Blessed by Sapphires (A Dance with Destiny Book 2) (9 page)

Chapter 13

Vandermil

(VAN-dur-mill)

When Vybius left, he told me the council would be meeting in the last building on the right. The one before you get to the temple located in the heart of the city.

Even though I hadn’t stepped foot from his home since my arrival three days prior, I knew exactly where Vybius meant for me to go. At but a glance, it was obvious Vandermil was the twin to my home of Vanahirdem.

I did not wish to be escorted to council by Vybius. I would attend, or not, by my own choosing. Right now, I was leaning more to the
not
. I did finally decide to at least shed my hermit status and stepped out into the loving daylight of this holy city. I wanted to enjoy the many amazing things I knew for certain I would behold. I wasn’t disappointed.

The city of Vandermil may have been a mirror of Vanahirdem, but the people… now
they
were a horse of a different color. Or perhaps I should say… an Angel of a different color. For that’s what I saw everywhere I turned. Varying shades of every conceivable color donned the ethereal head of each Vanir. I saw four different shades of red with my first glance alone. Vandermil was a veritable plethora of color, a masterful painting by the greatest of artists.

I must have looked as a child in a candy store—eyes wide, mouth agape. I was fully entranced in my childlike wonder when a voice politely broke the enchanting spell.

“Beautiful, are they not?”

I turned to see a giant, familiar to me as my own brothers in every way, save the closely cut sky-blue coif he was crowned with.

“Yes, Milord. As enchanting as a flight of Pixies. As glorious as heaven’s own Angels.”

“Well now, that’s a beautiful way of putting it, I must say. But do you know why?”

“Why?” The question caught me off guard. “Why does there have to be a reason? They are beautiful and magical because they were made that way. That’s
why
.”

The majestic Vanir snorted out a laugh and gave me a sideways glance as he locked his hands behind his back. “So, little maiden. It doesn’t strike you as odd they should be crowned thusly?”

“Odd? No.” I shrugged my shoulders. “That’s just the way God painted them.”

“The way God painted—” His sentence broke off into boisterous laughter.

“I’m wrong then, Brother? Are you not donned with the breathtaking brilliance of the noon day sky for beauty’s sake alone?”

“So, you admit freely I am your brother? And, you also think I am breathtaking?” He smiled, crookedly.

“Ugh, not this again,” I said with a sigh.

“Absent words?” he mocked.

“Absent thoughts,” I answered.

“Now, don’t expect me to believe that, not for a single moment. And I was told you couldn’t lie, Vashti. But, yes. I suppose you’re absolutely correct in saying God
painted
us.”

His casual reference to my absent mask ruffled my nonexistent feathers, so to speak. “Apologies. I have shown ill grace toward you and without proper introduction. Hello, great warrior, my name is Jenevier Embarr.” I extended him my hand. “I am honored to make your acquaintance.” My smile was forced. My tone, purposefully flat.

He snorted. “The honor’s all mine, tiny Angel.” He clasped my forearm and held fast. “My name is Viggo. I am the Guardian of the Skies.”

“Truly? The skies? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Well, you’ve never been to Vandermil before.” He cocked one sky blue eyebrow. “Alas, your stay will be a short one indeed if you don’t hurry to meet the council. Shall I take you there?”

“Gratitude. You are very gracious, Viggo. Yet, I can find my way.” I smiled, turning to go.

I had no intention of going to the council meeting, and a short stay in this mockingly accursed place was precisely what I wanted anyway. If remaining absent from this
meeting
would hasten my departure, then all the better.

“No excuses then,” he said.

“Nope. No excuses at all. Very nice to meet you though,” I called back to the giant Guardian over my shoulder as I made my way down the jeweled street.

“And you as well, fair maiden.” He waved his hand at my retreating back.

Once again, I was hit with the now comforting feeling of dwarfism. My enormous surroundings elevated the little fluttering heart within me. I closed my eyes, pretended I was in Vanahirdem, and walked. I felt the calming sensation only home can bring, when I realized my betraying feet had led me to the very place I was actively avoiding—the accursed meeting hall.

The doors swung open. A frustrated Vybius burst out into the streets. I could easily hear the angry cacophony of voices coming from within.

“Are you well, good Vybius?” I asked, not really caring if he was well at all.

He spun toward my voice, a wave of relief sweeping over his perfect features. He gently took my elbow, leading me around the corner to the side of the magnificent structure.

“I am now, Milady. Tell me. How do you fare?” he whispered softly, kindness in his magical eyes.

I decided then to grab on to the only ray of hope I had found in this hopeless situation—my new friend, Vybius. We had quarreled, yes. But it felt natural all the same, like my big brother. He would fuss and I would rebel, just like siblings should. The thought made me smile.

If he is to be my older, wiser brother, then he should take me under his wing and explain all these curious things I don’t understand.

I put on my best
innocent
grin, batted my lashes, and started blurting out all the fascinating things I had only just discovered.

“I’m doing splendidly, if I must confess.”

“Truly?” He eyed me, curiously.

“Yes, truly. I met the Guardian of the Sky, and I saw hundreds of other warriors upon my way. I wished desperately to speak with them all. I have so many things I want to ask, so many things I want to know. I cannot remember being this excited since I was but a child.”

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Your wonderment is contagious, littlest Angel.” He brushed a loose curl out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. “You are the vision of enchantment.”

I continued, bent on turning his mind away from this silly meeting. “And did you know, the very street here is paved with precious gems in every shape and color? Some I don’t even know the name for. Will you tell me? Will you answer me everything, Vybius? Please? Let’s just go back home, you and me. We can attend the next council meeting. Let this day, my first real day here, let it be for us, not them. Let me spend the day on my new brother’s arm while you tell me all about our glorious home.”

