The Illyians' Baby

16

After a long morning of training, Rhys sent me to get ready to return to the city. As much as I have enjoyed exploring the House of Wind, I can't say it is preferable over the coziness of the townhouse.

I found Cassian in our rooms waiting for me. He was lounging in a chair with a leg draped over the arm. His eyes tracked me as I moved about the room.

There wasn't much to pack up for the journey back. Rhys keeps all his homes fully stocked with anything that we might need. I gathered a few books that I found especially entertaining as well as some of the athletic clothing that were the most comfortable.

Once I was ready, Cassian stood and held out a hand to me. "Ready to go?"

I placed my satchel in his outstretched hand and walked out of the room. "Is Rhys waiting for us at the top of the stairs?"

"No. He will be meeting us a little later." Cassian fell in step with me as we made our way to the balcony off the main living area. "I am also leaving once you are back at the townhouse. There's a situation at one of the camps that I must sort out."

"Can I go with you?" I asked.

"Maybe another time, baby girl. You have a visitor waiting for you."

I arched an eyebrow. Who would be waiting for me? I don't know many people and most of those I do know have been up here with me for the last week.

Cassian just grinned at me and scooped me up into his arms. He shot off into the sky and navigated the way to the town house.

We landed on the front steps and I was carefully placed on my feet.

"Be careful out there," I put a demand in my tone that had Cassian bowing his head.

"I would say 'I always am'. But that would be a lie. I will take extra care just for you." Cassian bent down and brushed a quick kiss across my lips before shooting back into the sky.

I laughed at his child-like antics and turned to walk into the townhouse. My feet froze one step into the living area as my eyes landed on my best friend. She was sprawled out on the sofa with a glass of juice in her hands.

"It's about damn time you got here," Brynna said with a massive smile plastered across his face. "I've been waiting here all day!"

"That is certainly impossible," I called her out. "It isn't even midday yet."

"I am allowed to be dramatic all I want. Especially when I haven't seen my best friend in almost two whole weeks!" Brynna was up out of her seat and standing in front of me. "Tell me everything! How are you faring with those three mates of yours?"

Lunch was prepared for us and I began to tell her everything that happened while up at the House of Wind, leaving out the details of the Hyburn business. She was excited about my new found interest in training with Cassian. Her mind went wild at the ideas of what extracurriculars could be included in said training.

"Brynna!" I gasped. "What would lead you to think those sorts of things?"

Brynna laughed while clutching her abdomen. "I'm just wondering how you can focus on anything else when a male such as Cassian is standing next to you topless."

Heat rose to my cheeks and I chewed the inside of my cheek pondering the idea of feeding into her curiosities.

With a sigh, I leaned closer to her. "What I am to tell you here, must stay here."

Her eyes brightened and she leaned in towards me. "My lips are sealed."

"Being with this is nothing like I imagined. They are everything. I only had my parents and their snobby society as examples growing up. But they are different from anything I have known. Cassian pretends to be all muscle and brawn. But he is incredibly sweet and caring. When I am with him, he is, well, not tender, but he is mindful of my comfort. And his mouth, he has the most dirty mouth I have ever heard."