Blessed by Sapphires (A Dance with Destiny Book 2) (10 page)

“Don’t forget the movies.” I scrunched up my nose at him, mockingly. “They were the best… Monsters I’ve never even
dreamed
of lived up on that giant screen. Blood and guts, guns and knives, roars and screams, devils and—”

“Shall we begin?”

The commanding voice boomed, cutting off my taunting words.

Chapter 14

Vahan

(VAY-hann)

Chattering teeth—they appeared to be the only physical manifestation of my internal tremors. Yet in my heart, deep in my gut, I was shaking so badly Vybius took pity on me. His gentle hands rested upon my shoulders, radiating loving warmth, delivering blessed calm as I stood there before the council head of Vandermil.

“Jenevier Embarr, Vashti, the wait has been long for your arrival,” Vahan said.

“Apologies.” I swallowed hard. “I wasn’t aware… umm, I mean… I didn’t realize you… I had no idea you were expecting me, sir.” Eventually, a single coherent thought, an entire sentence, slipped from my lips.

I was just relieved I didn’t stutter, relieved my voice didn’t crack like a prepubescent boy. It was then that I became consciously aware of Vybius standing behind me, practically holding me up. The elegant sentinel maintained a firm grasp on my upper arms. His body was the wall I now leaned upon, steadying my betraying knees.

Perhaps he’s the Guardian of frazzled nerves.
I giggled inside my head at the curious thought.
But his mere touch has calmed me many times now. No matter how badly I may resent his familiar appearance, this warrior holds a strange power over me. Perhaps I don’t hate him after all. Well, not as much as I probably should.

I lightly rested my head back against him and wiggled my shoulders. He blew a puff of sweet breath into my curls, sending one falling down into my face, over my eye. I restrained a giggle, bumping his chest with the back of my head. And of course, he immediately retaliated, lightly hitting the backs of my legs with his knees. Seriously, if he hadn’t been holding me up I would’ve fallen. After that, it was all I could do to keep my giggles inside. I wanted to pinch him so bad it was maddening. A real quick pinch right on the inside of his thigh, just a little pinch with a tiny twist, then I’d take off like a loosed arrow.

No… I’m sure he would catch me and scold me. He acts all proper and stiff. But I bet if you could get him to loosen up, he could be sooo much fun
, I thought.

Vahan cleared his throat. I jumped.

Jeez, I hate this kind of thing.
I sent a mental thank you to my new protector and friend.
I wouldn’t be able to stand here without you, Brother.

Vybius’s grip on me tightened slightly, as if he had heard my thoughts.

“All must pass through Vandermil before their reward or punishment can be granted.” The officially robed man’s words echoed around the great hall.

I spoke without waiting to be addressed. “So, you mean when people die, you send them to their Otherworld?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean,” Vahan responded.

I scrunched up my eyebrows as I tried to understand what he was telling me. “Then, I
did
die after all?”

“No, you were spared.”

“So, why am I here? Are you to kill me now?” My voice dropped to nearly a whisper. “After all this time… why couldn’t you just—”

“No, child. We’re not going to kill you,” he said.

Muffled laughter spread throughout the crowded chamber hall.

“Gratitude, Milord.” I bowed slightly. “Why were you waiting on me, then? What have I to do with you?”

“Because you are Vanir, little one. And, because you have sinned.”

I remained silent, as did what seemed like the whole realm.

I’ve already been punished for that sin, and duly so
, I thought.
Besides, I’m pretty sure I’m NOT Vanir. I look nothing like them. Vashti looks nothing like them. I cannot even claim to have a job such as theirs, or rather, they cannot do the job I was given. No, I believe I’m something else entirely, something foreign, an abomination perhaps.

“She knows nothing of us.” My regal new friend spoke up on my behalf. “Explain to her properly what is expected of her. Her silence comes from fear of the unknown. Speak plainly with her. She will understand.”

“Was that not
your
job, good Vybius?” Vahan asked.

“It was, yes.” The amethyst Guardian released my arms and began affectionately fondling the many curls cascading freely down my back. “Yet, upon entering my domicile, she slipped into the darkness where she remained until a few short hours ago. There was no time.”

