Protected by Emeralds (A Dance with Destiny Book 5) (38 page)

As the beautiful raven-winged Angel kissed her, Jenevier felt the cold metal lock around her wrist.

Vybius whispered softly against her ear. “These warding stones were fashioned for you, sweet Angel—forged in the fires of the pit, set within the magic of Sheol, and then carved with the unbreakable seal of heaven. The unimaginable love we would know… the unspeakable harm we would wrought. With this, I remove them both. Angelus, quis separabit?” He kissed her one last time. “Indicium difficile, Jenevier. Nescit cedere, my love. And since I cannot remove the temptation I will always carry in my heart for you, I will remove my ability to act upon it… always.” Vybius stood, tears streaming down his face. “Post tenebras lux.”

And with those final words, Jenevier felt the binding sensation encircle her wrist—a vibrating hum that never ceased.

“Spectemur Agendo,” he whispered, and then he was gone.

*****

A single tear dripped from her chin as she looked back up at Duhrias. “There is no creature in all of heaven or hell that could have separated us. The Archangels of God and the Prince of the fiery pits, they had all warned me against the soul-eater. They knew what would come of our union. So… when I quit fighting his pull, when I gave in to my deep desire for him, Vybius somehow found the strength to take the decision out of our hands. Since he knew he would never give up on me, he made it so he could never physically be near me. Now, if we ever find ourselves upon the same layer or within the same realm, the pain for him will be unbearable, render him nearly incapable of even moving.”

Duhrias turned her magically bound, exquisite shackle from side to side. “What did those words mean? The strange ones he whispered in your ear. What did he say?”

“Those are words of old, lost ages ago. I know not the whole of it, but basically he said…
Angel, who will separate us? It is a difficult decision
—for him to bind me thusly. Then he admitted that
he does not know how to give up
—on me. After he bound me, he sort of prayed a wish, I guess you could say. He said,
Light after Darkness
.”

“And what were his last words? The sad sounding ones he whispered at the end.”

She smiled. “
Let us be judged by our acts
. And… I truly hope those words find truth. I pray he is shown a glimmer of mercy for such selflessness.”

“So… because your love could destroy the universe, he had this made. He went completely against his own heart, against his very nature.” Duhrias shook his head. “Why would a creature such as him—a fallen dark Angel, soul-eater—why would he go to such lengths to
avoid
evil and destruction?”

She sort of snorted. “Because, Dimples… the old fool loves me too much.”

Duhrias just stared at her.

“My soul,” she continued, searching his face for comprehension. “The one thing within me he treasures above all, the one thing he can never have and holds most precious… my soul. Vybius
knew
what would happen to my soul if he allowed the madness of our forbidden union to continue. Like I said, the old fool loves me too much.”

“But… in the past… he has hurt you, has he not?”

“Yes, and in many devious ways, no less.”

“So… why did you cave so easily? Why did you finally give in to his advances? And… why does it hurt you so much now that you are free of him.”

She smiled softly. “Because I am weak and naïve and ridiculous.”

“I do not believe that. Not even for a moment.”

“But it’s true. Couple those glorious qualities with a magical gift that cannot be explained, and you have the recipe for my current dilemma. Do I hate the man? Yes, and with a passion, no less. Do I love the man? In ways I cannot explain, and in ways you will never understand.”

Duhrias only stared into her eyes—befuddled, but mesmerized.

She sighed. “You may have taken my humanity, sweet Knight, left me as a celestial being… but that was only days ago. My feeble heart is still that of a woman, still full of memories.”

“Precious memories?”

“Some precious… some bitter.”

“And Vybius?”

“My memories of him are both, yes.” She tossed the pinecone aside she had been fiddling with. “But my final memories of him… they were precious only.”

She turned from the sell-sword then and continued down the path.
And may he be judged by those noble acts.
She echoed his final words within her own heart.

Chapter 26

Cherie

(CHAIR-ee)

“Why do you have to go
now
?” Cherie asked. “Can’t you stay just a few more days?”

“I would love nothing more,” Jenevier said with a sad smile. “Alas, my services may be needed elsewhere. And believe me… you do
not
want Daichi having to come seek me out. Especially here. Especially with
him
.” She jabbed her thumb back toward the handsome River Spirit who had sworn his loyalty to her.

