Blessed by Sapphires (A Dance with Destiny Book 2) (20 page)

“Aye, Lass, nae payment’s required. Yer smile is my only desire.” He tenderly kissed my forehead. I smiled. “Aye, just like that.”

I giggled. “You spoil me, beautiful Guardian. Tell me. What favor do you seek? I will grant you anything.”

“Aye then, go back with me, just for now.”

“Hmm, perhaps I should have thought that one through a little better, huh?” I laughed, playfully punching his massive arm. “Very well, I’ll go back with you… just for now.”

Chapter 27

Vareilious

(vah-REEL-ee-us)

“It’s simply not like you to shirk your responsibilities.” Vareen’s eyes were kind but her words stung Vittorio. “Where have you been? Vareilious has had to answer
two
of your summonses. He’ll want words with you upon his return. Of
that
I am certain.”

I knew I was really the one to blame, but he had begged me not to speak of it, even in his defense. So… I remained silent in the presence of the revered seer.

“Apologies, Milady. It wulnae happen again.”

“Let’s see that it does not. You have many responsibilities, Vittorio. Make sure you always see to them first…
then
playtime.”

Vareen winked at me. I knew I was the intended recipient of those words. I curtsied politely and we turned to go.

“Jenevier, I would have words with you, privately.”

“Yes, Milady.” I turned to Vittorio and hugged his massive neck. “Gratitude for everything, Brother,” I whispered. “You have saved me yet again.”

“Mention it nae. The pleasure was all mine, feisty warrior. An’ remember, shhh.” He placed his finger to his lips.

I giggled as he pinched my cheek. “I promise,” I whispered back.

“Come inside, child. Let’s catch up a bit, you and I.”

I followed the elegant woman into her parlor where tea and cakes were already prepared, waiting for us.

“So, you saw me coming.”

“Yes, I did.”

“What all
did
you see?”

“Not much. You have changed in more ways than appearance alone. You are not always clear in my mind. And sometimes I feel threatened by a dark presence when scrying you, a demon perhaps.”

“An Angel,” I replied flatly.

“I was afraid of that.” Worry creased her brow.

I laughed. “Truly? Afraid of an Angel?”

“Of
your
Angel, yes.”

“Remove doubt and fear, dear friend. He would never harm those whom I love.”

“How can you be so certain?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I know him.”

“In so short a time? Do not forget. People can easily hide their true intentions, especially from someone who’s as pure of heart as you are.”

“He’s not a person, he’s an Angel. I don’t believe he ever was a
person
. And… he no longer possesses the ability to hide even the tiniest thought from me, nor I from him. And by the way, old friend, I’m not so
pure
anymore, especially my heart.”

“I can see you are no longer a child. Your outward appearance doesn’t even hint at your inward differences. Does it, Jenevier?”

“Not even close, Vareen. Not even close.” I took a sip of the delicious tea.

“Will you humor me with answering a few questions? I am terribly curious about your exotic colorings and how they came to be.”

“Did Valencia not fill you in on everything already?”

Vareen chuckled softly. “I’m afraid Valencia isn’t what you would call an open book. Getting information from her can be much like pulling teeth.”

“Ask away,” I said with a shrug. “I have no reason to keep secrets.”

“Most obviously, the change in your skin and hair. How did that come to be?”

“You won’t like it, but it is what it is.” I sat my teacup down. “Let me ask you something first.”

“Very well, go ahead.” She nodded toward me, crossing her hands in her lap.

“Why do you want to know? Because you’re merely curious? Because you fear me now? Because you want to know what Vareilious tasted within me?” I raised one eyebrow and hardened my gaze. “Or is it because Varick’s really the one who wants to know yet is too afraid to ask me himself?”

Vareen smiled knowingly as Varick emerged from his hiding place in the next room.

“Varick, dear heart, you of all people should know. When your essence is blended you cannot hide from one another. Did you honestly think I couldn’t feel your heart racing within my own chest?”

“Apologies.” Varick blushed, lowering his head.

