Redeemed by Rubies (A Dance with Destiny Book 6) (31 page)

“Yes.” The Elven King nodded. “We do not take commitments lightly. A pact with an Elf is an unbreakable thing. Marriage is sacred. And with an Elf…” He smiled. “…it is forever.”

The laughter continued to ring around them as the wine flowed and the music never waned.

“I believe that completes your
second
dance, Your Highness,” Tenshi said, taking his mother from Alastyn’s arms. “The Empress is much in demand. As I am sure
you
are as well.” He bowed slightly. “I will take it from here.”

“He can be a bit… protective,” Jenevier whispered.

“As well he should be,” Alastyn said. “Well done, good Prince. Apologies for my selfishness.”

When Alastyn walked off, Tenshi mumbled, “Just don’t let it happen again.”

After quite some time, Jenevier finally made her way to Baytac and pulled him to his feet.

“Come, Brother. I will not be denied. Dance with me or duel me… your choice.”

The dark Elf mumbled something under his breath, but followed her without resistance.

“I’m not good at this,” he grumbled.

“Neither am I.” She smiled. “I just float along with the tune.”

“More lies.” He grunted. “I’ve been watching you.”

“
More
lies?”

“Well… you don’t lie so much as you just… paint pretty pictures around the truth.”

She giggled. “That’s not a
bad
thing, you know.”

“What I
do
know is… you could fit perfectly with the Elves. When you were dancing with Kias, everyone stopped and just watched. Even Kali. Same with the Olden King… and that ridiculously
pretty
Emperor you’re married to. I am a poor substitute as your partner.”

“Now
you
are the one telling lies. I think we go great together.”

“In battle, perhaps. Not dancing.”

“In both.” Jenevier lightly touched the new white strands now framing the right side of his face. “This is my favorite part of the Amalgamation. It suits you, and Princess Kaleeska is even
more
beautiful with your ebony highlighting her misty tresses. I will not say the same for Izadori,” she mumbled. “But Alastyn… well, he is gorgeous no matter is hair color. Yet, when Elves marry Elves, this magic goes unnoticed.”

“I
am
an Elf,” he softly grumbled.

“Yes.” Jenevier smiled. “But you are a special Elf, and my very favorite one.”

Baytac was still blushing when the song came to an end.

“Empress Naga.” Duhrias hurried over to them. “Have you seen Lala? I can’t find her anywhere.”

“What do you mean, you can’t find her?” The smile melted completely from Jenevier’s features. “How long have you been looking for her? When and where did you last see her?” She didn’t wait for his reply. “Tenshi! Lala is missing.”

The sudden blue aura that burst forth from her son caused the entire forest to fall silent.

“Who was the last to see her?” Jenevier coolly scanned the startled crowd. “Step forth, now!”

One of Kias and Jezreel’s daughters stood on trembling legs. “I-I spoke to her… only just. She wished to find the ladies room. I sent her to our home.”

The girl raised a shaky hand and pointed.

“Duhrias, check it out,” Jenevier commanded, before turning back to the terrified Princess. “What is your name, child?”

“Adarell. Pr-Princess Adarell.”

“Were you the last to see her?”

The girl cowered under Jenevier’s glare. “I suppose I was… I’m not sure. We were sitting next to each other. She turned to me and said she needed to be excused. That’s when I told her how to get to my home.”

“She isn’t there,” Duhrias said, breathless.

“Adarell.” Jenevier kept her gaze fixed on the girl. “Go back with him. Double check. And… return with fair news.”

Jezreel slowly stood. “Jenevier, you cannot possibly think that—”

“Sit, Jezreel,” she snapped. “What I
think
is that these damn woods are a curse unto me. I mean you and your people no harm. Yet, I will not apologize for doing whatever I have to do to see my granddaughter safe from harm. Understand?”

Jezreel only nodded her head as Kias took her hand and helped her to sit.

Jenevier glanced up when the tips of Nilakanta’s wings sent leaves raining down upon them from the treetops.

“We are not your enemies here, Naga,” Dofarel softly said. “We are your family. Let us help in the search as well.”