His iridescent hand softly cupped my cheek as he stared into my pleading eyes. And when that enticing devil of an Angel gently stroked the side of my face, I shivered. Those bright silver pupils—encompassed about with deep amethyst sparkles—they bored into me, into my soul. Never in my wildest dreams have I imagined eyes such as these. Thrilled by their magical hold, I knew I was safe with Vybius. Of at least that much I was certain. The ease with which this enchanting man comforted me could be attributed not only to his warm essence and spellbinding gaze, but also to his completely natural, almost human, build.

Being with like… well,
beings
is a comforting feeling for all creatures. The truth in that is no different for me. We are more at ease around familiar, natural feeling things. I love Varick and I love all my family Vanir, but it’s not easy to forget the fact
you
are the alien creature in their enormous world. Such was not true with Vybius.

Pressed against the side of that meeting hall, deep concern pouring from his ethereal eyes, our bodies naturally and effortlessly molded together in a perfect physical fit. There was no need for awkward adjustments because of our size difference. We were two harmonious puzzle pieces clicking perfectly together. It was oddly calming. Actually, everything about Vybius was oddly calming. He made me feel cherished… worshipped even.

Don’t misunderstand my words, Reader. Our mutual touch held no overt sexual tensions. Neither were there any flirtatious connotations implied. Please do not mistake our natural physical comfort as being desirous, at least not in
that
moment. Our connection was effortless and mutual. This is but one of the reasons why I trusted him so completely and instantaneously.

I played with his enticing purple locks as innocently and naturally as he now rubbed my cheek.

“You are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the out, Jenevier. I have never been witness to such guiltless wonderment. I find it truly enchanting. You are the purest soul I’ve ever looked upon. I cannot turn away from your glory, no matter how hard I try.”

I tapped the tip of his nose lightly. “Yes, I know. You have the exact same effect on me, Brother. Maddening, isn’t it?”

He smiled then and a look of resignation crossed his face. “Very well, little one. Let us go now and I will tell you all your angelic heart desires.”

He took my hand, leading me back to the enchanting pathway that would take us to his home.

I never had a blood born brother. It must feel just like this, surely.
The thought made me smile so big my cheeks hurt.

“Oh, this one, Vybius. I have never seen a stone sparkle inside like this one. What is it?” I bent down to get a closer look and he followed my lead.

“That one is called a fire opal, sweet maiden. The fire, or sparkle inside, dances differently as you turn it in the light.”

“There you are.”

The booming voice came from the direction of the open council chamber doors. It slithered up my now fearful spine. Gone was the wonder, gone was the magic. I quickly stepped behind Vybius. He reached back, offering me assurance via his protectively warm hand as his eyes remained fixed on the advancing speaker. I held to him fiercely.

“Yes, Vahan, we are here,” Vybius called.

“Well, come inside. There’s little need to tarry out here. It’s time we got down to business.”

Reluctantly, we followed the giant warrior into the crowded chamber hall. Instant silence met us. I squeezed Vybius’s proffered hand, my fluttering heart nearly jumping into my throat.

My fear was momentarily abated when I saw a lady Vanir standing against the wall to my right. Her hair was the most vibrant shade of orange imaginable, the tip ends of which brushed the floor when she turned to look at us. I was entranced. Drawn to her, I slowly released Vybius as her essence seemed to pull me nearer. I did not pause until I was standing meekly in front of this majestic Vanir, her orange eyes wide with question.

“You are a vision of heaven, Milady. Are you the Guardian of the sun?”

She laughed softly, bending down to close the enormous gap in our heights. “No, my child. Although I am the Guardian of many things, alas, the sun is not one of them.”

I stood there, watching her glow, a constant pulse from within. She used a single fingertip to lift my chin, slightly turning my face from side to side. An approving smile sparkled in those indescribable orange eyes.

I thoughtlessly moved to touch her enticing locks. My curious fingers had yet to thread the silken tresses when the spell was broken. Vybius snatched my reaching hand, offered apologies on my behalf, and led me to the center of the council chamber.

“You have
got
to stop doing that,” he hissed in my ear. “You have got to quit touching people without asking. Not only is it rude, it could be dangerous. Use your head, child. You know nothing of these people.”

“But I touched
you
. Nothing
bad
happened. Did it?”

He sighed. “No, nothing
bad
happened. But that’s only true for me, and only then because I knew how you were.”

I furrowed my brow. “Umm… What do you mean?”

“Jenevier, can you not tell by just
looking
at me that I’m different?” He sort of rolled his eyes. “Besides, I was already aware of your tenacity, your penchant for being far more curious than is safe, tiny Angel.”

“And just how did you know that? As far as that goes, how is it you know
anything
about me? You act as if you’ve known me for years, Vybius, since we were children. I’m certain we have never met. Believe you me, I would’ve remembered. How could I forget?” I mumbled those last words.

He ignored my questions, squeezing my fingers hard in his. “Your wicked curiosity and that damn mouth of yours will be your undoing someday. Mark my words, Maiden.”

“What bad thing could possibly come from genuine admiration? If I but touched her hair, what could happen? Would she turn into a beast and devour me? Grow fangs and suck out all my blood? Oh, oh, wait, no, wait. I got it. Maybe she’ll sprout horns from her head, split the ground open beneath us, and drag my screaming soul to hell.” I snickered then. I very nearly laughed.

He only shot me an exasperated glance, shaking his head. He mumbled, “You watched too much of that horrible thing they call television, didn’t you?”