Protected by Emeralds (A Dance with Destiny Book 5) (29 page)

“I know the truth of what you did to Orpheus, Father. I was standing in the doorway. I heard your confession to my Naga.”

The old man’s eyes widened.

“He was my little brother, and your favorite son.” Tears filled Akio’s dark eyes. “How could you do such a thing? He was so beautiful, so innocent. I always protected him.
We
always protected him. Tell me, Father. Tell me how could you allow someone, some
thing
, to do that to our beloved Orpheus?”

Brutus tried to reach for his first born, but his arms would not move. He opened his mouth, but no sound came forth.

“Do not be alarmed, Father. I have stilled your tongue. I was tired of listening to all the lies.” He glanced over at the glass of water he had poured for the man. “And I have stilled your wicked hands as well. They have meddled in too much evil already. It is time for you to rest now, Father. Your days wax old and you deserve your rest.”

Akio watched with a heavy heart as the horror grew in his father’s clouding, aged eyes.

“Do not fret.” He tenderly patted the man’s now stilled, withered hands. “You will not die. I could never kill my own father. I simply helped you. That’s all.” Akio smiled gently. “I helped you to stop doing wrong. Helped you to stop telling so many lies. Helped you to finally rest, just rest.” He lightly brushed the gray hair off the terrified old man’s furrowed brow. “Don’t you worry about a thing now, Father. I am here. I will always be here—taking care of you, doing what is best for you.” He sat back down and sighed. “But I must confess this one thing.” Akio waited until his father met his gaze. “You are wrong about Kagi Naga. She
is
the one for me. I love her, and I am going to marry her. Do not be cross with me for going against your wishes, Father. Trust me. It will be for the best. Just you wait and see. We will all live here, together. You will get to see your grandchildren grow up under this very roof. It will be the happiest place in the world. I promise. Every home should be filled with the laughter of little ones, don’t you think?”

*****

Are you well, Naga? How do you fare? Did I help you?

She spit a mouthful of blood out and watched as it ran down the cold stone wall her forehead was resting against.

“Yes, Brother,” she said softly. “You helped me. Gratitude. I barely felt a thing.”

Do not play tough with me, Kagi Naga. I am living in here with you. Do not try to pretend with me, little one.

She smiled a crooked, bloody smile. “Then why did you ask if I was well, Dragon? Do you just like hearing me lie?” Pain halted her coming chuckle.

Actually, I just wanted to tell you… I am in awe of you, tiny Guardian. Your grit and determination surpass any creature I have ever heard tale of. And your rare fire rivals that of any Dragon that ever lived.

She snorted out a half laugh. “Are you including yourself in that comparison?”

Well, perhaps not me.

They shared an internal chuckle. Then she heard the grating sound of the metal key turning in the rusty lock on her cell door.

Dammit to hell
, she thought.

Your words may prove truer than you realize
, Nilakanta said.

“So… you haven’t had enough yet, huh, Valencia?”

Jenevier spit out some more blood and felt something move in her mouth. She reflexively wiggled the loose tooth with her tongue.

“You want a bit more pain and torture, do you?” she taunted, internally cringing as the cell door slowly opened behind her. “Jeez, Valencia. I never knew you were so twisted and kinky, never knew you to favor such as this. I will have to keep that in mind for the day our roles are reversed.”

She half chuckled and then quietly sighed, steadying herself for the coming lash.

“And that exquisitely vengeful day may be closer than you think, lovely Angel of my dreams.”

She heard the undeniably enticing voice near her ear, felt his hot breath warm her curls there. Realization pulled tears from her eyes, and from her heart as well. She released a relieved, crying laugh.

“So
you
are my new Master, then. You are the creature who traded evil magic in exchange for my scarred flesh.”

“I am guilty as charged, Milady,” he whispered, slowly sliding his hands around her, gently cupping each bared breast.

He tightened his embrace. Pulling her back against him, he moaned softly, tenderly kissing her blood-streaked, trembling shoulder.

“…Vybius,” Jenevier said, fear now obvious in her quaking voice. “You
have
to know this will end badly for you.”

He kissed her again. “I do. Yet… I no longer care. I plan on making the time I
do
have with you, worth the pain I know will be dealt me. But until that day comes, I will spend every moment loving you, baby Angel. Loving you the way I have only ever dreamed about.” He kissed the back of her head. “Will you fight me in this, Princess?”