“You cannot guarantee me there is not another Trelaina in your midst!” She took a deep, calming breath. “Please… just sit, Elf King. We can handle this. The more people there are running about, the harder it will be for my Dragon to spot Lala. You will hold until I command you otherwise.”

“She’s not there!” Duhrias called out before he even made it back to the gathered partiers.

“Tenshi, call Daichi down. Take Alastyn and search every house. Yui, Duhrias… comb the streets. Perhaps she had too much wine and simply lost her way. Baytac, you’re with me. We’ll flank the perimeter of the city before spreading out into the forest.”

When her heavenly blue Blessing landed in the midst of them, the ground trembled.

“Lala is gone,” Jenevier said, her voice low and glacial. “Tear this place apart until you find her, Daichi. Bring my little Angel back to me.”

When Rixx suddenly appeared out of nowhere, Jenevier’s diamond wings immediately expanded… the tip of Amatiste was pressed firmly under his chin before anyone else had even registered the Nephilim’s odd presence.

“Did you watch evil befall my only grandchild?” she hissed, her eyes glowing with a wild, pink fire. “If you say
one
word that displeases me, I swear by all that is holy, your wretched blood will forever stain this ancient forest floor.”

“I did not have my eyes on the Princess.” Rixx slowly held up his hands. “Always am I watching
you
, Milady.”

“Why the hell are you here, then? Speak now!”

When Rixx tried to take a step back, Jenevier was immediately behind him, her fingers locked tight within his dual-colored tresses. She yanked his head back, fully exposing his pale throat… and the tiny trickle of blood now running down from the spot where her glowing purple sword was firmly pressed.

“This is not the day to play with me, Nephilim,” she hissed into his ear. “My anger is at full mast. I want to slice your head off so badly, my bones ache from the desire. Say what you came to say. You may still die, but you will do so with a clear conscience.”

“I did not see your granddaughter,” he rasped. “I only came to tell you that I saw an oddly familiar flash of light in the forest beyond the city.” He pointed.

Jenevier released the Nephilim and looked up to her Dragon. Nilakanta immediately took off in that same direction.

“Why did you say it was oddly familiar?” She looked back at Rixx. “What kind of light was it? Describe it.”

He swallowed hard. “It was a silver, white light… tiny. I only noticed it because the flashing became quicker… almost pulsing. Then it was gone.”

“Was it one, or two?”

“Wh-what?”

“Was it one or two?” she yelled. “How many damn lights were there?”

Rixx furrowed his brow. “Perhaps there were two… but they would have been very close together. Yes.” He smiled. “There were two tiny silver lights. Hmpft… I guess
that’s
why it seemed so familiar.”

The surrounding forest quaked with her fury—trees splintering and snapping all around them.

“Holy accursed stars in the heavens!” she screamed. “I will drink his worthless blood when I find him! By all that is holy, I will drain him dry and crush his bones into my tea.” She inhaled deeply. “Apollyoooon!”

“I am here, my love.”

The Prince of Hell’s honey-sweet voice reached her a heartbeat before he stepped from the trees.

“Find that damn soul-eater,” she hissed. “Find him and bind him. But see that you do not leave a single scratch upon him. I want him looking pristine… when I tear him into tiny little pieces.”

Apollyon elegantly bowed from the waist before quietly stepping back into the darkened tree line.

Jenevier took two more deep breaths before releasing a bitter, shattering scream. New leaves covered the ground throughout the whole of Arbordell.

“We will find him, Naga,” Daichi said, gently stroking her curls. “I promise. We will find Ahriman and rescue Lala.”

She jerked away from his healing touch. “No. I want you and Tenshi to spend the night in Mangladune… just in case. I will take the rest safely back to Jinn.” She motioned for Yui and the others to follow her. “If you find anything amiss with the Elves, tell me immediately. Nilakanta will leave this whole damn place as smoldering ash.”

“Very well. I will do as you say.” Daichi gently kissed her forehead. “Michael awaits you on your balcony, Naga. Leave Ashgard to me.”

“Good. Then you can do that Arch-mind thing to keep me posted, right?”

“Yes, Naga.” He hugged her to him. “Worry not, my love. The soul-eater cannot escape. The whole universe is on alert.”

Jenevier squeezed him tightly before heading back to the cave.

