gathered from the trial I’d endured.
"You smell like roses," he replied and kissed my nose. "And even if you did smell like a dumpster, I'd still kiss every inch of your body."
"Romantic," I whispered with a slight grin. He returned my pleased smile with his own before he looked forward. I did the same and realized we had to be on the newly established roof of the castle.
The current view was spectacular, a sight you'd think to witness in a movie of another world. I'd admired it when I'd awoken from the trial, but it only seemed more satisfying to witness in the arms of someone I loved.
"I'm so proud of you."
I looked up to see Adonis's appreciative gaze was centered on me.
"I didn't do anything spectacular," I mumbled in an attempt to lessen the strain of this grand achievement. I mentally knew it was something I deserved to appreciate, but I still hadn't fully accepted that thanks to me, this world was reborn.
Me, Quil-Zu, and Marigold, with Omarion's support.
"The Cassandra before this prison fiasco would have hidden within the comforts of her bedroom and mourned the loss of her four annoying supernatural bros. The Cassandra who lies in my very grasp pushed through the sadness that plagued her existence, declared vengeance and got her fae pixie guide to create various connections across the supernatural lands to benefit her uprising, set up the perfect scene in front of the nation to make it look like she's the perfect villain being tempted to the side of light, journeyed to these very lands that were previously filled with desolation with barely any rest, and awakened a land that has been asleep for decades. I think that's something to be proud of, Cassandra."
"And managed to preserve my low stock of lingerie from the wrath of a certain incubus's sharp fingernails," I voiced with a bit of sarcasm.
The way his smile made his eyes glimmer with pure mischief only encouraged me to lower my gaze to my chest to see my bra was clearly gone and I hadn't even noticed.
"Adonis." My voice alone held enough threatening ambition to have him nervously laughing as the wind picked up with a pinch of frost.
"It didn't hold your girls properly," he excused and secured me in his hold before swiftly turning away from the view to walk towards the stone stairs.
"We'll have to look into your lavish wardrobe and get you a better fit."
"I don't think this new castle came with new clothes," I pointed out.
"Probably not, but we can check before we enjoy a nice bath."
"Are you pulling my leg or are we actually bathing together this time?"
We entered the dark stairwell, but even the darkness couldn't hide those bright white teeth that peeked through his grin.
"I think I've teased you enough this hour, don't you think?"
That made me smile as I relaxed against him. "Don't leave me like that again."
"If I had my wish, Cass, I'd never leave your side," he quietly admitted. "Though I have no doubt in my mind that it would piss you off to no end and you'll have far too many sacrifices in the realms of lingerie to afford to have me around."
"There would be a panties-and-bra crisis in this kingdom," I huffed. "And we'd all know the culprit."
"I'd automatically plead guilty," he admitted in amusement.
The swinging movement aided my sudden calmness, and I closed my eyes for a brief moment.
"Looks like there's not much here," Adonis announced, but his words didn't cut through the calm fog that wrapped around my mind.
"Cassandra?"
The silence that followed reigned in the room, and I felt something touch my cheek ever so slightly. "My poor love is drained."
"She just needs a nap," Marigold's mature voice answered.
"Ah. Marigold." Adonis sounded a bit surprised. "I must admit, I like this version of your appearance."
"Queen Cyldrirth said similar," she admitted and yawned. "The power nap was very rejuvenating."
"Glad to hear it," Adonis replied. "Do you have things to attend to?"
"I will shortly," she began. "But it looks like you need some assistance?"
"Do you think you can get Cassandra some proper attire that fits her frame?" he inquired. "I'll give Omarion bonus points for attempting to ensure Cassandra ate something since our abrupt departure, but these clothes aren't going to do for our Cassandra, let alone at the rank of royalty she now falls into."
"I agree," she replied, "I'm going to assume you all will need attire."
"True, but we can't go anywhere out of these lands without a