𝐅𝐔𝐄𝐋 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄, Cassian

Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

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          THE BRUNETTE SAT ON THE WINDOW SILL OF THE OPEN WINDOW, LETTING IN THE CHILLY AUTUMN AIR AS SHE CUDDLED UP WITH A THICK BLANKET, BOOK IN HER HANDS. The early light casted her in a soft glow and she did not need any candles. Willow was deeply immersed in the novel she was reading. The pages turned quietly in her lap as her focus was solely on the pages in front of her. 

Willow had woken up early, her excitement for the day ahead making sleep nonexistent. The thought of her first training session with Cassian had stirred her restless. She wasn't sure where the training would take place, what time it was supposed to start or even how she was supposed to get there. The thought of whether Cassian would come to pick her up or if she was supposed to find her way on her own was a constant buzz in the back of her mind.

Which is why she had picked up the book and was no so engulfed in its pages that she was unaware of the approaching sounds of wings. The quiet whoosh of air grew closer until Cassian hovered beside her, which cascaded her in darkness. 

Startled, Willow's heart raced as she lost her balance and nearly fell out the two story window. A gasp escaped her lips as she flailed for support and dropped the book out the window in the process. Cassian's reflexes were swift and he reached out to grab her by the bicep with a firm but gentle grip and steadied her.

"Whoa, easy there." said Cassian, his voice a mix of concern and amusement. "I didn't mean to startle you. Are you alright?"

Willow's breath came in quick, uneven bursts as she clutched the window frame for support, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and relief. "I'm... I'm okay," she managed, her voice trembling slightly. "You just caught me by surprise."

"And here I thought you liked my dramatic entrances?" Cassian's lips curled into a playful grin, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Next time, I'll try not to send you tumbling out of the window."

The brunette narrowed her eyes slightly as she slid off the window sill and back into the room, in search of her book. 

Cassian watched her with a mix of amusement and curiosity as she searched for her book. "I promise, I'll work on my timing," he said with a toothy grin. "But you have to admit, it makes for a memorable start to the day, don't you think?"

"I suppose it does." she let out a dry chuckle. "But if you keep this up, I might start expecting a dramatic rescue every morning."

"Well, if you ever need one, you know i'm just a wingbeat away."

Cassian spotted Willow's book nestled among the flowerbeds below, its cover peeking out from between the vibrant blooms. With a swift, fluid motion, he descended gracefully, his wings shimmering in the morning light as he touched down softly amid the flowers.

Willow leaned out of the window, her eyes following Cassian with a blend of curiosity and gratitude. Watching him stoop to retrieve the book, his dark wings folding neatly behind him, was both impressive and oddly reassuring.

As Cassian soared back up with the book in hand, he gave Willow a cheeky grin. "Got your book," he said, offering it to her. "And I made sure not to disturb any of the flowers while I was at it."

"How considerate of you." she raised a brow as she took the book.

Cassian watched her with a warm smile. "Well, I do aim to be a gentleman," he said with a wink. "Ready for our training session?"

Willow turned the book in her hands, her gaze drifting up to the Illyrian warrior still hovering outside her window. Cassian was a striking figure, broad and muscular, his powerful frame almost completely filling the window's opening. His dark wings, spread wide, created a gentle breeze that stirred her hair and filled the room with a sense of his commanding presence.