Destroyed by Onyx (A Dance with Destiny Book 4) (26 page)

Chapter 29

Vittorio

(vit-TOR-ee-oh)

She touched down, this time landing just before she reached the palace gates. Jenevier needed to burn off a little anger. She was grumbling under her breath as she made her way through the entrance, ignoring the greetings from her posted guards. Her footsteps rang like thunder as she purposefully stomped up the many steps.

When she finally reached her room, she slammed her enormous chamber door, opened it, and slammed it again.

“Dammit. Dammit. Dammit,” she yelled, and then roared at the top of her lungs. The palace trembled.

Turning, Jenevier roared again, but stopped short when she noticed the delicate little jars sitting atop her dressing table.

“Here now, where did
you
come from?”

The first intoxicating sniff brought back a monsoon of images and people and places and feelings… sooo many feelings. She staggered back, trying to shake the cacophony of confusion. She stumbled into the bath, steadying herself against the cold basin.

The icy water felt good on her face and went a long way toward clearing her head. She stared at her pale reflection, those huge black eyes. She couldn’t force herself to recognize the strange woman looking back at her.

“I hate Angels. I hate Dragons. And I hate men,” she grumbled through gritted teeth. “I hate Angels. I hate Dragons. And I hate men. I hate…” She blew out a long breath through pursed lips. “And above all others… I hate
you
.” She spat the bitter words at her ghostly reflection.

Flinging her worn dress over a gilded bench, she trudged wearily toward the bed.

“And I hate this damn bed,” she said. “It’s too big and too cold. How can anyone feel anything but loneliness in a bed this size?”

The furrow in her brow deepened when she saw the strangely familiar journal on her nightstand.

“Who in the holy hell has been in my room?” she hissed. “If Yui thinks he can just do as he pleases, if he thinks it a jest to mess with my head, then I shall have to come up with a ridiculously painful punishment for my beautiful young Hand.”

She snatched up the book as she jumped onto the bed. A lovely red box slid down against her hip. The embroidery was so beautiful she forgot to be angry about its unexpected presence.

Laying the journal aside, she sat the box in her lap, slowly opening the lid. She slammed it closed.

Trembling all over, she stared, unseeing, at the opposite wall. “…Vittorio,” she whispered numbly, the name carrying a dark sorrow with it as it rolled off her tongue. “I need you, Brother.”

Jenevier wasn’t completely certain as to why, but her tears began to flow as a torrent. Curling into a ball in the center of that giant bed, she hugged the lovely red box to her chest.

“Aye, Lass. Ye’ve nae idea how long I’ve waited tae hear those sweet words fall from yer perfect lips.”

She spun around to find the giant Guardian leaning against a pillar at the entrance to her balcony. His eyes put her in mind of a cloudless summer’s day, and his long silver hair was playing gracefully upon the faint breeze.

“Who… who are you?”

He had started toward her but froze at her question.

“Who am I? Ye know me nae?” His eyes plainly showed a deep hurt. “I’m the one ye just called oot for, wee Princess. Dunnae tell me ye’ve forgotten yer dearest friend in the world.”

“Vittorio?” She whispered the name as the gentle breeze washed over her tear-stained face. She gasped. “Ah… that smell… your sweet scent. I remember it well.” She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. “It smells of laughter and warmth, happiness and comfort. And it’s the heavenly scent of love… sweet, perfect… love. Yours is the very scent that wraps me in its arms and cradles me. How could I ever forget that delicious smell? It’s my favorite aroma in the universe.”

“Is it now?” Vittorio continued his journey toward her. “I do believe I’ve used nearly the exact same description for ye, mine Angel. But I dinnae speak it aloud for fear ye would punch me.”

His tender smile… it lit up her soul.

The ethereal Guardian sat down in the chair beside her bed. “How is it ye dinnae recognize me, Princess?”

“I know not.” She found herself lost in his gentle eyes. “You are so beautiful. You look to be made of the finest marble. A living statue masterfully sculpted. How could I ever forget one such as you?”

His chest tightened at her admiring words. “Aye, Lass, ye look at me as if I hung the stars. Ye always were too fond of me for yer own good.”

