Between Worlds (TEMP HOLD)

Eleven: Trying To Wake Up

In the morning, Amphitrite came for me first.

         I slip out of bed without Xavier waking up, and quietly let myself out. The first two girls had already arrived, had breakfast and reunited with their mother . . . Aphrodite was waiting nearby, holding one of her daughters close to her.

          The first was already inside Castiel's prison. She and her sister were gorgeous. The first, Laurel, was the Prince's type. She was beautiful and bright and had rosy red cheeks. She had her mother's charm and her mother's eyes. But her hair was brilliantly red. She had almost no reaction when she saw Castiel Asleep. She held his hand, placed a red rose on his chest and leaned down to kiss him.

          Please . . .

          Amphitrite and Aphrodite leaned forward expectantly. There was even a little jealousy in her sister's eyes. But nothing happened, and the same disappointment touched Laurel's eyes as it had mine.

          The second girl's name was Ashley. She has a thick Italian asked, and thick wavy hair. I couldn't see Ashley and Castiel together. I wasn't sure what his reaction might be if he woke up and saw Ashley kisssing him. Her dress made her look too stick-skinny. She looks sad when Laurel walks out, and squeezes her sister's hand as Ashley goes past her. Ashley sits beside Castiel, and she whispers something in his ear before kissing him.

         This time, none of us lean forward. We know she isn't the one. Ashley leaves another rose on his chest when she leaves.

           "What's with the roses?"

            Amphitrite's cheeks redden. "They're for Castiel when he Awakens," she said. "It's going to show him how many girls tried, how many failed and which one conquered his heart."

           "What happens if he doesn't wake up, and he sees all of these roses?" There was a sadness lurking in my voice. This wasn't the worst thing that could have happened to Castiel, and if he does find his bride this way, there won't need to be another competition. But if he doesn't wake up by a kiss, he'll wake up surrounded by dead roses and disappointment. He'll wake up to me.

          Amphitrite looks as though she hadn't thought about it much. She looks towards Castiel as Ashley leaves his room. "One way or another, he will, and he'll see how much we all care about him."

          I highly doubt it. Castiel will be devastated. He'll hate me. He'll fight with Xavier. He'll destroy those roses. Castiel will feel more alone than ever, and when he finds out that I've married Xavier, he'll be pissed. I touch my hand against the glass, wishing he would be Awake now, wishing that their kisses would have worked.

          But they didn't, and Castiel is still alone. Still asleep.

           "There are more girls arriving this afternoon. When news spread that the competition was over, that Castiel is still single, girls will be coming from all over, at every time of day. They will want the Prince of Darkness, and when they fail, that's something you have to prepare yourself for," Amphitrite looks down at me. "And when one finally Awakens him, you can't get carried away. There's no chance of him being yours again, Ariel. He might be an entirely new person if a kiss Awakens him."

           I turn away from the glass, "I don't want him to be mine, again. I just want him to be Awake. Awake and happy and where he belongs."

          As if on cue, a handmaiden appears behind Amphitrite. It's Brooke. Amphitrite looks expectantly at her, but Brooke's eyes are on mine. She does a small bow. "Hera wishes to see you in her study, Miss Caverly, if you'll follow me."