“Why?” Cherie giggled as she looked over Jenevier’s shoulder at her blushing friend. “Is this Daichi person jealous?”

“That’s a rather
gentle
way of putting it. But, yes. Yes he is.”

Cherie narrowed her eyes mischievously. “And why is that? Is he your lover? Your husband?”

Jenevier bristled slightly. “No. Nothing of the sort.” She paused. “I mean… I guess perhaps that was his purpose… possibly… maybe. But, no. Daichi loves me, yes, but he is my healer only.”

“What do you mean? Why are you stammering so? And why do your cheeks look like rosebuds?” Cherie pointed as she giggled. “They’ll catch fire soon if you don’t cool them off.”

“That is enough, Cherie,” Duhrias whispered. “No point in needlessly pissing off a Death Angel.”

“That’s quite all right, dear friend.” Jenevier shook her head and chuckled lightly. “I am used to being teased. I can take it.” She yanked on a lock of the girl’s raven hair. “As long as she remembers… what comes around goes around. Continue to dish it out, little lady, just so long as you are certain you can take it.”

Cherie only laughed.

Jenevier glanced around at her two new Spirit friends. “I am yet unclear on a few things. I have been to Earth many times before this summons, even lived here for a few years. Yet never have I seen a place quite like this one. Never would I have been able to walk the streets as I now am… not without garnering much unwanted attention. Alas, this is my third trip to Gokula and not once has anyone acted as if my scars or my skin are unusual things. So, tell me. Which of you would be kind enough to fill in the gaps for me?”

Cherie opened her mouth to speak, but Duhrias cleared his throat before she could start.

“You know how I told you that the Spirit World, our world—Out World—it hovers over this part of the eighth layer, right?”

Jenevier nodded. “Yes.”

“Well, it has always been thus. The people of Gokula are accustomed to… oddities, you might say. A few marriages have even taken place between the Earthlings and the Out Worlders.”

“Yep.” Cherie smiled. “Which has made for even more oddities around here. The children from such unions often boast extremely rare magic.”

“Is that so?”

“It is.” Duhrias raised a single eyebrow. “There are a few places like Gokula upon this layer, masked with their own version of Out World. So despite the nasty rumors, magic still lives on Earth. Well, hovers about Earth.”

“It’s just muted, I guess you could say,” Cherie added.

Duhrias nodded his agreement. “So, just in case you were wondering.  Yes, the two of us could marry and no one around here would bat a lash.”

Jenevier strangled on her tea while Cherie only giggled.

“He likes you, ya know.” Cherie jumped when her Spirit counterpart gave her a little kick under the table. “I
knew
he did, because I’ve never seen him jealous before. Not once. His water has flowed through my trees for thousands of years, and never have I known him to
vow
his sword to any creature. He may sell his might, but his unyielding loyalty can be bought with neither gold nor kisses.”

“He is a rare find, yes.” Jenevier squeezed his hand. “I knew that at first glance.”

Cherie gasped loudly and clapped her hands. “So… does that mean you’ll do it? Are you going to get married and have lots of babies? Oh, please say you will.”

Duhrias’s cheeks burned crimson, but Jenevier only smiled.

“As great an honor as that would be, I am afraid I cannot hurt him so.” She stared at her handsome Knight until he finally met her gaze. “My recent actions with the soul-eater aside… I am meant to be unbound. Not only do I believe it is part of my destiny, I also swore a vow to my dearest friend… I would join with no man, save him.” She looked then to Cherie. “Tell me. If you are both Spirits, can you travel through the clouds?”

“We may be Spirits, Milady, but we don’t have wings.”

“We can leave this realm,” Duhrias whispered. “If that’s what you’re asking.”

“But… you never have?”

They both shook their heads.

“Never needed to,” Cherie said. “And since the stones won’t glow for us, we never had a way.”

Jenevier sighed. “I am a horribly selfish creature, the worst you will ever meet.” She bumped Duhrias’s knee under the table. “And I do not wish to be parted from either of you. If I ask it, would you return with me to Jinn?”

Cherie clapped again. “You want us to visit your home?”

“I wish to share it with you, yes.”