Vareen chuckled. “Gone is the tormented little girl we all knew. Returned is a woman wise beyond her years.”

“Heap not praise, revered mother. My wisdom has not been obtained from acting wise. It’s merely the reward for foolish behavior and stupid actions.”

She smiled. “Ahh, then you truly possess the greatest form of wisdom, little Princess.”

I sighed wearily. “Princess… not anymore.”

“Jenevier, my love, tell me all that has happened to you, all you had to go through,” Varick pleaded. “Please. I wish to know every moment I lost with you.”

I narrowed my eyes at him before I spoke. “Then shall we have tea for all eternity to stay caught up on all the lost moments yet to come?” My snide question was met with only silence. “Apologies. No matter how much you think I have changed, my bitter jealousy is one thing I fear I must always struggle with.” I half snorted. “Ahh, and I hear the great warrior coming now who obviously failed me so miserably in that very same training.”

“I failed
you
, did I?” Vareilious snapped as he barged into Vareen’s home.

“Oh, did I say that, Brother? I fear you may have misheard. Or perhaps the fury brought by my presence is pounding too loudly within your ears to allow for proper understanding.”

“Why are you still here?” he barked. “Did I not witness you leaving by way of the same gate you first entered?”

I took another sip of tea. “That’s the odd thing about eyes. You can never truly trust them. Can you, Brother?”

“You dare count me as your brother still?”

I raised my gaze to meet his. “Would you rather be counted as my enemy? Now, that should play out deliciously, don’t you think? You could finally experience for yourself if I’m the
tiny Angel
you always accused me of being.” I smiled and winked, taunting my old friend.

“Please, we have gathered here to speak openly. Not to fight or bare teeth to our own family,” Varick said.

“Family?” Vareilious and I spat the word out in unison.

“Yes, family,” Vareen softly answered. “Guardian Vareilious, will you take a seat and join us? Jenevier is being especially gracious to bless us with her story.” She looked at me. “Is it okay if good Vareilious joins us, dear one?”

I gently returned the dainty teacup to its matching saucer and kept my eyes fixed there. “As I said before, I have no reason to keep secrets.”

Once again, I started my familiar tale beginning with waking up in the swamp and ending with Valencia bidding me adieu in Vandermil. Well, in the Nether.

“All things happen for a reason.” Vareen’s mind was on the babies I had saved who were nearly grown and completely wonderful. “Your story alone, Jenevier, should bring faith to all Vanir. The work we do now is for the greater future good of all.”

Vareilious smirked. “I think you may have left out a few things, dear sister. I didn’t hear anything about Angels or pink hair.”

I furrowed my brow as I looked to each expecting face. “Am I mistaken or did I not return to your sight when Valencia winged me from the eighth layer?”

“You did not, child,” Vareen answered.

“Oh, so you really just wanted to know all about hell.” I shrugged my shoulders again and sighed. “Very well, then. I will tell you.” I stared at my cooling tea. “It looks exactly like Vanahirdem.”

“You lie,” Vareilious hissed.

“Ahh, is this not Commander of Emotions before me? Do we not now sit in the presence of the esteemed trainer over control and focus? If you keep to this path, mighty warrior, I fear I may dethrone you.”

Vareilious jumped to his feet, releasing a heart-stopping growl as his chair crashed to the floor. I moved not. I simply looked at him, minus concern or reaction.

“Now… is that any way to treat this lovely woman’s home? Show some manners. Restrain yourself, Brother. Or some may name you beast, and untamed at that.”

“Enough, you two,” Varick warned.

“Tell us where you got the curls, Witch,” Vareilious spat.

“My curls? Why, I was born with them. So I guess you could say God gave them to me.” I rolled my eyes. “Funny, I thought you noticed my curls
years
ago, Brother.”

Vareilious grabbed my arm, jerking me into the air, screaming curses at me and threatening bodily harm. Still, I didn’t react in-kind. I simply stared into his furious eyes, not even trying to feign concern.

