Destroyed by Onyx (A Dance with Destiny Book 4) (30 page)

Jophiel turned his growl upon her. “You go too far, Naga.”

“Oh, and I will most definitely go farther still, Brother. Best you just kill me and be done,” she spat. “Oh, that’s right. You can’t.” She looked then to Uriel. “Do you agree to the amendment?”

He gave one sharp nod of his head before he continued. “Then, you used your gift to kill Merodach, received lenience yet again, and eventually ended up in hell.”

Jenevier held up her hands. “Wait, just… wait a minute.” She turned her head, desperately searching her spackled memory. “I thought Alastyn was the rightful King of Ashgard,” she barely whispered.

“Ahh, look at that, Jophiel.” Uriel gaped at her. “Still she continues to regain some of what she left upon the moon. Fascinating.”

Jophiel rolled his golden eyes. “Yes. Thrilling.”

“You’re right,” Uriel said. “But you were also meant to change Merodach. Alastyn was not ready to be King. He was but a boy with much yet to learn. Alas, if you had done what you were supposed to, the two of you would have ended up in the royal palace together. You as advisor, and him as Hand. Eventually, when the time was ripe and the Elves realized their folly, you would have come together and fulfilled your intended purpose—ending with Alastyn as King and you as his beloved Queen. Thus ensuring the lineage of the Olden ones, the first man, would remain upon the blessed throne of Ashgard.”

“But because you were willingly bedded by the dark Arch, the great war was destined to happen sooner or later.” Jophiel sneered. “And because of it, your emerald-eyed
intended
met and fell in love with an Elven Princess.”

“Which proves fine as far as the lineage of Kings goes, but not
your
heart, Naga,” Uriel added. “He still loved you madly, you know. Save for that rare treasure you wear, you would be married to him now.” He only glanced briefly at Vittorio. “The one who gifted you that lovely trinket unknowingly changed your future, several times now. That night, twirling around in Alastyn’s arms, surrounded by Elven music within a magical forest… that night, Kagi Naga, you danced your dance with destiny.”

Silence hung over the group as the heavy words sank down into her trembling heart.

“My destiny… revealed at last,” she whispered.

“Yes. And then promptly destroyed by onyx,” Uriel mumbled.

“Onyx?”

He met her questioning gaze. “Yes. The Elves, those solid black eyes, like the ones you now don.” He shuddered. “Onyx. When you and the Elven King realized who Alastyn was, it should have been finished. Remember what it felt like, Naga? Can you recall how you desired that handsome young man to the point of devouring him wholly?” He sighed and popped the bones in his neck. “Ah… but then that big old stupid heart of yours struck again, Naga. You had noticed how he looked at Izadori, so you thought it best to let him go.” Uriel cut his eyes back to the Guardian. “Had you not had Vittorio’s magic gift wrapped about your arm, who knows. Alas, you unbound him and slipped away into the forest. That’s when the jealous onyx Elf had her chance and she took it. And… that’s the long and short of it.”

“That is most certainly
not
the long and short of it,” Munenori barked. “You have told her nothing of import.”

The Angels faced off, snarling and growling.

“It was for Daichi.” Her words were barely more than a whisper.

The bickering ceased, all eyes turned to her trembling form.

“Aye, Lass. What was for Daichi?” Vittorio stood beside her, taking her hand in his, lending her needed strength.

“The unbinding.” She sniffed and looked up to meet her mighty Guardian’s concerned gaze. “I didn’t release Alastyn for anything as noble as Izadori’s feelings. I unbound,
tried
to unbind, my own heart from him.” She smiled crookedly through her tears. “I remember… I wanted to be with Daichi. It was the most selfish yet natural thing I had ever felt.”

“Of course it was natural,” Munenori said. “He’s your Blessing.”

“Yes. He is yet another undeserved gift,” Jophiel snapped. “None have been as lucky as have you, Naga. And yet again, your stupidity reigned supreme when you tried to unbind even him, tried to toss your divinely suited treasure aside.”

Silent tears dripped from her chin. “Yes, Jophiel. It is just as you say,” she whispered.

The defensive Angel was visibly shaken by her obvious regret and humbled words. He turned from her, hiding the flush upon his cheeks.

“And what does any of this have to do with Shamsiel?” Munenori asked. “Or are you simply deriving some sick pleasure by pulling ghosts from proper tombs only to inflict more pain? To crack her in more places?” His words were laden with a bitter, heavy pain.

