Sticks and Stones

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Caspian would never repeat it to the likes of Fallon but he was getting a taste for being a do-gooder. As well as that, it gave him something to do. There was always evil in the world and there always would be. Putting that evil to rest gave Cas the high he needed. Above that, it was an opportunity to train his little mate.

Since taking the Crusader down, they'd been here, there and everywhere. She was learning. Definitely learning. Sofia was getting stronger and wiser. She still had her occasional flares of impulsiveness but for now they were manageable.

Things were looking good for them.

And yet he couldn't get what the Crusader said out of his head no matter how hard he tried to shake it.

He feared that he'd lose her. That his feelings would get stronger than he bargained for and she'd leave him. That she'd betray him. Or she'd descend back into that pit of darkness he'd met her in.

So long as he kept himself busy, he didn't think about it.

Thankfully, that busyness came in the form of a call from Claudio. Said call was the very reason Cas was marching up to Claudio's castle.

Inside, he was met by Ruby who, as ever, carried her trusty clipboard. Caspian swore she'd die clutching onto that stupid thing.

"Oh would you look at that. It's my favourite person. I'm so happy to see you."

The brunette rolled her eyes at him, her day ruined completely by his arrival. "You know your actual presence in this castle is non-obligatory. I could easily mail your missions to you."

"Where's the safety in that? Someone could intercept those letters."

"There's always communication books."

"But who has the energy to lug those around with them? Welcome to the twenty-first century. Try dropping me a text."

Everybody was so scared of phones being intercepted the Other World barely knew how to use them. These idiots couldn't intercept a phone call if they tried.

"I've heard about your latest mission," Ruby scoffed, struggling to keep pace with him. "Since when do you get involved with Veneficusian affairs?"

Fallon must've mentioned something.

"I don't," Cas deadpanned. "I was there for a demon. Why, you keep track of what I get up to?"

"Yes, Caspian. Every day in the hopes you'll have done something terrible and I can get you fired."

"Yeah, whatever. Isn't it about time you got a life?"

"Maybe I ought to suggest it's time to find a new Captain."

Cas chuckled. Clearly Ruby thought her word had more influence than it really did.

"You forget that Claudio loves me more than he loves you. That's got to hurt, hasn't it?"

Everyone knew Ruby was utterly enamoured with the King apart from the King himself.

"Not in the slightest."

Her voice raised a pitch as she said it.

"Really, 'cause last I heard he's now on the path to finding his mate. Doesn't that sting?"

She held that clipboard impossibly tighter. "Why don't you go look for yours and give me a rest?"

His mind flashed to Sofia.

For now, that would remain a secret.

"I'm good right here. Where is he?"

"In his office."