“Tell us where you got the
pink
curls, Witch.”

“I’m a witch now, am I? Should you not be just a little concerned about all the things you now think I am? Tell me, great Guardian. Do you have a summons against me? Have you learned nothing from my sorrowful tale? No?” I yawned and looked away. “Then learn your own lessons in your own way. Sometimes the hard way’s the only way, I suppose.”

Vareilious eased me back to the floor.

I straightened my ruffled clothes and took my seat. “May I trouble you for another cup of tea, Milady?” I smiled at Vareen.

Varick placed his hand on mine when I reached for my cup.

“Please, Jenevier. Tell us what happened to you in hell.”

I couldn’t look him in the eye. I fear I will never be
that
strong.

“When I was in hell… your love, dear Varick, shattered my newly reclaimed soul.”

“
My
love? How could
my
love do such a thing? How can the perfect love I hold for you ever harm you in any way?”

I looked at Vareen. Her knowing eyes were fast filling with tears. But I continued to please their ravenous curiosities.

I held Vareilious’s admiring gaze as I told them of meeting Vindicus at the gate. “Before my eyes beheld him, I could have sworn it was you, Brother. I almost wish it had been.”

When I spoke of Vybius, I couldn’t force my eyes to look upon
any
of them. I didn’t keep secret my desire for the amethyst Angel. I even went so far as to describe, in detail, all the ways he reminded me of Alzeen and Varick.

“I trusted him based on what I beheld with my eyes. That was my
first
mistake concerning the soul-eater.”

I told them of Vybius’s magical past-displaying orb, the council meetings, how he calmed me simply by humming. And finally, I told them of my friendship with the elegant Viatrix. I left out nothing. Not a single moment. Not one tiny feeling. I told them everything, right up until I entered the temple in Vandermil.

“Honestly, I have given this exact same account to Valencia. I thought you knew this when I met you at the gate, Vareen. Is Valencia not an investigator? I only presumed she acted as Vinika.”

“What Valencia told us was that you were fighting your way out of hell and would need us at the portals… not a single word more,” Varick said softly.

“Child, I know the rest is harder still. Will you continue your tale, or do we ask too much?”

“You’re right, Vareen. This next part is the worst for me. But what has happened has happened and cannot be undone.” I turned to the massive Guardian I had once counted as my best friend. “Vareilious, you wish to know of my pink curls? Then I shall tell you. Hate me if you must. But I will never lie to you.”

His stern brow softened. He uncrossed his arms, a wry smile adorning his handsome face. “Yes, I wish to know of the beautiful pink ones. But this vibrant blue one is the most mesmerizing of them all. It matches the glitter upon your cheek. Makes me feel all fuzzy inside.” He winked at me. “I think I should like to know about
it
first.”

“Blue curl?”

“Yes. This one curl, here, in front. The one that puts the heavens to shame.” Vareilious reached out, pulling loose a curl I had tucked behind my ear, holding it in front of my face. “This one perfect curl that makes all sapphires bow down before its radiant glory. I’m jealous. Vittorio’s going on and on about it to everyone,” he whined. “Why am I the last to see it?”

When I focused on the odd lock of my hair in his giant fingers, I jumped up and ran to the nearest mirror.

It was true… I didn’t even know. My withered hand wasn’t the only thing my Vindicus had healed.

He loves me too much
, I thought.
The proof of that now sparkles brilliantly upon my cheek
.

Reaching up, I touched the once black jagged scar across my face, my blue-tinted fingers grazing the dazzling glitter. The sapphire tattoo left by his manacle glowed in sync with my newly decorated scar. And that rich azure curl fell down over my left eye. It was truly beautiful—unique in every way. And it had all come from him, my loving husband.

I wrapped my arms around my waist, tried my best to hold the pain inside. But it felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. All my air escaped. I turned a wild, terrified gaze back to the confused trio. Vareilious recognized the dangerous state I was in. He sprang to my side, whispering his calming words over and over until I could focus once again.