And Then There Were Four novel Chapter 200

Chapter 200: Figures of Curiosity

Cassie.

Standing in silence staring at the space my mother once stood, I contemplated some of the things she told me. Everything took time and time wasn't something I had given a chance. It was instead something I fought against and hoped I wouldn't have to face. Since the moment I stepped into Asgard, I never really gave it a chance, and because of that, I f****d up at every corner.

I wasn't the only one that had been thrown into a life they weren't ready for. My mother was a prime example of what I was going through, and if she was able to make it one in one piece and come out on top then why couldn't I?

Trekking back down the sidewalk that she and I had come from, I took in the pack and admired all the hard work my family had put into this place in order for it to grow with the ages. I was merely a thought—or memory, within the pack territory.

A person who had once been a big part of life and left to be more.

“Cassie." Finn's voice caught me slightly off guard as I rounded the corner of the public garden and came face to face with his celestial eyes that reminded me of my own. Every time that I looked at him, I was shocked by the gaze that looked back at me, but yet I couldn't pull away.

“Finn—what are you doing here?"

He shrugged his shoulders, looking around at the beautiful array of colored flowers and greenery. Something that I was certain was Trixie's doing as she loved nature more than anyone I knew.

“Just taking a walk around your pack. It's beautiful here… though I have to admit my own gardens back home are twice the size of what is here." Of course he would one up it, but then again, did I honestly expect less from him?

“I'm sure they are, but because I have never seen them, I'll just take your word for it."

“You know you could," he replied with a smirk.

“I could what?" I missed the hint he was giving and when I asked what, I did he chuckled in response.

“You could come see them. In fact, if I win, you could live amongst them."

Live amongst them… something about his offer made me slightly uncomfortable. I had just gotten settled in Asgard after being pulled from the only home I had ever known and now he was suggesting I move to his land if he wins? I wasn't too sure about that.

However, there was no way that I was going to let him know that I was uncomfortable. “You mean, if you win. I have seen the competition out there Finn, and even though you beat the last guy, I don't think you can take all of them."

He flinched with a smile as he dramatically expressed his hurt in what I said. “Ouch, princess… you wound me with your words."

His sarcastic comment made me smile even though I didn't want to. Every time I thought that I was able to get away from smiling and flirting with him, he dragged me back in. Something about his charismatic ways made me curious to know who he really was. Considering he seemed to be all rainbows and sunshine, I knew damn well there was no way that he could be that happy all the time.

“What are you saying… that you can take them on?" I asked as I flirtatiously gazed at him from over my shoulder. I walked around the rose bushes and wisteria that grew around the white archways of the garden paths.

He followed me, his eyes never leaving mine and though I turned away from him, I could still feel the heat of his gaze as a low chuckle escaped his breath. “I can take them, and you, my dear."

Dear. A word of endearment that I hadn't expected to hear caused me to pause in my place as I thought back to Lucas, who had been the last one to call me that. The brooding silence from him was deafening. Not that he probably even realized I was gone.

No matter the situation, there was no reason to think over what I couldn't change. Lucas would be Lucas no matter what and in the meantime, I was possibly passing up on something—someone who might make me happy.

Turning to face Finn, I realized that he was closer to me than I had expected and as I slowly gazed up at him from beneath darkened lashes, I felt my breath catch in my throat. “Perhaps one day you will be able to prove that."

“Oh, I hope that I can."

It was a promise that deep down I was hoping he would keep.

****

Silas.

From the moment that we arrived at this place, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. I didn't want to be here but no matter what, I was stuck in a situation I had to make the most of. Odin had given me an order, and I was glad for it. Because knowing that she was coming here with Finn and no other chaperone wasn't something I wanted for her.