Chapter 197: Pushed to the limit

Words : 1644 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Chapter 197: Pushed to the limit Cass was right to worry about how much power putting away the wall was going to take. As soon as Lucian and Lady Ava had done a little transfer of power. and everyone else had a little food break, Cass was given the go ahead to release the wall. Lucian, as if it was his god given duty, was stanced up behind him as if he had an understanding of what was about to happen. Lady Ava, who had collapsed because of her own magic use, was also anxious. Vespertine was also anxious, but he seemed to have more confidence in Cass then the other two. Fiona and Lord Ridgewood, who were strictly more physical with their powers, didn’t seem to understand that this could take a lot out of Cass, or take a different kind of turn. Cass braced himself. He took several deep breaths. Sweat more of a constant stream down his back as he’d held this wall up longer and longer before he began the process of dropping it. Fiona and Lord Ridgewood remained on guard, weapons out in case more undead had snuck up on them during the time that they had been resting. Cass finally closed his eyes, waving his hands, and began the process of sending the walls back. His knees nearly buckled under him as the wave of magic left him. Lucian was there to catch him. Cass didn’t even need to say anything, his breath on his neck as he spoke to Cass, supporting him. "I’ve got you sweetness. Keep going." Cass didn’t even pay attention to his words, or the way that Lucian’s hands were under his armpits, holding him up as he continued to wave his hands, sweat pouring down his face. Cass was laser focused on the walls he was looking at and how slowly they were disappearing. Too slowly. He had talked a big game and yet here he was, having a hard time sending back his own magical walls. Cass couldn’t send them back all at once. It was impossible. So he started doing it section by section. Once he limited himself, it became easier. Lucian was his constant support, holding him up as Cass worked. Lady Ava was also nearby, and Cass wasn’t even aware that he was relying on them until he found that she was offering him water from a flask she kept on her body. "Nothing strange. Summoned by Eddie." She whispered when she realised he was aware of what she was doing. Cass didn’t stop drinking. He wasn’t having a reaction, and he was sure that Lucian wouldn’t have let her near if he was worried that she was going to hurt him. Cass felt like it took two hours, but he was sure it was actually just about 20 minutes. He wasn’t about to faint like Lady Ava had, but he did need a few minutes to collect himself after he watched the last wall fall. Fiona and Lord Ridgewood did a sweep, Lady Ava joining them to clean up the mess that they had made, as well as Lucian. Cass wasn’t even fully aware that he was being taken care of by Lucian and Vespertine until a few moments later. He was still a bit dazed, sitting in Lucian’s lap as Vespertine fed him some cookies he’d grabbed from Cass’ own bag. Cass only really came to when Lucian laughed, shaking Cass’ body and Cass blinked, then turned to Lucian. Lucian reached out, pushing a strand of hair behind Cass’ ear. "Ah. You are with us, are you?" Lucian’s voice held deep affection for him and Cass wasn’t even sure what to say to that. He felt his face warm as he realised that Lucian had his arm wrapped around him and his ass was nestled quite nicely in Lucian’s lap. Cass could feel more heat rush up to his face as he realised that he felt something against said ass, and Lucian laughed as Cass began to struggle. "Really with us." Lucian laughed again as Cass struggled against the hands holding him in place. Vespertine, who was crouched down on the other side of him, held out his hands and Cass grabbed them. Vespertine appeared to be stronger than he looked as he was able to yank Cass up, but not without Cass slamming against him. Vespertine’s arms locked around him, holding him in place as Cass’ face burrowed against his throat and Vespertine’s arms tightened around him. "How are you feeling? Should you be standing right now?" Vespertine’s whisper had Cass flinching as he felt the presence of Lucian come closer behind him. He flinched when a set of hands landed on his waist, their heat practically burning him. What the hell was going on? Cass felt like he’d walked from one risky situation to a completely different one. He was even more confused because...this felt sudden? He hadn’t expected