Chapter 36
Demi stood up and smiled, taking her glass off the table. Breakfast had been loud, filled with laughter and plans.
"A toast!"
Avelyn, Nyssa, and Castiel all raised their glasses. Demi took a deep breath, looking at all their faces. A flicker of sadness breathed into her heart but she pushed aside. Today was not a day for doubts. Today was for celebrating. Who knew what it would bring?
"A toast to all of you. Whatever happens today, I just want to say, it was worth it. I don't regret any of it," Demi smiled, "except getting on a horse. And almost getting killed and sleeping on the ground. But....anyway....cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The rest of them chuckled before clinking their glasses together and drinking. Demi drank slowly, watching as they laughed and drank with each other. Her smile slowly faded as she quietly got up and went onto the porch. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Placing her head on the rail, she stared out into the trees, her mind going far away.
"A penny for your thoughts, Miss Demi."
Demi laughed softly, shaking her head.
"A penny? They are worth far more than that, prince Castiel."
Cas chuckled quietly as he turned to her. Demi swallowed and licked her lips as Castiel pulled her closer. She wrapped her arms around him, laying her head on his chest. She could hear his breathing, feel his rapid heartbeat, and she marveled at how perfect this felt. How had she found someone to love her so beautifully, twice?
“Demina...”
“Mmm?”
“Can you look at me?”
“Ok. Why?”
Tipping her chin up, he forced her to look at him. A slight blush stained his cheeks but he held her gaze, boldly staring into her gorgeous brown eyes.
“I want to kiss you,” he said. Demina sucked in a breath, backing out of his arms.
“W-why?” she asked. Castiel smiled at her, incredulous.
“Why?”
“Yes, why do you want to kiss me? Why don’t you kiss someone else?” she asked quietly. Cas breathed out a laugh and Demi looked away.
“Why? Because I’m not in love with someone else, I’m in love with you.”
“Y-you are?”
“Yes. I am.”
“You shouldn’t be, Castiel. You don’t know me.”
“Demi...I do know you. I know that you’re horribly stubborn, you are very proud, critical of yourself and others, you don’t trust very easily, you’re sassy and you use sarcasm to hide your true feelings. You also put up walls to protect yourself.”
Demi looked at him, jutting her chin out stubbornly eyes flashing. Daring him to say another something else, pleading with him not to because if he did, she’d become undone. Letting out a huff, she turned her back to him. Castiel smiled softly, stepping closer and once again wrapping her in his arms. She stiffened.
“But I also know that you are sensitive, loyal, protective of those you love, kind, funny, brave when you need to be, smart, generous, gentle, stronger than you think you are, precious and sweet when you want to be,” Castiel buried his face in her hair. She wilted, “why are you so afraid of letting yourself be loved?”
“Because loving hurts, Castiel. Love...changes you. It’s scary,” she whispered.
“Oh, Demi. That’s what love is all about. It is about going into those scary places with someone by your side. Someone who will never leave you and will always treasure you. No matter what and no matter how much you change,” Cas replied.
Demi didn’t answer.
“Demina,” The rich depth of his voice warmed her, as familiar and comforting as a well-loved quilt. She finally turned around and wrapped her arms around the solid breadth of his shoulders, pulling him down to her. He kissed her lips softly. Everything was gone as it was just him and her. A hush fell over nature. The birds quieted, the crickets chirps ceased, and the wind seemed to hold its breath. Time was at a standstill and after a moment, she started to pull away. Castiel held on to her and deepened the kiss. Their kiss started gently at first but soon grew more passionate. After one final deep kiss, Demina withdrew and Cas clasped her head in his hands, feathering his thumbs over her cheeks and smiling down at her. Demina lifted her eyes to his, a shy smile on her face. She glanced down and licked her lips, shivering. Cas frowned. He kissed her head, rubbing his hands up and down her arms.
“Are you cold?”
Demi shook her head and swallowed. She pulled away.
“I-I should go inside,” she mumbled, hurrying past him.
“Demi, wait!”
But the door slammed behind her and she didn’t come back out. Cas sighed, running his fingers through his hair, and watching the lightening sky. A small light twinkled far off in the distance and he grinned.
