Enthroned by Amethysts (A Dance with Destiny Book 3) (41 page)

“I have known since the day of my birth. Nay, since the day I was placed within you.” He pressed closer to her. “You spoke with me the whole time, Milady. Tenshi was too shy to say anything until nearer the end.”

“It was always you?”

“Always.”

He ran his fingertips over her collarbone. She drew back as if he’d burned her.

He smiled knowingly and caressed her soft cheek. “You only recoil because you have not been given the chance to know me for the Angel I am, and not the boy you took me for.” He slid his hand into her hair, pulling her ever closer. “I plan on changing that, Naga. I must show you who I truly am.”

“Daichi, please. Now’s not the time.” She trembled in his arms. “I cannot do this.”

“You cannot do this… or you cannot do this with me?” His breath was hot against her neck as he spoke.

Her voice quivered. “Both.”

“Were you not told I was your Blessing, the gift meant to complete you?” he whispered into her ear, lightly kissing her there.

“I-I was.”

She jumped and very nearly panicked when his hand slid up from her waist, gently caressing her back.

“And were you not told you must accept your Blessing?” His lips traced the curve of her jaw line.

The words God had spoken to her when He blessed her with her glorious weapons, echoed through her racing mind…
And now, you must accept the Blessing I have already bestowed upon you.

“Y-yes,” she whispered.

Daichi’s soft lips found hers, but she turned her head.

He smiled, taking her chin in his hand. “If you will but let me show you, Naga, it will all be made clear.” He rubbed his nose across her cheek. “There are some things
words
simply cannot describe.”

She closed her eyes in resignation. A single tear trickled down to her chin. He caught it with his tongue, causing those tiny little lightning bolts to shoot through her veins. She remembered when his touch had elicited this same response, back when he healed her troubled mind before she left with Munenori.

He lightly kissed the corner of her mouth. The sensation caused her breath to catch, her back to arch. Chaotic electricity ruled her, unbidden. Yet it was there. His labored breathing now matched hers.

She heard Varick’s voice in her head…
It’s not the wrapper, but the treasure within that’s precious.

When their lips finally met… she felt it in her soul first, and then her heart.

She lost herself in him, melted against him. She wound her fingers through his hair, held him ever closer. Jenevier wasn’t certain if they left the corporeal realm, or if it only felt as if their souls took flight. She understood the truth of it now. Her heart finally accepted what her mind already knew.

This Angel was not
of
her. This Angel was
for
her.

Daichi’s gentle kiss pulled everything into place. It opened her mind. Freed her soul of any lingering guilt, any remaining doubt. This special kiss lit a fire deep within her. A fire that burned hotter than she thought possible. He sensed it as well. Everything about them was connecting, weaving together what they, twain, would become. This internal bond surpassed even that most glorious blending she’d shared with Apollyon. Nothing could compare to what was now between these two unique Angels. They were as the same person, no longer individually distinguishable. It wasn’t as if one started where the other stopped, no. It was more akin to the sensation that they flowed along together, naturally, ceaselessly. With no beginning and no end… an infinite celestial unification.

With great effort, Daichi broke their embrace. “Be calm now, Milady. This day is not meant for that,” he rasped. “My intent was only to open your eyes and your beautiful heart to my true purpose, nothing more. I had to show you I was made specifically for you, to
complete
you. I knew no other way than to simply kiss you, Empress. Kiss you and let our essences decree where our words had failed. We will not be joined this day, Milady. Not in
that
way.”

She balled his tunic up in her fist, pulling him back to her. “You open my eyes to my glorious future, to my very own blessed destiny, and then withdraw?”

His chest heaved with labored breaths, he could barely answer her. “If we continue, harm will be wrought where only bliss should reign.”

She spread her wings, lifting herself up to match his great height. He gasped when she took his beautiful face in her hands, gently tilting his head back.

She licked him from his collarbone to his ear. “This… this is who you truly are?”

The growl rumbled deep in his chest, like thunder. He snatched her from the air. “You have tasted the truth of your Blessing, Kagi Naga. Heaven rejoices, but not as much as I.”

Her heart and mind warred within her. “You were my son but a few short weeks ago. How is it, with but a kiss, I now desire you more than breath in my lungs?”