“Oh, Duhrias, can we? Can we, please?”

He looked to the giddy girl, and then back to his Angel’s pleading pink eyes.

“I suppose we could return here at the changing of the seasons… just to make sure all was well with the river and the forest.”

“That’s a yes!” The happy girl jumped up from the table and started dancing around in circles. “Oh… I’ve got to pack.” She took off up the stairs.

When Jenevier looked back to her sworn Knight’s gorgeous green eyes, she was met with a furrowed brow and a cool glare.

“What are you up to, Empress?”

She sighed, her shoulders drooping forward with the action. “I am not ready to part. Not just yet. It is true that I must return to my people, but my heart is hopelessly attached to you both. I told you true, Dimples. I am an extremely selfish creature.”

*****

She was standing behind the waterfall—arms extended, letting the icy water run freely through her splayed fingers—when her two new friends entered the cave.

“Have you got everything?”

“Yep,” Cherie chirped. “All packed up and ready for an adventure.”

Jenevier smiled and took Duhrias’s hand, lacing their fingers together.

“You have protected me many times already, Dimples. Let’s see if you can hold true to your vow.”

He chuckled. “Lead the way, Milady.”

The Urimtheim glowed brightly, and then… a blinding green flash.

Chapter 27

Jinn

(JINN)

“Have you ever seen anything more enchanting, more magical?”

“No, Milady.” Cherie gasped with awe, reaching out toward a tiny green Dragon. “I come from Out World, a land of magic… and never have I seen the like.”

Jenevier’s eyes positively sparkled. “Tiny wild things are the most beautiful things in the universe. Wouldn’t you agree, Dimples?”

“…Yes,” Duhrias answered absently.

But the awestruck man wasn’t looking at the tiny golden Dragon wrapping its tail about her wrist, chewing on her fingertip. No. The Rogall River Spirit’s gaze was transfixed upon her smiling face—softly glowing from the surrounding Urimtheim—but the enchanting sparkle in her eyes was what had truly taken his breath away.

When they had emerged through the magical portal on Jinn, they had found themselves deep within the Valley of Dragons. There inside a long forgotten cave, they were blessed to find themselves in a Dragon nursery. And not Dragons anywhere near the size and shape of Nilakanta. These were toy-sized, at least the babies were, and they flew about like nightingales.

Jenevier giggled and then grimaced when one got stuck in her hair. “Here now, you feisty little demon. Careful… do not singe my curls, ya wee beastie. Give me a chance. Hey, stop squirming so much. You are only making it worse.”

The miniature Dragon made an odd purring sound, and then grew still, head bowed.

“Aww… are you pouting?” She finally freed him. “Now there, that’s much better, is it not?” It nuzzled her cheek in response. “I apologize for scolding you before, little one. Do you think you will be able to forgive me one day?”

The tiny golden Dragon quickly licked the tip of her nose before making a nest on her shoulder, curling into a ball against her neck.

Jenevier smiled. “I will take that as a yes, wee Dragon.” She chuckled and then sighed. “Ahh… Nilakanta, do they not speak to me because they are but babes? Have they not yet learned to speak?”

No, Naga. These tiny creatures are not Dragons. Least, not in the way you are thinking. They are more like… annoying little insects.

“You are being too harsh, Brother. They are nothing like insects.”

No… I chose the wrong word.
The Dragon paused, thinking.
I suppose you could equate them more along the lines of… a Pixie, perhaps.

“A Dragon Pixie?” She laughed. “I quite like the sound of that. I think I shall keep him.”

Nilakanta snorted.
I had no doubt that you would.

“Are you jealous?”

Of a bug? Hmpft… Yes, Naga, you guessed it. The great Nilakanta is jealous of a tiny flying pest. However do you manage to do it?

Jenevier giggled. “Nice sarcasm, Brother.”

And you as well, tiny Guardian.

“Do you always do that—speak to the Dragon on your back?”

Jenevier looked into Cherie’s big, innocent eyes. “Yes, sweet Cherry Blossom, always.”

“He talks to her as well,” Duhrias added.

“What?” Cherie’s eyes grew even wider. “How do you know? Can you hear him?”