“Was I now?” She looked down at the box in her hands. “When I looked inside… the memory of the day I received it came flooding back. It’s my greatest treasure. Yet, your face was withheld from the recollection. I remember your voice, your exquisite scent, the way you make my heart sing. But I knew not your face.” She looked back up at him. “Tell me why I needed you, Brother. Tell me why the absence of you brought me to tears.”

He softly chuckled. “Aye, Lass, I cannae read minds. If I could, yers would be the only one I’d want tae read.” He winked at her and continued. “It seems ye remember the most important things, even if ye cannae recall why. So if ye cried for me, yer hurting in yer heart an’ need comfort. That was always my favorite job—bringing ye comfort, making ye smile. Tell me, Princess. What happened tae ye today? Were ye with that mossy smelling Angel?”

She sniffed and nodded her head. “Munenori’s been my constant companion since my return. We went to the secret valley to visit my Dragons.” Her tears silently dripped from her chin. “But they both became rather cross with me, I’m afraid.”

“Both?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Munenori and Nilakanta, my bonded Dragon.”

“Tell me what happened tae ye, Milady. Tell me why ye were so angry when ye returned.”

“You heard all that, huh?” She shrugged her shoulders. “Well, we were laughing and poking fun at the Angel. That’s one of Nilakanta’s favorite things to do and I just couldn’t help myself. When I was with that sapphire giant, it felt so natural. Anyway, we must’ve hurt Munenori’s feelings because he grew terribly serious and then told me I should take his manacle.”

Vittorio quickly inhaled, choking on the breath. “Wha-what did ye say tae him?”

“I told him I didn’t wish for a tying bond like that with any creature. I spoke my heart to him. Told him I only wanted my freedom.” She absently picked at the golden embroidery on the box as she spoke. “They told me I couldn’t have my freedom. Told me I could not be a solitary creature. They said I would fade minus commitments and ties to others.” Her silent tears now turned into soft, pitiful sobs. “And then, even though they both promised to be there for me always, neither would return with me.”

“Wee Princess.” Vittorio leaned closer to the bed, resting his arms on the edge. “Tell me something.”

She wiped her tears and met his kind gaze, expectantly.

“When I arrived here with yer things… yer Hand was changing yer bedding.”

“Yui did that?” She shook her head regretfully. “Bless his noble heart. He shouldn’t have been burdened so.”

Vittorio lightly touched her bent knee. “Was Munenori the reason? Did something happen last night tae cause…” He couldn’t finish the question. He didn’t have the heart to hear her answer.

“What do you mean, Brother?” She searched his beautiful eyes. “The sheets? Is that what you’re referring to?” She absently ran her hand across the plush bedding as she spoke. “I suppose so. Maybe. I wasn’t really paying attention, I don’t guess. I know not what condition we left the bed in. I mean, we did have sex many times through the night and again with the dawn.” Her chest rose and fell with her sigh. “So I guess poor Yui did me a great favor.”

Vittorio was frozen, shocked speechless from her casual answer. There was a loud ringing in his ears and his left eye twitched involuntarily.

“What’s wrong, Brother?” She leaned over and lightly touched his arm. “What happened?”

“Aye, give me a moment, Lass,” he whispered. “Just… give me a moment.”

She lowered her gaze and sat quietly until she heard the Guardian’s strained breathing return to normal.

“I’m not her.” She glanced up at him and back down. “I’m not your friend, your
Jenevier
. She died, Guardian. I’m not sure how, exactly. But… she’s gone. I’m only cursed with some of her memories. Alas, they are too shattered to understand completely. I am sorry for your loss.”

He took her hand in his. “Then tell me. If yer nae Jenevier, who are ye, Lass?”

“Well… I thought I was Gealach, daughter of the rightful King of Val Hal, and the only intended of my beloved Finnean. But since returning here… I feel like I’m this Kagi Naga person, Empress of Jinn.” She shrugged her shoulders. “It feels more natural, anyway. One thing’s for sure. I’m not
her
.”

“Aye, Lass, why were ye with Ahriman?”

“Ahriman?” She studied the pained look in his gentle eyes. “Oh, you mean that black-winged Angel, Vybius?” She smiled then. “He rescued me in the forest, saved me from Drostan and Valencia.”

