Chapter 2 I'm back from hell

Cassidy sat cross-legged on her bed, bathed in the soft glow of her bedside lamp. The scent of vanilla candles wafted through the air, wrapping her in a cocoon of comfort. Her favorite novel lay open on her lap, its pages worn from countless readings, yet each word still held the power to transport her to another world.

With her headphones on, she lost herself in the melodic strains of her favorite playlist, the music weaving through her thoughts like a familiar friend. Outside, the rain tapped gently against her window, a soothing rhythm that matched the cadence of her heart. She had all she could ask for- though not everything.

Sighing, she placed her customized bookmark as she heard the bell.

With a grunt she threw her legs over her bed and found her way downstairs for devotion.

_if only I could miss it_

Cassie thought as she sat at the far end of the chapel while she thought of what her book boyfriend was gonna do to his cheating wife.

One way or the other, Cassie found herself at the foster home, technically she has been there all her life. But aside from all the virgin Mary, mother superior shits.....the place was heaven. You get to have your own room and decorate it any way once you're twelve. Just the curfew that was killing. Lights out...no phone...no loud music and the worse part...NO BOYFRIEND!!!

She mentally slapped herself as she realized that she could be slapped by the holy spirit for bearing foul thoughts in the presence of the Almighty.

"I was already asleep..." Katherine crooned sleepily as she knelt with a thump beside Cassie.

"Quit sounding like a sex depraved cat Kathy" Cassie laughed to herself and watched as the altar servers brought out blessed sacrament.

"At least someone realized I am!" Kathy whined but their conversation was cut short as the prayer started with the sign of the cross.

***

"Please tell me you're attending the frat party" Kathy said loudly and anything she was about to say was shut out as Cassie clamped her hand firmly on her mouth.

"You're gonna get us in trouble miss"

Cassie whispered harshly to her as she watched the other girls giggle as they passed, some holding rosaries looking like Mary and Martha but only she and Katherine knew those holies were caught at the basement giving some guys heads at the school auditorium.

_how gross_

"Please don't fall asleep before I get back" Kathy pleaded as she pushed Cassie into her room.

"I can't promise you young lady" Cassie huffed and jumped on her bed.

Staring wide eyed and inhaling the sweet scent of vanilla she couldn't help but replay what her life has been.

Sophomore year at Concordia university, though it wasn't easy with the entrance examinations and all ....but here she was. The only thing missing in her life was.... Romance.

With a sigh, she picked up the book she tucked away so carefully as dived right back into the sweet lines.

"How I wish life was like how it was in books...." She sighed to herself.

Her eyes were already dropping before her door banged open and so did her eyes as she shot a glare to her best friend who smiled sheepishly as she twirled her pigtails.

Kneeling down on the bed, she straddled Cassie who groaned in displeasure.

"We could get kicked out if caught in this position yunno" Cassie was quick to point out making Kathy huff before falling into bed right beside her.

"I don't know what's on your mind girl, we just finished devotion you unholy bitch"

"Says the girl that was thinking of how she was gonna fuck that cute guy from the medical lab while singing Ave Maria" Cassie teased as Kathy rolled her eyes in frustration.

"I'm not gonna ask you how you figured that out"

"It was so obvious, you're eyes has this way of turning a darker shade when nasty things float through your mind Kathy"

Clearing her throat, Kathy's way of changing topic caught Cassie off guard.

"So who is your date to the frat party?" Her tone getting serious that even as Cassie wanted to laugh her ass off, she couldn't.

"The universe would send one my way, don't bother!" Cassie replied with a smug smile.

"Oh come on, not this again...which of your book boyfriends this time Hun?" She of all people knew Cassie was single still waiting for that perfect guy that will pop out of one of her books and say to her '_let's fly to Vegas, get hitched and be together forever_'

Kathy was super sure that Cassie won't even bother as much as putting on a bra.

"I want the Zade kinda guy, something more but not less" Cassie was technically red as she thought of Zade Meadows, who wouldn't know that guy with the perfect set of yin yang eyes.

Almost immediately, the dark sky rumbled angrily and following it were series of thunder .