“No, Munenori. Harm was not the intent… even if it was the result.” Jophiel’s voice had softened. “She needed to know this so she could understand the rest.” He walked over to her and gently stroked her soft, silver curls. “Apologies, little sister. We’re not used to one such as you. Harm was not our purpose. As Uriel said, we Archs are connected, absolute in our orders and not used to being questioned.” He chuckled softly. “Patience isn’t one of our virtues. And when you became defiant, asking
why
, well… it put me in mind of
him
, the one you’re blended with.” He lifted her chin, searching her eyes. “Did you even
hear
the dark voice that spilled from your pale lips as you questioned me concerning the ill-fated Garden of Eden?”

She only furrowed her brow and stared at the now gentle Arch trying to comfort her.

“I wasn’t thinking,” Jophiel continued. “Had I but paused a moment and reasoned it out, I would have realized it wasn’t truly you. You are newly born, and my flaming sword was unsheathed thousands of years ago. On a completely different layer than yours, little Naga.”

“What are you saying?” Munenori interrupted. “What dark voice claimed her?”

“It was before your arrival.” Jophiel didn’t look away from Jenevier’s worried eyes as he answered the other Angel. “When my name was first given breath in her presence, a demon hailed me from her lips.”

“A demon or dark Angel,” Uriel said. “I suspect it was Apollyon.”

“No,” Munenori whispered. “It was Ahriman.”

“Even worse,” Uriel said with a sigh.

Jophiel wrapped his arms around her trembling shoulders, resting the tip of his nose against her forehead. “Forgive me, Empress. I took my anger at my fallen brothers out on you. You have managed to teach me a lesson I will not soon forget.” He lightly kissed the top of her head. “Gratitude, tiny sister.”

Chapter 33

Daichi

(dye-SHEE)

“Well, since you obviously do not want or need my company, I’ll be heading back now.” Tenshi stood, knocking the moon dust from his clothing. “I trust you have your heart set on the right path for you. Whatever your decision, I will always be there for you, Brother.” And with that, the sapphire son of the tiny Death Angel flew back to Vanahirdem.

Daichi waited a moment more before he swallowed his pride and made his way to the ninth layer realm of Jinn.

He had just stepped onto her balcony when he heard her enter the room, followed by many others, one of which he had never seen before. Daichi stepped into the shadows and watched as Jenevier changed clothes. The Angel he had never seen before was staring at her, hunger burned in his golden eyes. When the unknown celestial man realized Vittorio was watching him, he turned away, blushing. Daichi quickly subdued the growl forming deep within his chest.

Naga is too free with herself, too naïve. She should guard herself against scum like that one
, he thought.

When he saw she was headed his way, Daichi flew up, seating himself on the steep roof just above where the precious woman he would always love came to stand upon the balcony. And there, the beautiful sapphire Angel listened as the sorrows of her past were spoken of freely. Several different times he had to force his wings down. He wanted to hurt this Jophiel person.

No one should be allowed to speak thusly with my Naga.

Yet, Daichi remained hidden for her sake. He could plainly see the horrible cracks in her milky flesh. He would heal her after the damage was done. After all the many secrets had finally been revealed… he would weave her back together and hold her in his arms as she slept.

Silent tears poured down his perfect face when she admitted to releasing her first love, Alastyn, for him… for the love she held for him. He cursed his heart for being so foolish and easily broken. She was his. She always would be. They belonged only to each other. And this… he had always known.

No matter your words, Naga, from this day forth, you will not leave my sight, ever again.

His temper cooled slightly when he heard Jophiel’s heartfelt apology. But his heart raced wildly from what he heard next.

*****

“Gratitude, Brother,” Jenevier said. “Your words mean more than you know.” She smiled softly at Jophiel.

“Alas, I only wish they could heal as easily as they harm,” he said. “A few of these cracks are my doing.”

Uriel cleared his throat. “As for Shamsiel,” he continued. “He was my right hand. I lead over three-hundred legions of Angels, Naga. Shamsiel served as my right and Hasdiel as my left. Well, back before Shamsiel chose to fall and take up his part in the Grigori, the fallen watchers of man.”

“
Chose
to fall?”

“Yes, little one. He chose to fall from grace.”

“All because of a woman,” Jophiel added.

“Yes, a woman who didn’t even know she had caught the eye of a mighty Angel of renown. She was dancing in a field of flowers, innocent as a child.” Uriel’s eyes glassed over as he remembered the enchanting scene from a painful past. “She was a tiny little thing, barely five feet tall. Her arms were spread wide as she spun circles through a field full of colorful poppies. The wind caused her skirt to flutter about her as she tossed around all those long golden curls. Her heart-warming giggles filled the skies. She was the picture of innocence and purity, the very reason we do what we do—protect mankind from the dark ones bent on harming them.” He sighed wearily. “We stopped. We all stopped, and just watched her. It was like looking at a living, breathing vision of hope. Hope for all humanity. Surrounded by unseen evils at every turn, still… she was gloriously happy, the very embodiment of joy. The scene fulfilled us, renewed us. But not our brother. So enamored was he with this maiden, he couldn’t force his wings to continue on with us. He could not make himself leave her enchanting presence. He fell in love with her instantly. And
fell
in that same moment.”

