Enthroned by Amethysts (A Dance with Destiny Book 3) (31 page)

Chapter 43

Kias

(KYE-us)

“
I’ll
take her tea. You would most certainly not live through it.”

“She allows you with her when she bathes?”

“She does.” Alastyn noted the objectionable look on the man’s ageless face. “Kias, Jezreel and I have lived through horrors the likes of which I wish never to speak of. We are friends. Nay, she is my sister, my only family. We have both lost… everything.” That one word carried the weight of the universe. He looked down at the dainty teacup. “We only have each other and our memories now. And not all of them are good. So, yes, she lets me in while she bathes. When you’ve had to stitch up gaping wounds, burn out pockets of infection, and apply ointments to all parts of her broken little body… trivial things such as mere nakedness no longer matter.”

Kias knew every word the raven-haired man spoke was the truth. He’d been keeping a close vigil over them both. This was the first time he could ever remember being truly at a loss. Alas, he would not give up on them. He would not give up on her.

But Alastyn said it true
, he thought.
She is most definitely a rare creature. Only she could have survived such a horror and retained the great fire that still burns within her. The maiden now teeters on the brink. Which will she choose? Darkness or light? This will take great magic, ancient magic. And even that will fail to work, if it isn’t heavily dosed with the rarest magic of all… love.

*****

The new friends were sitting in the parlor talking about Alastyn’s adventures from his youth when Jezreel came in the back door.

“Remind me on the morrow, I need to make some fresh rosewater,” she sang out from the kitchen. “Are you weary yet? I, for one, am exhausted, Brother. Shall we retire for the evening and just go to bed—”

She halted her words when she walked into the room and found Kias seated across from Alastyn. She immediately covered her breasts with her arms, even though she was wrapped up in a towel.

“You? What’re you still doing here?”

“Having pleasant conversation with a new friend,” Kias answered. “Will you not join us?”

“Yes, Jezreel. Slip some clothes on and come sit with us by the fire and talk,” Alastyn pleaded. “Happy memories only, I promise. I believe it will do us all a bit of good.”

“I have nothing to talk about. I’m going to sleep. And don’t wake me when you come to bed.” She stormed out of the room.

“You sleep with her as well?” Kias asked.

Alastyn stared into the dwindling flames. “It helps with the nightmares,” he whispered.

Dawn found Jezreel, once again, swinging and hacking away. Sweat dripping from the tip of her nose, chest heaving from want of more oxygen. Her trembling legs finally caved in under her. Then the tears came.

“Good morrow, Brother. What’s all the racket this fine day?” Kias yawned as he entered the kitchen.

“Last night was a particularly bad night.”

When Alastyn turned from the window, Kias could tell the man had gone without sleep. He looked past the exhausted man’s haggard form and saw Jezreel, her shaking body curled upon the tear-soaked grass.

“I may be too late,” he whispered. “She is so horribly, horribly shattered.”

Alastyn heard the sorrow in the man’s voice; saw its bitter evidence dripping from his chin.

“What do you mean… too late?”

Kias was already out the door before Alastyn finished his question.

“You have excellent form, Maiden.” He spoke softly so as not to spook her. But she had already heard him approaching.

“Go away.” Her words were more of a plea. Gone was the fire she had shown him only yesterday.

“Would you like to try your hand at swords?”

“I would like for you to leave me alone.” Jezreel sniffed as she got back to her feet and filled her lungs with the fresh, cleansing air of Ashgard.

She swore under her breath with every jarring thud of the newly-sharpened blades.

“You… will… never… touch… me… again.” Over and over, every whack carried a pain-filled word and removed a chunk of the battered post.

She heard the unmistakable sound of metal upon metal, sword leaving scabbard. It ran chillingly up her spine. She turned slowly to find the strange man now armed with dual two-foot long blades. They were the color of glistening dew. The sun caught them, flashing blindingly in her eyes.

“Come at me, Jezreel,” he whispered.

The bitter rage rose up from the depths of her soul, coursed through her every cell. A tortured scream tore from her throat as she lunged at him.

Alastyn’s heart missed several beats when he heard the unmistakable sounds of battle. He burst through the back door and stopped short.

Jezreel was viciously attacking Kias and he was defending every blow. When her strength would dwindle, he would advance upon her, force her to retreat. Blades locked with wooden handles.

“You need larger weapons, Milady. Never let me in this close.”

Jezreel kicked him between the legs and pushed back from their locked stance. Kias went to his knees.

“Fret not, good Kias. I will
never
let you in; never let you close to me in
any
way.”

“Jezreel! Stop!” Alastyn cried out for her to cease as she brought both blades down toward the kneeling man’s bent head.

