“How much do I remember?” I echoed.

　　“Do you remember that we—”

　　I felt my face burn up and my heart started to pound against my ribcage. I wonder why he was suddenly bringing this up. I looked down to the carpeted floor. “Y-yes! I remember!” I uttered through my bashfulness. It was strange, that was not our first time and yet I felt so self-conscious and shy around him. Maybe it was the fact that Isaiah was standing so close to me right now, being able to watch my blushing face up close—to know the effect he has on me.

　　He let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad. I thought that I had taken advantage of you when you were at your most vulnerable.”

　　I looked up at him, meeting his gaze. “Ah…you were worried about that?”

　　“Of course.” He muttered. “I did not want you to think that I was just like those scums who dared to lay their hands on you, I did not want you to think I was…a monster.”

　　I smiled, squeezing his hand that was on mine. “I would never think that of you.”

　　“You are not afraid of me? After witnessing all of that?”

　　“If I recall correctly, you were just protecting me, right?”

　　“Cordelia…”

　　“I’m grateful that you came when you did, Isaiah.” I said, leaning my head onto his chest and listening to how his heart was gradually growing louder. It was such a comforting sound, such a lovely beat that kept me calm. “If you didn’t then they would have…” I allowed my words to trail off, not wanting to think about that time where I was almost defiled by those mercenaries.

　　Isaiah pulled his hand away from my grip only to wrap them around my waist, pulling me into an embrace. His muscular arms felt as though they were shielding me. I could feel him as he kicked the top of my head.

　　“I’m sorry I didn’t come to you sooner. I’m sorry that you had to go through that. When I saw them surrounding you, dress ripped and cheeks stained with tears, the rage I felt was something I never knew I was capable of. I hated them, hated that you were even placed in the situation.”

　　I let out a chuckle before slowly squirm away from him so I could look up at him. “Will you be proud to know that I managed to break a finger and a nose during that time.”

　　His eyes brightened. “You did?” he asked, impressed by this fact. I nodded eagerly. He smiled at me, such a gentle and tender expression that tugged against my heartstrings. “Look at you, my strong warrior,” he whispered as a hand came to brush a strand of my hair back.

　　He then slowly leaned forward, and I could tell that he wanted to kiss me, but he stopped before our lips could meet, as though he was waiting for permission. I smiled as I stood on the tips of my toes to reach his face, pressing our lips together. The kiss was sweet and short and when we pulled apart, Isaiah was clearly flustered.

　　“What’s wrong?” I asked.

　　“Well…there was something else I wanted to tell you.”

　　“Mm?”

　　“I…came inside you when you were in your induced heat state. I know that omegas in heat have a higher chance in getting pregnant—”

　　“Ah. I see.” I said, pretending as if I did not remember. “I don’t see how that is a bad thing. I did say I would give each of you an heir, although it might be a little early, I do not mind bearing your child. Hm… is it strange that I do hope that you have impregnated me…?” I babbled and when I finally made myself stop talking, I looked up at him to see his reaction.

　　Isaiah stared at me in complete awe before he blinked. “Y-You…” he started but he had no idea what to say in response. I giggled, finally this side of him was rather adorable. “Then… shall we head to bed and properly try to get you impregnated?” he whispered.

　　I blushed and lightly pushed him away. “T-That’s inappropriate right now!”

　　“You did say you hoped that you were pregnant. We can make it into reality.”

　　“Isaiah!”

　　He laughed before hugging me again. “Fuck…” he muttered. “I never knew I would come to adore you this much, Cordelia.” He whispered into my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

　　I reached my hands around his body to hug him back. “I believe that’s my line, Isaiah.”

　　*

　　We then parted ways as he had some business to attend too. I decided to head back to my room just to rest for a while as I was starting to feel fatigue catch up with me. But just as I reached my room, a familiar figure was approaching me from the other side of the hallway.

　　“Hello,” I greeted, a part of me was surprised that he came all this way.??

　　“Hey.” He said followed by his signature charming smile. “Are you going back to your room to rest?”

　　“Y-Yes?”

　　“I see.”

　　“Is there something wrong?” I asked when he did not say anything else.

　　“Could I accompany you?”

　　“…accompany me to bed?”

　　“Yes, well, not in a sexual manner. I just…” Cassian then let out a sigh and it was strange to see him like this, flustered and unsure of himself. “I just want to spend some time with you. If you’ll allow it.”

　　“Oh! Of course…um…” I turned to pull the door open. “Come in.”

　　When we were inside the room, Cassian helped me with the cloak and placed it over a nearby chair. I went to sit on the edge of the bed and patted the spot next to me, gesturing to him to come sit. After a brief moment of hesitation, he sat next to me, the bed dipping down slightly from his weight.

　　“How are you feeling?” he asked.

　　“A bit tired but I’ll survive.”

　　“I see.”

　　“What’s wrong? You are not acting like yourself.”

　　“…how do you expect me to act, Cordelia?”

　　“You don’t have to blame yourself for what happened to me.” I was straightforward with him, not wanting for anyone to blame themselves over my kidnapping.

　　“That’s easier said than done. I keep telling myself that I did what you wanted me to do, because I promised you, the one thing you ever asked of me and I promised you but no matter how much I tell myself that, I still feel this sense of guilt eating me away. The what ifs crowd in my mind, telling me that you did not have to suffer so much if only I listened to Augustus, if only we prioritised finding you and rescuing you first.”

　　“Do you know what happened to me when I was held captive?” I suddenly asked, causing him to turn to look at me.

　　“…Isaiah gave us an idea of what happened. The fact that he did not want to go into detail only meant that—”

　　“I was kept in a dark room and was particularly starved. Those mercenaries then tried to violate me, but Isaiah came to save me before anything could happen. I’m not telling you all of this to make you feel even more guilty, but I’m telling you this because the only thing that made me pull through that entire ordeal was thinking about you.” I smiled. “I believed that you would be able to help Isaiah and Amir when no one else could. It gave me some form of hope, or more so comfort that you were here for them when I wasn’t.”

　　“Were you always this selfless?” he asked, almost mocking.

　　I pouted. “Of course not. What I am trying to say, Cassian, is that I’ll get better. I’m alive and I am here, right here with you. Does that not give you any ounce of relief?”

　　Cassian then placed both his hands on my shoulders and slowly pushed me down onto the bed. He pressed his body down onto mine and although he did not place his entire body weight on me, the comforting feeling of his warmth around me felt—peaceful.

　　“It does. I am relieved that you are here with me, but it doesn’t stop the fact that I wanted to be there for you. I wanted to kill those men who touched you.” He whispered.

　　I managed to free my hand from under him, my fingers brushing against his cheek which made him raise his head up to look at me. “If that’s the case then, you should overwrite the places they touched with your own hands, correct?”

　　He frowned. “Are you trying to seduce me in this situation?”

　　I laughed. “I’m just trying to make you feel better.”

　　Cassian then leaned over and kissed me, deep and passionate that I felt it go straight to my core. He pulled back and I found myself wanting more. He then pressed his forehead on mine.

　　“Rest well and recover fast, my Cordelia. Because once everything is over, your body will only remember my touch.” He announced, his voice sent shivers of anticipation down my spine.