| “ | I can think of no better way to end my existence than to defend those who need it most. | ” |
–Cassian to Nesta (A Court of Mist and Fury) | ||
Cassian is a member of the Night Court and part of Rhysand's Inner Circle. He is a childhood friend of Rhysand and Azriel. He rose to become the General Commander of Rhysand's, therein the Night Court's, armies. He is considered as one of the most powerful Illyrians in Prythian history along with Rhysand and Azriel.
Appearance
Cassian is tall with dark shoulder length hair, massive membranous wings and hazel eyes. His features are described as being rough hewn as though he was made of wind, earth and flame.
Illyrian warriors typically wear one Siphon, to channel their raw power into something useful. Cassian requires seven red stones.
Biography
Early life
Cassian is the bastard son of an Illyrian war-camp laundress and an unknown warrior. As soon as he could walk, he was left in a distant war-camp for training. As a bastard, he received nothing and had to find his own shelter, food and clothes. Cassian resorted to challenging other kids to fight and got their clothes as a prize.
When Rhysand was taken to the same camp for training, Cassian fought him for his new clean clothes, costing them three lashings each, which was considered an encouragement to keep fighting by Illyrian standards.
That night, when Rhysand went back home with his mother, he saw Cassian walking through the mud to get to tents outside the camp. Rhysand did not take it well, understanding what really meant to be taken care of, and woke Cassian in the middle of the night to take him to his house. Rhysand's mother took Cassian in and provided him with home and shelter from then on. However, Rhysand and Cassian hated each other until Azriel arrived at camp and they understood they were the strongest members in the war-camp, which meant they had better chances of surviving if they stayed together, hence starting their longtime friendship.
During the War, when Rhysand's father saw that his son had allied with the two most powerful Illyrian warriors in history (Cassian & Azriel), fearing the three warriors will turn against him and rival him in power, he separated them. Rhysand was given command over a legion, Azriel was kept as a shadowsinger in his court and Cassian was appointed as a foot soldier.
Although for an Illyrian bastard, he was expected to be a bottom-ranked soldier forever, Cassian's strength and power took him to the top of the ranks as a General Commander of the Court of Night's Armies and into Rhysand's Inner Circle, once Rhysand became the High Lord of the Night Court.
A Court of Mist and Fury
Cassian makes his first appearance in the second book of the series.
His shoulder-length hair, his hazel eyes, his rough features and his never-ending cockiness, makes us fall in love with him.
Being the General of the Night Court's armies, he trains Feyre in battle combat and also ventures into the Mortal World (i.e., behind The Wall) where he meets Nesta Archeron. He finds her an equal match in quarreling and taunting. Eventually, it is hinted he has a more physical interest in her. Later on, during the second visit of the mortal queens to Nesta's house. Cassian promises to help take care of her and her family if a war begins. When they are all trapped in the King of Hybern's castle toward the end of A Court of Mist and Fury, he stirs when he hears Nesta screaming despite being unconscious and having his wings shredded.
Relationships
Morrigan
When Mor was sold in marriage to Eris, the eldest son of the High Lord of the Autumn Court and Lucien's brother, Rhysand took her to the Illyrian camp. When she saw Cassian, she decided that she wanted to lose her virginity with the strongest Illyrian warrior and that Cassian was the one. However, when Rhysand heard, he fought with Cassian and Mor decided to step away from him to avoid further problems within the group of friends. They have never been together ever since.
Nesta
Cassian considers Nesta a challenge and a worthy opponent. He initially confronts Nesta for letting Feyre take care of them while she did not do anything to help. Eventually it is hinted he has a more physical interest in her. Later on, during the second visit of the mortal queens to Nesta's house. Cassian promises to help take care of her and her family if a war begins. When they are all trapped in the King of Hybern's castle toward the end of A Court of Mist and Fury, he stirs when he hears Nesta screaming despite being unconscious and having his wings shredded. During a Court of Wings and Ruin Cassian is shown to treat Nesta flirtatoiusly during the book. They show feelings towards each other with sly glances and Cassian making his sexual jokes.
When Cassian is injured, Nesta waited outside his tent until she heard that he was going to be okay. When the King of Hybern injures Cassian severely, Nesta refuses to leave him, for if one of them was going to die, the other would die with them. Cassian kisses Nesta and tells her he wishes they had more time. In 'Wings and Embers' Cassian makes sexual advances towards Nesta, asking if she has ever been with a male, which makes Nesta remember nearly being raped by a human called Thomas Mandray. Cassian notices the distress on her face and realizes Nesta had a bad experience with a male and tells her he will hunt the male down, if Nesta wishes.
At the end of the book Nesta is shown to withdraw from the Inner Circle. Cassian survived his injuries inflicted by the King of Hybern.
In A Court of Frost and Starlight, Cassian is struggling with Devlon and the camp lords as well as what is happening with Nesta. He and Nesta have not spoken at all, or only a few words exchanged. He visits his mother's supposed grave, not knowing if she was buried here, yet his thoughts get distracted by Nesta though he ignores it. Cassian mentions that he has multiple poses for Nesta, ranging from I Will Eat Your Eyes For Breakfast to I Don't Want Cassian to Know I'm Reading Smut. While "decorating", Cassian and Feyre get drunk then he makes a joke about Amren. Amren teases him about starting a war he can't win especially with Nesta coming for Solstice in two days. Cassian's mood changes and he snaps at Amren. She also says that she will enjoy seeing Nesta shred into Cassian if she is sober enough. Cassian tries to avoid anything concerning Nesta for a while until Solstice.
When Nesta shows up to Solstice, Cassian tries to act relaxed and the entire time they do not speak a word to each other. After dinner, Nesta leaves after Feyre pays her rent and extra. Cassian chases after her and goes to walk her home, on the other side of the city. He notes that Nesta lost weight and still looks beautiful as she did when he met her at her father's house. Nesta notices something in his hand and Cassian explains that it is a gift for her. She says she doesn't want it or anything from him. Cassian thinks back on how he tells himself that he doesn't care she is having sex with different males and he doesn't care who she lost her virginity to. He told himself that he doesn't want to know if he meant anything to her. They argue some more before she turns to leave and he grabs her hand, pleading with her to talk to him. She gives him a vicious look, then walks away leaving him behind. Cassian throws her present into the Sidra before he flies after her until she gets into her apartment. He waits on a nearby roof until she blows her candle out. Cassian goes back to the townhouse late in the night and knocks back a drink before going to his shared room with Azriel and Mor follows him.
Appearances
- A Court of Mist and Fury (first appearance)
- Wings and Embers
- A Court of Wings and Ruin
- A Court of Frost and Starlight