Enthroned by Amethysts (A Dance with Destiny Book 3) (28 page)

Daichi chuckled. “Little, am I? Very well, Naga. Best me if you can.”

He gave her a quick peck on the cheek before pushing free of their locked stance, resuming their deadly play. Completely drenched in sweat, neither dared give an inch.

He is unlike any warrior I’ve come up against
, she thought
. I will never admit it to him, but he could already best my brothers. He could very nearly best his father
.

Daichi paused for an instant, focusing on something behind her.

Jenevier’s maternal guard went up, heightening her trained skills, elevating her angelic senses to a surreal level. Her whole body tingled when she heard the strange voice.

“My, my. What colorful warriors you both are. Did you fall from the heavens or sprout from the ground?”

Without flinching, she flipped backwards—spinning in the air, bringing her practice sword crashing down upon the stranger. He stopped the blow with his forearm, but she heard the bones crack within, saw the pain flicker across his colorless face.

She backed up slowly, arms spread wide, intending to protect her son from the odd looking stranger.

Mika stepped out from behind the man.

Chapter 37

Jezreel

(zhez-REEL)

“That was an extremely kind, surprisingly
human
thing for you to do, Izadori.”

“I know not of what you speak, Kias.”

“Of course you don’t, dearest sister. Erase my careless words. Blow them away from here. Just as you blew the smell of death from Tamar Broden.” He smiled and affectionately bumped her shoulder with his.

“Why are you here, Kias? Didn’t Father tell you to stay away from the affairs of men?”

“His orders were the same to me as they were to you, sweet sister.”

“We’re not very obedient children, are we?” She smirked, looking at him sideways. “If we’re not careful, some may question the validity of our noble blood.”

“I don’t believe you fear such murmurings. Not for a moment,” he chided.

“I can tell you what I do believe, Kias. I believe these people are the most resilient in the whole of this universe. No matter what has been thrown at them, the remnant forges on. They not only demand happiness, they reach out and take it.” She balled her fingers into a fist in front of her. “They snatch hope and joy and peace and love, right out of the mouth of hell… and hold it close to their bosom, desperately close.”

“Where it grows and flourishes,” Kias added. “Yes… I stand in awe of them, especially
her
.”

Izadori knew who Kias spoke of without following her brother’s loving gaze.

“I shuddered when I saw what they did to her,” she whispered. “It would have utterly broken me.”

“I know not where I got the strength to remain within these trees. It was not by my own power. Of
that
I am certain. I wanted nothing more than to tear their heads off… after I had tortured them for a couple eons.”

“Your raw passion is a much needed breath of life in this dreary forest.” Izadori took her brother’s hand and squeezed it.

“I came to you with reason more than confessing mere rage,” he admitted. “I came with confession of secret desire.”

“I do not believe your
desire
to be all that secret, dearest brother.” She winked knowingly.

“Perhaps not. But my intended action upon said desire is.” Kias looked his sweet sister in the eye and held her questioning gaze. “Seven days,” he whispered.

She nodded. “Seven days.”

The Elven Prince and Princess kept their hands firmly clasped as they looked back to the destroyed land of Ashgard, looked back once more upon the two grieving friends holding on to each other for sanity’s sake, bitterest sobs causing their weary shoulders to tremble. And on
that
day… flowing Elvish tears perfectly matched those of man.

*****

“Shall we say a blessing over your beloved family?”

“That would be the greatest honor you could possibly bestow upon me, Jezreel. I am truly grateful.”

“I will return shortly.”

She squeezed Alastyn before she headed back to the little rose-covered cottage that held as many good memories as it now held bad.

Her first step through the splintered front door brought a flash of the recent carnage she’d somehow lived through.

The creatures had come without warning. Some had appeared as men, some as animals, and some seemed only as shadows. But their claws hurt all the same, be they shadow or flesh.

She first heard poor Margy Trinken’s horrified shrieks. She ran to the back door but didn’t get the chance to see what had befallen her dear friend. She wished now she had
never
seen what those monsters did to the truly wonderful older couple she had come to count as family.

Barring Jezreel’s way was an otherwise normal looking man, minus eyes and tongue. He could only grunt, forcing inhuman sounds from his putrid throat. He grabbed her and raped her right there on Marlise’s old kitchen table.