"Be careful of what you wish for Hun"

"I'm sure of what I want this time love"

***

Screams and the chugging and clanging of chains filled the air as burning flesh permeated the atmosphere.

Behind his cell, he gagged but was still used to it. A hundred years, long fucking depressive hundred years of punishment.

He bared his teeth In rage as he picked up movement close to his cell.

"Who dares to come to this arena?" His loud voice boomed down the hallways, freezing the soldiers who were on their way to deliver an important message to him.

With shaky legs, the second guard pushed the first one to face him- Alone.

Carrying the lantern that kept flickering threatening to go off, sweat broke out on his forehead as he was about to meet the most treacherous being in hell.

The Third Prince.

Unlocking the chain after layers and layers and layers of padlocks, he stepped in and the lantern instantly went off.

Not even bothering to preserve his dignity, he yelped like a school girl. He noticed the over grown beards, the bloodshot eyes, the glare.

_how could a human being be so damn scary?_

"Remember I'm not classified as a human Weiner" The mockery was set, Weiner?

_get out of my head you beast_

The instant he voiced that in his head, he was hauled across the room, bones chattering as his four front teeth was knocked as spine set at sn odd angle.

"Now I'm out, you're lucky I'm not in the mood to play with my meal, now spill"

Dragging his broken body to the centre of the cell, he grabbed the scroll and began;

"_You've been requested to join the queen at the banquet later on tonight for your next assignment_"

"Whatever "

Was his reply, this time for the first time in ages, he didn't hear the chains or locks going back in place.

He was free

_I AM FREE_

The words registered in his head but he wasn't ready...

Assignment? What could this possibly mean

Like, he was strong physically and all but emotionally, he was a train wreck.

His last assignment caused him the love of his life.

"I would give anything for you to be my assignment again Snowdrop"

***

All eyes turned to the last guest that entered but the most important guest of all. The honour was his but he couldn't care less.

Dressed in his full regalia, yunno....crown and all. He looked dashing as the light from the chandelier danced proudly in those ocean eyes. Ignoring the ladies already surrounding him, he went straight to the stairs, where his mother waited for him teary eyes.

"Mi corazon, I've missed you so much" His mother hugged him tight not even bothering about her makeup one bit.

"That's good...." His voice trailed off as he saw the way his mother's face dropped.

She doesn't deserve to be on his hurt list.

But still, that doesn't matter, so she wouldn't take his softness for his weakness.

The only two people that could make him go googoo Gaga was his precious snowdrop and.....

"Jaxon? No way!!!" He heard his sister yell from the other end of the ballroom.

His sister of course, they both have been through hell all thanks to their so called father's tyrancy.

He turned and gave her the tightest hug he could ever muster.

A hundred years and she hadn't even grown....it was all still the way he left it behind ...they too suffering a bit from anti-aging which most people would have found as a blessing but this curse was a punishment.

"How has my sweetest biscuits been?" He couldn't help the smile that graced his face.

"Sooo bad!" And without warning tears streamed down her face.

Careful not to smudge her makeup, he kissed her tears away as she held on to his hand.

"I'm here now biscuits alright..."

Princess Sydney nodded as she smiled radiantly as she stared into her brother's eyes.

"You look so young yunno.... Like you're still nineteen" His sister commented as she pulled him through the crowd to the dance floor.

"Plus a hundred...." He said sarcastically before continuing, "We were cursed you know....just that..."

"Cassidy right?" Sydney smiled as she silenced her brother who looked tormented.

"Yeah ... I've missed her so much "

"You've been through hell and I'm glad you still think about her" Her eyes scanned the crowd and noticed all the ladies glaring at her like she stole their man even as they were in their date's arms.

_He's my brother dummy's_

"I was in hell!"

His voice was raw in anger and pain and she noticed it.

"I have a feeling you'll be happy with your next assignment"

"Nah....none can have the thrills like snowdrop"

"Hmmm"

Princess Sydney gave Jaxon a sly grin as she tried stepping away. His arm instantly shot out, "Don't you dare....you're stuck with me biscuits"

"With pleasure knight"

***