Beta read by: Amanda Nilsson
Full summary: House Aegra of Eden have been at war with Purgatory for fifteen years after Lucifer tricked and (most) of Castiel's family with the goal of the throne. At a crucial time in the war, Gabriel has to leave Castiel in command of the throne and the Kingdom of Eden. The problem? Castiel never wanted to be King in the first place, and with opposition to the Crown blooming like chaos from every direction, he's in for a tougher job than he ever realised possible.
Ever since being captured by Eden's forces eight years ago, all Dean's done is try to prove himself as loyal so he can go back home and find his brother who was stolen as a child. After accidentally saving the Crown Prince's life, he finally has his shot! Alas, he was only meant to be a guard, he never meant to start actually liking the guy!
(If you enjoy things like Game of Thrones, BBC Merlin, Lord of the Rings etc., this fic might be to your taste!)
Warnings: explicit language, sexual content, violence and torture, non graphic descriptions of non-con, non graphic descriptions of underage sex/non-con, drug use, alcoholism, prostitution, major character death, anal sex without proper lube (because it doesn't exist), unsafe sex
Castiel
Ol bolape a noco de elo
I am the servant of God
"I'm bored," Castiel whined in his seat. He was seven summers now and deemed old enough to attend formal events. This was not a privilege Castiel enjoyed. In fact, he'd much rather be running around outside with the other native children of Purgatory. Though, they were playing knights, and Castiel had had enough of knights for a while. As the youngest son to the King and Queen of Eden, he would be expected to become a knight someday, or to be married off to some nobleman's daughter. Of course at seven Castiel didn't really understand all this, they were just words, but he still found them swirling around his thoughts.
His mother, Naomi, shushed him in Enochian, the ancient language of Eden. They didn't speak it outside the gates of the city, and even natives had mostly abandoned the language for the much simpler Common Tongue. Still, Castiel was made to take lessons daily. In fact, he should be thankful for this whole event.
"Light of my life," he heard his brother Lucifer (the second eldest) say to Lilith, his new bride (who giggled at the sound). Castiel had recited all the proper names the week before, and his recent education had been almost entirely focused on politics. Olapireta de en malpirgi, Castiel mouthed the words, determined to have Enochian roll off his tongue naturally one day. Currently, he found the harsh sounds too tough to produce correctly.
Lucifer swung his new wife to and fro like they were made purely from air. Castiel was glad he was yet to begin dancing lessons. Michael and Gabriel, who were old enough to have proper dance partners, were also gliding along the smooth floor. It was as if they were flying. Castiel adored the old legends, even if they were just bed time stories, that the first King and Queen of Eden were angels from Heaven themselves, commanded down to Earth to rule over men where the Holy Father could not.
Castiel shifted in the dark wood seat, unable to get comfortable. There was a buzzing in his ears, an itch in his back (though that may have been from the ridiculous clothes). A shiver ran down his spine from the breeze, and he wondered if this castle was older than home. He decided then and there that he hated Purgatory. It all felt so wrong and different from home. He hated that Lucifer would have to live here now because Lord Azazel was sonless, although they didn't speak much he was still his brother.
"Mama," he said in Enochian. "Can I get down from the table?"
"Stay where I can see you," she replied. She was probably tired, from the sounds of it. Castiel stood up, a lot shorter than his height had appeared from the chair, and wrapped his arms around her legs. Pressing a swift kiss to her knee, he ventured off the platform with the long dinner table (set up for the royal family) and into the unknown, trying to avoid being smacked by a lady's dress.
Of course, Castiel didn't listen to his mother and managed to find himself lost in just a few short moments. Too many people were swirling around him and it was making him dizzy. Castiel was rarely clumsy, and so managed to avoid tripping. He did, though, end up making his way to the wall, a clever strategy (for a child his age, anyway). Directly in front of his eyes, now outside of the mass of people, was the tall and looming door out of the great hall. Everything was so dark in this place, all greys and blacks and sometimes a bit of dark red here and there. Eden, meanwhile, was full of warm and bright colours like the outside. Maybe he would be allowed some air, after all.
Something else quickly caught his attention. In Eden, at least, guards wouldn't dress like they're ready to go to battle. "Why are you wearing chainmail?" He said in the Common Tongue, attempting to mask his heavy Edenish accent. He said 'chainmail' slowly, hopping he'd got it correct. He'd only just learnt the word.