Gasps and whispers spread throughout the room. A nauseating feeling now seeded within me. They were whispering about Vybius. They were all judging him concerning me. How was this even possible? After all he’d done for me, all he had been put through? I was compelled to protect the only friend I’d made during my exile.

“Do you whisper now of this man?” I blatantly put the accusation before the council, before the attendees as well.

I couldn’t stop my words nor did I try to control my rising anger. I knew I only needed but to hold my tongue, yet I couldn’t stomach this gross injustice, this vile prattling concerning an innocent man.

“You are all Vanir, are you not? Who among you stood up to help your brother? Who among you even knows what this warrior had to do for me, what he had to go through just so this meeting could be possible for
you
?” I narrowed my eyes as I neared the podium, coming to stand before the council chair’s elevated seat. “You, Vahan, you obviously know what it was Vybius did not get to tell me.” My cold eyes scanned the elitist row of self-righteous Guardians. “You all know what needs to be said now. Yet not a single tongue has been loosed with instructions. No, for they are all too busy flapping about unwarranted judgments against your own brother—too busy proclaiming your own value, too haughty to stoop to voicing mere directives. Pride goeth before the fall, Brothers. Take care you don’t stumble over your grossly inflated egos—your nose pointing so high your feet cannot be seen.”

“Hold your tongue, Vashti,” Vahan demanded.

I laughed rather cruelly. “Vashti isn’t here, good Vahan.” Vareilious would be proud of the smirk I now wore. “Best you should thank God she is not. She isn’t real big on speeches. That strangest of all creatures, well, she likes to let her claws do all her talking.”

Vybius’s strong arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me back against him, gently holding me there as he placed his lips to my crown and began humming. I know not the words to his tune, but it reached my soul, heavenly peace washing all else away.

I sent mental thanks to him and received another quick squeeze in return.

“Let me do now what should have been done upon her arrival.” He bowed respectfully to the council members as he spoke. “Bear with me, Brothers and Sisters. Witness for yourselves this child’s life. Determine in your heart if it be just or tragic. See if she is truly the monster you fear, or merely the consequence of misplaced devotions.” His gentle gaze enveloped me. “The result of too much love. The exquisite outcome of a heart’s simple confusion.”

When his touching words had ceased, my comforting new friend plopped right down in the middle of the floor, smiling up at me as he patted the spot beside him.

“Come. Sit with me, beautiful lady. We have much to discuss, you and I.”

I quietly took my proffered spot next to this purple Angel, nuzzling his shoulder as he protectively wrapped one arm around me. This felt like the most natural thing in the whole world. Sitting here with my brother, being held and comforted, I forgot anyone else was even around.

He held his other hand up before us. “Jenevier, you know me now as your friend, Vybius. But I am also known as the Sage for my people.”

“Oh… like Vareen?”

“No, tiny maiden. Vareen is a seer. She sees in visions sent to her directly from God concerning the future, mostly. I am a Sage. I show you visions of the past. She imparts instruction and guidance. I bestow wisdom—provide hindsight, if you will. I am the keeper of legends, portrayer of the
moral to every story
.” He gave me another little squeeze, accompanied by a reassuring wink.

Vybius’s delicately lined palm began to glow. I tensed, withdrawing from him slightly.

He closed his hand and turned to face me proper. “Jenevier, trust me now. Know that I would gladly suffer through all you’ve had to endure, every single pain-filled moment, if I knew it would spare you even one tear, even one tiny crack in your beautiful heart. Believe me. I will not hurt you, now or ever. I plan to sit right here, holding you, wiping away your tears, dispelling all your past pains. It’s time for you to heal, tiniest Angel. God has need of you now. But to continue on, you must face your past demons. Abolish them once and for all. I can help you with that ardent task, Milady. I
will
help you. I promise.”

I studied his sincere expression. “You mean… the humming thing?”

He touched the tip of my nose with his, smiling warmly. “Yes, the humming thing. It helped, did it not?”

“Yes, it helped very much,” I whispered. “Gratitude, Brother.”

“Very good, tiny maiden. Besides, it’s not
all
bad. You must be filled in on what all you’ve missed while you were away.”

Those were the words I feared would come. I knew I couldn’t handle these truths. “No… Vybius, please… no,” I begged.

