Destroyed by Onyx (A Dance with Destiny Book 4) (49 page)

She tried to reach for him, one shaky hand stretching out toward his long raven locks. Another sharp pain in her back caused her to retch. Darkness slowly closed in around her. She felt strong arms encompass her, lifting her into the air.

“Naga, open your eyes.”

She heard Uriel’s voice, distant and fading. She tried to do what he said, only to behold an unfamiliar blood-stained shirt blocking her blurry vision. His strange scent filled her nostrils. Then, she slept.

*****

“Naga. Naga. Open your eyes, Naga.”

“Yui?” she rasped.

“Open your eyes, Kagi Naga.”

It was dark. A single lamp was all that illuminated the tiny hut.

“I… thirst.” She choked out the words.

Large hands seized her raising shoulders, gently pushing her back down onto the hard mat. She winced from the pain.

“Do you have any idea how long you have lain here?”

She blinked, trying to focus on her angelic
back-up
. “Uriel? Where are you?”

Someone pinched her toe. She looked down to find the handsome Archangel sitting on the floor near her feet.

“What are you doing down there, Brother?”

“Waiting for your
ministering angel
to leave this forsaken hovel long enough for me to wing you out of here.”

“What in the world are you talking about? …Crazy old Arch,” she mumbled.

“Focus, Naga,” Uriel demanded. “Try to sort out the past three days. Can you do it?”

“Three days? But… why?”

He sighed. “Yes. Three days have you burned with fever. This human, he does not realize your body is trying to heal itself. He stays by your side, wiping you down with cold water. He hasn’t even so much as left the room to piss.”

“What? To…
piss
?”

“Yes, I know, right?” Uriel threw his hands up. “He just whizzes out the window, there, and then sits back down by your cot. It’s not like I can just pick you up before his eyes and lift you into the air.” He rubbed his temples as he shook his head. “Imagine the stories. They would probably start a whole new religion around it—
Floating Maidens and Invisible Spirits
.”

He waved his hands in the air as he said it. She giggled.

“We cannot make waves such as those, Naga. And that is exactly why you simply cannot change to Vashti and fly yourself home. So… here we sit. Waiting for a brave soul to give up on you or heal you, whichever he thinks he can manage.”

“Uriel?”

“Yes, Naga.”

“Why couldn’t I understand them? Why were their words simply as gibberish to me?”

“Because you weren’t concentrating, Little Fire. You let your emotions rule you. First anger, then fear. You were thrown by the
wrapper
, Naga. The same wrapper you swore you could look beyond. You simply weren’t on your game this time, oh
Mother of Dragons
,” he said in a mocking, high-pitched voice.

“It’s because
you
were here, pushing my buttons and throwing me off
my game
.” She tried to rise up on her elbows but the man gently eased her back down.

“You best be thankful I
was
here, little sister. Or that poor soul tending you now…” Uriel nodded his head in the direction of her savior. “…he would be as dead as the others you bore witness to.”

She turned then and looked upon the man, looked upon the exact face of the only man she had ever
truly
hated.

“…Musashi.” The whisper fell out of her mouth unbidden.

She tried to scoot away from him, but he held her fast.

“Calm yourself, Angel,” Uriel said. “Look into his eyes. You will find no hint of the rare lavender you love so well. That color isn’t very common upon this layer. Do it. Look into his eyes and concentrate on his words. Use the power you have, Kagi Naga.”

She tried. Slowly, his words became coherent and his mind was opened to her.

“Please, Madam. You will only hurt yourself if you struggle so,” he was saying.

She felt the kindness of his soul and read the words within his head.

“I thirst,” she whispered.

His dark eyes went wide when he heard her speak in his tongue. “Ahh… sure, sure.”

He helped her to sit, and then placed a cup in her trembling hands, guiding it to her lips.

She took a long sip, and then sighed. “Ahh, that is so good. Domo arigato.”

He laughed softly. “Douitashimashite.”

