Chapter 49
"What is he doing here?" Jaxon asked, spotting Chase in the throng of mourners. Avelyn had given the palace staff the day off, wanting to be alone to grieve. Most of them had refused to take the day off, out of loyalty and love of Avelyn and friendship and respect for Demina. She glanced at where Jaxon was looking, finding Chase. She once again fought the anger and pain that came with seeing him, forgiving him.
"He has a right to be here too, Jax. He loved her first," Avelyn answered. She moved closer to Jaxon. There was still something that unsettled her about Chase.
"Castiel is not going to be happy," Jaxon muttered.
Avelyn sighed again. She hadn’t seen the Nissanian prince all morning. She didn’t even know if he would be coming. But Jaxon had told that he would be escorting Demi’s body to the burial. Though, when she had last seen Castiel, he had been in a really rough spot.
Castiel walked slowly down the line, holding one of the poles on Demina’s crypt. It was a gold casket encased by glass so that all could see her face. He kept his eyes down but away from her face and walked in the middle of the people. They had come to mourn and pay their last respects. Demina had been prepared for burial. Washed, her wound stitched up, and dressed in a beautiful white dress. Spices had been poured on the body to keep it from smelling, flower petals formed a ring around her head. She looked more like she was sleeping. But he knew that it wasn’t true. Demina was gone, forever. Her eyes would never again twinkle with amusement or flash in anger. Never again would he argue with her or hear her laugh at his stupidity, never again would he hear his name cross her lips. Castiel choked back a sob, forcing himself to keep going. Finally, he reached the end and Jaxon took his pole as Castiel moved to the back. The other three men bowed to them and Cassiopeia and Nyssa came to their side as they entered the tomb. This would be a private goodbye.
Jaxon and Castiel placed the crypt in the middle of the room, the sunlight shining through a hole roof. They stepped back as Avelyn stepped forward. She gently placed one of her own small crowns on Demi’s head before stepping back and taking hold of Jaxon’s hand. Jaxon squeezed her hand as Nyssa stepped forward. The princess of Guzel placed a single yellow flower on top. Cassiopeia stepped forward but hesitated.
“I didn’t know Demina as well as all of you did. But I would say that I feel she would’ve made a great friend to me if I had. I give her this gift, protection from decay and bandits who wish to take these gifts.”
Cassiopeia lifted her hands and spread them around, gold dust coming from them. Cassiopeia stepped back and it was finally Castiel’s turn. Avelyn blinked back her tears. His gaze slammed into hers and held. She felt her heart being ripped out of her chest at the pain and grief in his eyes. She lowered her eyes as he continued forward. He slowly opened the glass case and just stared at her. He brushed back her hair one last time and reached into his pocket, smiling sadly.
“I picked this up on our way to the outskirts Demi. I knew even then that I wanted to marry you. I was just waiting for you to be sure of yourself. You made me the happiest man alive when you said you loved me,” he sucked in a breath, not even trying to hold back his tears as he lifted her hand. He gently slipped the sapphire heart-shaped ring onto her left finger, “And even now, I don’t regret ever loving you. My only regret...is...you never finding out how much. My only regret is not stopping you from loving me enough to sacrifice yourself for me.”
He slowly closed the casket and pressed his hand to the glass. Jaxon lay a hand on his shoulder and Castiel gratefully placed other hand on his. He finally stepped back and they all stood in silence.
Cassi felt it, her eyes narrowed and grave. It was such a strange occurrence. She had felt the presence of magic so strongly. She had grown in her magic and healing abilities but at times it was a bit scary. Like now. She could feel the magic emanating from Demina’s still form. Cassi blew out a breath, her heart beating at a rapid pace. Demina was dead. It wasn’t like she was playing some cruel prank. She wasn’t going to jump up and strangle her. The longer she stayed in this room though, the more she could feel it. It kept getting stronger and stronger until she was overpowered. Darkness overtook her and she collapsed onto the floor.
“Cassiopeia....Cassi...Cass.”
Cassi opened her eyes, blinking. Castiel, Nyssa, Jaxon, and Avelyn’s face came into view.
“What happened?” she asked.
They all glanced at each other.
“You passed out,” Nyssa said. She looked worried.
“Are you alright?” Avelyn asked.
Cassiopeia frowned as Castiel helped her up and Jaxon made sure she was steady on her feet.
“I-I don’t know.”