“Shhh, I will only show you what is absolutely necessary, or whatever else you may ask of me. I’m right here. Trust in me. I will not reveal what isn’t important, and I won’t leave you. Let me prove my loyalty. Let me show you to what end I will go just to see you healed, just to make you smile, just to hear those sweetest of all giggles.” He tenderly kissed my forehead. “Please, Jenevier, just trust me.”

I stared at his gentle smile. “So, you already know everything you’re about to show me, don’t you?”

“Yes, Milady, the whole of it. I have watched it over and over, replayed it countless times throughout the years. I know your story well, little sister. I know
you
well.”

“Sweet Vybius, if I hold any worth to you, any value at all, then promise me one thing.”

“Anything.” He gave me a reassuring squeeze.

“You have read the whole of my new soul,” I began.

“Yes. I count it as my greatest blessing.”

“Then, promise me. When you know something is going to be particularly painful for me, tragic for my heart, detrimental to my essence… you’ll start the humming thing before I even see it.”

Vybius laughed softly. “Of course, my dear. You didn’t even have to ask. I promise to start the humming thing long before pain can master you.” He took my face in his gentle hands and lightly kissed the tip of my nose. “Are you ready, tiny Angel?”

I sighed and closed my eyes, resigning to see this through. “No, but let it begin.”

“Good girl.” He pinched my cheek and gave it a little pat. “We will start with what you already know and remember.”

Chapter 15

Viatrix

(VEE-ah-tricks)

“I can still remember exactly how that felt,” I whispered, as the surreal picture played out—me slipping from my bedroom window, feeling the dew-soaked grass between my toes, realizing my error… my first of
many
errors.

When Vybius’s palm began to glow, a shining orb appeared and the vivid movie of my life was clearly displayed before me. I was racked with so many different emotions I had to keep reminding myself to breathe. Shocked at how young and fragile I looked, I wanted to shout out warnings to that naïve little girl. She had no idea the horrors awaiting her.

The picture jerked and then changed. There stood my beautiful friend, Jezreel.

I was wholly entranced by the vision and slowly moved so I was perched upon my knees before this magical orb of my life, gaping at the tiny movie playing out before me. How can I possibly describe to you this enchanting experience? I was looking at ghosts from my past, long dead, reincarnated for me now within an ethereal ball of light. I could clearly see the tears streaming down my young friend’s cheeks.

“She’s gone.”

Hearing that tortured, pleading cry, sent me falling backwards onto my bottom. I tried to scamper away. Strong hands halted my retreat. I looked up to find my self-proclaimed Guardian, that perfectly sculpted blue sentinel was smiling sorrowfully down at me.

“I felt your fear, little one,” Vindicus said. “I knew you needed me.”

“Apologies, Jenevier. I should have warned you,” Vybius said. “Not only will you see your life, you will
hear
it as well. I know this is a great deal to ask. Proof to us all the terror rising within you may be too much for you to handle, is the fact that your Guardian came to you. He will protect and comfort you now. Nothing in this universe can harm you. Not with Vindicus by your side.”

The enormous blue-haired warrior sat down and crossed his legs before the past-displaying sphere. He turned to me, holding out a giant hand.

“Come, tiny Angel.” He patted his legs, offering up his lap to serve as my front row seat. “Your throne, Milady.”

Now this,
this
was funny. Here was a mighty sapphire-haired warrior of the unknown, sitting on the floor, smiling like an expectant child waiting for his gift. I couldn’t help but giggle as I took my proffered seat. The rest of the world faded away. Vindicus lent me his awesome strength and slowed my racing heart—calming me, lifting my soul.

I squirmed around until I was comfortable, making a proper chair of this massive lap.

“I can do this now,” I whispered.

Vybius had halted the image on Jezreel’s saddened eyes. The scene began to slowly move again, just as Alastyn read my farewell letter.

“Wow… He is sooo beautiful.”

I marveled at the sheer magnificence of my raven-haired first love. His ivory skin, those dark curls, and those amazing
Otherworldly
emerald eyes. He was the prettiest human I had ever seen. Bar none. No other could stand before him. I sighed as I gazed upon his rare mortal perfection. As far as the
mundane
worlds go, this young man surpassed them all.