She choked out a sardonic laugh. “And what good would it do me? No, Brother. Not this time. I deserve this. And… somewhere deep inside… I always knew this day would come.”

The soul-eater but touched her chains and the shackles fell away. He caught her before she crumpled to the floor.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” He gently stroked her cheek. “Fear not, beautiful Princess. You will know nothing but pleasure. I plan to spend this undeserved time, showing you how
I
am the Angel meant to own your heart… the way you so effortlessly owned mine at first glance.” He scooped her up in his arms, carrying her out of the darkened dungeon. “Remember what it was like back in Vandermil? Remember when first we met, Jenevier? The way our gazes locked. The way our hearts raced in time with the other. The way your desirous thoughts quickly matched mine own. Tell me, my love. Do you remember what you felt the first time you laid eyes upon me?”

“…Yes,” she whispered through her streaming tears.

He smiled then. “As do I, tiny Princess. In truth, you are my every other memory, Jenevier. My dreams are filled with all the little things about you—how you were so entranced by my build, the way your gaze kept wandering down my sculpted form, lingering a tad too long… just below my waist.” He chuckled softly when she blushed. “Oh, and my hair, the way you lovingly brushed and braided it. Only to take it down again so you could run your fingers through it.”

She sniffed against his neck, nodding her head. “I truly do love your hair, dark brother.”

He chuckled softly. “Yes, I know. I will never forget the wonder in your lovely eyes as you ran from one thing to the next, asking a thousand questions, barely waiting for my answer before the next one spilled out.”

“Yes.” She sniffed again. “I remember… I could never forget.”

“That’s back when your eyes were still blue and your curls were yet blonde.”

“And that was back when you were my trusted friend and loving brother.”

When she coughed up some more blood, Ahriman gently sat her down, patting her back as she tried to spit it all out.

“I will always be your trusted friend and loving brother, Jenevier, always. I plan on proving the truth of that to you now.” He helped her up, brushing the matted curls back from her face. “I
am
the Vybius you met at the gate. I swear it. Give me a chance to prove my words, little one. If you do this thing, if you are honest with yourself, open up your heart concerning me, I give you my word. And if you still hate me after you have given me a fair chance, I will walk away and vow our paths will never cross again. Not in this life… or the next.” He tenderly kissed her forehead. “Will you give me this one chance? Will you give
us
this one chance?”

Unwanted tears burned her ethereal eyes. “But… Vybius… what about all the things that have happened between us
since
our happy time in Vandermil—all the pain, all the deceit, all the treachery? Am I to simply forget how you cursed me with darkness while I was yet minus my essence? While I was empty, alone… hollow inside. Do you not recall what I became… that, that
thing
? Oh, Vybius, I still have nightmares about the heartless creature I was while walking hand in hand with you upon Val Hal. Evil is far too gentle a word for the ferocious demon-Angel I transformed into.”

“Ahh, yes, little one. I remember her well. Yet my dreams of that delicious creature you became, well… let’s just say… they are not nightmares, Milady. In my mind, they are euphoric fantasies.”

When she glared at him, Ahriman realized exactly what he was now confessing to an Angel of Light.

“Jenevier, be fair. I am fallen. This you know.” He matched her glare. “Besides, you are the Angel of… no, the
Master
of Death. This you cannot deny, my love, cannot run from. It is part of your purpose, the dark yet extremely necessary part. Tell me true. Was it not thrilling just letting go like that, being vicious, being fierce… being
Death
? Death in all her glory—no reservations, no restrictions, minus all those damn rules you plague yourself with. You were magnificent, my love. I trembled inside just looking upon you. You stole my breath.”

“Vybius, that was not
me
and you know it.”

“Oh, was it not? Do not pretend with me, Jenevier. Don’t you dare try to hide the truth from the darkest, wickedest, most vile Angel you will ever know. That
creature
… she was you. She is your dark side. She thrills me like no other, my love. I was consumed by your rarest splendor for days after that—walked around like a damn fool, dreaming of nothing but you. And if such a thing were even possible, I desired you all the more
because
of your dark glory.”

