SWNOVELS Chapter 43: Soul Mates
Castiel’s POV
He squinted hard at the demon. Soul mates were a fantasy constructed by the humans. They did not exist and certainly couldn’t between species.. Right?
Taala’s red eyes bore through him for an answer, and Angel’s eyes flicked between them both in anticipation.
“Fated love?” Angel offered.
Taala nodded once but did not move his stare. When Castiel was still silent, Taala sighed. “There is a place alongside Heaven for the true loves. Those who have found their matching heart on Earth. All my time as the Messenger of Death there were only a few times I ever visited it. Most angels of course know nothing about this Heaven as a way to keep them from seeking their own mate instead of doing God’s work.” He finished his drink and slid the empty glass across the bartop. “The Lord had hoped to see our dearest passionate Castiel take up charge of a new position there, but has had to reconsider with lovely Angel now in frame.”
Castiel gripped Angel’s hand tight to keep him grounded. “I don’t understand. What position?”
Taala smirked. “Cupid, essentially.” Angel laughed out loud and then muttered an apology. Taala laughed too and elaborated. “Finding fated souls on Earth and naturally bringing them together. He wished to see more of His children at their full potential with matching heart beside them.”
Castiel had a sudden gut feeling and looked over Angel’s sparkling eyes. “Why has Angel changed His plans? Why allow me to dig a deeper grave with her? He should have sent me to Hell the second I killed Marco.”
Taala nodded. “He should have. But in that same moment you had secured a spot in the lovers garden by meeting Angel. He could not separate you.” His red eyes flicked between the two of them. “You are soul mates, Castiel, Angel. A rarity between species, and an impossibility for angels. God normally works His will to keep angel mates apart as it.. distracts. It was not the path He had planned for Angel’s soul, but He has blamed my intervention with a conception charm in changing that course.”
“This is too much to take in.” Angel had squeezed his hand and brushed her other hand through her hair as she thought. “What do you mean about being separated? If Castiel became a demon, we would still walk the Earth together until I died, right?”
Castiel reached out his other hand to stroke her arm. “And then? You are pure Angel. You have done no wrong. When you pass, your heart would go to Heaven and mine would stay in Hell for my sins.” Castiel looked to Taala with a lifted eyebrow. “A loophole has kept me here with halo?”
Taala nodded then abruptly clapped his hands. “SO! I have brokered a new deal for you both. Castiel my friend, you will go to confession and repent with a thousand Our Father’s. God has agreed to then clear the slate of your soul IF you continue with His new position.”
“To BE Cupid?” Castiel asked dryly. When Taala nodded he groaned and Angel laughed again. “What of us though Taala? I would just sin again the second I saw her.”
Taala smiled and looked at Angel affectionately. “She is to be granted immortality bound to your side. A most unique arrangement which allows you both to love each other while creating love matches here.”
Angel spoke softly, her voice sounding like it was on the edge of tears. “What are you getting out of this Taala? From being the middle-man?”
He sighed deeply but kept the smile. “Hope. In my redemption. I have learned it is possible for me, someday.”
There was silence among them again for a long while until Castiel accused with quickened breaths. “Is this all true Taala? I honestly cannot believe it.”.
Taala shrugged. “I am not that creative Castiel. You know that.”
He was 100% going to cry and bundled Angel into his arms as fast as he could to squeeze her. He sniffled against her soft ears and tried in vain to regain composure. Stretching her out in front of him at arms length, he gave her biceps a squeeze and lowered his face to be her eye level. “Is this, is this what you’d want? With me?”
She hardly waited for him to finish. “Yes, Castiel. Forever.” The tears streaming her face were beautiful and he pulled her forward to kiss her hard.
Minutes later while Angel went off to tell the revelations to friends, he looked over the mountain with horns behind the bar and briefly saw the former Taala Klaar. His dear friend. His heart was still his own and he had fought for them both. He felt deep regret at not seeing that sooner. “Taala, I’m sorry I— Well that I pushed.. I guess I’m just sorry for how I’ve treated you. Thank you for not giving up on me.”
Taala smiled then shrugged. “Who said I’m doing any of this for you Castiel? This is all to count you two sinners in my quotas and save my own damned soul.” He tilted his head and coughed and Castiel knew that for the first time in his life the great man had lied out loud.