CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

CASSIAN

“Cas!” Varynia shouted and ran toward me.

I dropped my bag on the ground and opened my arms. She crashed into me and I lifted her up, spinning her around in the air just like we used to do when we were younger.

“Put me down, you idiot!” she laughed, smacking my shoulder hard. “I’m not a child anymore!”

I laughed and gently placed her back on her feet. “You still scream like one.”

She hit me again, but she was smiling so wide. “Welcome back, you troublemaker. I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” I said honestly.

Varynia linked her arm with mine as we walked toward the castle. “Everyone has been waiting for you. Especially the kings. They’ve been acting like they don’t care, but I know they’re excited.”

When we entered the main hall, I saw them immediately.

Dante stood with his usual serious face, but I could see the small smile trying to break through. Lucien was already grinning like a fool, and Kade gave me his usual quiet nod.

“Look who finally decided to show his face,” Lucien said loudly as he walked up to me and pulled me into a tight hug. “I thought you forgot about us while you were busy being famous.”

I hugged him back. “Trust me, I tried to forget you. But here I am.”

Dante stepped forward next and gave me a short but firm hug. “It’s good to see you, Cassian.”

“You too,” I replied.

Kade patted my back. “Welcome home.”

Before I could say anything else, Lucien turned and gestured behind him. “There’s someone else you need to meet.”

A man stepped forward. He had a calm presence and kind eyes. I already had a feeling who he was.

“This is Rowan,” Kade said. “Our husband.”

Rowan smiled at me. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Cassian. They talk about you a lot.”

I shook his hand. “It’s good to meet you too. I’ve heard a lot about you as well.”

Rowan laughed softly. “I hope it was good things.”

“Mostly,” I said with a grin.

Not long after, the kids came running in. The boys ran straight to their fathers while the little girl held onto Rowan’s hand shyly.

“These are our children,” Dante said. “Elias, Theo, and Bryanna.”

I crouched down a little. “Hey. I’m your uncle Cassian.”

Elias looked at me with big eyes. “You’re the one who acts in movies?”

I smiled. “Yeah, that’s me.”

Varynia then pulled me gently by the arm. “Come. There’s someone else who wants to see you.”

She led me down the hallway until we reached a quieter part of the castle. Standing there was my uncle, Lord Ashford. The moment he saw me, his face softened.

“Cassian,” he said warmly.

I didn’t even think. I walked straight to him and hugged him tightly. He patted my back gently, just like he used to do when I was a child.

“It’s been too long, my boy,” he said.

“I know, Uncle Ash,” I replied, still hugging him. “I missed you.”

He pulled back slightly to look at me. “How are you? I heard about everything happening back in the States. Are you alright?”

I shrugged. “I’m managing. It’s been… a lot.”

Lord Ashford nodded. “Where is your father? Where is Asher?”

“He had a last-minute meeting,” I said. “He said he would join me in a few days.”

My uncle rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone. “That brother of mine. Always working.”

He dialed the number and put it on video call. After a few rings, my dad’s face appeared on the screen.

“Asher,” Lord Ashford said flatly. “You said you were coming with Cassian.”

Dad sighed on the other end. “Something urgent came up at the last minute. I couldn’t leave.”

“You always have something urgent,” my uncle complained. “When are you coming?”

Dad rubbed his forehead. “I don’t think I’ll be able to make it this time. I’m sorry.”

Lord Ashford shook his head. “You’re unbelievable.”

Dad looked at me through the screen. “Cassian, take care of yourself. Listen to your uncle and the kings.”

“I will,” I said.

After the call ended, my uncle sighed and patted my shoulder again. “Come. Let’s go eat. You must be hungry.”

Later that evening, after dinner, I started feeling restless. Everyone was laughing and talking in the living room, but my mind kept going back to everything happening back home. The scandal. The media. The constant pressure. I needed some air.

I stood up from the couch. “I think I’m going to go for a drive. Clear my head a little.”

Varynia looked up immediately. “At this time? It’s already late.”

“I won’t go far,” I said. “I just need to think.”

She frowned. “At least take one of the royal guards with you. Please.”

I waved my hand. “I don’t think anyone here even knows who I am. I’ll be fine.”

Varynia gave me a serious look. “Cassian, people here watch TV too. You’re still a celebrity. Just take the guard. It will make me feel better.”

I sighed. “Fine. I’ll take him.”

Twenty minutes later, I was sitting in the back of a car with one of the royal guards driving. The night was quiet and peaceful. I rolled down the window a little and let the cool air hit my face. For the first time in weeks, I felt like I could finally breathe.

We had been driving for about fifteen minutes when I noticed something strange.

A black car had been behind us for a while. At first, I thought nothing of it, but when we turned onto a quieter road, it was still there. And it was getting closer.

I sat up straighter. “Hey… is that car following us?”

The guard glanced at the rearview mirror. His face changed immediately.

“Hold on,” he said and sped up.

My heart started beating faster. I turned to look behind us. The black car suddenly accelerated and rammed into the back of our vehicle. The impact made me jerk forward hard.

“What the hell?!” I shouted.

Before the guard could react, another car appeared from the side and hit us again. Our car swerved violently.

“Get down!” the guard yelled.

Gunshots rang out.

I ducked down as the side window shattered. Glass flew everywhere. The guard tried to reach for his gun, but another round of bullets hit the car.

Everything was moving too fast. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t breathe.

Another loud gunshot rang out, much closer this time.

Then everything turned dark.