In The Evening.
The emotional weight of the night pressed heavily into his tired shoulders, but the hollow ache in his chest was finally beginning to fill.
His limbs felt loosened up as he made his way back down the quiet west wing toward the master suite. Being on foot the whole day helped with easing up his tensed muscles.
When he pushed open the grand double doors, the room was bathed in the amber glow of a low hearth fire. Lucien sat near the edge of the large velvet couch, a cup of untasted tea cooling in his hand.
The moment Cassian stepped inside, Lucien looked up, his icy blue eyes searching Cassian's face with fierce, quiet concern.
"How was he?"
Lucien asked softly, setting the cup aside and standing immediately to support Cassian as he swayed slightly.
"He's training at the courtyard, venting out his anger."
Cassian murmured, leaning into Lucien's solid frame as Lucien guided him toward the couch.
Before Lucien could respond, a soft, deliberate knock echoed against the outer door.
Lucien's posture instantly straightened, his protective instincts flaring.
"Who is it?"
"It's me," a gentle, melodic voice called from the hallway. "Sora."
Cassian looked toward the door, his chest tightening.
"Let him in, Lucien."
Lucien stepped over and pulled the door open. Sora stood in the threshold, illuminated by the corridor's wall sconces. Dressed in simple, flowing ivory robes that accentuated his tall, graceful frame, the black-haired elven lord looked untouched by time, though his sharp eyes carried a depth of weariness.
"Am I interrupting?" Sora asked quietly, his eyes settling on Cassian.
"Not at all,"
Cassian said, sitting up straighter on the couch and gesturing toward the armchair opposite him.
"Please, Sora. Come in."
Sora glided into the chamber, the quiet elegance of his movements contrasting with the heavy tension hanging in the air. He sat down gracefully, crossing his legs as Lucien closed the door and remained standing nearby, resting one hand over the back of Cassian's chair like an immovable guard.
For a long moment, none of them spoke. The crackle of the hearth fire was the only sound in the vast room.
"I spoke with Aurelian at the woods,"
Sora began, his voice calm and melodic. "Although my son is truly stubborn like you, he needs some time to figure out his feelings properly."
"So if you don't mind, can you be a little more patient with him?"
Cassian swallowed hard, looking into his mate's eyes. "I owe him that much, so I can wait for him no matter how long it takes."
"And as for you, I owe you far more."
A faint, bittersweet smile touched Sora's lips.
Cassian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"By the way Sora... Lucien told me everything. About how your spirit core collapsed when I crossed worlds. About how close you came to–...." He swallowed the lump in his throat, unable to finish the sentence.
"I am so deeply sorry. If I had known what my departure would do to you—"
"You would have stayed and suffered," Sora interrupted gently, shaking his head.
"I know you, Cassian. You left because your heart was shattered by lies and the urge to return home. I never blamed you for anything."
Sora shifted his gaze slightly, looking up at Lucien, who remained quiet beside the hearth.
"And as for what happened between Lucien and I..." Sora continued, his tone turning entirely practical and composed. "I assume Lucien explained the nature of our arrangement, yes?"
Lucien cleared his throat, a subtle flush creeping up the back of his neck as he shifted his weight.
"I told him the truth, Sora. Everything."
"Good," Sora said smoothly.
"Then there is no need for awkward pretenses. When my core began to shatter, Lucien's dark mana was the only force compatible enough with your lingering resonance to stabilize me. What we did every three months was not born of romance or betrayal. It was just a necessity to keep me alive for Aurelian—and to keep your mate alive for the day you returned."
"I know," Cassian said softly, his voice trembling with genuine gratitude. "And I meant what I told Lucien earlier. I am not angry. I am thankful. You both survived, and you raised our children when I wasn't here."
Sora's eyes softened, the guarded wall around his posture finally dropping. He reached out across the table, laying his long, slender fingers over Cassian's hand.
"Aurelian has carried a lot of pride and anger," Sora murmured, looking into Cassian's eyes. "He looks so much like you, Cassian. But deep down, he is terrified of being abandoned again. Once again be patient with him."
"I will," Cassian promised, squeezing Sora's fingers in return. "I'm not going anywhere ever again."
Sora let out a quiet, elegant breath, a genuine look of relief relaxing his features for the first time that night. "Then the Arden estate can finally cease being a sanctuary of waiting, and become a home again."