this kind of thing from Vespertine, that was for sure. Lucian? Cass was beginning to think that Lucian was going to push and push until he hit a hard line that Cass wouldn’t let him cross. "Can you both back off?" Cass felt like all of the hair on his body was standing up. Like he was a cat, unhappy with what was happening to him. "Not until you can stand on your own." Lucian murmured while Vespertine snorted. "That’s harassment, Lucy. Back up so I can let go of Cass." Vespertine told him and Cass felt his lips move before he could stop himself. "Is it? I didn’t think you knew what harassment was." Lucian’s grip on Cass’ hips tightened and Cass let out a sharp exhale at the pain. His grip loosened immediately. "Oh? What does that mean, Eddie?" Lucian’s voice was dangerous as Vespertine froze. "Oh. Uh. Well." Vespertine let out a light, tight laugh that had Cass tilting his head back to stare at the handsome man. He was floundering. Poor guy. Seems like his bad habits were catching up with him. Like trying to kiss others in secret little groves in cities. While the other person was going through a mental crisis. Cass felt his lips twitch slightly. Was it bad that he was happy that Lucian was upset about it? He felt like it was bad, that he shouldn’t like that they were potentially going to fight over him, but at the same time? Cass felt like Lucian might be the only one to punish him for it, if he hadn’t already. The truth was revealed when Vespertine sighed, glancing down at Cass’ slightly smug expression and his eyes widened. Vespertine’s face fell into one of simmering anger and his grip on Cass tightened as well, but not painfully. "You little brat. You knew exactly what you were saying, hmm? I guess you’re fine now." Vespertine’s voice was quiet, almost warm. Cass felt a shiver run down his spine as Lucian shuffled in further. "What were you trying to do, Cassian? What were you thinking about when you were a little dazed?" Lucian asked as Cass found himself caught between the two men. Cass’ face burned as his eyes widened. "W-We should go h-h-" "You aren’t going anywhere until you answer the question, Cassian." Vespertine enforced, his grip flexing on the slightly smaller man. "Here we were, so worried about you and how you managed to control all of that level of magic, and here you are, trying to stir up discord between us. What were you trying to gain?" Vespertine asked, his lips against one side of his head, while Lucian’s were on the other. Cass felt his brain drawing a blank as he tried to remember if a moment like this happened to Fiona. He felt like maybe it had? Fuck. Fuck! "Cassy was being a bad boy. That sounds like someone should get punished." Lucian’s voice was quiet, soft, and singsong. Cass felt his body shiver against his will. "T-That’s not-Cassy? Who the hell is Cassy?" Cass asked, trying to turn his head to look back at Lucian and came to a halt. Lucian’s face was so close that Cass almost kissed him. Cass sucked in in shock. "W-What the hell are you two thinking? The others are going to see what you are doing!" Cass hissed quietly and Vespertine chuckled. "Are we doing something that the others shouldn’t see?" Vespertine asked cheekily and Cass turned to yell at him and found that he was just as close as Lucian was. As if to push the point home, Cass felt Lucian’s lips, soft, warm press against his neck behind his ear and Cass shuddered. What the fuck was this? Vespertine was watching Cass’ expression, something hidden behind his blue gaze as it began to glow. Cass tried to gather his will, his ability to fight back as Lucian continued to kiss his throat. Cass’ hands convulsed on Vespertine’s back. What the fuck was this? Why were they both so chill, so casual about this? Cass’ head was swimming, and when the soft, needy sound left his lips, Cass wasn’t the only one who froze. Lucian’s lips paused, Vespertine’s body went still and Cass stopped breathing. Then, a long, wet and warm tongue licked Cass’ skin and horrifyingly, Cass felt his body stir. Embarrassment flooded his system, along with horror. He was done playing this little game that they were pushing him into. Done letting them get a rise out of him. Cass was shaking, his face red as a fucking dragon licked and kissed his neck and a fucking vampire held him in place, staring at his lips like he was about to have the best ’wine’ he’d ever had. Cass wasn’t going to allow this to go any further. He had reached his limit.

Chapter 197: Pushed to the limit

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