"What's it to you, little prince?" The man drew out the last word, not that Castiel particularly noticed.
"They don't wear that in Eden. Not for weddings is all."
"Well, kid, you're not Eden anymore."
Castiel pressed his lips together. He wanted to press the guards more, not liking the way they'd spoken to him, but his mother had warned him against his curiosity many times. Castiel did not want to be punished by Naomi. She was his mother and he loved her, but she terrified him sometimes. He still wanted to go outside, but these guards really weren't friendly like he was used to. Frustrated, Castiel made his way to the room's only window, staring wistfully at the grass. Even that, though, was the wrong colour, a much darker shade, here.
He almost missed the chime of Lucifer's knife tapping against the glass. He'd learnt about this, the groom always gave a speech at a wedding. The attention in the room shifted and Lucifer smiled wider than Castiel had ever seen him. Then again, Lucifer never seemed to regard Castiel as anything but annoying. He spoke in the Common Tongue, somehow freeing himself altogether of the typical Edenish accent. It was a skill Castiel wanted desperately to learn. The words were too long and complicated for Castiel's attention span, so he looked around.
The guards from the door, and many other around the room, had changed their position outside the circle of guests. Maybe they were interested, too! That thought was more comforting to Castiel, that maybe they weren't so different here after all. Maybe home could wait.
They were so fast. Lucifer raised his cup and Hell opened. Castiel had witnessed plenty of fights, having snuck around the castle (though he was mostly made to by his brothers). But that was only between the knights and Castiel had come to learn that their fighting didn't count, it was a show of affection. He hadn't seen that much blood either. Raphael had a nose bleed once, he remembered. He usually had small scrapes all over his arms and knees from playing and climbing and running around the castle.
Castiel recognised the guard he'd spoken to stab a lady right through the throat. Her blood seemed to explode down the back of her neck, staining her dress with thick, glistening red. Screams and pandemonium replaced the joy of the room. Castiel's breathing was laboured and heavy. He stood there shaking, he had absolutely no idea what to do. Of course, nobody really brought a sword to a wedding. His family was defenceless. Out of the crowd, he saw Lucifer standing in the same position, glass raised. He seemed to meet eyes with Castiel, smirk, and drank the ruby red wine. All at once, Castiel wished he was drinking poison in that glass. His eyes burned like storms with anger and betrayal.
The sound of glass smashing snapped Castiel out of it. He began to sob as he felt arms close around him briefly, only to be thrown out of the window. Everything hurt, especially his forearm. "Beranusaji!" He cried out until his throat was hoarse. Mother. Mama. Castiel stared up into the night sky, fully expecting to die, watching the stars melt away as he closed his eyes.
Castiel jerked upright to the dreadful clanging of bells and found himself drenched in cold sweat. Although his chambers were essentially just a tower, as far away from civilisation as the castle would allow, he felt vibrations even in his bed – as he did every morning in fact. How strange, he had not dreamt of that day for almost eight winters. Now going into his twenty second summer, Castiel had not opted for the larger chambers he was entitled to (as second in line for the throne of Eden), this place had been his since he left the nursery.
His chambers weren't anything special. Not that Cas ever really left Eden for long enough to check, so he only really had Gabriel's to compare it with, and he was the King. He, too, had kept his old chambers. Neither of them wanted to sleep in the bed of their dead siblings or parents. Because of its location, Castiel's bedroom was circular, his bed directly opposite the entrance to the spiral staircase.
The servant girls would show up within the hour, despite Castiel's numerous protests. He pulled himself out of his warm bed, legs as heavy as steel from the previous day's activities of training. Castiel never made his bed, he didn't think it was all that important. Still, any books left lying around (only science, history or legends, Castiel didn't have a taste for fiction), or clothes on the floor somehow ended up immaculately placed back where they'd originally come from. At least he could dress himself! He wore a soft and light material, cream shirt and loose brown trousers, because it was seen as generally more respectful to not 'dress up' for the service.
Castiel lazily made his way down the staircase. They had a day off every New Moon. Under Gabriel's rule, they celebrated the day, but traditionally the day was one of solemn worship for The Four. Castiel ignored his breakfast, left on the wooden table in the far corner of the larger of the two rooms on the second floor. Though, he noticed there was more on his plate than usual, at least five spoonfuls more of sugar than he'd normally be given. No, he'd much rather spend his small amount of free time in his garden. Gabriel could tease him all he liked, but the garden would always be Castiel's. Besides, he was more than happy to keep the bees for their sweet honey.