Kias raised one sword, blocking her vicious blow as he swung his other blade at her midsection, slicing through her clothing.

She gasped. “You filthy dog.” Jezreel looked down at her tunic. “You could have killed me!”

“Yes, I could have. Was that not how you were playing this little game of ours?” He got back to his feet. “You must learn to control your anger. Harness it. Use it to your advantage. Never let it blind you or master you. Use it to increase your strength without removing your senses.” He popped the bones in his neck as he tilted his head from side to side. “And one more thing. Never leave your stomach unguarded.” He winked at her and smiled.

“Why you…” She lunged for him again and their heated, awkward ballet continued.

“Stop making noise when you’re about to strike. It gives away intent,” he instructed.

She heeded not his words as she threw her whole body into her next swing. He easily sidestepped her advance and popped her on the bottom with the flat of his blade for emphasis.

Nothing could have enraged her more.

With rekindled fury, Jezreel attacked him over and over. He blocked or avoided everything she threw at him. She was wholly exhausted, barely able to lift her axe enough to make much of an effort. Yet she refused to stop. When her next volley threw her weary form off balance, Kias caught her up in his arms.

“You’re safe now, Milady. I won’t let them hurt you. I swear it. No one will ever hurt you again, mi Sharna. You fought exceptionally well,” he whispered.

Alastyn approached him. “I’ll take her to the bath.”

Kias stroked her hair and held her close, desperately close.

“All is well, Sharna. I am so proud of you,” he whispered in her ear as he relinquished her to Alastyn’s gentle arms.

*****

Kias was sitting at the table, lost in thought, when his new friend returned from the bath house.

“You did well with her today, Kias. I should say she’ll sleep like a babe this night. I’ve never seen her quite so drained.” Alastyn sat down wearily. “Gratitude.”

Kias looked up at him. “For what?”

Alastyn sighed. “Her anger, it’s eating her up inside. Thank you for helping her release some of it. I worry for her. I have done all I know to do. You are a gift from the gods.” He stared unseeing at his teacup. “She’s the last soul I have left in this world. I cleave to her for hope’s sake. Yet daily I fear she will slip into darkness.”

“She is broken,” Kias whispered.

“She is.”

“I wish to see her healed.”

“As do I.” Alastyn gave the other man a level stare, letting him know his obvious
want
of Jezreel had not gone unnoticed. “If you damage her further, I promise, I will see you dead.”

A slight smile was on Kias’s face as he took his next sip of tea. “I will not harm her.”

“You didn’t show up here by accident, did you?”

“I did not.”

Silence hung in the air between them.

Alastyn stood. “I’ve not slept this past night. I am weary.” He turned back to the seated man. “You will be here on the morrow.” It wasn’t a question.

The white-haired man with the ancient, ageless face didn’t meet his gaze. He only nodded slightly.

“Very well, then. Good night.”

“Rest well,” Kias answered.

When Jezreel entered the kitchen, she stopped short at the sight of the boiling cauldron and the many baskets of rose petals. Kias was adding more wood to the stove.

“You asked to be reminded about your rosewater, mi Sharna.”

Chapter 44

Munenori

(moo-nah-NOOR-ee)

She slowly raised her head and looked at him. Munenori wiped her tears.

“You were meant to be cursed, beautiful lady.”

“But… why? I don’t understand. Why would I be born, be created, simply for the purpose of being cursed?”

“Your destiny was to be marked and cursed by Prince Merodach. You were meant to be carried away by his Shadow Wraiths and brought to his side. That is
why
you were formed.”

“No. You’re mistaken, Munenori. That’s just not possible.”

“It
is
possible, Little Fire. That was your original intent. I told you before. You were meant to bring peace and harmony to Ashgard. To accomplish that, you were created to change the heart of its ruler.”

“But I
did
change him.”

“You did, eventually.” He looked into those ethereal eyes, still so full of innocence and wonderment. “Ah, Naga, you weren’t meant to know of the Vanir until
after
you were fully made. Until after your humanity had faded and only Angel remained.” He brushed some curls back from her face. “This is also one of the reasons you’re having such a hard time learning to be…
accepting
what you are.” He sighed as he looked up at the passing clouds. “Everything you’ve learned, you have learned backwards. Yet, somehow, it seems to suit you.”

“I’m all scrambled up inside, Munenori. Your words are just making it worse.”

He continued to play with her curls. “Merodach was meant to mark you, take you, and then… he would fall in love with you. That was your destiny.” He waited for his words to sink in. “Remember not how you felt with Dante, Merodach’s mask? Almost immediately, the deep attraction and undeniable pull was evident to you both. Don’t look at me thusly. You know my words are true.” He playfully covered her eyes with his hand. “Your one, well, your
first
wrong decision was to run away to the Thralldom Mountains in search of Valadrog.” He laughed softly. “That was no little ripple, Naga. It was more like a tsunami.”