“That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.” She sniffed and wiped at her eyes.

“Aye, Lass. Nae any more so than is yer own tale.” Vittorio kissed the top of her head and whispered in her hair, “The Angel sounded as if he was describing ye, wee Princess.”

“Yes, and that’s the truth of Raphael’s curiosity concerning you,” Uriel said. “He saw it in you first. When you began your teenage years, he mentioned you to us.”

Jophiel took the hand Vittorio hadn’t claimed, intertwining their fingers. He gave her a gentle squeeze. “From that day to this, we have watched you, Milady. You were our pride and joy, our precious little Princess.”

“On the day Merodach marked you, I would have sworn you to be her twin,” Uriel said through a smile. “Never have you looked more like her. Back when your curves were still soft and the rose of youth still bloomed upon your cheeks. It was amazing. When you danced barefoot among all those flowers at the feast, it was like watching a vision from antiquity.” His heavenly eyes sparkled with the memory.

“Don’t take us wrong, little sister. A fairer creature than you would be a rare find.” Jophiel winked teasingly. “Yet, my brother speaks of the time before you went to the Vanir. You entered their gates as he described you. But you left them as a stone cold warrior, an Angel of Death. Your curves gave way to sinewy strength and your cheeks were concave instead of fluffy.” He poked one with the tip of his finger for emphasis.

“And I was ten years older,” she said.

“That, too.” Uriel smiled. “But Vashti stopped your hourglass in the aging department.”

“And what does any of this have to do with a fallen Angel, centuries ago?” Yui asked.

“Because of Apollyon,” Munenori answered for the Archs.

Jenevier could tell all this was clicking into place for her Angel friend, but she was still having trouble with the many pieces.

Uriel nodded his agreement. “Yes, Apollyon… and Valencia. You see, when she walked off and left you standing in the Nether, your soul was brand new, only just restored, and your innocence was as in your youth. You had spent years in exile, minus training. Your chiseled lines had softened and you were a feminine vision of sheer heaven. You know now who Vindicus truly is, our fallen brother, Apollyon. The Angels who either chose to fall or were cast down, they are no longer
connected
to us.”

“But they are to each other.” Jophiel bumped her side as he spoke.

Munenori stood. “So when Apollyon looked upon Jenevier…”

Uriel nodded again. “So too did Shamsiel.”

“You mean, he was in hell with us?” Jenevier tilted her head to the side as she spoke, confused.

“Do you know nothing of the Grigori, child?” Uriel asked.

She shook her head, dull silver curls bounced on her shoulders.

“No, of course you don’t,” Jophiel said. “It seems your sensei has been spending your valuable training time on a much
different
kind of lesson.”

She blanched at the insinuation, but Jophiel had already turned his attention to Munenori. He didn’t see the effect of his words upon her.

The mossy lavender Angel bowed his head. “Do not hurt her further over my actions. The fault is on my head alone. She was asleep and dreaming of her Blessing. It started out innocently. But when she called out
his
name, I didn’t stop. I let her think she was with her Daichi.”

“And when the sun rose on the truth of it?” Jophiel asked.

“Then guilt and a need to be comforted took hold and I selfishly took advantage of that weakness,” Munenori admitted.

“Stop it,” she snapped. “What is done is done. I wish to speak of it no more. Guilt or innocence is irrelevant, as is the need to keep bringing it up.”

She pinched Jophiel hard on his arm, twisting as she did. He sucked in a startled breath, closed his eyes, and silently accepted the pain.

“Apologies, once again, little Naga,” he whispered, breathless, lashes fluttering.

She ignored him, focusing on Uriel. “You didn’t answer my question,” she said. “Was he there in hell? This…
Shamsiel
. Did I meet him? Did I speak to him whilst in the Underworld?”

But Uriel was glaring at Jophiel, eyes narrowed threateningly, causing the other Arch to turn away, blushing. Uriel’s look softened when his gaze once again met hers.

“No, little one,” he said. “Shamsiel is in Sheol along with the other fallens, the Nephilim, and the Anakim. They wait there for their judgment.”

“He saw you through his connection with Apollyon,” Jophiel added. “And he has been plotting a way to get you ever since.”

“You bound Apollyon back to the pits,” Uriel said. “But he was already thusly bound. Ahriman and many others still roam about the layers doing his evil will. Shamsiel got word to the soul-eater concerning his desire for you. And for some strange reason… it seems the two of them are working together concerning you.”

