I muttered, “I owe her. We need to protect her.” Micah winced, “I don’t think she wants our protection.” I shrugged, “I don’t care. Keep tabs on her. She had to have heard it after the fight if she said she did. See if you can find out where the fight was.” Micah nodded.
I walked back into Cassie’s room noting that she wasn’t pale now. The doctor announced, “Duchess Cassie is free to go.” My dad subtly handed me the ring and I nodded to him. Eric held onto Cassie tightly. She was passed around her whole family before I got her back.
I took a shaky breath inhaling her scent. She linked me, “I’m ok.” I replied, “I panicked.” Her being shot was playing on repeat in my mind. I watched my mate get shot in front of me. We left the hospital and returned home.
When I walked us towards the couch she protested. “I don’t think so Cayden, we had plans.” I nodded. She raised an eyebrow, “Well, what should I wear for said plans?” I reasoned, “We can just stay in tonight. We can do what I had planned another night.”
Cassie crossed her arms, “Uh no. Corursula and the Ring are NOT changing our plans. What should I wear?” I sorted through her feelings in the bond. She wasn’t going to back down, and more to the point she needed this. She needed them not to win after today.
I told her, “There’s an outfit in a garment bag in our closet for you.” Haley had conjured it for me. She said it was just perfect. Cassie walked back out with curled hair, makeup done, wearing a light yellow, spaghetti strapped, floor length dress with white polka dots. My eyes bounced to the ties around her boobs where there was a cutout below it. I couldn’t stop the smile that broke out on my face even if I wanted to.
Cassie giggled, “You had my mom conjure me a dress?” I corrected, “She insisted and I have learned never to argue with her. That’s a woman I will never cross. It’s a vow I made as a child when she babysat me. Her pranks are insane and I’m proud to say I’ve never been her target.” Cassie smiled and I took her hand and led her to the car.
We drove about thirty minutes away where Aiylee had created a sanctuary for us. When we got there, I helped Cassie out of the car. I led her to the barrier loving her smile. She gasped the second we crossed into our new sanctuary. It was breathtaking.
I took in the shining sun and beautiful waterfall. When I faced the left, I realized the moon was out as well. It was everything I wanted to honor all sides of her inside our new space. I led us to the water’s edge where there was a table with food, and I helped her into her seat.
She picked the tray off the top and laughed. “Linguini and cheesy garlic bread. Cayden, this is so sweet.” I winked, “Eat up.” Once we were finished, I led her to the side where the moon was out. I told her, “I thought Rain would enjoy a moonlit run whenever she wanted.”
I led her further inside, to the edge and back out the other side. Cassie gasped, “Our sanctuary is by the ocean?” I replied, “You love it here so I thought it would be a good spot.” She jumped into my arms declaring, “I love you, Cayden.” I set her down and she began to twirl on the sand. I watched her and reached into my pocket.
When she turned back around, I was already on one knee. She gasped, “Cayden?” I grabbed her hand, “From the very moment you came popping down from that tree, my whole world turned upside down in the best way. You are my everything. I love every part and all sides of you. Your Hackura, Fairy, and your Werewolf sides make you everything I love.” I reached up to wipe her tears.
I said, “You are my whole world, and you are My Duchess. One day, we will sit on our front porch with our children. I want you to be my wife on that day. I want all of you. Hell, I want every part of you. You are mine. I have been and will always be yours. Even before I knew I was yours, I was crazy about you.”
“Calling you Cassie Conners just feels wrong because I know it should be Crawford. I know this isn’t traditional here, but I don’t care. I’ve had this ring for a long time now, and all I want is to see it on your finger. I want to call you my fiancée, and then one day, I want to call you my wife. Whenever that day is, I’ll be there. In whatever you want me to wear. Whatever day, it doesn't matter. I’ll give you everything in my power to give you.”
I opened the ring box, “Cassie Veronica Shayla Conners, will you marry me?” She nodded, “Yes! Of course I will!” I slid the ring on her finger and stood, spinning her around before I kissed her slowly. I pulled back, “Let’s go tell everyone that you are now the future Mrs. Crawford. We can even pop to your family afterwards. They knew it was going to happen but after today they might not have left.”