He smiled. “Be at ease, Naga. Our bond is not forged with the flesh.” He chuckled softly. “Could your delicate spirit even handle such a thing? No, our connection is akin to utopia. An addicting euphoria, yes, but an addiction sated by touch alone.” He gently lifted her chin. “Besides, I’m not certain your tender heart will ever be strong enough to accept me as a man, Little Fire. Especially so soon after—”

She placed her finger to his lips, ceasing his words. “Do not heal me and destroy me in the same breath.”

“It is not possible for me to destroy you, Milady. I was created to heal only.”

Jenevier fought with the strange desire this extraordinary Angel had awakened within her with but a single enchanted kiss, a desire that threatened to abolish all her better senses. The indescribable adulation his touch elicited was truly a magical thing, the rarest kind of magic. Utopia was too small a word to encompass the whole of it. With great effort, she finally regained control—centered her trembling soul and took a deep breath.

When next she opened her eyes, Daichi was staring at her, admiring her. She had never seen this look in his eyes before. It went past love, past adoration. It bordered on awe.

“You are so beautiful, Naga.
I
am the blessed one.” He lightly kissed her again.

“You mustn’t do that, Daichi. I cannot think clearly when your lips are upon mine.” Her breathing was erratic and her heartbeat followed suit. “I lose all sense of self.”

He held her ever tighter. “You are mine.”

She knew his words couldn’t possibly hold any more truth were they spoken in the tongue of heaven. She gazed into those steel blue eyes, filled to the brim with love, with reverence, with sheer adoration.

“As you are mine.”

He ran his hand up her back, caressing her. “Then, it is as it should be,” he whispered.

Daichi carried her back to the lounge, holding her upon his lap as they faced one another, admiring each other with new eyes and a new awareness.

She smiled lovingly at her mighty blue Angel. “How shall the universe be able to contain us? How can it possibly hold what we now are?”

He pulled closer. “It cannot,” he whispered into her mouth.

They ignored the knock upon the door. This wasn’t the time for visitors. The world fell away around them. All that remained were two awe-struck Angels—lost within each other, basking in their own private heaven, floating atop a sea of magical stars.

Chapter 54

Yui

(YOO-ee)

After seeing Tenshi off to his training and leaving Daichi in Vareilious’s most capable hands, she had slipped away unnoticed.

Jenevier had spent the better part of the day speaking with Master Munenori, the Angel of the ninth layer realm, seeking his desired counsel. Varick had been right. This mossy lavender Angel would always be there for her, always be her friend, always have her back. She loved him for it, and he knew she did.

“Kagi Naga, you cannot yet fathom what lies before us.” He chuckled. “Ah, the trouble I will constantly have to get you out of. Thousands of years’ worth of trouble… I almost can’t wait.” He kissed her adieu. Then she leapt from the balcony.

Before returning to Vanahirdem and her waiting brothers, Jenevier flew to the magical Shinobi village in search of the rest of her odd little family.

Mika ran to her, embraced her, refused to let go. “I missed you so much, Mama.” She blushed when she realized what she’d said.

Jenevier kissed the top of her head. “And I you, my precious little sweet cake.”

“Have you returned for good?”

“No, my child. There is much I have yet to do. But I came back for you and Yui, as promised.”

She looked up to find that same beautiful young ninja slowly approaching them, apprehension marking his every step.

Mika released her and moved to the side. Of course she could read their minds, sense their feelings. But there were no words to express what was forged between her beloved Empress and her honored brother. Mika couldn’t help but cry, silent tears flooded her pale cheeks. She was the only creature who could understand them. The only other human who could see… Their emotions were so intense, so mutually profound, that they seemed to take on a soul of their very own.

Jenevier met her dear friend halfway. They hooked their index fingers and rested their foreheads together. And there they remained. A ninja and his Angel—forever bound by tragedy and devotion, catastrophe and allegiance, heartbreak and loyalty.

Many villagers gathered to look upon them. Yet no one spoke.

“I would be worse than dead without you,” she whispered.

“I live, despite my origin, only to serve you, Empress Naga.”

“Don’t be so formal with me.” She squeezed his fingers. “We have bathed together, you and I. Formalities are for strangers.” She giggled when she saw how red his cheeks turned. “I came back for you, Yui.”

“I knew you would, Naga. Will you stay?”

“Not this time, old friend. But soon. At least, as soon as I’ve made amends to the universe.” She looked into his lovely eyes, played with his magical hair. “It truly isn’t fair,” she pouted.

“What isn’t fair, Milady?”

“Your eyes are my absolute favorite color. Why can I not have eyes such as these? And your hair, it’s more than twice mine in length. I am truly jealous.” She pulled him closer and whispered in his ear. “I have never said this to a man before, Yui.” She heard his breath catch. “But you are more beautiful than I.”

