The Bookish Bitch

💕Cassian and Selena’s romance is honestly a rollercoaster because it was not love at first sight, it grew over time. Their dynamic could be described as big brother figure to lover. You see, the first time they met was after Rhysand had brought her to Velaris for the first time during their bargain. What Cassian saw was a cute girl who dwarfed next to his massive frame that managed to trip up his usually calm, cool brother. Cass loved her fire when she refused to give Rhysand an inch, arguing with him over every decision. He immediately took Selena under his wing, declaring her part of the family, and became her mentor when training to fight. Her scrappy attitude during training delighted Cassian and he treated her like the group little sister.

❤️‍🔥 Cassian had an initial whirlwind wildfire of a romance with Nesta that was all fire and adrenaline. Nesta is Selena’s best friend and the two of them had this fiery temper and love for books that brought them together. Though Selena kept her fire more hidden behind her constant curiosity and playful demeanor (except when she was around Rhysand), Nesta allowed her flames to be out in the open. Arguing with Nesta and the sexual tension they refused to admit was between them excited Cassian. He felt alive while getting under her skin. In return, Nesta found him infuriating and fascinating, like a war god with the personality of a dog. She showed her fangs to him and he showed her his own fangs right back. But despite the fire there was care there too. He stood up for her during the meeting with the Mortal Queens, he crawled to her while injured and bloody when she was thrown into the Cauldron, tried to support her while she tried scrying for the first time, she saved him from dying by the Cauldron, and he fought beside her against the King of Hybern.

🔥 They burned so hot, trying so hard to hold on to each other and yet pushed each other away. After the war with Hybern, Nesta began to pull away and Cassian pushed too hard, which became the beginning of the end. After everything, with the trauma she had been ignoring finally crashed down on her, Nesta needed space to breath and Cassian slowly became a suffocating source as he tried to fix things, letting his temper get the best of him when he became frustrated, which only made Nesta withdraw further. The pair burned too hot to the point that when peace came, they were left with ashes. He still helped when she wanted it, such as becoming the main trainer for the Valkyries, but after a wake up call from Selena, who was extremely protective of her best friend, Cassian took a step back finally so Nesta could find herself on her own terms, even if it broke his heart. He’d rather let her heal and hopefully build a friendship with her later than lose her entirely to her grief.

✨ Falling for Selena was not part of the plan, not in the slightest. He wasn’t stupid, he already knew Rhysand was stupidly smitten with her despite their constant arguing. Hell, he even noticed Azriel actually going out of his way to bring her books and they weirdly sat in absolute silence together, which definitely meant his brother had his own complicated soft spot for her. Selena was his friend, the one who rooted for him and Nesta, the one who fiercely protect Nesta when he was too much, and the one who sat with him when he felt like his heart was bleeding when he finally gave Nesta the space she begged for. But somewhere along the way, Cassian realized when Selena walked into a room, he’d get the stupidest grin on his face and knew she’d be down for whatever chaos they could come up together. And during one of their market runs when she was devouring a spiced meat stick from one of the food vendors, the only thought in his mind was “Beautiful…” even with sauce covering her lips and smeared on her cheek. It freaked him out and suddenly her friendly hugs made his wings twitch.

🌹 So when it comes to Selena and Cassian becoming a thing, as best friends, Nesta and Selena have always been protective of each other. When Nesta realized Cassian was falling for Selena, she pulled him aside and told him she’d cut his balls off if he ever hurt her best friend. Cass and Nesta have a friendly relationship by this time, though Nesta pretends she can’t stand him still. Cassian still cares about Nesta deeply but has accepted he wasn’t what she needed in the end.

🧸 Selena’s nickname for Cassian has always been “Bear” because he’s massive next to her and she knows he could maul an army if he wanted to, but that’s not the only reason for the nickname. Cassian is the fun-loving goofball of the Night Court crew who gives enveloping bear hugs, laughs too loud, and makes inappropriate jokes. The soft side of him makes her think of a giant teddy bear. When she’s in the Night Court, Cassian is the first person between the Inner Circle that she thinks to hug and cuddle every time because he’s always the guy to throw an arm over your shoulder.