“Nephilim,” Daichi hissed through gritted teeth.

Maza Rixx disappeared an instant before Jenevier’s blue Blessing swung his heavenly sword, slicing through the air where the strange man had been standing.

Tenshi turned toward Baytac. “Sorry about your wedding celebration.”

The dark Elf looked from Tenshi to Daichi, and then to the woods where Apollyon had disappeared.

“
That
was my father,” Tenshi whispered. “And the one we now hunt, the one who stole my daughter… that’s
your
father.”

Baytac’s eyes went wide. “The one Naga hates… The one who hurt my mother…”

“Fear not.” Tenshi patted his shoulder. “After this day, that slimy purple devil has sealed his fate. If you wished for revenge yourself, douse that dream, Brother. Mama
will
kill the soul-eater… or burn the universe down trying.”

“Prince Tenshi.”

The beautiful blue Angel turned toward the Elven King at his approach.

“We are at your disposal,” Dofarel said. “If they yet remain on this layer, the winds will whisper the truth of it.”

“And if they have fled Ashgard?” Daichi asked. “What will the winds say then?”

Dofarel nodded slightly. “In time… we will hear all.”

“Time—that is one luxury we don’t have right now.” Daichi turned to Tenshi. “Let’s go, Brother. We’ve got a demon to hunt.”

Chapter 20

Jinn

(JINN)

“Ugh! That rotten little snake!” She slammed her fists down atop the balcony railing. “
That’s
why he took my bracelet—to get at my family.”

“Perhaps so,” Michael said. “He couldn’t come near the ones on Jinn… not as long as you were adorned thusly.”

Jenevier collapsed down into a chair. “What am I gonna do, Michael?” she whispered softly, pleadingly. “If we cannot find Ahriman, what
ever
in the heavens will I do?” She bit her lip, trying to hold back her burning tears.

“Shhh… be calm, little one. Have faith that things will work out, as they should be.”

“As they should be?” She jumped to her feet, balling her hands back into fists. “I don’t want things
as they should be
. I want them to be as
I
think they should be.”

Michael chuckled. “Yes. I know you do. Such is one of your greatest flaws. You must learn to breathe, little sister. Be still and breathe… be still and wait. Oft in our silence, we find the answers our warring minds could never see. Stop
forcing
your might and simply
trust
in your gifts. You have them for a reason, Kagi Naga. And… the reason is not always to mindlessly rend and tear.”

“But that’s what I do best—rend and tear,” she mumbled softly. “Besides… patience isn’t one of my virtues.”

The Arch chuckled again. “Yes, ‘tis true. You want patience
now
. Things do not work thusly, little one. Patience is learned through being patient.”

Jenevier rolled her eyes and sighed. “Well, you’re an almighty Arch. Why don’t you work on fixing some of my problems? Not telling me that I have them. I already
know
that I have them. What good are you, anyway?”

Michael smiled and turned his head, holding in his laughter.

“Empress Naga.”

Apollyon had appeared on her balcony and was bowing before her. Jenevier let out another sigh.

“Oh, for the love of— Vindicus, just… stop. Stop acting so irritatingly formal around me. You’re driving me mad—
bowing
and
Your Gracing
. Just tell me. Quickly now. What news do you bring?”

Apollyon smiled before standing up to face her, overly thrilled in the fact she had so effortlessly used the name he had only ever spoken to her.

“I placed a bounty upon his head,” Apollyon said. “I made it known that any creature who brought me word concerning the soul-eater would be granted certain…
liberties
.”

Jenevier swallowed hard at the way he said the word
and
the dark sparkle that flashed within his ethereal sapphire eyes.

“Every fallen one, every demon, every unseen creature dwelling in the farthest corners of darkness… they have scoured the universe in search of Ahriman.” Apollyon took her hands, gently squeezing. “Anicee… there remains not a single trace of the soul-eater. He has simply… vanished.”

“…No…” Her hands began to tremble in his. “Vindicus… No…”

The tears she had been desperately trying to hold back burst forth, collapsing her… inside and out. Jenevier crumpled into the Prince of Hell’s arms, crashed helplessly against his broad chest.

