The hallway beyond Castiel's bedroom was dark and looming. He hadn't gathered the courage yet to venture out of his room after the incident with Master Dean a few days ago. Would his master retract his new bit of freedom because of what had happened? There was no way for the angel to find out, as Master Dean had not visited him since.

Instead, Castiel spent the next few days alone in his room, thinking about the monumental night that had only been days ago. He often fantasized about his master that night, kneeling before him and using his strong hands to spread the angel's legs oh-so-gently so that he could take the angel's aching cock. Even with the lack of experience, Master Dean seemed to know exactly what to do to make Castiel cry out in pleasure.

But when he thought about what had happened after that, after his master had kissed him for the first time, he cringed.

After waiting for as long as his patience would allow, Castiel decided to roam the castle in hopes of running into his master. Maybe Castiel could comfort him, or at least take his mind off his worries. He wandered through the corridors quietly so that he could not be heard.

"How could you let this happen?" spat a voice Castiel did not recognize. He'd been wandering through a corridor he'd never seen before on the upper floor. He wasn't even sure he was supposed to be in that area.

The angel stepped closer to the wooden doors where the voice had come from, curiosity pulling him in. He made sure not to cross the slight opening between the doors, instead peeking in through it. Inside, he saw his master arguing with the King. His father.

"You think I wanted this to happen?" Master Dean replied. "He's an angel. I didn't think-"

"Of course you weren't thinking. You've been reckless for years, Dean. You've ruined our family's name. How can I pass the throne onto some so irresponsible?"

"Father!" Master Dean cried out. "I can do this. You just have to believe me-"

"Fix it," the King demanded. "Or I'll see to it that you're removed from the line of succession and will deal with this mess myself."

Angry footsteps approached the door. Castiel jumped back and scrambled behind a statue. The King stormed out of the room, not noticing the angel that was poorly hidden only feet away. The door remained open, and Castiel watched as his master took a few steps out and watched the King disappear from sight.

"I know you're there," he stated.

Castiel flinched as emerald eyes flickered to him. He was caught.

The angel emerged from behind the statue, his head bowed in shame. He knew eavesdropping was means for severe punishment.

"Come in," Master Dean said before turning around and walking back into the room.

Castiel did as he was told, and followed his master through the thick wooden door. Inside was a room five times the size of his own. By what Castiel could see, this must have been Master Dean's bed chamber. A large bed was pushed against the far wall. Light from the window above poured onto it, illuminating the room in a calming way. But this was no occasion to be calm.

Master Dean sat at the end of his head. His generally strong and proper posture faltered, and he hunched over to closely observe his hands, folded in his lap. "Why were you listening to my father and I speak?"

"I- I don't know, Master Dean. I heard your voice. I was drawn to it."

The man looked up at the angel, standing a long distance away. "Sit," he commanded, though Castiel could have sworn a bit of courtesy in his voice. He did as his master said, eyes cautiously locked on him. "This... bond... How can it be broken?"

Castiel tore his eyes away. Everything he'd imagined his life would be would soon just be a broken memory. The man he loved-the man he couldn't help but love-didn't even want him anymore. There was only one way to break the bond, Castiel knew. One way in which he would survive, anyway.

"The bond will strengthen more with every passing day. Physical contact will only make the process go faster," the angel replied honestly, though his heart was screaming at him not to.

Master Dean shot him an impatient look. "I asked how the bond could be broken."

The angel fiddled with his hands, keeping his eyes on them as to not look at his master. "There are two known ways for a human to break a bond with an angel. If the master and angel are separated and the connection is left alone by each, then the bond will eventually unravel. Though it could take years for that to happen."

"And the other way?" Master Dean asked without looking at the angel. When Castiel refused to respond, his master took him by the chin and forced him to make eye contact. "The other way?"

Castiel held back his tears, though they rebelliously filled his eyes. "Death, Master. If the angel dies, then the bond will be broken immediately."

Master Dean let go of the angel and rose to his feet. With his back turned to him, Castiel could not see what Master Dean was feeling, though he could feel an unknown emotion flowing through the bond. He desperately wanted to comfort his master, but he knew it would be inappropriate to touch the man without permission. He was a sex slave. He was never supposed to be anything more.

The angel nearly flinched when his master abruptly turned to him while pacing. "You're smarter than most angels. Why haven't you exposed your intelligence to me until recently?"

Castiel hung his head in shame. If he'd only been a good angel and kept his mouth shut, maybe his master would still want him. Maybe he wouldn't be facing his death if he hadn't kept to Ellen's advice.

"Angels are slaves. They are for accomplishing tasks they are trained to do and nothing more. Masters don't want slaves that will question what they are told."

Master Dean smirked. "How clever of you to keep quiet for so long. Tell me, angel, have you ever questioned my commands?"

