Destined

Chapter 2

I don't know exactly how long I sat there in my room, staring at the wall, but it felt like forever. At least I was able to stretch out my wings without feeling self-conscious, but I didn't know what to do. No one had told me much of anything at all. Eventually I decided I didn't just want to stay there all day, so I got up, thinking to explore the castle instead.

The castle was huge. The ceilings in some of the rooms were so high I easily could have flown in them. I passed many people here and there, but none of them spoke to me. Just as well, I was not very keen on the idea of talking to any of them. But then I was rounding a corner and ran straight into someone coming the opposite direction, causing the both of us to fall over.

"Oh I'm very sorry, I should have-"

"Hey, don't worry about it," the person said. As we both stood up, I looked to see who I'd run into. It was a tall boy with short, dirty blond hair and bright green eyes that looked at me as if I was an amusing joke he was making a note of to tell his friends about later. He watched me for a second before I saw his eyes widen. I was confused for a moment before realizing he must have seen my wings.

"Well, the King and Queen have really loosened up, haven't they?" He said. I tilted my head.

"I beg your pardon?" I asked.

"You're the royal from across the lake. When they said I would be marrying someone I assumed it would be a girl," he said, smiling jokingly. I realized then that I'd just knocked down Prince Dean, the heir to the Winchester throne and my future brother-in-law. But that realization was slightly overshadowed by the other.

"Me? No! You are to marry my sister! I simply accompanied her here," I exclaimed, my face turning red. Dean chuckled.

"I know, I was messing with you. So which one are you? There are so many of you," Dean said.

"I'm sorry?"

"Which prince are you?" Dean clarified. I felt my feathers ruffle indignantly.

"I am Castiel, as I thought you would have known. And the sister that you are to be wed to is Hannah, if you didn't know that either. I don't know why you would, you don't seem to care about the whole affair in the slightest," I said. Dean looked taken aback at my harsh tone.

"I knew your sister's name. Look, this whole thing wasn't exactly my idea, okay? I'm sorry if I'm not thrilled to marry a woman I've never met," he said. I watched him for a moment before shaking out my wings, smoothing them down.

"I suppose you have a point. If you will excuse me, I should return to my room," I said. I turned and started down the hall the way I had come from, Dean watching as I walked away.

I stayed in my room after that, my curiosity about the castle satisfied. Either that or I didn't fancy running into anyone else right now, figuratively or literally. I decided that, as reading books hadn't failed me yet, it would be a better option to pass the time. It was only a few chapters later when there was a knock at the door. When I opened it, I saw Dean. I was confused as to why he would be here, he had no reason to be, as far as I was aware.

"Your highness?" I asked. Dean raised an eyebrow.

"Your highness? Please, call me Dean," he said. I nodded. "I came to check on you. To see how you were settling in." I opened the door wider, inviting him in. He stepped through and I closed the door behind him.

"My sister is the one you should be concerned about. She is, after all, the important one," I said. A strange look passed over Dean's face quickly.

"Hannah has Charlie, she'll be fine, Charlie's the best guide anyone could ask for. But from what I hear, you were thrown in head first and no one told you which way was up," he said. I blinked at the awkwardly accurate description of my feelings.

"I do not... I mean... I... I do not want you to think I am..." I cursed myself for being unable to create a full sentence, but Dean just smiled, amused.

"We aren't going to throw you in the dungeon if you say you have a problem. Just because your sister is the one getting married here doesn't mean we can ignore you. You're just as important," he said. I stared at him, his last words not quite making sense to me. Of course I wasn't as important. That was why I was here with Hannah in the first place. I wasn't needed anywhere else.

"I appreciate your attempt to make me more comfortable, but there's no need to lie. I don't mind that I'm not the center of attention, I actually rather enjoy it," I said. Dean paused for a moment, watching me, before speaking again.

"Ok... Do you want anything? Do you want me to show you somewhere, I could take you to our stables if you wish," he said. I glanced around the room quickly, shifting my weight.

"Oh no, horses... I do not much care for horses," I said.

"You don't like horses?" Dean repeated.

"They are majestic creatures... with very large hooves. I simply do not..." I trailed off when I noticed Dean trying to mask his laughter rather poorly. I felt my cheeks turning red, and I crossed my arms. Neither of us said anything until Dean got himself under control.

"Not the stables, then," he said.

"I am perfectly fine here. Although... If you could perhaps tell me where I am supposed to go for the ball," I muttered, embarrassed that I needed to ask for help for something that was so simple. Dean smiled slightly.

"It starts in about an hour. I'll come and get you," Dean said, walking past me and opening the door. I simply watched him as he walked out, closing the door behind him, then I sat down in my chair. I was still trying to catch up to what had just happened, exactly. Why would Dean want to talk to me? What could he possibly gain from it? From the tales I had heard of him, we seemed very much to be two completely different people. Perhaps he simply found my wings fascinating. I picked up my book, deciding not to think about this any longer. It would do me no good to dwell on Dean Winchester.