A Love From A Different World

by Loachm

While trying to get answers about Maeve and the Vlag, Aelin accidentally opens a portal where she is transported to a mysterious land called Prythian. There she meets a close knit court of strange Fae who are suspicious of her. While trying to keep her identity hidden, Aelin tries to find her way back home- which proves difficult when she is pulled into a world of war and love.

39. Chapter 39

Cassian had lived for a long time. Decades, centuries. Within his lifetime, not many things surprised him. But ever since this girl had appeared into his life, there wasn't one moment where Celeana didn't surprise him.

The general wasn't sure what to say, what to think. He hadn't had a sheltered life by any means, had to fend for himself like a lot of other abandoned children. Had to fend for himself from an early age. When he had joined the Illyrian camps, he learned to defend himself and fight, kill even. And he had, with all that deadly power, killing didn't take much.

But this was different. Celaena was a child even now, so to think that she had started killing when she wasn't even a decade old...was terrifying. He had been distrustful of her for good reason, but it didn't erase the fact that she was a survivor of some sort. She was just a kid...what the hell had she gone through?

Celeana looked up at the rest of them. "What?"

"Was it an accident…?" Mor asked, looking intensely at the other blond.

"No?" The human raised her eyebrow. "I told you I'm a professional assassin, what part did you miss?"

That made his heart sink just a little bit. Guilt and remorse plagued his thoughts as he looked at the girl. "Are you alright?"

The softly asked question seemed to her by surprise. Celeana looked him in the eye, her stunning gold and turquoise eyes locked on his. Her full lips slightly opened, as if she was not quite sure just what to say.

"I can't remember the last time someone asked me that…"

Damn him, but Cassian knew in that instant that he was warming up to her, that his sturdy wall of ice was melting. "Well, I'm asking now."

She gave a little laugh but was otherwise quiet.

Cassian's family was just as silent, all of them had their eyes trained on the beautiful blond. Cassian knew that a million thoughts must be running through her mind at that moment. He did not know her, did not trust her. But he felt sympathetic towards her-

"I don't want your pity," Celaena spat, narrowed eyes on him. " Don't need it either."

"Good, because I have none to offer." With that, Cassian unbuttoned his shirt.

"Are you offering yourself?" She asked, a hint of humor in her voice. "Aren't you the seductress?"

He ignored her and shed his tunic and presented her with his body, evidence of wars and battles all over him.