Castiel thought about it. He was intelligent, true, but he'd never purposefully disobeyed his master before. He wanted to please Master Dean, to be his forever. "No, Master. Never," he replied, their eyes connecting.

The man stopped moving for a moment while looking into Castiel's eyes, then quickly turned toward the door. Without looking at the angel, he said, "You realize that a man of my position cannot carry on a relationship with a... thing like you."

With that statement, the tears that threatened to spill onto Castiel's cheeks finally did. His voice was meek and frail as he replied, "Of course, Master."

Master Dean nodded once and left the room without another word. Castiel waited in the room to compose himself, then followed. When he entered the hallway, Master Dean was nowhere in sight. He followed the path he'd taken into this part of the castle, down the dark and deserted hallways. Pictures of the royal family were hung on the walls, pictures that were clearly painted years ago. Some were of past kings and queens, Castiel recognized, and others were of Master Dean's family before the tragedies had taken place.

By the time Castiel should have been back to his room, he found himself in an unfamiliar hallway. Frustrated and severely lost, more tears escaped the angel's eyes. As he ran further into unknown corridors, he found himself in a large room full of bustling people.

"Who are you?" a woman with long, red hair asked him. She seemed very busy and distracted. "Never mind. You must be new. Go help Balthazar with the turkey."

Castiel found himself being pushed through the crowd of people to a man with half his arm shoved inside a large turkey. Like everyone else, he seemed to be in a hurry, though Castiel couldn't figure out why. There were no events happening that evening.

"Oh good, the royal douchebags finally got me an assistant. And an angel, too." He grabbed a fistful of stuffing and proceeded to put his hand back in the bird, the sight of which made Castiel feel nauseous. "I'm Balthazar. Now be a doll and grab me the parsley, would you?"

The man had a strange accent, which Castiel had not heard before. "Do you understand what I'm saying? Please tell me you speak English."

"I... I speak English, sir. But I'm afraid I don't know what parsley looks like," Castiel replied timidly.

Balthazar stopped stuffing the turkey for a moment while studying the angel. "You're not a kitchen hand, are you?"

Castiel shook his head.

"What's your name? And what are you doing in here?"

"I'm Castiel. I got lost on the way back from Master Dean's bed chamber."

"Ah," Balthazar noted. He continued his seemingly crucial task of finishing his turkey. "So you're the one they're all talking about. Prince Dean's pleasure angel." He threw another quick glance at Castiel. "No wonder they're going gaga over you. You know, I could get a lot of trouble for talking to you."

Castiel tilted his head in confusion. "Why would you get in trouble?"

Balthazar discretely scanned his surroundings to make sure no one was listening to him. "The Prince seems to be rather possessive of you. The day you were brought here, a memo was sent out that no one was to make any contact with you; physical or otherwise. Then the incident at the ball the other night happened," Castiel cringed, which didn't go unnoticed by the other man, "and we were told that anyone who laid a finger on you would have their hands cut off."

Castiel sighed. "I won't be here much longer."

"What, did he knock you up too?" the man asked with a chuckle.

"No, he did not impregnate me," Castiel replied. A rush of jealousy coursed through him at the thought of his master being pleasured by others. "Is that what happened to the angels before me?"

Balthazar groaned. "I shouldn't be telling you this..."

"I will not say anything. Please Balthazar, I need to know," Castiel begged.

"Fine. Prince Dean's previous angel managed to get a bun in the oven, so she was shipped away. No one has heard from her since. It's a shame; she was quite lovely company."

"And before her?"

Balthazar sighed. "The Prince was very troubled when he was younger. Still is, but you'd be surprised how much better he holds himself nowadays. He seemed to have been too rough with that angel and, well... he wasn't strong enough to take it."

Castiel was watching a bug flying in his room, wondering what it would be like to have his own wings, when a guard walked in the door.

"I am to escort you to Prince Dean's bed chamber," he said.

Castiel followed without a word, but his mind was rushed with a dozen questions. What would Master Dean want? And why was Castiel being brought to his room instead of the other way around? Would this simply be another demand for pleasure, or was Castiel being given the news that he was to be... removed? The angel could only wait and see as he was led through the hallway of faces from Master Dean's past.

"Wait by the bed," the man instructed.

For the second time since being in the castle, Castiel entered his master's room. Though this time, there was no shouting. It was silent as the night while the angel quietly made his way through the intimidatingly large room to his master's bed. He stretched his hand out to feel the silky-soft blankets that covered it. With his eyes closed, he could imagine Master Dean taking him here, his back being pushed into the softness, while his legs were wrapped tightly around his master.

"Angel," a familiar voice called from the doorway. Castiel gasped and turned around to find Master Dean watching him. "What were you thinking about?"

