Hell's Throne (The Devil's Assistant Series - 5 ) - Unedited

Hell's Throne - Chapter 13

The dining room was already abuzz with pleasant chatter when I entered with Danny and Lucius at my sides. We were presenting a united front, one that did not include a Pegasus no matter how much my son insisted he should be entitled to dine with us. The horse hadn't been too keen to be parted from his new friend either but we weren't ready to announce to the world that Danny had a Pegasus. As a result it was just the three of us in coordinating outfits so that we looked like we belonged together.

The diners soon fell silent as they noticed our entrance, standing from their seats as they watched us pass. Lucius led our little family to the table, pulling out a chair and helping Danny up on to his seat before pulling out the one beside it. I slipped past him, smiling when he picked up my hand and placed a chaste kiss on the back of my hand as I sat down beside my son.

Finally, with as much fanfare as he could muster, Lucius took a seat while nodding at the rest of the guests to do the same.

Talk started almost instantly as waiters appeared with trays laden with steaming plates of food. My stomach rumbled loudly within the room. The picnic lunch had only taken the edge off of my hunger. Still, despite how much I just wanted to dig straight in and inhale my food like a pig, I took the knife and fork and delicately cut the chicken into small bitesize pieces.

Castiel had been seated on the opposite me, the young healer by his side. I almost didn't recognise her. Her hair had been let loose and hung about her face in soft curls. Makeup had been applied to her face to emphasise her beauty and she had even donned a soft pink dress. It was as if she was showing the woman behind the healer façade for the first time. Her hands kept tugging at her dress and playing with her hair, her eyes darting around at the other guests before she stuffed all of her uncertainty back behind the healer's mask.

Catching her gaze, I smiled at her. "Thank you for coming to dinner this evening. We appreciate all of the help you gave us."

At my words, several sets of eyes looked upon the young woman with interest but quickly returned to their own conversations. The young demon blushed at the attention suddenly bestowed upon her. "Thank you milady." She murmured, her cheeks flushing red even through the makeup coating her skin.

"And don't worry so much. I know it's a change from your work clothes, but you look beautiful this evening. That colour compliments you well." I stated in a low voice so that the entire table wouldn't overhear out conversation. Castiel hadn't been able to take his gaze off of her. He kept shooting glances at the young demon beside him before looking away again. "Castiel agrees with me, don't you Castiel."

The dark haired man spluttered and choked on his mouthful of food before he swallowed. Finally he croaked out, "What?"

"I said you agree with me that the woman beside you is looking beautiful tonight."

Castiel, having regained his composure, looked everywhere except at the woman beside him as he said gruffly, "Yes, she looks very beautiful."

The healer ducked her head, her blush spreading to the skin of her arms. I didn't even know a woman could blush that much. She finally glanced up at Cass through her lashes, offering him a timid smile which was so unlike the stern healer who ordered everyone to follow her orders.

"Thank you, sir."

Clearing his throat and tugging at the tie on his neck, Cass glanced back at the woman. "There's no need to be so formal. You've seen me at my worst; you do not need to keep to protocol."

"Okay... Castiel."

I pressed my lips together as the pair continued to sneak glances at one another while attempting to be covert about it. They were going to happen soon. There was no denying it. The connection between them had been forged in a time of great need but both were too stubborn to give in. Something was holding them back but until they let it go, nothing would happen between them. I hated to meddle in other people's lives, but Castiel deserved to have happiness. A gentle nudge in the right direction wouldn't hurt anyone.