Cassidy's Point of View

Reed Family Homestead

“Cass! Arthur!” The little redheaded boy came to hug him. This caused Arthur to quickly rub wet hands all over the boy’s shirt. “Gross!”

“I thought you wanted a hug?” Arthur asked him.

“Ah’m not a towel.”

“Not with that attitude, you’re not.”

I snorted at that. “What was that big gust of wind?” My question got my brother to turn to me as he tugged at his damp shirt.

“Breeze is here. He’s got some news for Arthur.” Austin told us. “Can he come inside?”

“Can he fit?” Cass immediately asked back.

“I can.” Breeze answered as his head titled sideways to fit through the doorway. “Just takes some extra consideration of the antlers.” He peered into the kitchen.

“Hey, Breeze.” I greeted. “Everything okay? Please tell me Arceana isn’t at-“

The wolf shook his head. “No. I’m here to inform you that Rock and Camoa have returned. She has immediately gotten to work on the task you assigned her.”

Arthur closed his eyes at that. “I see. I’ll head home in a bit. Would you care to join us for supper?”

Breeze turned to Cass. “Ah can make ya a plate.”

“Then I would be delighted.” Breeze responded.

“Surprised Lucia’s not with ya.”

“She’s out with Alwin tonight. They’re heading into The Slums.” Arthur informed me.

“Ah. That makes more sense.” My smirk made him frown. “Date night for the daughter?”

Rolling his eyes, Arthur went back to getting the potatoes ready. “Spare me.”

Chuckling, I gestured to the table. “Austin, get the table ready. Breeze, would you mind helping him?”

“I would not mind at all.” Breeze replied. “Austin can just toss the tableware to me, and I will set them down.”

“This is gonna be awesome!” Austin said as he moved through kitchen giggling as he started to grab plates, cups, and more as he tossed them toward Breeze.

Ignoring the floating silverware, I turned back to Arthur. “So, Lucia and Alwin… Somethin about that bother ya?”

He shook his head. “Not at all. I don’t get to play the angry father to her romantic partners. Besides, I think Alwin’s probably complaining about me if anything.”

“Why would he be complain?”

Breeze chuckled from behind us as he answered for Arthur. “Probably because father’s training is mostly abusing him.”

I quirked a brow at that. “That true? Are ya really just beatin him up?”

To my surprise, Arthur softly shook his head. “No. The fact is, I might not be around all the time. If something happens again, Alwin will likely be by her side like last time. I just want him to be more prepared than he was last time. He can hate me for it. Even Lucia can get angry at me for what I’m doing, but if he’s gonna be by her side, I need to know he’ll take care of her.”

“Then the training isn’t just abusin him?”

“It’s definitely painful. I want Alwin to think I’m targeting him on purpose. Have it drilled into his head that he needs to always be on guard. If things were simple, he wouldn’t learn anything. He needs to have a clear mind, react in a calm manner, and be able to visualize all within a short timeframe. With this training, he will have no choice.”

“Hmm…” I hummed out in thought. “Then yeah. He definitely might be complain about ya. How’s Ayda, by the way. Haven’t seen her in a few days. She always seems ta be tucked away somewhere in your estate when we visit.”

Arthur snorted at that. “It’s almost disturbing that I don’t see her at all. That girl appears and disappears randomly. Her mom has been a huge help, though. Ayda is working on things for the Succubae with Freya and her mother.” He shrugged. “She bothers me when she feels like it.”

“That sounds like Ayda.” We moved around the kitchen as I worked the stove. “What did ya need Camoa for? That potion of yours?”

“Something like that.” Was his dismissive response.

“Ya sure that’s smart? Camoa said it was dangerous.”

He glanced at me from the corner of his eye. “Don’t worry. After all, I’ve already been through it before.”

Arthur moved to sit at the table, but I grabbed him, which seemed to surprise him. “Things are changing, Arthur. Slowly, but surely.” I told him and he listened quietly. “We need ya here. Not just Lucia. All of us. Remember that when ya continue ta look forward.” Letting him go, I patted his back as I moved to grab the food. “We’re also here if ya need us as well. Remember that too.”