Castiel lowered his head. "You, Master Dean."

His master walked slowly toward him, his demeanor changing once again to a predator stalking its prey. He came up behind the angel and leaned over, taking in the sight of Castiel without touching him. "You were imagining us on this bed, weren't you?" Castiel nodded. "That's right. Would you like me to take you, lay you down and fuck you like you were made for?"

Balthazar's words rang in his head, but Castiel pushed them aside. "Yes, Master. I... I would like that very much."

"Tell me." Master Dean slid his hands down Castiel's waist. "Tell me you want me to fuck you."

Castiel's couldn't deny his hormones as he found himself aching for his master. "I want you inside of me, Master. I want you to fuck me. I want you to take what is yours."

Master Dean growled and pushed himself against the angel. Castiel could feel how hard his master was, even through the layers of clothing. He gasped as he felt a hand snake its way down, taking his cock without warning.

"Master..." he begged.

"I shouldn't be doing this," Master Dean said, though he did not hesitate to continue touching Castiel roughly. "I should have sent you off the moment I realized what had happened. But how am I supposed to do that when I can feel the way you yearn for me? When I want nothing more than to have you and hold you until the end of days? Hm?"

Master Dean's voice had broken, and Castiel did not dare to look back at him until he finished speaking. A tear was rushing down his cheek, his face twisted into a look of confusion and longing. Castiel didn't have to look back to know that what his master had said was true, but was glad he did when Master Dean pulled him in.

And thus began the night the two first made love.

Master Dean was unusually gentle and affectionate as he laid Castiel down and began preparing him. He pressed tender kisses on the angel's neck, who was desperately trying not to squirm too much. This was going perfectly and if his master's history was any indicator, one small mistake could provoke the dark creature lurking inside him.

So Castiel stayed quiet, save for a few moans that escaped his mouth, and held on tightly to his master. The man chuckled when he tried to lean back to get a better view of the angel's ass, but couldn't because of the arms and legs locked around him.

"Let me look at you," he whispered. When the angel finally released his grip and spread himself open, Master Dean moaned at the sight before him. "Castiel..."

Castiel was taken aback by this. "You know my name, Master? "

The prince looked up at the angel's face and leaned toward him. "Of course I know your name. From the moment I heard of you, the striking pleasure angel with the eyes like the ocean and the body of a god, I knew I wanted you to be mine. They made me wait, you know. They wanted to prim and prep you for whoever would pay the most. But you were already mine. I would have paid anything."

"Master..." Castiel started, not knowing what to say.

But he didn't have to say anything. Master Dean was already removing his uniform, clearly eager to take Castiel. The angel followed suit, removing his tunic from his own body. Doing so without his master's direct permission was a daring move, but it seemed to have paid off by the hungry look on Master Dean's face.

When all of Master Dean's clothes were stripped off, he picked the angel up and held him in his arms. Castiel naturally curled his arms and legs around the larger man, pulling them together. Master Dean kissed the angel again, as gently as before. Castiel had never known such care and love. He hoped it wouldn't end with this night.

"What do you want, Castiel?"

The angel recited words he knew Master Dean liked to hear, the words he'd been trained to say. "I want you to fuck me, Master Dean. I want you to show me-"

"No," Master Dean stopped him. "What do you want?"

Castiel had to think about it. He couldn't recall a time when he'd been asked what he wanted. Angels weren't supposed to want anything besides serving their masters.

After deliberation, Castiel replied, "I want this. I want to stay with you, despite the circumstances. And I want to feel your hands and lips run over my skin as you take me. I just want to be yours."

Master Dean kissed the angel hungrily, but with the same gingerness as before. He carried Castiel backwards until they came to a windowsill beneath a tall, rounded glass frame. As Master Dean took as seat with the angel still wrapped around him, Castiel couldn't help but look up. He became encaptured by what he saw.

"What is it?" Master Dean asked when he saw the angel gazing outside.

"The stars, Master Dean," he replied. "I've only seen them once in my life, when I was brought here."

"And what do you think of them?"

Castiel's eyes fell to his master's, who was watching the angel with intense curiosity and intrigue. "They're beautiful."

This seemed to be all Master Dean could take. He kissed the angel once again and lifted him so that he was lined up with Castiel's hole, already naturally lubricated and ready to take him. The prince moaned at the wetness, the physical sign of how much his angel wanted him inside.

Slowly, Master Dean pulled the angel down an inch before pulling him off and diving deeper. Castiel whimpered, partially because of the stimulation and partially because his body was aching for more. He had to wait every gentle thrust of his master's length before he was sitting fully on his cock.

"Master," he begged, "please."

