Cass was still dripping as he stepped out in the bedroom, a fluffy towel wrapped around him. Pacing to a slim door, he opened the closet, and found himself at a loss again as he stared at clothing Emrys would never have allowed him to wear. The myriad of vibrant colors was almost dizzying, Cass looking quickly for something that didn’t scream wealth and luxury; a neat, pale blue button down shirt and slim black trousers was the best he could find. They were slightly too large on him, as Arius had feared, and Cass felt like a child playing dress up.

A knock at the door made him jump, his wet hair falling in his face as he turned to face it. Cass was tense as he waited for it to open; when it stayed securely shut, he took a hesitant step forward. “May I come in?” Kallum’s voice was pleasant as it called to him.

It was a strange question- an assumption of privacy which made Cass’s pulse race. Was he allowed to say no? He didn’t test it, hurrying across the room to open the door for the kind servant. 

Kallum blinked at him, seeming taken aback as he looked down at the young man. His eyes seemed too large for his face with his ashen hair slicked back, his clothing hanging from his thin frame. Though a hint of anger curled in him as he saw how overwhelmed Cass was by such simple courtesy, there was a smile on Kallum’s face as he said, “Raielle has called for you. If you’re-”

He didn’t get to finish the statement as Cass nodded, shoulders slumping as he stepped out of the room- and the brief moment of privacy he had never dared to dream of. “Please show me the way,” he murmured, anxious fingers curling over the hem of his sleeves.

Holding back a sigh, Kallum stepped back to allow the door to close. Cass was nervously quiet as they walked through the halls again, flinching at every voice that broke their silence. Kallum led him to a wide, luxurious entrance hall, where curious eyes watched them walk to a set of grand oak doors. A light tap of Kallum’s knuckles had them opening, Cass’s eyes going wide as he took in the room before him.

Emrys’s throne room had always been freezing, cold and threatening, brimming with shadows and every step echoing death and danger. This room was like the rest of the grand manor- warm, inviting, with a massive hearth roaring with flames. A long red carpet glimmered with gold against white marble, Cass trembling as he slowly raised his gaze along the elegant path. Several short steps led to a dias which extended along the far end of the room. The throne at its center was beautiful- wrought in elegant gold with red velvet cushions.

It was also empty, and Cass as he wondered if he had come too late. A whisper of movement near the fireplace attracted his attention, and he froze in place as he saw the image which had greeted him in the health center. A thick mane of rich brown hair surrounded a strong face with piercing golden eyes- no haze of magic to them, this time, as the towering man stepped away from the flames. He smiled, and Cass’s stomach dropped at the flash of fangs.

Pulse racing, Cass dropped to his knees, ignoring the sharp pain of the sudden motion as he bowed his head and pressed his fist to the floor. Remembering what had happened the last time he had seen that face, the pull of a knife across his throat, Cass’s wonder was buried behind fear and dread. “I offer my greetings, Lord of Sector 8,” his voice shook, and it was met by a crushing silence. 

As he knelt before the vampire whose territory he had threatened, Cass’s brief hope of freedom was long forgotten, and he had a sinking feeling the formal obeisance would be his last words.