Cassie snorted, “Angela ABSOLUTELY has them all waiting at the castle.” She kissed me again. She whispered, “You’re perfect Cayden Crawford.” No, she was. I picked her up and ran to the castle to announce our news. I knew everyone would be excited.
It was suspiciously quiet when we arrived. I knew there were a lot of people waiting for us in the ballroom, though. I led Cassie through the doors and barely stopped my jaw from dropping. I shouldn’t have been surprised there were banners congratulating us.
The ballroom was full of decorations and flowers. It was very much like my mother in law to do something like this. Cassie giggled and held up her left hand. She squealed, “WE ARE ENGAGED!” Her family and mine all descended and clamored around her, looking at the ring.
I walked over to my dad, and he immediately gave me a hug. He said, “You did good, son.” I smiled, “Thanks dad.” My brother punched my shoulder, “Look at you! Wising up and making my sister in law official. I must I just cannot WAIT to tell a certain someone.” I tensed wanting no mention of Cora right now.
My eyes blazed gold. I declared, “No one mention that bitch in my presence. Cass wants to be the one who kills her, and if I so much as hear her name around Cass right now...” My brother interrupted pointing out, “Which is why I didn’t say her name. I do know you.” I nodded to him.
I looked at Cassie, talking to our mom’s. I told them, “She is my whole damn world.” It hit me that I needed to thank someone for her still being here. The person who was a reason we were able to get to her soon enough.
I stepped out and called Ashley. She answered, “Hey Cayden.” It sounded like it was still hard for her to breathe. I asked, “Are you ok?” She answered, “I mean… technically speaking I am fine… that’s a thing...” I heard someone scoff. Ashley grumbled, “I am! You’re being obnoxious.”
I pulled her attention back to me by simply saying, “Thank you.” Ashley asked, “For what?” I snorted, “Are you really asking that?” She answered, “I said it so… yes.” I explained, “For letting us know that Cassie had been betrayed. We got to her sooner because of you. Micah said you were in a fight.”
Ashley sighed, “I get in fights a lot, it’s not a big deal. People down here don’t like me. It’s a whole thing… I guess I talk too much… which is fair, I guess. I do talk more than most people.” Down here was an odd way to phrase Nashville from where she’d previously lived. I shook that off. I said, “Funny story, there were snipers there too. Would you know anything about that?”
Ashley started rambling, “I mean that would make sense. They had snipers because they planned to take her and…” I cut her off, “The sniper was helping us.” Ashley evaded, “My first call was to you guys.” I laughed, “You know I’m mated to a partial Fairy.” Ashley answered, “Of course I do.” I replied, “Then you should know that I know an evasion when I hear one.” Ashley started coughing. When she stopped, she said, “Ow… ok… that hurt. It hurt a lot.” Someone sighed, “Then don’t do it.”
Ashley snorted, “I’m sorry for coughing. Jeez. I’ll work on controlling my cough. That’s insane… I can’t do that… it’s INVOLUNTARY!” I found myself smiling despite my concern for her. I said, “I’ll be coming to see you soon. Get better.” Ashley answered, “Sure.”
Wesley popped beside me announcing, “You’re missing your engagement party.” Ashley shrieked, “You’re engaged? Oh my gosh… I’m so sorry… I shouldn't have called… wait… you called me… and congratulations.” I chuckled, “Thank you. I’ll talk to you later.” I hung up the phone.
Wesley asked, “And that was who exactly? Other than someone who says everything they think out loud. I caught that and thank you for having that call on speaker.” I told him, “A source of mine. The one who told us Cassie had been sold out before she pulled me to her. The heads up and the culprit behind it were incredibly helpful.”
Wesley sobered, “If said source ever needs anything at all let me know. I’ll be there in a pop. She protected my sister, and we owe her.” I nodded wishing I could take him up on that. I wanted nothing more than for Ashley to be safe.
I walked back into the party, immediately greeted by the Conners brothers who were waiting with whiskey. Alexander handed me a glass. EJ said, “You know, I couldn’t think of anyone more perfect for my little sister. You’re already our brother in law, but you made it official. So, welcome to the family officially.” I laughed and looked over at Cassie who was already smiling at me.
