand my station. Any suffering I endure…no matter how cruel, it's nothing to concern yourself with."
Cass could barely follow the conversation. His mind always raced when she hugged him out of nowhere like this…Any time she hugged him, actually.
"Nevertheless, if a dashing young Blessed sweeps me off my feet and whisks me away…I wouldn't resist…much."
Cass looked at her in bewilderment. She giggled. "Now are you willing to not skip lessons?"
"I knew you were messing with me!"
He shot up and began to storm out of the room.
"No you idiot! Don't go! I remember this conversation…"
Try as he might, the dream was ending. Consciousness and the reality of his life without Misha was mere seconds away.
"Stay asleep, damn it!"
…
"Head to the east!"
"S-shouldn't we get him to a hospital-!?"
"SHUT IT AND DRIVE! There's a small town along the way, I know someone there who can help!"
"We're moving. Where am I? Whoa…everything's still kinda wavy. This pillow…it's ridiculously comfortable."
"Is he breathing, Madam?"
A hand with otherworldly softness caressed his nose and mouth…Like a thousand tiny little bunnies tickling his face. He sat up.
"Oh, it's Tindra. Looks like we're in a car."
Tindra stared at Cass like he had grown a second head.
"Cass!? You're awake!?"
"Dani and Rudy are in the front…Where are we going? Oh yeah…we're fleeing the city…No, what about Festus and those puppets?"
Forming words was hard for Cass. Everything felt amazing on his skin. He wrapped his arms around Tindra and pressed himself against her, rubbing his face along her shoulder and neck.
"Cass, buddy! Get a hold of yourself! This ain't the time, man!"
Tindra cradled him in her arms, pressing her face into his neck.
"It's alright, you're okay…you're okay."
"I know! I've never felt better. I even got to see Misha."
The longer Cass spent in the waking world, the more his senses started to return. After a couple of minutes, he realized how absurd he was acting and slid off Tindra into the adjacent seat.
"How're ya feelin'?" Rudy's eyes were jumping from the road to the rearview mirror expectantly.
"Alright, I guess. Nothing seems out of place."
He checked himself for injuries. He thought about trying to transfer damage to Tindra, but immediately dismissed the idea.
"What was that stuff he poured on me?"
"Concentrated zyme. Shit they used to get mana in their system so they can use that god forsaken sorcery."
"We thought ya mighta been cooked, buddy. That stuff's no joke, even diluted. It's a miracle! The Gods must be smiling on us."
Tindra furrowed her brow. "I just don't get how…It was all over you. I was shocked you were alive when I got to you."
Cass caught Dani looking in the rearview mirror. "He probably got so scared he passed out and barely inhaled any."
Cass gave her a sarcastic smile and her eyes narrowed.
"Whose car is this?" Cass asked.
Rudy looked over his shoulder and rested his arm on the steering wheel. "This is my little baby, Cass. Pretty nice wheels, huh?"
"Rudy…do you have any idea what you've gotten yourself into?"
"Dani gave me the rundown. I can't let them hang my best friend out to dry like that."
Cass was momentarily stunned. "Best friend? We've only known each other for a little over half a year."
Rudy's face contorted. "Ouch! I'm crushed over here! Cass, you have any idea how long friendships last in the slums? I'm lucky if I can go a week without a 'friend' betraying or trying to scam me."
"I never thought about that."
"Don't worry, I've been lookin' for an excuse to get outta there. Start fresh, ya know?"
Dani broke the silence that followed. "Where are we going now that Cass has recovered?"
Tindra shrugged. "We need to lay low for a while. Cass and I are both wanted, after all."
Rudy perked up. "So it's a road trip then?"
Dani shook her head. "We should stay off the highways. How about an enclave? It would be safer than a town or city."
Tindra leaned her head on the window. "Only if we can find a decent one. Some of 'em are full of crazies."
"How about Weismitte?"
Everyone turned and looked at Cass.