Caden
Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills: Fit
In the short time Caden had known Nero, he had quickly learned Nero's quarks and mannerisms. With that, it didn't seem like it had been a short time. It felt like Caden had been apart of Nero for months, years. He held the little imp's hands securely, thinking about how lucky he truly was to have such a companion early in his life. It was because of this connection that Caden could feel Nero's nervous energy wanting to let go and run all over the gazebo.
Caden rubbed his fingers across the back of Nero's hands after Cassi had anointed them. His eyes were trained on Nero, so he noticed the shift in Nero's demeanor. Caden titled his head slightly in silent question. A familiar look entered Nero's eyes and Caden's smirk mirrored Nero's; his eyes shifting to the brilliance of his dragon's.
Cassiopeia Claire Alistair
Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills: Fit Hair Make-up
While Cassi went through the steps, the atmosphere around the group shifted. Goosebumps rose on Cassi's skin when the magic of the ceremony started to grow. She returned to the altar, exchanging the bowl for the dagger, and came back to prick a finger on Caden and on Nero's hands. As soon as blood was added to the mix, the magic grew stronger. Cassi could taste it on her tongue and it sent a pleasant tingle through her body.
"Grasp forearms," she instructed the couple. Caden's hand encompassed Nero's forearm, his fingers wrapping over each other as he held on securely.
Behind Cassi, the book on the altar flipped pages on its own, and as Cassi spoke, the wind came. It wrapped itself around Nic in friendly greeting before joining Cassi. A flare of gold and purple swirled briefly around Caden and Nero's arms before it thinned out and wrapped like a rope around their joined forearms.
When Cassi spoke, her voice sounded older, much like Caden's would get when he tapped into the power of his dragon. Her voice held the warmth of a crackling hearth, but the smell of the world around them shifted to that of ozone and fresh rain.
"The two shall become one, united and bound by blood, bone, and flesh. What one feels so may the other feel. What one desires so may the dream. What one hears so may the other see. Joined, connected, fore-" The wind snapped and howled around them. The candles snuffed out and Cassi felt the air leave her lungs momentarily. Her eyes snapped open, wide with shock before they rolled back into her head.
Caden didn't dare break the connection with Nero but he yelled at Nic to grab Cassi before she fell. But Cassi didn't fall. She was frozen in place as the vision overtook her. She saw darkness and experienced a cold so powerful she wondered if she would ever be warm again. Shadows danced around her until they started to solidify. Cassi saw a familiar chair--a throne--and she knew where she was.
People came out of the darkness, demons, devils, and witches. All manner of dark creatures crowded and shoved to get a glimpse of the people on the altar. Cassi saw Nero chained as they usually were, but they were dressed in this ridiculous gown. If one could even call it that. It was more a piece of the night sky draped across their porcelain skin, leaving them quite naked. Mundus towered over them, one hand on Nero's shoulder while the other held their chain. Cassi resisted the urge to charge forward and rip the thing from Mundus's hands.
The prince smiled, his teeth glowing in the dim light as he stared down at her and the people around her. "Bow my children, and welcome my mate."
Cassi was thrown from the vision. She hurtled through the worlds between and gasped when she finally returned. Cassi stumbled back into something warm and solid. Her eyes desperately searched for Caden's then Nero's. She looked at the demon with such sorrow before looking at Caden again.
"I can't," she said, repeating herself several times as she shook her head vigorously.
Caden refused to release Nero's forearm even though the magic had unraveled from around them. His hold tightened.
"Mon amour, please. You said you could do this."Cassi shook her head profusely.
"I can't, Caden, I can't I can't I...." Her voice broke and she looked back at Nero, tears streaming down her face.
"They're already claimed."Silence filled the space, the wind finally gone. Not even the birds sang goodnight to the fading sunlight. Cassi turned and buried her face in Nic's chest.
"I can't I'm so sorry I can't.""Fuck."