“Aye, did he now? What did he say tae ye, Princess? Did he whisper undying love in yer precious ear?”

She giggled. The glorious sound made his chest tighten again.

“Love?” She squeezed his hand. “I suppose he did… a little. He mostly told me how I used to be married to hell’s Prince, but that my soul didn’t belong there.”

“Is that all he said?”

“No.” She shook her head as she held his worried gaze. “He told me he had bestowed a rare gift upon me. Told me I could now open the passageway back to my beloved, back to hell, if I wanted. He said I didn’t belong there before. But thanks to him… now I did.”

Vittorio’s stomach twisted in knots and his chest ached. “Have ye told anyone else what ye just told me, Lass?”

“No. I mean, I’m not even sure what he meant, not exactly. But, it’s like I told Munenori. I do not wish to be bound. If I have a husband waiting for me in hell, then I’m damn sure steering clear of that place.” She yawned then and rolled her head from side to side. “I am weary, Brother. I crave rest.” She tugged on his warm hand. “Will you stay with me?”

The shocked Guardian took a moment to find his voice. “I dunnae think I can stay, Princess. I cannae leave my summonses unattended for much longer. I’ve been here since the morn.”

He watched the hope drain from her strange black eyes, a dull shadow replacing it.

“Very well, then.” She half smiled. “Somewhere inside me, I knew you would say that.”

“Aye, my love. I’m but a heartbeat away. If ye need me—”

“Never mind.” She cut him off. “There are two here on Jinn with the same lying promise on their lips,” she said sardonically. “Gratitude. But I don’t really require any additional empty gestures of noble intentions. I’m all full up.”

He moved to sit on the edge of her bed, still holding fast her tiny hand. “Nae, Princess. I’ve nae spoken an empty word tae ye, ever. If ye need me tae stay, I will. Naethin’ means more tae me than ye.”

“No, don’t worry about it. I assume you have an important job to do. Go. See to it, then. I’m fine.”

“Ahh, my wee lamb.” He lovingly stroked her curls. “Are ye lonely here, all by yerself?”

“No. It’s not that, not wholly. I love Jinn. It’s just…” She paused and drew in a trembling breath. “When I close my eyes,” she whispered, “…a terrifying darkness grows inside me. I feel its ravenous desire to consume me. When I’m alone… in the dark… I’m so scared.”

Vittorio scooped her up in his arms, pressing her close to his heart, bitter tears dripped down to soak her silver curls.

“Please, mine Angel. Come back tae Vanahirdem with me,” he whispered. “I’ll keep ye safe there. I’ll chase the darkness away an’ nae leave yer side.”

“Gratitude. But, no. I don’t recall exactly why. But I think I hate that place.”

“Very well, Milady. I’ll stay here with ye, then.” He placed a tender kiss atop her head.

“No. No, you won’t.” She slid off his lap and sat facing him. “I do not wish it. Not any longer.”

Vittorio flinched from her abrupt answer. “But… why, Milady?”

“The way you looked at me a moment ago.”

“What?” He took her hand again. “Nae, Princess.”

She jerked free and looked him straight in the eye. “The look on your face, just a little while ago… it made me feel bad. Made me feel…
dirty
, somehow. No. I no longer wish for your company. I never want to see anyone look at me like that, ever again.”

She watched, unmoved, as his giant tears returned, spilling down his sculpted cheeks.

“Nae, Lass. Dunnae say that. I’ve nae looked upon ye with anything but love. Dunnae turn me away. Nae like this. Ye need help, Princess. Making ye smile is what I live for.”

“I do not need additional help, Guardian. And I especially don’t need
your
help.” Her heart grew colder with every word that dripped from her stoic lips. “If the time comes when I do, I will seek it from my
true
friends. The ones who don’t judge me, don’t look down on me. The ones who aren’t so disgusted with me that they can’t even speak.” She snorted out a dry laugh. “Seems I’m no longer
holy
enough for you and your kind. I walk a darker path now, I suppose. Because the ones I now count as friends, they aren’t quite as sparkly and heavenly as are you… or Munenori. Or Nilakanta, for that matter. You all promise help and comfort, yet when I ask for it, you prove the lie in your empty words.”