To Marry A Monster (by Brey Mitchell) novel Chapter 146

Chapter 146

Chapter 146

ATASHA’S POV

((39)‘

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“May I know if the Lord is simply too idle?” I asked, turning to him. Cassian walked shoulder to shoulder with me along the infirmary porch, matching my pace like a shadow with opinions. “Or… is there something else you wanted to tell me?” Somehow, that question made my heart skip a beat.

I swallowed and turned my head away, hoping he couldn’t see my blushing ears.

He didn’t bite. “Checking the infirmary.”

“Again.” I said. “For the third time today.”

He ignored that and took up position at my side bench like a sentry planted by the gods. We were outside the door, where the breeze carried the bite of herbs and boiled linen. I’d come out to rest my hands. He’d come out to stand next to my resting hands and glare at anything that moved.

Today, he’d decided to “check” so thoroughly that half the infirmary had adjusted its route to avoid my side of the hallway. Earlier, a junior healer tried to pass with a tray, Cassian stepped forward, took the tray, and handed it to me only after he’d personally tested the steam temperature with the back of his knuckles like an overqualified tea maid.

Then, when a guard with a bruised eye reached to hand me a flower as a thank you for the stitch work, Cassian shifted me one step and the guard froze, apologized to the air, then did a full detour around a potted plant.

When Grace came out to ask if I wanted water, Cassian answered “yes” before I could speak, then took the cup, tasted it, and only then handed it to me. Grace stared at him, then at me, then mouthed, Is he for real? I nodded. Sadly.

“I am just doing my job,” he said now, as if reading my thoughts. “After all, my dearest consort is gaining too much attention these days.”

I ignored that. “What is your job exactly? Blocking sunlight? You’ve been standing in front of it for ten minutes.” As far as I know, he is the Lord of the North. How could the ruler of the north, known for his bloody nature act like a guard?

As if to prove me wrong, the wind kicked up and snapped my cloak loose. Cassian moved in one smooth step, catching the edge and pulling it back around my shoulders, then angling his body to shield me from the gust. My hair only had time to think about escaping before it gave up.

“See?” he said.

“That was not an invitation to demonstrate.”

He pretended not to hear. “Did Agape tell you about… that thing?” I asked, keeping my voice low.

He tilted his head away and gave a small nod.

Right. Of course, Agape would tell him about the possibility of a corrupted fae that might be after me.

20:00 Mon, Oct 20

Chapter 146

39

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I slid my fingers into his, squeezing. “I’m safe here. You’re near, Grace is inside, and every second person in this yard owes you their life. You should focus on the North instead of following me around.”

He didn’t answer immediately. His thumb pressed once against my knuckles, thoughtful. “Or,” he said at last. “You can stay inside my office.”

I blinked. “I’ll do that.”

He actually looked at me this time, as if I’d suggested something reckless. “Really?”

“Yes,” I said, trying not to smile. To be fair, he didn’t tell me to stay with him after that meeting with the council members. So, I just went to the infirmary to help out. “I can’t let you worry yourself into wearing grooves on the infirmary floor.”

Almost immediately, the corner of his mouth tipped. “Good. My study has fewer trays.”

“And fewer couriers to body–check.”

“That too.”

Then Cassian turned his head. I followed his gaze and found a woman in gray clothing walking toward us, her back straight, hands clasped neatly in front of her. She came to a stop a few paces away and bowed her head in greeting. It was Sister Veris.

“Lord Cassian. Princess Consort,” she said, her eyes landed on me first.

Sister Veris lowered her head slightly. “Forgive me for disturbing you, my Lady.”

“You’re not interrupting anything,” I said. Considering that Cassian had spent the last half hour blocking the sunlight, the wind, and any living being that came within five feet of me, she was probably doing me a favor.

The Sister nodded once before turning her attention to Cassian. “My Lord,” she began. “May I request something?”

Cassian’s gaze sharpened. “Go on.”

“Would it be alright if I borrow the Lady for a while?”

His response was immediate. “Not without me.”

I turned to him, eyebrows raised. His expression didn’t change. He wasn’t joking. For a moment, I just stared at him, half expecting him to smirk, to make it sound like a tease. But he didn’t.

He was serious. Dead serious.

And somehow, that realization sank deeper than I expected. All my life, I’d been the one who got left behind, the one no one bothered to shield. Having someone stand between me and the world, even if that someone happened to be Cassian, felt… strange. Surreal, even.

Then, I reminded myself why he was doing it. It wasn’t because of me. It was because I was his mate. Protection was instinct, not affection. I needed to remember that.

20:00 Mon, Oct 20

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