It all came rushing back—the pain, the stench, those hellish gargling sounds. But that life-changing violation almost paled in comparison to the vicious dog grabbing mouthfuls of her hair, ripping it from her head while the demon molested her. The beating started before the rape had ended.

Jezreel braced herself upon the door frame, trying to steady her swaying mind before she entered the kitchen to retrieve the needed herbs from the apothecary. She shook her head… but the disgusting scenes continued to play on in her mind. When she released the frame, her hand stayed there for one sticky instant. She saw the still tacky remains of blood, her blood.

She took a deep breath, ran into the room, hurriedly gathered all she would need, and ran back out into the warming sunlight before she paused to fill her lungs once more.

She found Alastyn, not kneeling over the graves of his young family, but over those of his loving parents. He cried openly, without shame.

She knelt beside him, placed an arm across his trembling shoulders, and spoke not a word.

“I came to see them,” he cried. “I already knew them to be dead. Otherwise, the bodies of my precious children would have been seen to before my arrival.” He sniffed, rubbing at his burning eyes. “I wonder who did this. I wonder who took the time to bury my parents during all this loss, all this chaos.”

“I did,” she softly whispered.

“You?”

“Yes. I saw to the Trinkens first. I was on my way to inter Willow and the little ones. That’s when I found you there.”

He wrapped his arms around Jezreel and hugged her, really hugged her, for the very first time in their long, tumultuous relationship. Gone were the sarcastic comments and petty fighting. Only respect and mutual empathy remained between them.

“Gratitude… forever,” he whispered through his sobs.

“Apologies… forever,” she responded.

After a long moment, they proceeded with the ancient burial blessing, bestowing it upon each and every person who had so miserably fallen in their once joyful little village.

All accounted for, there were less than fifty left standing of the nearly six hundred souls who had claimed Tamar Broden as their home. It took days, but the survivors worked diligently until every fallen friend had been properly buried and blessed.

“It saddens me anew,” Alastyn said. “Knowing that all these good people have been deprived of the glorious Life Celebrations they deserve. The same selfless honor they so lovingly bestowed upon so many of their friends and family.”

“Let us now make a pact.” Jezreel took his hand and that of the nearest villager. “The few of us who yet live should vow to start a new tradition in Tamar Broden. Let us promise to honor them each year on the anniversary of our near destruction with a grand Feast of Friends. We will ensure that the ones we’ve lost so violently… will never be forgotten. As long as this village yet stands, we will honor their memory.”

After promises and handshakes were shared by all, Jezreel stretched her back and sighed.

“I must go now and try to cleanse my own home. I tire of sleeping in borrowed beds or under the stars. I must face my ghosts if I wish them vanquished. I will reclaim what is mine. Take back what was stolen from me.”

“I’m not as strong as you, Jezreel. I cannot muster the will to even step foot within my home
or
that of my parents,” Alastyn admitted.

“I am minus the strength as well, my friend. I only proclaim such aloud to borrow strength from the gods.” She looped her arm through his. “Come with me. The nightmares that yet remain shall surely flee at the sight of your handsome face.” She laughed and crinkled up her nose. “I’ll return the great favor. When you are ready and the time is ripe, we will see to your home as well.”

“Gratitude, Jezreel. I selfishly accept your gracious offer in the hopes I may find some small comfort in returning the great favor you have already shown me and my family.”

“And let us not be coy, dear brother. A small sliver of Jenevier yet remains there. Comfort can come from that as well.”

She tugged on his arm as they headed toward the little rose-covered cottage, last house on the left, marking the corner of the town square.

Chapter 38

Munenori

(moo-nah-NOOR-ee)

“Mika, what are you doing, child? Get over here now.”

The girl didn’t move. She looked shyly at Jenevier before dropping her gaze.

“Mika, get away from him.” Her voice was stern, unusually
motherly
, scoldingly so.

Jenevier started toward the girl but stopped short when the stranger placed his hands upon Mika’s shoulders.

Tenshi growled. He stood dripping by the water’s edge, eyes firmly fixed on the man now touching Mika.

“Remove your hands from the child,” Jenevier said coolly.

The stranger didn’t speak. His eyes were hard, cold, and firmly fixed upon her.

She took one step closer. “Remove your hands from the child… or die.”

His eyebrow slightly arched, a smirk tugged at one corner of his mouth.

Jenevier spoke no more. She matched his level stare. Saw the tiny hint of doubt play across his stoic features when he took note of the wicked spark she
allowed
him to see within her magical pink eyes. Then, she was gone.