“Aww, how sweet,” Uriel said, rolling his eyes. “Now, tell him you feel just fine and get up and walk out of here. My wings are cramped, and this floor is cold.”

She giggled.
Fine, you big baby. Give me but a moment. I should be just a little more polite than that. Don’t you think?

Uriel pinched her toe again.

“What is your name?”

Jenevier turned back to the speaking man. “My name is Naga, Kagi Naga.”

He chuckled. “So, your father called you a Fire Dragon?” He gently touched one of her pink curls. “I would have named you Sakura. You look as if you fell from the trees. A little cherry tree blossom—Sakura Mankai.”

She smiled. “After how I treated you back in the forest? You would still name me a cherry blossom, and in full bloom at that?”

“Hmm… Perhaps your father was right.” His smile was so gentle, so kind. “You may look Sakura Mankai, but you definitely act Kagi Naga.”

He winked and she giggled, nodding her agreement.

“What is
your
name, kind sir?”

“Ah, my name is Tokiwa, Suou Tokiwa. Please, call me Suou.”

“Are you certain?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.

“Yes.” He lowered his head. “I have shamed you, Madam. I had to remove your dress to stop the bleeding. The least I can do is let you use my first name.”

“Suou?”

He looked up at her.

“I would never have made it without you,” she lied. “I will be forever grateful, never shamed.”

Relief washed over his face. “Domo arigato.”

“No, thank
you
.” She smiled and touched his hand. “I must be going now, Suou. I have people who will be worried about me if I do not return soon. You are a rare blessing to your people, Suou Tokiwa. A valiant soul if ever I have met one.”

“Naga,” he softly whispered her name as he touched another curl.

“Ask him to lay with you,” Uriel said.

She sent the smirking Angel a scalding glare.

“Well, do you want to leave or not? Listen, Naga. I have sat here the full three days. That human next to you has not closed his eyes for a single moment. I know. I have watched him. Trust me. It will not take long.”

Jenevier shook her head wearily. She
really
did not want to do this.

“Suou, you have not rested a moment. Have you?”

He blushed but didn’t answer her.

“Your health is too precious a thing to waste upon the likes of me. I am fine now, thanks to you. So come. Be at rest, my friend. Lay down by my side and sleep. You have earned it.”

He shook his head furiously. “No, Naga. I could never do that—”

She put a finger to his lips, instantly halting his words. “I insist,” she whispered. “Please.”

He stared at her a moment longer, then he slowly laid down beside her, facing away.

She cut her eyes toward Uriel. The Arch stood, touching Suou’s forehead. The man’s racing heart slowed, his breathing steadied.

Once he was fast asleep, the two Angels quietly stepped out into the night, and disappeared.

*****

“Where is Naga?” Daichi roared when Uriel burst through the clouds over layer nine.

“What do you mean, where’s Naga?” The Arch looked to his right, and then turned all the way around. “Sh-she was r-right beside me,” Uriel stammered, confused.

Daichi shook his head. “Dammit to hell!” He roared loud enough to rattle the walls. “Come. Tell me all that befell you upon this summons, Uriel. I want to know every single detail, every tiny little thing that happened. I have been sick with worry.”

He stormed back inside the palace, not even waiting for the Archangel’s response.

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About the Author

JK Ensley is a native Tennessean by way of Missouri, born there and quickly ushered down South. A product of public school and private college, she spent her early twenties bouncing across the country. Fascinated by rich culture, ancient customs, and thick accents, she’s compelled to drink in the many exquisite differences humanity is gifted with. A self-described, happily divorced mother of three with a black belt in sarcasm and an über common minivan, she does little to hide her wicked wit, advanced sarcasm, and extreme shoe addiction. “At the core of me, I’m one slightly twisted, pink haired, sword wielding, invisible ninja with a laptop, an imagination, and very little
me
time. That’s just who I am. I’m comfortable in my skin and I love my life. Totally not kidding about the hair, the swords, or the laptop, but I might’ve stretched it just a little with the invisible part.”

You can find Jennifer at the following locations:

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