She didn’t know how to respond. This Angel before her now, he terrified her above all others. Not because of how he could physically damage her, no. He terrified her because of how he could effortlessly damage her on the inside. There had always been a strange, unexplainable pull between the two of them. It had happened within a breath, before she could even bat a lash. It wouldn’t take more than just a tiny push, and she could lose herself in this enticing celestial demon of a man. She knew this. But the most terrifying part was…
he
knew it as well.

“…Vybius.”

“No… wait. Let me start over. I take all that back, Jenevier. It was all true, yes, but I want this to be our new beginning. All I am asking for is a clean slate with you. Just one chance. That’s it. If I piss you off in the least, send me back to hell. You have already proven you are capable of doing such a thing. Now give me the chance to prove that I am capable of doing everything in the world
not
to piss you off. Please? I swear it. A clean slate—a new Vybius. The Vybius you deserve. The Vybius
you
created.”

Mesmerized by that wickedly enticing, unbelievably intoxicating grin now painted across his perfect lips, Jenevier met his stunning silver gaze and nodded.

“Very well, then. A clean slate… for
both
of us, Brother.”

“Yes, both. We will start over. It will be like the past never happened.
This
is the first day you stepped into my lonely world full of misery, and lifted my heart up to the heavens.”

“…Vybius.” His amazing, hope-filled amethyst eyes dazzled her, stole her breath. “Very well. I will do all that you have asked, and with an open mind…
if
you will grant me but one wish.”

“A deal with the devil, huh?” He smiled again, almost giggled even. “
Anything
for you, Princess. Tell me. What do you wish for? The stars? The Moon? Keys to the Underworld? Your very own hellhound? All dolled-up and adorned with a pink diamond collar, no less. Oh, wait, how about… an Archangel’s head on a silver platter?” He lightly touched the tip of her nose and winked. “I’m teasing, by the way… unless it’s Jophiel’s head. I would gladly grant
that
wish.”

She couldn’t help the tiny giggle that escaped her then. “Or Uriel’s.” She quickly clamped her hand over her mouth, her eyes widening.

“Yes. Definitely Uriel’s. Have you ever met a haughtier Angel than that pretty boy, golden-haired, goodie two shoes?” He pulled her closer, lifting her chin with his bent finger, staring deep into her widened eyes. “Just say the word, Jenevier. Name it, and it will be done.”

Chapter 22

Ahriman

(ARR-ee-mon)

The war was hard fought. Brutus’s hellish army proved to be mightier than even the Archs had anticipated. With Valencia’s help, the old man had managed to amass the largest horde of demons ever to march upon the eighth layer realm.

Rest came only in spurts, but it wasn’t a quiet rest, and sleep was all but unheard of. It didn’t take Prince Suou longer than the morning of the first battle to see that over half his troops were not ready to fight on the same level as the dark ones.

Diminished by nearly sixty percent within the first few days, the Prince retreated and regrouped, while their adversaries feasted on the cold flesh of the recently fallen.

“We are a blessed people,” Suou roared as he slammed his fists down atop the desk. “How is it we are falling so easily?”

“A man has power because he
believes
he has power.” Duhrias stepped from the corner of the tent. “When the belief flees, so too does the power.”

Suou looked hard at the other man. “I had my eye on you today. You stand as my equal with the sword, Brother.”

Duhrias smiled. “Yes, well, I suppose I did have an
off
day.”

Suou huffed out a laugh. “I guess it would be hard to make a decent living—hiring out a dull blade.”

“A finer sell-sword has never been,” Duhrias said with a smirk.

“Pfft, nor has a larger ego ever accompanied one.”

“As I said before, good Prince. A man’s power comes from belief. And
I
believe I am undefeatable.”

“Is that so?”

“With all my heart.” Duhrias smiled again.

Prince Suou’s brow furrowed when one of his generals entered.

“Did you find him?”

“No, Sire. No one remembers seeing him. He was not in formation again today, and the medics say he is not among the wounded.”

Suou dismissed the man with a nod and a wave of his hand.

“Where could Izaru have gotten off to?” he grumbled. “I haven’t been able to find him anywhere. Have you even had a chance to meet him yet?”

“No, Milord, I have not.” Duhrias sheathed the dagger he had been using to scrape demon slime from under his nails. “But I have found that rats often have a way of scurrying off when danger nears.”

“That doesn’t sound like Izaru at all. He is always first in line for a good fight.” The Prince sighed. “We have been together since my youth. Not a day has passed without him by my side.”