“
I
cannot, no.” Duhrias continued to stare as the giggling Empress played with her new golden friend. “She told me he was a real Dragon. They blended for the battle on Earth. And… I watched him save her life.”

Jenevier looked at him then, returning his admiring smile.

“So…” Cherie lightly touched Nilakanta’s striking profile there upon Jenevier’s chest. “Are you gonna
un
blend or something? I mean, now that you’re back home.”

“I am not certain.” She giggled softly when the sleeping little Dragon Pixie lazily wrapped its extremely long tail around her neck. “I have no idea how to go about doing that. But I trust Nilakanta. If he says we separate, then we separate. Until then, I will carry the honor of my dearest friend upon my back. And when the time comes, he will swap the privilege with me.”

Well spoken, Kagi Naga.
He sort of laughed.
Tell me, Empress. Am I mistaken, or have you grown up just a little in these past few days?

Her smile faded, yet she did not frown… not entirely.

“Aye, Brother, that I have. Growth is a painful thing, is it not?”

The kind you do is, Naga, yes. Yet it is extraordinarily beautiful as well.

“Beautiful… I wonder…” She paused. “Alas, I should be counted as fool if the last few years had not managed to age me somewhat.”

They did not age you, Little Fire. They matured you.

“Yes, matured. It is as you say.” She felt the burn of coming tears. “Bidding farewell to your heart… watching as bitter flames remove all trace of it… accidentally causing another war through my own arrogance… and losing my ridiculous heart yet again at the same time…”

All these things are true, little one—Varick, Finnean, even Ahriman. Yet Vittorio is not lost to you, sweet Empress. I do not believe even his death could cause such a thing.

“God forbid I be forced to live through
that
hell.” A single tear trickled down her cheek. “Even so,
we
can never be.” She drew in a shaky breath. “My only
living
husband… he crumbled while I held him, while I finally forgave him. Yet there are those whom I will never have such a chance with, never be able to touch, never be able to tell I’m sorry. Yes, the icing on my
growth cake
—my darkest brother… Vybius. That is one soul I shall never see again. Not in this life or the next.”

And why does that sadden you, Kagi Naga? You should mark that down as one of your greatest accomplishments.

“I know, Dragon. I know. Alas, that blessing was not achieved through
my
strength, no. It was achieved through his and his alone. I am saddened by my weakness in his regard, how my vile heart is torn over the loss of him. I should be celebrating my freedom from his dark obsession. But…”

Nilakanta waited a few heartbeats before he finished her words.
But his unsurpassed gallantry in the end… it was dazzling.

“Yes, Brother… dazzling.” She sighed. “Much thanks is due that damn soul-eater, and many apologies as well.
That
, Nilakanta, is one thing I will never be able to accomplish.”

As it should be.

“Yes… as it should be.”

Jenevier flinched when her sworn Knight gently brushed away her tears.

“Apologies.” She blushed and then cleared her throat. “I forgot myself there for a moment.” She stood and dusted off her skirt. “Come, friends. There is much I wish to show you and many I wish you to meet.”

“Yay!” Cherie cheered as she jumped up, causing the Dragon Pixies to buzz about them. “I so love meeting new people,” she said as she happily skipped out the cave’s entrance.

“After you, Milady,” Duhrias said with a bow, worry furrowing his handsome brow.

“Do not frown, Dimples. I am well,” she whispered. “I am home. I am happy. Yes… I am
blessedly
well, Brother.”

*****

They spent days upon their journey—walking to the palace from the Valley of Dragons.

The rest of that first day, they spent in the company of her beloved Dragons—laughing and exploring. Jenevier even suggested they spend the night in her secret valley home, which they happily did.

That night, whilst basking in the comforting hot springs, bathed in perfect moonlight, she told them all she could remember of her life in that realm. She told them how she had first been brought to Jinn, the painfully unexpected birth of her twins, and the horrible part about Musashi… the night she had fled the palace. Even though knots twisted in her belly when she began the dark tale, by the end, she was smiling. It was only a tiny smile, yes, but at least it wasn’t tears.

Is that the first time you have willingly told that story, Naga?

It is the first time I have ever told it, willingly or not. All who know it either read it in my mind, or bore witness to my torn flesh.