“N… Nowhere? Ahriman isn’t… anywhere in the whole universe? How? How can that be?” She balled his tunic up in her fists. “How is that even possible? Do something, Vindicus,” she whispered. “Please… Do something. Help me… please… help me, Vindicus.”

Michael watched, utterly shocked when the fallen dark Angel Prince of Hell’s bitter tears began to drip from his perfect chin. The creature Michael
knew
was evil incarnate… that same creature was now trembling as he slowly wrapped Kagi Naga up in his arms—an embrace Michael knew full well was as unbreakable as Prisalyn. Yet, when those same strong arms held his little sister, Michael sensed the celestial tenderness of heaven itself. The golden Archangel remained poised, ready to strike. Yet… he did not interfere.

“Anicee,” Apollyon whispered into her curls. “If Father would take me in exchange for Ahriman’s location, I would fly to Him with all haste… beg Him to cease me and deliver your enemy into your precious little hands.”

She pressed closer to him, her tears now as an endless mountain stream. “When I let my thoughts turn to what that hideous Angel may be doing to my little Lala at this very moment… insanity overtakes me. I am quickly breaking into separate pieces… disjointed… uncontrollable. I am scared, Vindicus. Terrified to my core.”

When Apollyon began gently stroking her colorful curls, kissing her atop her head, Michael slowly turned away. He reconfirmed via his shared Arch-link that his heavenly brothers had, too, come up empty-handed… same as the creatures of darkness. A helpless feeling began to take root inside the mighty Arch, a feeling as foreign and uncomfortable to him as was watching his little sister being comforted by hell.

“If it is well with Milady, I would like to make a suggestion.”

Jenevier’s reaction to that now hated voice was so instantaneous, so abrupt, Apollyon didn’t even have time to stop her. She was out of his arms and face-to-face with the strange looking Nephilim floating not far from her balcony. The Prince of Hell turned just in time to find Rixx frozen in a cowering position, her lethal diamond claws only a fraction away from his terrified face.

Jenevier’s chest was heaving, spittle dripping from one corner of her mouth… and Michael was there behind her—one hand locked firmly around her raised wrist, his other arm tight about her tiny waist.

“I should have killed you when first we met,” she hissed. “I should have slit your scrawny throat and hung your filthy remains from that balcony, right there.”

Rixx automatically glanced to where she was pointing.

“I knew something was off about you, Nephilim.”

Jenevier laughed then. It was an eerie, shattering noise. Michael was unnerved by the abnormal sound of it. He tightened his hold around her.

“You are a tricky little worm, aren’t you?” she continued. “A creepy, disconcerting, vile sort of creature.”

“Perhaps I am,” Rixx said, straightening his waistcoat and moving away from her. “But none of those things warrant my death summons.”

Jenevier struggled within the Arch’s embrace. “You had something to do with this. I
know
you did!
You
were the very creature who warned me of the coming darkness, the selling of souls… the
trial
I would soon face.
You
were the only one who could have stolen my bracelet. Your words to me that day were a lie. I know they were! And then
you
, only
you
… out of everyone else at that wedding—including my Dragon—only
you
just so happened to see Ahriman’s flashing eyes. You, Maza Vespar Rixx, are the
only
common thread in this whole twisted maelstrom of a crucible I am now living through. Had I killed you that day—summons or no—Lala would yet be safe within these castle walls.”

One corner of Rixx’s mouth turned up in a sardonic smile. “You err, Reaper. Your version is askew. Firstly…
I
did not take the amethyst shackle from about your wrist. I have not the power for such as that. Secondly…” He chuckled softly. “Lala was safe within these castle walls, ‘tis true. Yet… she rarely remained here.”

“What are you talking about?” Jenevier yelled. “Always was she here! Always was she safe!”

“And just how would you know
always
concerning anything that goes on behind those gilded walls? You are
on-call
as much as you are home. If you truly wish to know what your precious little Lala was
always
doing… why don’t you ask the one person who is her ever-constant?
You
failed in that task, Kagi Naga—gave it to another.”

Jenevier felt the intense heat of Dragon Fire long before Nilakanta flew into her peripheral. Michael transported her only a heartbeat before those mighty flames melted off the back corner of her palace.

