Shadow Rider (Vampire Academy Fanfic)

Chapter 40 - Rose

Lissa and I were visiting Casimir in the hospital. Lissa had begun to heal him when he promptly stopped her. We even tried to call in Sonya, but he refused.

'I'll heal fine on my own,' he protested, with a small smile. 'These are minor wounds.'

'Minor?' I asked, eyeing his bandaged leg. 'I remember what it looked like, pal.'

Casimir grimaced. 'So do I.'

'What?' Jenny chimed in, who had been sitting quietly by his bed on the other side. 'What did it look like?' she said, concerned.

'Like a taco,' I joked, causing Jenny to wince but soliciting a grin from Casimir.

'Don't you think you should heal as fast as possible?' Jenny asked Casimir.

'Nah,' Casimir said, patting Jenny's leg. 'I'll get some time off. Luxurious.'

'I'm afraid not,' Lissa announced, half-smiling herself. Casimir raised an eyebrow, and she went on. 'I did mention the need for a War Chief during the emergency council. We put it up for a vote.' She paused for dramatic effect. 'They picked you.'

Casimir gazed at Lissa intently, and it was clear to anyone that Casimir didn't want the position out of greed, but out of a genuine desire to help others. The man was all about giving.

'That being said,' Lissa went on, expression subdued, 'they want to avoid war at all costs.'

Casimir chuckled. 'They can avoid one all they want. We'll still be having one.'

'You think so?'

'The Strigoi attack gave the Strigoi two things,' Casimir said, 'they know all about the Court lockdown, and how to counter it. Also, they have Thanatia.' His features darkened with those last words. He stared down at the floor while the rest of us pondered.

None of us uttered out loud the question we really wanted to ask: had he felt anything? Did he know she was gone? I decided to be brave and pop the question.

'Cas, would you know it if she died?'

Casimir's eyes locked with mine, and flashing in the depths, I glimpsed the pain he was keeping locked away. He sighed.

'I don't know if I would.'

Jenny stroked Casimir's back lightly. 'There's no point dwelling on that thought,' Jenny reassured. 'It only brings you pain.'

'You're right,' Casimir murmured, not meeting her eyes.

Although her words were kind enough, I suspected Jenny simply wanted Casimir to forget all about his guardian. Even she must have seen that there was more than friendship between them.

'Well, Casimir, are you up to the task?' Lissa inquired, eyeing his leg sympathetically. 'Or should we appoint someone temporary while you heal?'

Casimir scoffed. 'I'm fine. I'll make my plans here. Christian can take care of the magic lessons.'

'Excellent,' Lissa said, beaming down at him. Even in his rough and hair-tousled state, he looked divinely handsome. Jenny seemed to think that too, practically drooling when he looked at her.

We decided to give the two some privacy, and took our leave.

'How long do you think those two will last?' Lissa asked on the way back.

'You think they won't?' I countered.

'You think they will?' Lissa retaliated, and we both laughed.

'No,' I admitted, when I could breathe again.

'She's too...'

'Tame?' I suggested.

'I guess,' Lissa said. 'I mean, anyone would have a hard time being with him, the way everyone gawks at him.'

'He just needs someone who doesn't care. Someone tough.'

'Someone like Thanatia?'

'I suppose so.'

We both fell silent then. There was a risk Casimir wouldn't ever see her again. If he did secretly like her, then that fact must weigh very heavily on his conscience now.

'Don't you think it's strange that nothing has happened between them after so many years?' So Lissa was thinking the same thing.

'Come on. You and I both know that it can be complicated.'

She snorted. 'Okay. True.'

'Some of us have best friends who try to sabotage our relationships,' I said meaningfully, 'and the rest of us fall for our teachers.'

She laughed. 'It worked out for us. Let's hope it does for them.'

'It didn't work out without some collateral damage,' I reminded her, thinking of Adrian, and in her case, Mia and Andrew. If Thanatia and Casimir got together, Ash would be miserable.

'Nothing ever does,' Lissa murmured wisely. We'd reached her room by now. She turned to me and sighed. 'Time for me to prepare my speech.'

'You'll ace it,' I promised, giving her a hug. 'I'll stay. In case you need inspo.'

Lissa smiled gratefully. 'So glad I have you, Rose.'