Nilakanta’s warm humming filled her.
I am glad you broke your silence, little one. It was a much-needed confession. I can already feel a change within you, a healing.

As do I, Brother. As do I.

Sunrise the next day brought with it a delicious smell that filled the cavernous hidden home.

Duhrias yawned. “Mmm… smells like Cherie is up and raring to go.”

Jenevier didn’t even get angry when the large, emerald-eyed River Spirit tossed their covers aside, letting the morning chill settle over them.

“Come on, Empress. Rise and shine. You certainly don’t want to miss out on Cherie’s miso soup.”

She smiled sleepily. “I am right behind you, Brother.”

Her tiny golden Dragon Pixie grumbled and squirmed in his sleep when Duhrias gently touched him.

“What will you call him, Milady?”

Jenevier barely opened her eyes, trying to focus on the tiny shimmering creature. She sat up and rubbed her forehead.

“I’m not sure,” she yawned through her words.

After rolling her head from side to side, Jenevier arched her back and then stretched out her arms.

The popping of her shoulders caused her new miniature friend to stir. When he opened his sleepy golden eyes and realized she was no longer lying upon their shared pillow, he made a frustrated twittering noise and immediately flew to her shoulder.

“Here now. What’s all the fuss about?” She chuckled through her words. “Time to rise and shine, little one. We have a fun-filled journey ahead of us today.”

She lightly ran her fingers across his tiny scales and smiled. The miniature Dragon’s twittering turned into soft purrs as it resumed its normal spot upon her shoulder, wrapping its cool tail around her neck.

“I believe I shall call him Takehiro.” She touched his head and the purring increased. She smiled. “Do you like it then? Very well, Takehiro it is. But I’ll just call you Taka for short.”

Ridiculous
, Nilakanta grumbled.
Naming a bug. And such a noble name at that.

Jenevier continued to smile as she followed Duhrias into the buzzing kitchen.

Cherie was humming happily when she turned toward them. “I hope you’re hungry. I’ve made tons.”

Jenevier had stopped in her tracks, staring fixedly at the vase of flawless blue roses in the center of the table.

“Wh-where did you find
those
?”

Cherie followed her gaze to the enticing, magical flowers.

“Oh, I didn’t
find
them,” she said happily. “They were just sitting there when I woke up. I am the Spirit of the forest, and never have I seen their equal. The most beautiful roses under heaven, I should say.”

Jenevier only smiled. “I could not agree more. They are my favorite.”

Naga?

Worry not, Dragon. I am fine. No, I am better than fine. I am happy.

As you say, tiny Guardian. And… I believe he loves you too much.

“Yes… I know,” she whispered.

They chuckled and chatted throughout the delicious meal, continuing on their journey only after all the food and tea was long gone.

Taka seemed to love the tea. She fed him bits of her omelet until he was well and truly stuffed.

Nilakanta snorted.
Pfft… ridiculous.

Jenevier only smiled.

“There is one place we
have
to visit along our way.” Jenevier took Cherie’s hand in hers. “A proper tour of Jinn simply is not complete without meeting the honorable Iga people.”

As they neared the magical Shinobi village, Jenevier told her new friends about the war her dark husband had wrought, and all that came with it—her Dragon guardianship, her ethereal blades, her new name, the death of Emperor Musashi, and then the loss of her precious Varick. Just as they made it to the bordering wall, she finished her tale with how these noble people had named her their Empress that same day.

“Your life has been truly astounding,” Cherie whispered.

Duhrias nodded. “Yes… Blessed and cursed equally, it seems.”

She half chuckled. “You ain’t kidding, Brother.”

All of that… and not a single tear. I am truly glad to see it, Kagi Naga. And I am unduly honored to be able to feel the change within you.

As am I, Brother. As am I.

*****

“Empress Naga.” Seizo bowed low before her. “Had I known you would be returning for me, I would have stayed my heart and waited for your confession.”

She chuckled and shook her head. “I take it you have grown much wiser in matters of the heart since last we met, Lord Seizo.”

“Indeed I have, Your Highness.”

Two young girls ran up to the smiling Shinobi Elder, each owning the rare lavender eyes of their handsome father. The smaller of the two wrapped her arms around his leg, locking him in a possessive vise. The older girl half hid behind her now laughing father.