Duhrias decided to change the subject.

“It seems Kagi Naga was right.”

Suou looked over to meet the other man’s amused gaze. “In what?”

“She claimed her celestial kinsmen were guarding every passageway to this realm. They swore she would have no additional enemies to face.”

Suou’s confusion darkened his brow. “So?”

“So… you have been on the battlefield every day. Tell me. What did you see happen?”

The Prince studied the man before answering. “The demons exploded or fell to ash… when they met our blades.”

“Yes.” Duhrias nodded. “And what did you
not
see happening?”

“Well… our guns don’t do as good a job.”

“No. There was something else. Think.”

The enlightened Prince’s eyes widened. “They remained as ash and slime.”

Duhrias smiled then. “Wherever their filthy soul was sent, it stayed there. You have mighty Angels fighting on your side, Milord. There will be no reinforcements for our enemies. What we faced today, that’s the whole of them. They remain many, yes, but not nearly as many as what greeted the dawn.”

Prince Suou’s countenance was lifted as the light of hope flickered back on within his eyes.

“So do not think of it as fighting demons,” the smiling River Spirit continued. “Think of them as men only—soldiers who fight as a gang, minus strategy, minus cohesiveness, and minus true leadership. Tell me, Your Highness. How would you fight
men
who attacked thusly?”

The Prince’s smile widened. “Come, Duhrias. We have much to do.”

The sun rose on the regal Prince of Gokula and the mighty Spirit of the Rogall River, as they stood side by side before the battle-weary troops.

“Your guns are of little use against this mongrel horde, gentlemen.” Suou’s voice boomed over their heads. “Unsheathe your ancestral blades and present them before us.”

*****

“This is my only request, Vybius. Let me complete this mission. I wish to finish what I started within this realm.” Jenevier pleaded with him through teary eyes. “I am not as foolish as I once was, Brother. I know how this works now. You have demanded payment, and I am the coin. The debt must be paid. This I know.” She wiped her face with bloody, dirty hands. “No matter what else stands as our tying bond, this fact cannot be denied.
I
know you have me.
You
know you have me. Yet, there remains something extremely important I must see to first. If you will but grant my freedom until this war sees its end, I will fight you in nothing.”

Ahriman smiled at her, such a tender, gentle smile. It shook her to the very core. Never had she seen Vybius’s eyes
completely
minus his silver, completely minus what it was that marked him as soul-eater. It was unsettling, exquisitely terrifying.

“My dear sweet Jenevier, not only will I allow you this gentle request, I will stand by your side and see it done.” He tenderly kissed the back of her hand, her blood staining his perfect lips. “Do you recall what you are to do when you walk through the Valley of Death?”

She didn’t answer, only tilted her head to the side, furrowing her brow.

He continued. “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… I will fear no evil.” He softly tugged on one of her curls, wrapping it around his finger. “Wise words from a wise man of this realm. One who is long since dead, tiny Princess.”

She half smiled. “What are you talking about, Vybius? War itself
is
a Valley of Death. And
you
, my gorgeous dark brother, are the very epitome of evil.”

“‘Tis true, my enchanting Sister of Light. And you need not
fear
me. Not now… not ever. I will walk through the valley with you. I promise to keep you safe.”

She released a relieved breath, and was hugging his neck before she even realized what she was doing.

“Gratitude, Brother,” she said through her smile. “This universe turns in mysterious ways, does it not? Imagine… the salvation I need comes to me via black wings.”

“You are the only one who has ever made me ashamed of them.” He tucked back some of her curls. “The only one I would cast off my name and my power for.”

She chuckled. “You give me too much credit, Brother. I am just a girl. One who ignorantly strolled into hell like it was a magical wonderland.”

“If you were
just
a girl, Jenevier…” He twirled that same curl around his finger. “…I would have gobbled you up whole the moment you walked through that gate, and went along on my merry way.”

She swallowed hard then, momentarily shaken.

Forget not who it is you are smiling at, Naga.

I know, Dragon. I know. Do me a solid, Brother. Continually remind me of that very thing.

You never even had to ask, Little Fire.

“Now.” Ahriman clapped his hands together. “What say we get you cleaned up a bit while you fill me in on what your plans are?”