“Since you were a child of light,” Jophiel said. “You did not belong in hell, and you certainly don’t belong in Sheol. There are things much older than souls roaming amid the shadows of Sheol. Things that were here before man, before Guardians, before this fragile universe.”

“Before you?” she asked.

Jophiel chuckled. “No, little one. Not before me.” He winked at her then. “Anyway, because of your light, you cannot enter hell by intent. You entered through ignorance last time, that won’t happen again. Apollyon told you as much… at your most grievous parting.” He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “Alas, they have sought a way to darken you, just enough to get you in without removing what it is they find so irresistible about you.”

“With Daichi around, that proved to be an impossible task,” Uriel added. “When word spread of your destruction, of your essence being stolen by the onyx one, Ahriman jumped at the rare opportunity.”

Jophiel ran his elegant finger along her jaw line to her chin, and turned her to face him. “Lovely Naga, do you have any idea how badly the soul-eater desires you? Any idea, whatsoever?”

She could only stare at him, mute, shocked by his sudden gentle touch as much as his terrifying question.

“Can you remember his words to you in hell?” Jophiel’s eyes were eagerly searching hers. “I remember well. He did not lie to you, Naga. Your blending with your Vindicus saved you in more ways than one. Never go willingly with that silver-eyed devil. Promise me. I shudder to think what all he would do to you. I believe he seeks you for himself, not Shamsiel.”

“My brother and I are of like-mind in this thing, Naga,” Uriel said hesitantly. “When you try to reason it out, what could Ahriman gain by doing Shamsiel’s bidding? And going against the tormented heart of his dark Prince, no less. Why would that vicious little fallen Angel risk the pits for Shamsiel? Ahriman is always for himself, always. And when fortune smiled upon him, when he found you, lost and alone on Val Hal, the soul-eater planted his dark seed deep inside you. And that, sweet little sister, is the truth of why you’re scared when you close your eyes.”

“Aye, Lass. Do ye remember how ye were when we found ye in the castle there? Can ye recall what ye were feeling on the inside?”

Tears burned in her eyes as she stared at her beloved Vittorio and slowly nodded her head.

“Yes. It felt like someone else was doing those things, like I was watching from inside myself.” A tear slid down one cheek. “But I won’t lie to you. I didn’t
hate
the things I felt when I was with Vybius, umm, Ahriman. I felt fearless, empowered, swollen with a burning dark fire. I fed off his presence and desired only more.”

“Aye, an’ that’s what I was afraid of,” Vittorio said. “I saw it in ye, almost exactly what ye just described. I’ll tell ye now, Lass. The two of ye together like that, it was a fiercely terrifying thing tae behold. My soul trembled within me.”

“If Ahriman ever truly won you over, little Naga, heaven would tremble as well,” Uriel said.

“So if they want me dark enough to enter Sheol, if Shamsiel waits for me there, if Ahriman wants me for himself… Why would you ask me to go willingly?”

“Because, Kagi Naga, we cannot.” Uriel sighed and shook his head. “Listen to me, Little Fire. They will not stop. Until time has ceased, those two will seek you always. Only now are you at a place where perhaps you can defeat them. Only now are you strong enough
and
dark enough to stroll into Sheol and subdue the one who diligently seeks you.”

“Still… why would you want me to? It seems like that would be the opposite thing for me to do,” Jenevier said, confused. “If Shamsiel cannot leave that realm, why should I stroll willingly into his arms? And if Ahriman is determined to have me, wouldn’t weakening myself by entering their Otherworld only make his task all the easier?”

“You are right, little sister,” Uriel whispered. “But something wicked is coming. Something silent and patient and deadly. We know not what it is, not exactly… Yet it is born from the dark desire one of those two Angels now carries for you. Alas, we know we cannot help you in this coming trial.” He softly shook his head. “But Ahriman? Well, Ahriman is a different matter altogether. Raphael believed if you could get rid of one threat, if you could go to Shamsiel on your own, you could catch him unawares and obtain the upper hand. Thus, you would be cutting your troubles in half, freeing your way to deal with the soul-eater, minus distraction. And believe me, when you stand toe to toe with that dark Angel Hand of hell, you will need every ounce of strength you can possibly possess. But with Shamsiel, well… you
are
the Death Angel after all, Kagi Naga. His guard will be down. He will be trying to win your heart, replace the lost love of his past. Even if we
could
enter Sheol, we could never trick him like you could. You are our little sister, and Raphael loves you too much. He wants you to be free of this constant threat of kidnapping and slavery to the dark ones. Alas, as I have said… we cannot help you in this thing. You see, Angels are either one way or the other—dark
or
light. There is no in-between, no middle ground, no gray areas. You’re the first, Naga, the first to be both good and bad… yet retain the power of heaven. Only you can enter Sheol, little sister, only
you
will be granted access.”