Vybius loudly cleared his throat, and then a deep growl rumbled from behind me.

“What? What are the two of you grunting and growling about?” I turned my attention back to the orb. “Just look at him. He is so lovely, so beautiful… so perfect.”

Vindicus snorted. “So common.”

“Perhaps compared to a majestic Vanir, but his valiant heart could put all races to shame. And look at those enchanting eyes. I remember well what happened inside me when those raven curls brushed across my face. His was the touch I first desired, his lips the first I longed for. We were given but a few hours, a single breath out of forever. Had we been given only the tiniest chance, we two would never have been parted. I would have happily spent my life within his loving embrace. My heart nurtured. My soul still intact.” A tiny tear escaped with my sigh. “Save for my dark curse, Vybius, you would now be looking upon the smiling faces of our precious children, happily playing in the lush grass surrounding that little rose-covered cottage.”

“Were it not for your dark curse,” Vybius grumbled, “I would not be
looking
upon you at all. My orb would never have displayed your glorious form.”

“Would that have been so bad?” I said. “Never knowing of other layers, other realms, other people. Had I never looked upon that giant crystal gate, never beheld the ethereal beauty of your people… I would have lived happily content in all my mundane ignorance. Evil isn’t something easily looked upon. This you well know. If I could only have stayed in Ashgard, I would never have known darkness.”

“You jest,” Vybius said with a snort. “How is it you so easily forget, Maiden? Ashgard was where you first
met
darkness, first looked into the charming eyes of evil. No, you’re where you were always meant to be. Here, with us. Vandermil is your rightful home. Ashgard is where you were cursed.”

Vindicus’s breath warmed the curls hanging over my ear as he whispered, “And were it not for your dark curse, my Angel, you wouldn’t now be sitting in the lap of greatness. You would have missed out on crossing paths with utter perfection. That’s just too horrible to think about, is it not?”

He playfully poked my ribs. I giggled.

The scenes sped by quickly, blurring into a sea of blended colors. As my childhood friends faded away, the flying pictures swirled, unfocused. I could no longer tell what was happening. I sent a questioning glare toward Vybius.

“Well, none of the stuff with
him
was that important anyway,” he said. “I started too far back is all.”

I rolled my eyes at him and smiled knowingly.
Men, they’re all the same, no matter their lineage.
I shook my head at the thought.

Throughout the rest of that day, I witnessed things within his glittering orb I had only gotten to read about, recorded on the tattered pages of that worn prophetic novel I fished from an eighth layer discount bin.

I saw Merodach comforting his wraiths. Well, pretending to. I watched as his hunter, Mordon, hopelessly tried to track me down.

If I’d not met Vareen when I did, he would’ve surely captured me.

The scenes of my forgotten life played on. The lovely little butterfly, the disgusting old dog, the feisty pink and purple Pixies.

“Ahh… Alzeen.”

I lunged forward, placing my hands upon the magical ball. Wrapping my arms around the ethereal orb Vybius had produced from his palm, I gazed adoringly at the one man who had truly stolen my heart. I had been blessed with much love through the years, but none had been rooted quite so deep, nor felt quite so strongly, as the love I would always carry for this innocent soul I now nearly held within my grasp.

His gorgeous blood-colored hair, that delicious olive skin, those strangely exotic tattooed markings, and those beautiful ancient eyes. I had looked upon many handsome, strongly built men—such as good Vybius here—but they could never surpass Alzeen. I could see plainly now, none of them, not a single one could hold a candle to the mouthwatering physique of the man holding my hand within that magical orb. And… his awesome heart was his crowning glory. He owned me, owned the whole of me, every tiny piece.

“My Alzeen, keeper of my heart. Oh, how I have missed you, my love.”

The sphere I was leaning upon faded to black and disappeared. No longer supported by his past-revealing magic, I fell upon Vybius’s outstretched hand. My angelic sentinel pulled me back onto his lap. I felt so tiny, so alone. I drew my knees up, curled into a ball, trying my best to protect my rapidly shattering heart. There, against Vindicus’s massive chest, painful tears trickled down my cheeks and landed cold upon his glowing ethereal flesh.

“Why did you stop, Vybius?” I whispered.

“Because I am weak from lack of rest… and because…” He paused.