Without thought, his arms went around her waist, squeezing her, pressing her closer, trembling with desperation. It was her turn to gasp.

Burying his face in her curls, he whispered, “Apologies, Milady. Will you just let me hold you like this for one bliss-filled moment? I didn’t know if I would ever be blessed with looking into your enchanting eyes this side of the veil. I knew you’d keep your promise. Yet I knew not when. Time surely doesn’t mean the same to an Angel. What if you had remembered I was waiting on you, only to return when I was old and gray—defying death until you came for me? Releasing my spirit only after I’d gazed upon your grace once more.” He drew in a ragged breath. “I don’t want to let go for fear you’ll disappear.”

She relaxed then and returned his embrace.

“I know this is not proper,” Yui continued. “And Daichi would tear my head off with his bare hands. But I cannot release you… not just yet.”

“I’ve missed you, too, good Yui. It has been weeks. Forgive me for making you wait so long for my return.”

“Do you have to leave right now?” He sniffed and hid his face deeper within her curls.

“Yes. But I’m taking you and Mika back to the palace first.” She stroked his enchanted raven locks. “And I do believe I fancy walking there from here. What say you, dear friend? Do you have just a few days to spare for our journey?”

He squeezed her tighter, painfully so, before he let go, quickly hiding his face and wiping away his tears.

“I shall await you here, beautiful ninja,” she whispered that last part. “Go. Tend to your family and bring all you wish to take. Once I have you there, I’ll not let you leave the palace without me upon your noble arm, good Hand.”

She winked and he returned her knowing smile as he took off for the home he shared with Orochimaru.

She then turned to face the weeping girl. “Mika, dear one, do you wish to stay with your family until my return, my
permanent
return?”

Hanzo and Hinata remained at a distance, awaiting her answer. Mika glanced quickly towards an approaching Saizo and sent Jenevier the mental confirmation she had once asked for.

“Empress Naga.”

She turned to find that same man kneeling beside her. When he rose, she saw his eyes. Those beautiful pale lavender eyes. No eyes were as his, the rarest within this realm, or any other.

“Ahh, I would eagerly slay a lion with my claws alone to be blessed with eyes such as yours.” She flashed her beaming smile at the now blushing Shinobi. “Are they magic? Did your mother have eyes like these, or was it your father?” He opened his mouth to speak, but she continued. “It matters not. Perhaps you were blessed by the gods. Will you share with me the secret behind those enchanting orbs? I wish to know all about them.”

Looping her arm through his, she continued to smile and talk as she led him away.

Mika sent her a relieved mental,
thank you.

Jenevier only acknowledged her appreciative thoughts with a slight nod of her head.

The multicolored Angel laughed at everything this handsome ninja said, touching him lightly when she giggled. It didn’t take long. Before they’d made their way to the village edge, he was wholly smitten with her. All thoughts of her precious little Mika had been erased from his mind.

“Will Your Highness be in need of my assistance at the palace? I would be honored to serve in any way you may see fit.”

“The honor would be mine entirely, Lord Saizo.”

He held to her, possessively, until they made their way outside the village proper.

She turned to him then, bowing slightly. He mirrored her gesture.

“I must confess something, Milord,” she said, placing her hand upon his chest, feeling his heart race within. “I carry a dark secret I must reveal to you now.”

“My heart craves your enticing voice no matter what secrets it may carry. Speak without ceasing and I will be lost to you forever.”

“Very well, then.” She looked deep into his beautiful, magical eyes. “I can read people, Saizo, inside their minds. I know their thoughts. I know their past. And I can see into their future, a little bit.”

He swayed slightly when his knees started to buckle. She held fast to him.

“You know of what rare talent it is I speak, do you not?”

He didn’t answer her. He could only stare, and blush.

“I can see you’re a good man, a noble man. I can also see how your type of power would be of great use to me.” She patted his hand. “Tell you what. If you can suppress or contain those lurid thoughts of me still running wild within your head, I will take you back with me to serve on my Council.”

Saizo sat down heavily upon the stone wall bordering the village edge, marking an ancient forgotten boundary. She could tell he was fighting a losing battle in his internal war.

His words were barely more than a whisper. “Will there ever be hope?”

“Hope in what, good Saizo?” She felt a tiny pang of guilt, forcing him to speak aloud words she could clearly read within him.