She cocked one eyebrow.

“It’s a giant wave, never mind. The point is, you not only changed your destiny, tiny Angel, you altered the fate of the whole universe. And not for the better, I might add.”

“So, I should have just let things happen? Not fought back? That’s the most
unnatural
thing I could’ve done.”

He laughed again. “But you are Angel, little one. Made to serve, not question. That is your humanity talking, Naga. That’s your rare fire.” He pushed her hair back behind her ear. “I like it. I like the way your eyes glow, how the soft set of your jaw line goes rigid.” He ran his fingertips down the side of her face. “I especially like the way it tastes on your skin. It turns me on. Yes, your fire… I like it too much.”

“I cannot recall if I’ve said this aloud or not, but… I hate you, Munenori.”

He only smiled softly. “You have. And I know you do. It matters not. Your feelings don’t change mine. Mine are my own. They stand, regardless of their reciprocation.” He took her chin in his hand. “And you cannot
threaten
my desires away. Fear not. I have no intention of acting on them. You heard Daichi, same as I. He’ll turn me to ash if I touch you.” He chuckled then. “I was only acknowledging they were there. That’s all.”

She pulled her chin away. “Your
acknowledgement
was unnecessary. I already knew they were there.”

“Did you, now? And just how did you glean that little bit of knowledge?”

“Easy.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Your body trembled from my scent alone. When your tongue first touched my flesh, I thought you might explode.”

He took note of her superior smirk. Munenori tightened his grip, pulled her face close to his. His breath tickled her nose. He sensed the tiny jolt of panic and fear as it washed through her. It thrilled him.

“Is that so? All I can recall of our first meeting was how firm your grip upon my hip felt.” He moved under her, pressed against her for emphasis. “How you pulled me back against you and held me there.” His lips now brushed hers as he spoke. “Do you deny it?”

“I do not.” She bit her bottom lip. “Varick was right. I play too much. I’m too much like my brothers now. I push things too far. I’m even more reckless than before. I have changed. I take too many chances. Ask myself,
what if
, way too many times. I am darker than I once was. Yet it feels so natural… I don’t even try to fight it.”

“Although I know it’s wrong and beyond dangerous…” He paused, searching her eyes, desperate for a glimmer of desire. Yet terrified he might find that very thing. “I want nothing more than to kiss you,” he whispered, purposefully brushing his lips over hers.

“It is my curse,” she said. “I am a delicious poison.”

“Delicious… poison…” Munenori closed his eyes but remained as he was.
Yes, you are that
.

Daichi’s warning played through his mind…
Your desires are a misplaced weakness. You know her for what she is. Do not drink of the poison you know will destroy you. Play not with her. Remember this. She is blended. You cannot say for certain how she will respond to your words or how she will react to your revelations. She is light and dark. She is heaven and hell. She is glorious and dangerous.

He held her tight against him as he battled this extreme temptation.

She sensed his internal war, watched part of it play out on his face. She felt a tinge of wickedness spring up inside her. When she could tell he had regained control, mastered his desire, she spoke.

“Were I only a fraction more evil…”

His eyes flew open at her words.

“I would have licked you just now,” she said.

His breath hitched. It only served to fuel her impious little game.

“While you waged your internal war, it took all my strength not to tempt you further. I am almost… that… evil.” She winked at the same time she quickly touched the tip of her tongue to his top lip.

In but a blink, she found herself looking up into those mossy lavender eyes, felt the whole of his weight upon her.

“Do that just once more, baby Angel, and you will find yourself with child. This I promise.”

Jenevier looked at the flame burning deep in his eyes. She got tickled. First, it was only a snicker. But soon it was an all-out laugh.

He sighed and dropped his head.

“Oh, Munenori. Tell me more of your sweet
promises
.” She laughed harder.

He rolled his eyes, collapsing onto the grass beside her. “As I said, infuriating.” He sighed.

Her incessant giggles made her words hard to understand. “As
I
said. It’s my curse.” She turned to him and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “And now, I don’t hate you quite so much anymore.” She smiled at him. “You have proven too much fun to hate.”

He gently pushed her away. “Well, I hate you all the more.”

“You do not. Actually, I believe you’re quite fond of me. Perhaps one day we shall become great friends.”

“Let’s not go too far, Naga. Now, stop your play and listen to my words. You say you are cursed. But know this…
Every curse has a blessing and every blessing has a curse
. You would do well not to forget that.”

Her giggles slowly ebbed as she inhaled deeply. “I have heard this many times before. Please, explain yourself, Angel.”

