Castiel carefully got down from his mount, lifting a still sleeping Demina off. She pouted as he shifted her and snuggled up against his chest. Demi’s eyes fluttered open as they entered the gates of the palace. Castiel grinned as she blinked and looked around in confusion, first at the palace then at him. A slow blush spread across her face and she opened her mouth to say something. Castiel waited for an insult, surprised when he didn’t get one.
“You’re comfortable,” she said, yawning. Cas smiled. He’d forgotten how blunt she could be. It didn’t really take much for her to ignore an awkward situation. Not that this was awkward. Not in the least. He was enjoying himself very much.
“You think so?” he smirked.
“Yes. Now put me down,” she answered, struggling.
Cas grinned, pulling her closer and enjoying her deepening blush. She was uncomfortable with physical touch. That would be a good thing to remember. Maybe it would help him win some fights.
“Castiel...Uh...Prince Castiel, put me down!”
“Anything the lady wants. Since we’re finally being honest with each other, Lady Demina,” he said, putting her down and lowering his voice to a whisper. She looked up at him as he bent closer to her. Close enough to kiss her, “I’m glad you fit so nicely.”
Demina’s eyes widened and she took a step back, tripping herself up and landing in his arms once again.
“Lady Demina!!!”
Grateful for the interruption, Demina quickly spun around and gave her attention the guard rushing towards her.
“Lady Demina! You have to go quickly! She’s going to get herself in trouble! Lord Ean is going to kill me. I let her leave!”
Demi put her hand up, effectively silencing the panicking man.
“I’m sorry, but I do not understand who or what you are talking about.”
“I’m so sorry. I told her not to but she insisted. Said that she was wasting time. She didn’t want to have to choose between you or the prince.”
Demina felt like she’d been punched in the gut. So the potato had obviously been a ploy to get her to leave. This was stupid! Why would she do this?! She grabbed the man’s jacket.
“Demina!”
Castiel put his hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down. She shrugged him off, eyes flashing.
“Which way did she go?!” she demanded.
The man stretched a shaky finger out the gate, to the north. Her heart hammered against her chest. Up the mountain, she’d gone up the mountain. Ughh, Avelyn! Demi let him go, grabbing his sword.
“Thanks.”
She took the reins from Castiel’s hand and swung up.
“Cas, I’m borrowing your horse.”
“Demi! Don’t, please don’t. It’s too dark. We can go in the morning. It’ll be fine.”
“Let go, Castiel or I swear...I will cut off your hand.”
“You won’t.”
“You want to test that theory?” she argued, pointing her sword at him. Castiel let go, putting his hands up. Demina sheathed the blade and swung the horse around, galloping out of the gate without a glance backwards. She was going to murder Avelyn. Castiel didn’t hesitate. He quickly turned around and looked at Cassiopeia who was standing there, unsure of what to do.
“Cassiopeia, I need to borrow your horse,” he commanded. Cassi just nodded as he took the reins from her and mounted, taking off.
“Well...that was...interesting.”
“DEMI! Demi! Stop!”
Cas quickly rode up beside her, reached over and grabbed her reins, stopping her horse.
“Demi...”
“Let. Go, Castiel!”
“No. I can’t let you ride off on some half-cocked plan.”
“YOU CAN’T?! I don’t CARE! Avelyn is going to get herself in trouble. She’s riding into danger. She could get killed. I have to make sure that that doesn’t happen!”
“WHY?! Demi, Demina....this is insane. If Avelyn chooses to make that choice, it’s not your responsibility.”
“Yes, it is! Why can’t you understand?!”
“I’m trying to. Just explain it to me.”
“Every day, I live with regret, Castiel. Every day, I have to answer the question what if? What if I hadn’t allowed Chase to go that day? What if I had gone with him? What if Chase hadn’t died? I get to run through my actions, my words, my thoughts, every day. Chase died because I didn’t do anything, because I was too afraid to go after him and plead with him to stay with me. I wasn’t there to protect him. I am not going to allow that to happen to Avelyn. I won’t live with that regret. Not while I’m still breathing.”
Castiel was silent.
“Demi...” he said softly, “You can’t do that to yourself. You can’t live with that guilt and regret. You can’t blame yourself. I bet this Chase person would have gone even if you had begged him. You can’t take his choice on yourself. You just can’t. You’re human. You’re going to make mistakes. And sometimes you will absolutely fail. You are not God. You can’t protect everyone.”
Demi glanced into her lap, not saying anything for a moment. Finally she looked up at him, eyes blazing.
“Then, I’ll die trying.”
Castiel sucked in a breath, feeling like he’d been stabbed through the heart.
“Demi don’t say that. Don’t...say that.”
He clenched his fists, brushing her hair back from her face. His face twisted in pain at the thought of it. She pushed his hand away.
“Cas...I don’t expect you to understand. I don’t expect you to come with me. Just don’t...stop me.”
He stayed silent and she smiled sadly once again turning her horse around again. He grabbed her hand.
“Of course I’m coming with you. Someone has to keep you from dying.”
“And that is going to be you?”
He smirked and silently cheered that she didn’t let go.
“Who else is your knight in shining armor, Demi?”
“Certainly not you, Castiel Tema. Certainly not you...”