He managed to leave the castle building without coming across anybody other than guards and servants. The gardens outside were almost as large as the castle itself, and were highly maintained. Castiel's, though, was much smaller and on the very edge of the hill, where sometimes on a clear day he swore he could see out even further than the kingdom. He sat on his regular granite bench (just outside the tiny pavilion), which was uncomfortably cold due to the earliness of the morning. Castiel closed his eyes and inhaled the sweet perfume of the flowers surrounding him. A small honey bee flew past and around his ears in a circle. He liked to watch the bees, and admired how simple their lives were.
"Cassie! Long time no see!" Castiel's eyes snapped open to meet the face of Balthazar, son or Lord Xavier, who had actually come for the ball for once. Not that they always had a ball, but this was special because it was the first New Moon Day of summer. Balthazar would never miss a good party, he was already dressed for it in one of his ridiculously low cut shirts. Castiel felt a wave of relief rush over him, it felt like it had been seasons since he'd heard his friend's smooth Common Tongue accent.
Castiel smiled from ear to ear. "You haven't come here for New Moon Day since last winter."
Balthazar chuckled and sat down beside him. "Well, princess, I was busy."
Castiel squinted. "With what?"
"Oh, you know," he leant back, "drinking and dancing and women. Especially the women. Cassie, there was this one who-"
Castiel felt his cheeks begin to flush. "Can we not talk about such things in that much detail?"
He rolled his eyes. "Just because you like to pretend you're wearing a chastity belt..."
"And how many bastards have you unwittingly fathered?" Castiel snapped. Balthazar gave him an odd look. He was even taken aback at his own outburst, he usually kept out of commenting on other people's life styles. "I... apologise. I've been stressed this morning."
"You act so... elderly. You're not even married yet! This is your time to live!" Balthazar exclaimed. Castiel didn't reply. "...Princess?"
"They've started again," he admitted, "the nightmares I thought were gone."
"Cassie-" Balthazar was cut off by the deafening bells. "I'll see you later, okay?" He looked like he wanted to say something else, but kept his mouth shut and turned away.
Again, Castiel didn't reply and watched his only friend walk away. He didn't need to leave. As Prince of Eden, he would only be required at the service after every regular citizen was seated. It was a policy of Gabriel's he very much admired. For worship, he, Gabriel and Anna weren't royalty at all, and they sat among commoners.
It was a secret desire of Castiel's, to be normal. Castiel the Person wouldn't have had most of his family brutally slaughtered. Castiel the Person wouldn't be trying to win a war against his own brother. Unfortunately, Castiel was a prince, and Castiel the Prince couldn't dream of being a person. He was even surprised, now Balthazar mentioned it, that he hadn't been made to marry yet. Not that Gabriel would force him to do anything against his will, but he wasn't selfish enough to refuse. The bells at the top of the Temple of the Day were stuck once more.
The city was essentially just a very large hill. The Temple of the Day was the only structure on the very top of the hill, reaching way out to the western skies. Because it was built up the hill from the ground, it was easily the tallest structure in the known world. The part at the top was built around a natural water spring which quenched the city, and also had the bells. When the city was founded the hill was built and shaped into five levels with stone. The second was for the most religious who devoted their lives to the gods, and for the elders who had no family to take care of them. The third was where the castle was located, the fourth housed the richer residents and the fifth was the ground. It was full of taverns and brothels and noise. Castiel usually avoided anywhere but the central street leading to the gate if he went down to that level. The Temple of the Night was also located modestly on ground level.
The Temple of the Night was said to have been the first building erected in Eden. It was simple, too, with only one room. Although it stood taller than the houses in its vicinity, it wasn't a large building, unlike the Temple of the Day, which reached right out to touch the sun. Castiel did straighten his shirt, but he was dressed simply. The fancy, confining clothes would come later. He removed his boots out of respect for the Four, sitting himself down next to Gabriel near the back as the priest began to speak.