“Because he is jealous. As am I, tiny maiden.” Vindicus growled. “Would that you shed tears such as these for me, I would move all ten layers and heaven itself just to hold you in my arms. You openly mourn for a man who could’ve found you, could have sought you out upon
any
layer, within
any
realm. Yet, he… did… nothing. You long for a being not worthy your sorrow, Milady. Yes, I am jealous, maddened with the damnable feeling.”

“Jealous? How could either of you
possibly
be jealous? Look at you, both of you. Since your very creation, heaven hasn’t produced the like. You are incomparable glory. Women weep to look upon your rare beauty. How can you be jealous of a mere man?”

“I’m not jealous of the man,” Vybius snapped.

I stared at him, dumbfounded.

“He’s jealous of your heart
regarding
the man, of your enviable feelings toward him,” Vindicus said. “We are of like-mind concerning this.”

I threw my hands up in the air. “I, for the life of me, do
not
understand you people.”

“And that has been your biggest problem, little one. This is the one thing you have always, and will continue to, stumble over. Your lack of understanding has caused you so much unnecessary pain. A woman should have met you at the gate to Vanahirdem. A woman should have been allowed to prepare you for what you should expect from the Vanir. Your innate innocence is holy and rare, child. Yet you see not its true glory… for this has always been normal for you. Trust me when I confess to you now, that self-same enchanting innocence of yours is to us… a rare gem we cannot look away from.”

That beautiful tinkling voice came from the mesmerizing orange-haired warrior I had been drawn to upon entering the chamber hall.

“Things happened as they must, I suppose. But things were not meant to be thus. Listen to me, little one. If a man or woman from any race or layer is drawn to the Vanir, it is much later in their mortal lives and only after much soul searching and prayer. If they pass the tests and make it through the gates, they’re taught for many years simply what it’s like to
be
Vanir. The proselytes are slowly woven into the culture. Their accumulation is natural. It completes them in a way that’s perfectly attuned to their individual soul. You, precious child, are unique in more ways than just your awesome mask. You were
driven
into the holy city and then
flung
into the harshest, bloodiest part of our world. Many who stand before you today have lived for thousands of years, and never have they witnessed even one of the things you have actually had to
do
, child. And such was your destiny since before your birth.”

There was nothing in the air but painful silence as this beautiful creature came to me, sat before me upon the floor, taking my trembling hands in hers.

“My name is Viatrix and I know well your journey, tiny Angel.”

“Viatrix is our seer here in Vandermil,” Vybius said.

“Yes, I am. I have not been as blessed as good Vybius here has with a glimpse into your actual
soul
, but I have been witness to many of your trials and many of your missions. All Vanir stand in awe of you, of your gifts, and especially of your innocent heart. But with the same breath, I must admit we never took into consideration the fact you are a human. And because of that, you are nothing like us at all.”

“But… Varick said—”

“Yes, child. Varick told you how God took a piece of him and formed you before his own eyes. What good Varick failed to realize, what he failed to take into proper consideration, was the fact God may have taken a piece from a warrior Vanir to make you, but He made you into a human… into a
woman
. Because of this, you’re as fierce and powerful as any Vanir could possibly dream of being. But you are also as fragile as a little girl, a little
human
girl. I cannot fault my brothers. The truth is, there’s never been one like you before. We have no idea how to guide you, how to train you. We have not a clue how to help you, sweetest Angel.”

“So… I’m truly alone in this world, then.”

“In a manner of speaking, yes, you’re alone. You are alone in the whole mystery of
what
you are. But you know yourself, Jenevier, you have never been
truly
alone throughout the whole of your life. Look at it this way. It’s like you’re the very first baby born into a world full of adults. We love you. We’re uncontrollably drawn to you. Yet, you didn’t come with instructions and we can only try to do the best we can with our limited knowledge to try and raise you properly. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes we get it right. We’re all flying blind with this, child, but at least we are all flying together. Take heart in that.” She smiled sweetly at me and imparted warm, motherly love.

“Gratitude, Viatrix. Your words come way past the point of needing, but they are a gift I shall treasure always.”

I stood, gave my protective sentinel a thankful kiss on his vibrant blue locks, then turned to face one of the wisest, most beautiful women I had ever known.