📚 Cassian knows Selena is part of the book club with Nesta, Emerie, and Gwyn and will sometimes pull her into his lap, his head in her shoulder, and ask her to read him the dirty parts outloud. He loves when she nerds out over topics even if he has no idea what she’s saying because her excitement and passion is adorable to him. If he ever catches her doodling in one of her journals, Cass will strike a pose and ask her to get his good side. This always leaves her giggling. When she stays up too late reading, Cassian will physically pick her up and drag her to his bed for bedtime, which usually involves her kicking and whining that she needs one more chapter. He just smacks her ass with a laugh and tells her she needs to rest.

🍷 Dates with Cassian are always involving something physical and fun. Hikes through the forests, swimming at the lake, flying through the mountains, sparring that turns flirtatious, partying at Rita’s, or exploring Velaris. Cassian loves visiting the food vendors around town and the spicy meat sticks are his favorite. Sometimes Cassian will even attempt to cook for Selena, making her slightly burnt pancakes with eggs, sausage, and bacon to bring her in the morning. He doesn’t care if he’s in public, the man gets handsy, squeezing her hips, scooping her up bridal style, throwing an arm over her shoulder, nuzzling her neck, and kissing the top of her head. If there’s an event and he has the opportunity to show off? Challenge accepted. Even better if there’s a prize he can win and he gets to brag about how he won her something because he’s so amazing! 😂

🥵 Cassian definitely loves it rough when it comes to sex. Since Selena is significantly shorter than Cassian, he definitely uses it as an excuse to manhandle. Lifting her up to press her against the wall, flipping her on the bed, pinning her wrists, and positioning her the way he wants. He definitely enjoys a little spanking and his dirty talk is completely unfiltered, knowing it flusters her. He absolutely loves when she bites him or uses her teeth a little while she’s attempting to take him into her mouth. He actively encourages her to do wing play and loves when she scratches his back. He teases that she gives him battle scars. Cassian is loud in bed which contrasts with her being on the quieter side. He loves when she makes him kneel for her and nuzzles her belly as he squeezes her hips and thighs. He might be dominant but being ordered around is thrilling to him. He can be slow and gentle when she wants it but he loves to make love the same way he lives, fill of fire and adrenaline.

💋 Aftercare with Cassian is full of cuddles and kisses. His lips don’t want to leave her skin and after cleaning up, he plans to sleep naked because he loves the skin-to-skin contact. He always makes sure she drinks water and offers to grab her a snack in the kitchen. When Selena falls asleep, he will whisper “Love you, sweetheart” into her hair as he holds her against his chest. The minute she seems recovered, you know he’s playfully suggesting another round while nuzzling her.

I think “Accidentally in Love” by Counting Crows really gives the vibe of how Cassian accidentally fell in love with Selena. 🤭💕 It wasn’t planned but now he’s addicted.

🏔️ Cassian has been described as being Enalius reborn in the battle field. Enalius defended Ramiel from enemies from ancient times, possibly the Asteri, and he climbed to the top of the mountain before passing, which is an event the Blood Rite honors. Cassian’s fighting style is said tPo be very similar. I would go as far as to say they are similar in other ways like how Enalius was loyal to Fionn like Cassian is loyal to Rhysand.

🦇 Honestly, what I think this means for his destiny is that Cassian may be a major factor in Illyria’s future. As we know, he is the only one in the Inner Circle that tries to advocate for the Illyrian people and has tried to do what he can to help his people. He may be a player in Illyria’s future change.

🗡️ Elain had once received a vision of Cassian possibly dying, or at least very injured and falling in battle. I think this could mean Cassian might make a great sacrifice and fight a gruesome battle in a similar fashion to Enalius. I personally don’t believe he will die but his sacrifice will change the course of his life as he knows it. A metaphoric death rather than literal.