“Explanations are not necessary. Think upon it, Naga. It will come to you.” He reached for her hand, interlacing their fingers. “Your babes were a great blessing to you. But you were cursed with many sleepless nights and will always carry the burden of worry in your heart. Your mask was a blessing from God. Yet, you had to become the executioner. You were cursed by your misguided vision of Varick’s infidelity, it completely destroyed you. You even had to be remade. Yet, you were blessed beyond counting because of it. I mean, look at you. Even your scars are enchanting.” He touched the one on her cheek. “I will say it again, Naga. Every curse has a blessing and every blessing has a curse.”

Her silent tears were all the proof he needed. She understood what he meant. He bent down and lightly kissed her lips.

She smiled. “I knew you didn’t hate me.”

“Before this is over, I am certain I’ll wish I did.”

“The war that’s coming to Jinn… is it my fault? Is it because of my altered destiny? Will harm now find my sons because I ran from the wicked Prince of Wrothdem when I was but a child?”

“In part… yes.” He exhaled a deep breath and sat up. “Your destiny was altered, Naga. So, the universe had to be altered. You were never meant to go to Vanahirdem. You were never meant to love your Guardian. No matter how strongly he believes you were. And on top of all that, you killed the very man you were
created
to save. There was no more reason for your existence. Thus, your execution summons came down.” He looked at her then; she seemed so tiny, so scared. “You are Angel, Kagi Naga. You are made from much rarer things than are others. More is expected of you, as it should be.” He sighed. “Yet, Father was moved by your repentance, by your willing sacrifice. Because of this, your
soul
was used to fulfill your original destiny.”

“Then… I had to start all over.”

“Yes. Naga, you had the amazing chance to start over with a brand new name, a brand new soul, and a brand new destiny.”

“The healer.”

“In part, yes.” He chuckled. “An executioner
and
a healer.”

“But I messed that up, too. Didn’t I?” She sat up beside him, dusting off her hands.

“You did. And in record time, no less.” He playfully pinched her arm. “In only hours, you went from a shiny new soul, full of hope and peace and love… to utterly destroyed.”

“Not only that. I willingly gave myself, the whole of me—heart, body, and soul—to the devil.”

“Ahh, that you did, Little Fire. But forget not. Father blessed your union, exchanged your manacles Himself.” He twirled one of her curls around his finger. “You still have no idea what it was you accomplished with my darkest of brothers. Your love healed Apollyon. I can hardly even say the words and believe them myself. You are
accidentally
amazing.” He chuckled and patted her head. “And that brings us back to Daichi.”

“Daichi?”

“Yes, Naga. Daichi—your Blessing, your gift, your everything. He was made in the likeness of all whom you love. Father peered into your heart, formed him to look like the most beautiful Angel He’d ever created—Apollyon, your Vindicus—so he would be pleasing to your eyes. Then, He gave him Vareilious’s mischievous nature, so you would always laugh, always know joy, always have a best friend at your side.”

Hmm, only just today I was comparing him to Vareilious. It was uncanny—the things he said as we sparred, the set of his shoulders when he moved to attack, and that infuriatingly superior smirk… identical
.

“Have you any idea just how much you mean to Vittorio?” Munenori asked. “His only desire is to see your smile, see you happy. Father knows. And He blessed that extraordinary Guardian because of his especially amazing heart, gave him back his life along with a brand new shiny set of wings. That’s why Daichi cares for you more than even himself, worries over your happiness above all things. He will always put you first, always make you smile. He will ensure your bliss, same as Vittorio always has. To Daichi, you’re the rarest treasure, one of a kind, irreplaceable.” Munenori brushed back her hair, stared into her confused, terrified eyes as he continued. “Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Daichi loves you above all things in this universe, same as Varick. He will never be keeper of his
own
heart, Naga. That tremendous responsibility is yours alone. Never take it lightly. It is an awesome charge.”

But… no one can love me as Varick does. That glorious man would forgive me anything… has forgiven me
, she thought.

Munenori’s words were hard to accept, almost too much to take in.

This is beyond bizarre. How can I even consider such an outlandish tale? It goes against everything I thought was true. But… Daichi warned me of this very thing, did he not? He begged me to listen, pleaded with me to believe.
Jenevier studied the mossy lavender Angel closely.

Munenori chuckled. “Don’t furrow your brow at me, tiny Angel.” He playfully tweaked her nose. “Look at it this way. Your
Blessing
… is the greatest of all magic. Never again will you be alone. Never again will you have to search for love or acceptance or belonging. Daichi will never leave you, cannot leave you. The suggestion alone would be unfathomable to him. He is the one man in all existence who can truly complete you. He was created for the sole purpose of being your absolute everything. And he is your greatest of all blessings, Naga.”

Yes… but every blessing has a curse
, she thought.