Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Beauty and the Beast or its characters.
However Cassiana and Jordan are mine.
Author's Note: Chapter 4 is set when Vincent, Devin and Cassiana were teenagers.
The Cassiana Chronicles
Chapter 4 – It Started With A Kiss
Cassiana had known Devin Wells for as long as she could remember. Although
she was older than him, but only just, he had always been around. The two of
them, along with Vincent, were collectively known as The Three Musketeers,
one for all and all for one. Nearly always together, and when they couldn't be,
never very far apart.
She'd always thought of Vincent as the brother she never had. And she loved
him dearly. But her feelings for Devin were different. She had always gone
out of her way to impress him, and attract his attention, with dare-devil stunts
and practical jokes on the other tunnel dwellers, usually resulting in lengthy
tellings off from Father. And it worked. He did notice her, even if it was
only to try to go one better.
But lately she had begun to realise that what she really wanted, was for Devin
to notice she was a girl, not just 'one of the boys'. And at last she had thought
of a way to do just that.
It was Winterfest tomorrow, and instead of her usual garb of trousers and shirts,
she had joined forces with one of the helpers, and they had put together her
idea of a dream dress, that hopefully would knock Devin's socks off. It had
long sleeves, and a tight bodice that tied with laces in front, and the skirt was
made of many small pieces of a gauze like material sewn together so that they
floated when she twirled around. It fell in a handkerchief hemline to mid-calf
and was the most beautiful shade of lilac, shot through with silver thread. If
he didn't realise she was a girl after seeing her wearing it, then he was a lost
cause, she thought smiling. But knew in her heart that she would never give
up on him, however long it took. One day she would get him to notice her,
even if it took forever.
The next day Cassiana dressed with care for the annual Winterfest celebration.
Everything had to be just right. She had to look perfect. Just as she put the
finishing touches to her outfit, she heard a cough from outside her chamber,
and smiled.
"Come in Vincent."
As he entered the chamber Vincent's eyes focused on Cassi and widened as he
took in her appearance.
"You look beautiful." He said, a curious note in his voice.
"Thank you." She replied. "But you sound surprised Vincent."
Vincent lowered his eyes. "It's just that usually you look so, so ordinary, and
like..." He trailed off sheepishly.
She took pity on him and finished the sentence herself. "...like one of the boys."
Vincent nodded. "But I don't tonight?" She asked.
"Oh no, tonight you look like a Fairy Princess." Vincent replied eagerly.
"Good." She said, grinning at him. "Shall we go?"
He nodded, and they left on their way to the Great Hall.
Meanwhile, in his chamber Devin was regarding his clothing with a critical eye.
Usually it didn't bother him what he wore. Anything would do. But tonight was
different. Tonight was special. Tonight he was going to tell Cassiana how he
really felt about her, and if he looked his usual scruffy self she would probably
laugh. No she wouldn't laugh, not Cass, she wouldn't be so cruel. She was
sensitive about things. In fact he was surprised she hadn't picked up on his
feelings before now. Cassiana was nearly always the first to know how he felt
about things. He would tell her tonight and hope that she took him seriously.
He looked down again at his clothes, and straightened his tunic. He would have
to do. There wasn't time to change, and besides he didn't have anything else to
change in to.
As they entered the Great Hall, all eyes turned towards them. Vincent shifted
uncomfortably under the scrutiny, but realised that most of the people gathered
were looking at his companion and not at himself. Cassi for her part searched
for only one pair of eyes in the crowd. And as she looked around the vast hall
she found them and saw them widen as they took in her outfit. She also saw
that their owners mouth dropped open so far she thought it was going to hit the
floor. And a small bubble of excitement welled up inside of her. For as Devin
regained his composure she saw something in his eyes that made her heart miss
a beat. For just one instant all his feelings were reflected there, and she knew
that everything would be ok. It wasn't going to take forever after all.
As Vincent and Cassiana moved further into the hall, Devin moved forward to
meet them. He acknowledged Vincent briefly, before turning his full attention
on the young woman standing so elegantly at his brother's side. He could not
believe that this was the same person who only yesterday and helped him to
decorate the Great Hall for this evenings festivities, dressed in a pair of well
worn sued pants and one of his own sweaters. Today she looked magical,
unreal but at the same time very, very real. She took his breath away and he had
no idea what to say to her, and yet he wanted to say everything. Taking a deep,
steadying breath he settled for a simple.
"You look stunning Cass." And the smile that lit up her features made his heart
glow. "Would you like to dance?" He asked her, the words sounding strange to
his ears, unaccustomed as he was to saying them.
The smile lit Cassi's face again as she said. "Thank you Devin. I would love to.
Do you mind Vincent?" She asked, taking her leave of him.
"No of course not." Vincent replied, ducking his head shyly, embarrassed that she
thought he would mind.
Cassi took the hand that Devin reached out to her, trying to ignore the jolt of
electricity that shot up her arm at his touch, and they moved on to the area that had
been set aside for those who wished to dance.
From that moment on Devin stayed by Cassiana's side all evening. Vincent looked
in wonder and awe at his closest friends. It was so obvious to him that they were
falling in love that he kept glancing across at Father to gauge his reaction, and was
surprised to see that he was completely oblivious to what was happening. How
could he not see, Vincent wondered as his gaze fell once again on the young couple.
It was so obvious.
Later that evening as the festivities came to a close Devin found himself walking
Cassi to her chamber. He didn't want the evening to end. The thought of saying
goodbye to her even for just a few hours until morning was physically painful.
As they reached her chamber Cassi turned to face him, and Devin took her hands
in his. Staring into her eyes he whispered.
"I love you Cass. I have done for so long I just didn't know how to tell you. I
thought you'd laugh at me."
He watched as tears filled her eyes, but instinct told him they were happy tears.
"You have no idea how long I've waited for you to say that Devin. I've never
been happier than I am at this very minute. I love you too."
Devin felt tears fills his own eyes as he leant forward to place a kiss on her lips.
The ferocity of her response took him by surprise, as did his own awakening
desire.
"I don't want to leave you." He said.
"Then stay." She replied quietly.
"Are you sure?" Devin asked looking deep into her eyes.
Cassiana nodded. "I'm sure." She said, as she took his hand and lead him into
her chamber.