“Will I ever be allowed into your world? Will I ever be allowed a piece of your heart?”

“Ahh, that’s too easy a thing to ask. I’m much too free with my heart, mighty ninja. Carelessly so. Do not seek to claim such a pitiful heart as mine. It’s poisonous. As for the
real
question screaming within you…” His eyes widened. She only smiled. “You would have to live an extremely long time indeed if you wish to
hold
me like you do in your thoughts.”

“How long?” His greedy question fell from his lips, unchecked.

She laughed softly, placing a hand upon his shoulder. “I belong to the Angel who so easily slew your Emperor. You saw him, did you not?”

Jenevier watched as the thoughts in his head turned from passion to fear.

“If hell should ever claim my glorious blue Angel, and I managed to live through such an unfathomable thing… an emerald-eyed man, two noble Guardians, a great chocolate cat, the Angel who watches over this realm, and a young Shinobi ninja all stand in line before you.”

“So… all I have to do is continue to live?”

She laughed. “Yes. I agree it’s not a very
exciting
quest.”

“But hope lives within it, albeit a tiny spark. But hope nonetheless.” He stood and bowed low before her. “I graciously accept, Your Highness.”

She got tickled when he cocked his bowed head to the side, winking up at her with the one eye she could see. “Very well, Lord Saizo. Arise and go forth. May the gods favor you in your pursuit for extreme longevity.”

She held out her hand and he kissed it before leading her back into the village proper.

Hanzo approached them. Saizo bowed once more before taking his leave. She nodded slightly to him and then let the other elder lead her to his waiting family.

“Why did you do that?” Hanzo quickly checked the tone he was using with his Empress. “I mean, apologies, Your Highness. But… why would you do that?” He tried to keep his voice low, so as not to be overheard.

“I was simply fulfilling a promise I made long ago.” She cocked one eyebrow. “Do you share in Mika’s talent, Milord?”

“No, Empress Naga. She heralded us your exchange.”

“Did she now?” Jenevier winked at the happy girl. “So, do you believe it worked?”

“Oh yes, Empress,” Mika said. “His mind is haunted and blessed by you. I am no longer even an afterthought.”

“That is my gift to you for saving me, more than once.” She tweaked the girl’s nose. “To answer your question, Lord Hanzo, I wished my little sweet cake to be able to make her decision without reservations. She only ever wished to leave your loving home in the hopes of escaping, shall we say, beautiful prying eyes.”

Hanzo cleared his throat uncomfortably at her plain speech.

“She is welcome to return to the palace today, if she wishes. But I may be gone for many months. She can choose to stay here with loving parents now, without fear of molestation. Or, she can choose to spend the next many months in a gilded prison with only Yui and Munenori as her constant companions.”

Mika giggled and hugged her again. “I want to be just like you when I grow up.”

“Ah, Mika, my heart, I wish much grander things for you than the tragedy that is my life. You are far more precious than I could ever hope to be.” She turned to the girl’s parents. “Lord Hanzo, Lady Hinata, I would like to request a great favor from you. I wish you to inform me, beforehand, when you choose to let Mika be taken as a wife.”

“Of course, Your Highness. But might I ask why?” Hinata’s voice was kind and gentle, just the way Jenevier had imagined it to be.

“Because my only son is quite smitten with this lovely little maid. I would like him to be considered, on her behalf, before you make your final decision.”

“Y-your son?” Hanzo and Hinata stared at each other.

“Oh, yes.” Mika clapped her hands and giggled. “You remember him, do you not?” She continued before they could answer. “He was the blue Angel that rode the golden Dragon. He’s the kindest, most gentle soul I have ever known.” Her eyes went all dreamy.

Jenevier muffled a snicker and Mika’s parents only stared at her, unblinking.

“But… he’s a giant, Mika.” Hanzo’s voice was unsteady and he shot a worried glance toward the Angel’s mother. “He slew the Emperor without pause,” he whispered.

Jenevier cleared her throat. “Actually, that one would be mine. He’s not available for barter.” She smiled proudly, remembering how easily Daichi dispatched the only man she had ever truly hated. “She dreams of my son, Tenshi. He’s just as
giant
and just as beautiful. Yet he is as meek as a kitten where Mika’s concerned. They have been constant friends from his birth.”

“From his birth?” Hinata choked out the words.

“Oh yes, I helped deliver him.” The young girl visibly shuddered. “It was terrifying beyond all reason. That’s when the Princess died and I prepared her for burial.”