Master Dean only growled and began thrusting into his angel. Castiel cried out, the ecstasy of feeling Master Dean inside him and the friction of his own penis rubbing between them taking over. When he could begin controlling himself again, he moved his own body in time with his master's, matching each powerful thrust into him. Master Dean dug his fingers into the angel's side, aiding the angel's movement.

This position was new to Castiel, and already his favorite. He could take every inch of his master in him, hitting every nerve in just the right place. The angel angled himself so that his prostate was brushed with each thrust, shouting out uncontrollably when it was. The noises would make Master Dean thrust even harder.

Despite the new tenderness his master was showing, Castiel could feel something different between them. It didn't feel like Master Dean was trying to dominate him for his own enjoyment, but rather share the pleasure with Castiel.

Internally, Castiel could feel something even stronger that he'd never felt before. It was like he was somehow reaching out to connect with his master, and he could feel the human reaching back. As the thrusts got faster and the two crept closer to release, the connection got stronger. The angel could not only feel his own pleasure, but the pleasure of Master Dean as well.

Castiel wrapped his arms around his master, trying desperately to control himself. He knew Master Dean would not want him to come without permission, and he secretly wished for this to continue longer.

"Come, angel," Master Dean whispered in his ear. "Come with me."

With only a couple more thrusts, the two came harder than either had ever done so before. Castiel released his cum between them, covering both their stomachs. Master Dean continued thrusting deep into the angel as he came, holding Castiel in place as he did so. Castiel squirmed otherwise, his feet and arms attempting to grip Master Dean more than he already was.

The two calmed down from their orgasm and moved to the bed. There, the two looked out of the skylight at the stars as Dean named them and the constellations they created. But they couldn't resist each other. The two came together several times before they were too exhausted to continue.

"I should go," Castiel said after laying quietly with Master Dean for some time. "The king wouldn't want to see me in your bed chamber. I'm sure you wouldn't want him to see that either."

The prince smirked and stroked the angel's hair. "You really are clever. Make no noise while walking through the castle."

The angel pulled his tunic over his head and nodded. "Yes, Master Dean."

Without another word or glance back at his master, Castiel exited the room as quietly as he could. His mind raced as he moved swiftly through the castle. He could sense his master's confusion at his silent and sudden departure, but he felt it was necessary. He still didn't know what Master Dean's decision would be regarding him. Surely he wouldn't give up the throne for one angel. It was all an easy fix, one that Castiel cringed thinking about.

Castiel returned to his own room and laid down on the bed. As much as he had to think about, it was late in the night and he was tired from the night's strenuous activities. So, the angel shut his eyes and tried not to ponder over what would happen. All he could do was prove himself worthy of his master's affection, if only in private. Soon enough, the angel's consciousness slipped away from him.

The feeling of unfamiliar hands woke the angel. His eyes shot open to the sight of five men surrounding him, two of which were grabbing his arms, two holding large guns, and one holding a syringe above him. Frightened, Castiel resisted these men. He thrashed against their grip, but they were too strong. One of them could have taken Castiel down alone.

The two men holding Castiel pinned him to the bed as the other man easily sunk the needle into him. Castiel wanted to scream, but he seemed to be paralyzed by fear. He soon found that he wouldn't have been able to scream if he wanted.

Castiel felt himself losing the ability to resist the hold of the men. He couldn't kick or bite, or really anything. He could only lie limp as the two men picked him up by each arm and dragged him out of the room and through the castle.

In his mind, Castiel called out for his master. Perhaps he could communicate with him that way. It didn't feel right, thinking that Master Dean would get rid of him right after they'd created a true connection. Castiel just couldn't accept that.

But there was no response as he was taken out of the castle. It was still nighttime, and the dark sky was punctured by the light of the stars. Only hours ago, Castiel had seen them for the second time in his life. And now, he realized as he was thrown into the back of a carriage, would probably be the last.

The ride was long and uncomfortable, but Castiel could do nothing about it. He laid motionless on the hard floor, save for the tears that crept down his face. The two men holding guns sat above him, but said nothing as they continued forward.

When they arrived at the mystery destination, Castiel began to gain control of his muscles again. He didn't dare move at all until he was taken out of the carriage and dragged against the rough ground toward an unlabeled, windowless, white building that looked all too familiar to Castiel.

He tried once again to fight back, but failed. The angel was taken inside the building and led through hallways. He'd never been in this facility, but he could tell it was different than the one he was raised in. Instead of having separate rooms with doors, these angels were kept by the dozen in small cell blocks.

Castiel was taken past this to a different hallway. Here, the cells had large, metal doors in place of bars. Castiel couldn't see in the different rooms to look for other angels, but heard nothing. The men turned to an open room and pushed Castiel through, shutting the door behind him. The angel did the only thing he could; crawl onto the single cot in the room, curl into a ball and wonder where he was.