Kagi Naga!

“Did you get him, Brother?” She called out to her Dragon. “Did you kill the Nephilim?”

He is gone
, Nilakanta said.
But not by my might. He vanished.

*****

“Duhrias Rogallis!”

The handsome River Spirit visibly cringed when he heard Jenevier yelling out his proper name, her enraged voice echoing down the many hallways.

“Appear before me and give answer!”

Her shouts brought out her entire family. Duhrias approached her and bowed.

“Do you know where Lala is?” she demanded.

Surprised, he looked up. “Why would you ask me that, Madam Empress? I love Lala. I would never hide her from you.”

“What
would
you hide, Sir Knight? Would you hide
other
things from me?”

“Wh… Where is this coming from, Milady? I have not betrayed you, would
never
betray you. From the first day I arrived on Jinn, Princess Lala has not been absent my sight for more than a moment.”

“And is
Jinn
the only place you have kept her in your sight?”

“Just what are you trying to say, Naga? Ask me outright.”

“When you escorted Lala from the safety of this palace, did you ever accompany her
anywhere
… besides Jinn?”

The stunned man’s eyes grew wide, the color in his cheeks draining away.

“Duhrias Rogallis.” Jenevier took one step closer to him. “You are hereby relieved of your title and your duty to this kingdom. Tenshi… see this traitor back to the eighth layer. Personally escort him to that damn river he is supposed to be keeping watch over.”

“Why, Mama? What has happened?”

“This man… this, this… sell-sword has betrayed me in the worst possible way.”

“No, Naga. This is not true,” Duhrias said. “I would never—”

“Not true?” Jenevier took a deep breath. “I didn’t want to believe it. Didn’t want to believe that my saving Knight with the beautiful emerald eyes—emeralds that were meant to protect
me
— Do you remember, Duhrias? Do you remember your sworn vow?”

“Of course I remember.”

“Then why did you swear a lie? Your emeralds were meant to protect me. Lala is an extension of me. How could you place her in such harm? Tenshi! Remove him before these gilded walls run red with his lying blood!”

“Kagi Naga.” Michael placed his hand upon her heaving shoulder. “Hold for a moment and think, little one. Can the River Spirit make the Urimtheim glow? Can he open the portal between layers?”

“No,” Duhrias whispered. “I cannot.”

“Lala can make them glow,” Tenshi said. “With her at his side, Duhrias wouldn’t need to—”

“But can he
force
the Princess to make them glow?” Michael asked calmly.

“…I would never force Lala in
anything
,” Duhrias whispered.

“Believe him, Kagi Naga,” Michael said, gently squeezing her shoulder. “I can see within his heart… he speaks true.”

Jenevier closed her eyes and slowly dropped her head.

“Forgive me, Naga,” Duhrias pleaded. “It was an accident. I swear it.”

“
What
was an accident?”

The obvious ice in her bitter voice caused Duhrias’s heart to quake. Never had he seen Naga anywhere near this cold, anywhere near this angry.

“Many years ago… Lala and I were playing about in the lavender, just outside the palace walls. She was teasing Taka, yanking on his tail just to get him all riled-up.” Duhrias’s emerald eyes filled with water. “I love hearing her tiny giggles, and playing with Taka always brought them on. I remember Lala grabbed the Dragon Pixie and kissed him on the nose. She said… Where did you come from, little guy? Where ever in this universe did Obaasan find a creature such as you?” Duhrias paused a moment, swallowing back his tears. “I told her… I told her I knew where Taka had come from, that I had been with you the day you found him. Of course, Lala insisted on going right then and there. I saw no harm in it. I mean, it was only a cave within the Valley of Dragons. Nothing could harm us in a place such as that, a place surrounded by her Obaasan’s beloved friends.”

When Jenevier slowly lifted her head, Duhrias met her steady gaze.

“The Urimtheim shocked us both, Empress. It simply hadn’t crossed my mind… that the stones would glow for Lala. When they did, I explained what they were, told her that was how Cherie and I had gotten to Jinn… by
your
side. She wanted to see my river,” he whispered. “Was curious about my homeland. That’s… that’s how it all started… by accident.”