He stiffened when he felt her warm breath on the back of his neck, the very tip of her nose, grazing him there as she spoke.

“Would that I still commanded my claws,” she whispered.

Snatching Mika with one hand, she all but threw the girl behind her. Tenshi moved like the wind, catching her, wrapping her up in his arms. He went to stand by his brother’s side. Daichi slid the frightened girl behind them.

Jenevier remained fixed behind the strange man, one hand lightly around his throat, the other firmly grasping his left hip. She pulled him back against her, hard.

“How do you come to find yourself in this place?”

He spoke not, neither did he move.

She sniffed his skin, inhaled his sweet scent. A knowing smile parted her lips.

She licked him. He shuddered.

“How did you find me, Brother?” Her words were but a whisper. Her grip upon him tightened.

“You name me brother?”

The shock in his tone amused her. Vareilious had taken special care when teaching her the most powerful of all the Vanir senses—taste. She excelled at it, mastered this invaluable skill.

Lick a being once and you have their scent forever. Every emotion, every thought, every intention… they all lay there upon the tender spot pulsing in your neck. Lick a man there, tiny warrior, and they can never defeat you. Desire you, yes. But defeat you, never.
She chuckled at the fond memory.

The stranger grabbed the hand she had clamped over his sharp hipbone, pulling it up to his eager mouth. She let him. He hesitated, waiting for her denial. None came. He inhaled deeply, running the tip of his nose up the inside of her blue-tinged wrist. His eyelids fluttered.

Daichi growled and took one step forward. Tenshi put his arm up, halting his brother’s advance.

The man very carefully touched the tip of his tongue to her wrist. His shudders were visible to all. Daichi’s growls increased as the man ran his tongue up the length of her arm, pausing to savor the inside of her elbow.

“Ahh… Naga,” he whispered.

Daichi roared as he charged the man.

Mika screamed. “No! Daichi, don’t hurt him,” she pleaded. “He is magic.”

The sounds of their swords meeting echoed through the valley. The two men glared at one another. Neither would back down.

She released her hold upon the stranger. “Come, Daichi. Let us return to our play. He was just leaving.” Cutting her bright pink eyes toward him, she glared at the man.

Jenevier lightly touched her son’s elbow, only then did the snarl leave his face. He stepped back and smiled, viciously.

“See yourself out,” Daichi snarled. “We do not require
additional
magic. Oh, and the wards you placed within your feeble mind…”

With this little revelation, the stranger tore his heated gaze from Jenevier, locking it upon Daichi.

“Yes, those wards,” Daichi continued. “They’re cute, but worthless here. Hold such thoughts toward this revered woman once more and find yourself minus a head.” He leaned in closer. “
Touch
her once more, and death will be your nightly prayers.”

“Milady, please don’t send him away,” Mika pleaded. “You need him. I know you do.”

“I need him not,” Jenevier replied casually. “Why did you leave this place, child? Why did you bring a stranger amongst us? You knew no one was to enter here.” She crossed her arms and the girl sank under the weight of her stare. “You are not our prisoner, Mika. You may leave whenever you wish. Why did you feel the need to betray me, little sweet cake? What have I ever done, save love you?”

The girl fell to her knees and began shaking as her tears flowed freely.

“Mother, what she did was wrong, yes,” Tenshi said. “But ill intentions were not part of it.”

“You dare defend this girl’s actions to your mother’s face?” Daichi demanded.

“Do not turn upon your brother, dear one. I will never ask him to choose me over his heart.” She smiled lovingly at her firstborn. “For a mother to do thus would be a selfish sin, indeed.” She turned her attention back to Daichi. “If he leaves with Mika, I will mourn him throughout eternity. Yet I will not stop him. A heart loves who a heart loves. Do not toy with such things, my son.”

All noise ceased. No one dared breathe.

“You… you think I would ever
leave
you, Mama?” Tenshi’s voice sounded so tiny and frail.

She turned back to her beautiful son. “No, my heart. But I would never force you to stay.”

“No one, not even Daichi, means more to me than you do, Mama.”

“I know, my son. You are still young and I am your mother. That is how it should be. But as I said before, you’re growing up too fast.”