The impossibly enticing soul-eater took her by the hand, swinging their clasped fingers back and forth, leading her to the river as if they were on a jolly holiday and not in the middle of a war intended to utterly annihilate this entire world.

“What do you remember of your childhood, lovely lady?”

“Almost the whole of it. Why do you ask?”

“I know nothing of you… prior to being cursed by Merodach, that is. Tell me. Did you recite nursery rhymes with your friends at school?”

“Vybius, my family knew nothing
but
stories and nursery rhymes. My mother was a traveling story teller. And our family… we were healers by trade and by blood. You would be hard pressed to find a legend or old wives tale I
haven’t
recited with my friends at school.”

He smiled. “I would love to have known you as a child.”

“Pfft. If I had met you even one day sooner than I did, I should say I would never have made it to adulthood.”

“Not so, fair Princess. I would have seen you grown, if for no other reason than to devour you. A soul like yours… I could feast upon you for eons, my love.”

Jenevier swallowed hard again, no longer hearing the happy dark Angel’s continuing words. A tiny tremor ran down her spine, causing a visible shudder. Vybius didn’t notice. He was too busy laughing and talking about the past.

“If you have heard them all, tell me. Do you remember the one that went…

One fine day in the middle of the night,

Two dead boys rose up to fight
.”

She giggled when he paused, picking up where he left off.

“
Back to back they faced each other,

Drew their swords and shot one another
.”

Ahriman nodded. “And then the end went something like…

And the narrator with his story untold,

Meekly whispered loud and bold
.”

She touched his lips then, ceasing his words so she could finish the poem.

“
The beginning words to the meetings end,

You, my enemy, are now my friend
.”

“Yes, tiny Angel. That last line reminded me of us, withdrew the recollection from somewhere deep inside me.” He wrapped his arms around her and sighed happily. “
This
reminds me of our time in Vandermil—carefree, comfortable, completely at ease in each other’s gentle embrace.”

“Yes… you trying to drown me during my bath, munching on my soul while you fed me ambrosia tea.”

He lightly kissed her cheek. “Supporting you during the council meetings, listening to your sweet stories as you tucked me into bed, holding hands while we gazed into the looking glass as we watched your lovely skin and curls transform.”

“…Yes.”

She sniffed as he lovingly brushed away her tears.

“I remember all those wonderful things as well,” she whispered. “I felt a blood tie with you, dark brother. Stronger than I could have possibly imagined.”

“That’s because we are the same, you and I. Oh, look.” His smile grew. He turned her around to face the rolling waters. “We’re here.”

The mountain river was so cold, her teeth began to chatter almost immediately.

Ahriman laughed. “You look like a baby kitten, Princess—soaked and trembling and completely helpless.”

“J-j-just hur-rr-reee u-uuup, Vyy-beee-usss.”

He laughed again as he scooped up some more water and cleaned her back.

“Where in the universe did you manage to acquire a tattoo as exquisite as this one, tiny Angel?”

“J-j-in-nnn.”

He chuckled. “Well… it is enormous, but it suits you.” He traced the intricate scales with his fingertips. “It seems you become more rare by the day. There is not much left of the girl I once knew.”

“Ssshheeeesss sttillll herrre, on th-thee in-ssii-iide.”

Ahriman only laughed again and kissed her trembling cheek, wrapping his arms around her, warming her from behind as he whispered, “Have you ever read any of Carroll’s writings, my love?

Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!

If I didn’t know better, I’d believe he was talking about you, little one.”

She tried to smile. “Yeeeessss. Thaaaat’s one of mmmyyy faaavooorites.”

“Mine too,” he whispered, and kissed her again.

*****

When Duhrias had touched the last blade—imbuing it with his magic—he turned and clutched his chest, almost bending over double from the action.

Suou grabbed his shoulders. “What is it? Was the strain too much? Have you been drained to the point of illness?”

Duhrias looked up, blood trickling from his eyes as tears. Prince Suou gasped.

“We must make haste, Your Highness,” Duhrias said. “Something’s wrong. Something is horribly, horribly wrong.”

“What is it? Are you injured?”

“This is not
my
blood,” he rasped. “It’s hers.”

“Hers? …Naga’s?”

Duhrias stood, inhaling deeply. “Yes. Her sweet blood flows through my waters. Your Highness, we can either attack now, or I break my sworn vow and leave your side. One way or the other, I will make it to her before the moon rises this night.”