Lucien stepped forward, setting a fresh, steaming cup of tea on the low table in front of Sora. He then took a seat beside Cassian on the velvet couch, reaching out to place a large, warm hand over Cassian's trembling shoulder.
For the first time in a very long time, the quiet understanding between the three of them felt completely whole.
"By the way, make some space for me," Sora murmured lightly, a playful smirk curving his lips as he took a small sip of his tea. "I am moving into the master bedroom as well."
Lucien turned his head sharply, his icy blue eyes narrowing as he glared at the elf.
"Little elf, what are you trying to do?"
"What haven't we tried to do Sir Arden?" Sora countered smoothly, setting his teacup down with a light click.
"We are a family now, and His Highness is both our partner. Not to mention that we also had our own thing going on during these years he was gone."
Sora leaned back against the cushions, his smirk widening as Lucien's glare deepened.
"So, isn't it only normal that we all bond together equally?"
Cassian looked between the two of them, a faint, genuine chuckle finally escaping his chest.
"Sora, are you worried about feeling left out?"
"Of course I am," Sora admitted without a single trace of hesitation, looking directly into Cassian's eyes with warm devotion. "So let me in as well, will you? I don't like taking turns over my mate, and I want to be with you each and every second that you breathe."
Lucien released a heavy sigh, trying to maintain his stern posture.
"Cassian is not in a state of having intimacy just yet, Sora. Even I am trying really hard to hold back until his body regains its vitality. So if you were worried that we were—"
"Even so,"
Sora softly cut him off, his playful tone softening into absolute tenderness. He smiled warmly at Cassian. "I want to stay on his side until he regains it all."
Sora turned his eyes back to Lucien, his chin held high. "So if you guys only cuddle at night, then I will join in the cuddle as well. Don't try to sideline me now, Sir Arden."
Cassian chuckled even harder this time, the heavy weight lingering in his chest lightening considerably.
Lucien clicked his tongue in defeat, shaking his head as a small, reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his own lips.
"Fine. Suit yourself."
"Good," Sora said, standing up from his seat with a triumphant glint in his eyes. "Then I will go prepare for bed immediately."
*****
The master suite was quiet, save for the crackle of the hearth sending soft orange light across the heavy velvet drapery. The night air outside had turned crisp, but inside, the room held a steady, comforting warmth.
Cassian sat at the edge of the large bed, dressed in a loose silk robe. His dark hair fell damp across his forehead, and his shoulders hung slightly heavy with tiredness. Across the room, Sora smoothed down the extra pillows he had brought over, while Lucien finished securing the heavy latch on the suite's double doors.
When Lucien walked back to the bedside, his eyes rested on Cassian. Without a word, he sat beside him, reaching out to untie the back of Cassian's robe and let the rest of it fall free.
"You look exhausted," Lucien murmured softly, his large hand lingering at the base of Cassian's neck.
"I am," Cassian admitted, offering a faint smile. "My body feels like limp, but my mind will not stop running."
"Then stop thinking," Sora said smoothly, sliding onto the mattress on Cassian's other side. He leaned against the carved headboard, pulling the heavy velvet quilt over his legs. He reached out, gently wrapping his slender fingers around Cassian's hand. "Everything can wait until tomorrow. Tonight, you are just here with us."
Cassian looked between the two of them. On his right sat Lucien—broad, steady, and protective as a fortress wall. On his left rested Sora—warm, attentive, and quiet in his affection.
Slowly, Cassian leaned back into the center of the bed. Lucien shifted, stretching out beside him and pulling Cassian close against his broad chest. Sora leaned down, resting his cheek against Cassian's shoulder, his hand remaining locked tightly in Cassian's fingers.
For several minutes, no one spoke. The room was filled only with the rhythmic sound of their breathing and the soft pops of the fireplace.
"Is this alright?" Lucien asked quietly into the dim light, his chin resting near the top of Cassian's head.
Cassian let out a long, quiet breath, feeling the tension in his spine finally unlock. He closed his eyes, pressing closer into the warmth surrounding him.
"Yes," Cassian whispered softly. "It is perfect."
Sora smiled against his shoulder, closing his eyes as well. "Good night, my Prince."
"Good night, Cassian," Lucien added softly, his arm tightening around them both.
Surrounded by the two men who had waited fifteen long years for his return, Cassian finally let his eyelids grow heavy, drifting into his first peaceful sleep in the home he had missed for so long.
*****