“My Princess, you mistake intent. I would sacrifice my life for yours. Never doubt that.” Mika remained prostrate before Jenevier, unable to bring herself to meet the woman’s gaze. “You are broken, Milady. I do not claim to understand it, but I do know you need great magic. Driven only by love and nothing else, I brought Master Munenori to your door. Speak with him for one quiet moment and you will see.
Read my thoughts, search my mind… you need him
.”

Jenevier looked back at the man. He hadn’t moved. She knew by his smell, by his taste, he was more than Mika could have ever imagined him to be.

No, Naga. Do not do this. I like him not.

Nor do I, Daichi. Trust me in this, my son. I can hold my own with this one.
She winked at him and moved to stand before the stranger.

He was no man. She could tell that from looks alone. The man pictured clearly within Mika’s head looked
nothing
like the man she could plainly see before her. The girl saw an older gentleman—white of hair, short of stature, and slight of build. In truth, he was none of those things. This stranger didn’t boast the height her sons now claimed, but he still towered over her by a good foot. His hair was the color of moss, until he turned and the sun gave it a lavender tint. The same was true with his eyes. He was ageless and his skin was absent color or sheen.

He’s the color of death
, she thought.

She didn’t stop until she was close enough to smell his earthy breath, warm and rich with the unmistakable scent of the forest.

He smiled. “Naga… Kagi Naga.”

“How is it you know what my son named me with his first word? Did Mika tell you?”

She couldn’t understand him completely, but the vivid pictures within his head told her exactly what he was saying. And it had
nothing
to do with Daichi. This gave her pause.

The man smiled knowingly. “Did he now? Was Naga your
second son’s
first word?”

He chuckled. It pissed her off. Fire rolled within her, swelling and churning.

“Why do you hide your true form from the girl?”

“I look different depending upon the eyes beholding me. You see me as I am, Naga.”

“Stop calling me that,” she hissed

He only smiled, thus fueling her anger.

“Is this your layer?” she asked the smug stranger.

“It is,” he answered with an instigating smile.

“I wish nothing from you,” she said. “We will leave your realm as we found it when my wings have returned to me.”

“Ahh, Naga, I hold no ill toward you. And despite the ill counsel you received, I do not count your sons as abominations. You have done well with them.” He looked over her shoulder, gazing fondly at her azure twins. “But the girl was right… you need magic. You can clearly see I am not magic. At least, not as the child believes. You can also see my help would prove invaluable to you.” He smiled down at her, again.

Jenevier didn’t like this man, not at all.

“And what price would you set? What fee would you demand for your service?”

“You wound me.” His eyes twinkled.

“I hate you,” she said.

“I know you do. I can feel it.” He snorted out a low laugh. “You have always loved too easily. A little hate will do you good.” His eyes went from lavender back to moss and one corner of his mouth went up.

Yeah, she hated him.

“If you want nothing in return, why would you help us?”

“Not
us
… you. Your sons do not require my aid. They are, for lack of a better word, perfect. As I said, you have done well, Naga.”

“My name is Jenevier.”

“It was… once. It hasn’t been for some time now. Do you deny it? I can read plainly within your heart. You knew well the day that name no longer fit.”

“I knew the day, yes. Yet I claim it still.”

“Very well, as you wish.”

She stared at him for a long moment, the burning anger taking root in her heart.

“You knew the day I was pulled into this realm. Didn’t you?”

“I did.”

“If you withheld aid when I needed it most, you can keep your worthless assistance now as well.”

“But, Naga, that
wasn’t
the day you needed me the most. That fated day is yet to come.”

And that was exactly what she was afraid of. Jenevier closed her eyes, but otherwise remained the same. Pinched tears escaped, burning a fiery path down her quivering cheeks.

Munenori used one bent finger to lift her chin toward him.

“Touch me not. Taste not my tears. My son is not master of his rage.” She spoke without opening her eyes. She knew well his intent.

He released her and looked to Daichi. The blue Angel’s chest heaved. The corners of his mouth were turned up in a razor sharp snarl.

“He loves you too much,” Munenori said.

“He does.”

“How will he handle it when you are removed from him?”

“Not well.” Her tears increased, even though she tried everything within her power to stop them. “Tell me. Does hell come?”

“It does,” he casually answered.

“How soon?”

“It’s upon us now, Naga.”

She opened her eyes. “Tell me how this ends, Angel.”

“Ahh… now,
there’s
a story for the ages.”

He winked at her, and she hated him anew.