Because so few people spoke Enochian fluently (after all it was an incredibly complicated language), not many in the temple actually understood the priest. It was a beautiful legend, Castiel thought. Once, there was no light in the world. The gods and goddess' knew there was a problem when Hael the Gentle, keeper of all vegetation, discovered that no life could thrive in the eternal dark. They fused their power together to create a ball of pure light and energy. Heaven rejoiced, for finally life could begin. Four brothers had sacrificed more of their power than the others, and so they were fading, no longer able to fulfil their purpose. Another problem was that the world was made round like a ball, and the sun could not shine everywhere at once. A solution was found when the rest of the gods combined two and two, the generous gods would become The Four Brothers of Day, passing the son to one another so that 'day' and 'night' were created.
Four of their sisters, however, grew jealous. They created all kinds of unspeakable evil in secret to plague the gods' proudest creature – humans. When they were discovered, their punishment was to control their creation by restricting their territory to the night. They were also made to carry a giant rock between them that reflected the light of the sun, which they were never to lay their eyes upon again. The moon began as full, but as they grew tired, their grasp began to slip. Eventually, it turned all the way and there was no bright beacon that used to give humans hope in the darkness. Guilty for their actions, and for harming the humans, the Four Sisters of Night found the strength to turn the giant rock around, the moon, and begin again. Humanity and the other gods had forgiven them, and they were worshiped as a symbol of hope. Every moon cycle, humanity was to pray that they find the strength to make the moon whole again.
The story was more poetic in Enochian, but its morals remained the same. Accept your punishment, always carry on with it, no matter how hard the going gets, and maybe one day you too will be forgiven for your sins and even thanked.
The congregation said together a short prayer in Enochian and were dismissed. Castiel had been too young to properly remember the old traditions, but now at least it was all parties. Although the ball was not for commoners, most would have their own celebrations. Castiel was dreading it. He couldn't glide like everyone else, he could only shuffle and place his arms awkwardly around the many faceless women who would compliment him in their fake honey voices.
"Brother dearest!" Gabriel called out the moment they stepped inside the castle. "I have things to discuss with you!"
Castiel paled. "Like what? Couldn't you ask Zachariah?" Zachariah was the royal advisor who supported Gabriel until he had come of age. As much as Castiel didn't like him, he'd won Eden many of their battles against Purgatory. Lucifer hadn't anticipated that anybody in that grand hall that day would escape, he'd assumed he'd be able to walk straight up to the throne without opposition.
"Unfortunately, baby bro, this is between you and me." Gabriel threw an arm around Castiel's shoulders.
Beside them Anna, now thirteen summers old, pouted. "But you guys promised to hang out with me today!"
Castiel smiled. "Why don't you go outside and show off how well you can dance?" He pressed a kiss onto her forehead before she could run off. "What, Gabriel?"
His older brother opened the doors to his rooms. They were less barren than Castiel's, and were covered in the kingdom's finest materials. Castiel wrinkled his nose at the sight of female undergarments strewn over the table. Just like Balthazar, Gabriel was not shy about his sexual conquests. Gabriel picked up the scanty clothing, shrugged, and tossed them aside.
"Cassie, I need to speak to you as a king, not as a brother."
Castiel swallowed. "Nothing bad has happened?"
"No!" Gabriel hastily confirmed. "Castiel, you know we're not going to win this war like this. Lucifer is making all kinds of alliances, many lords are joining his side. We need to do the same."
He suddenly caught on. "You want me to... leave Eden?"
Gabriel shook his head. "No, baby bro, I don't think you could sway them like I need. No, we'll have more of a chance if I go myself."
Castiel must have visibly paled. "You're going to leave me in charge of Eden?!"
"I'm so glad you're okay with this!"
"Gabriel!"
"Cassie!"
"I cannot run a kingdom," Castiel practically hissed. "I'm useless!"
"Bitch please," Gabriel said, which warmed Castiel's heart just a little. "I've seen you strategise. You knocked Zach right on his ass just last cycle! I'll only be gone for two New Moon Days at most. You'll be fine, even you can't fuck this up."
Castiel ruthlessly read over the scroll. "You're giving me absolute powers until you return to Eden."
Gabriel shrugged. "You might need them. Come oooon Cassie. Would you rather I left Zach in charge?"
Castiel practically shuddered at the idea. "Alright."
"Sweet!" Gabriel downed some kind of sweet, exotic fruit that was probably more expensive than a house. "I'm leaving tomorrow before dawn! Now get out of here so I can party!"
"Gabriel!" If it wasn't high treason, Castiel might have murdered him.
