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

“Oh, just the
passing of days
has me at a bit of a loss at times.” She glanced back at her smiling granddaughter. “For instance, look at that beautiful young lady.” She motioned toward Lala. “Tenshi was a full grown man by the time he was two years old. His daughter, on the other hand, seems to be an eternal teenager.”

Hanzo nodded. “Yes, and what about that is troubling, Milady?”

“Well…” Jenevier furrowed her brow. “I was recently reminded that it has been at least fifty years since I lost my essence, while visiting my homeland.” She turned to face the Shinobi proper. “If that is true…” She quickly did the math in her head. “…Lala should be around forty. No… that can’t be right. There’s no way.”

Hanzo smiled. “Yet, is it not true that you and Emperor Yui have been married
almost
that long?”

Jenevier turned to her husband, studying his elegant profile. Yui lightly squeezed her hand, but kept his attention on the parade.

She shook her head. “No, Lord Hanzo. It is not possible. I fear you must be mistaken.”

“Am I?”

When she glanced back at the village elder, he gave her a slight wink.

“Tell me, Empress,” Hanzo said. “How many years do you believe I have claimed?”

Jenevier didn’t answer, didn’t know how to. If she were to judge the Shinobi by looks alone, perhaps he was in his mid-forties. But that couldn’t be right, and she knew it. He was already a Shinobi Elder when she first met him… many years ago.

Hanzo chuckled softly. “Very well, then. Can you tell me the age of your rare husband over there?”

Jenevier turned toward Yui again. Still, she did not, could not, answer.

Yui smiled then and gently patted her hand. “Fret not, my love. I will be seventy next year.”

Jenevier’s mouth fell open, but words refused to come.

Hanzo chuckled again. “Did you not think it odd that his rare beauty never faded?”

Jenevier remained silent.

“I believe,” Hanzo continued. “…the people of Ashgard live to be near a hundred. Well, that has been their average lifespan, since the passing of the Olden Ones. Am I right?”

Jenevier could only stare at the speaking man beside her. Yet, her mind was fast swirling inside an impossible time vortex.

Hanzo smiled. “An Olden, fair Empress, was blessed with extreme longevity because it was their task to govern the people. An Olden’s years would stretch across several generations—thus ensuring their ways, their laws, their blessed
peace
would remain intact.”

“…I never knew that,” she barely whispered.

Hanzo touched her arm again. “And that is because the Oldens were wiped out when Shibta’s plague spread across that land, long before you were born.
They
were her main target—the Oldens.”

“And just how have you come by such knowledge, Shinobi?” Apollyon asked, leaning down between his Anicee and the Elder, breaking their gaze. “How is it a ninth-layer is privy to the History of Ages?”

“Because,” Tenshi said, coming to stand next to his father. “…their
Guardian
Angel
fancies himself a bit of a know-it-all. Especially concerning all things Naga-related. Isn’t that right, Munenori?”

The two Angels turned toward the mossy lavender Guardian of Jinn. Munenori acted as if he had not heard them.

“Quit glaring at my Senpai,” Jenevier said, as she turned her attention back to Hanzo. “Please… continue.”

“Have the secrets of my people been hidden from you, Milady?” he asked softly.

“If something has been hidden from me, good Lord Hanzo, how would I know thus, minus the revelation?”

“Fair enough.” Hanzo smiled knowingly. “I only assumed—”

“We were interrupted…” Munenori said, not turning to face them. “…long before
all
could be revealed. I only had time to give Naga basic knowledge, knowledge that was required at the time of our first meeting.
Some
dark Angel had decided to start his very own apocalypse.” He glanced sideways at Apollyon. “Needless to say, time was of the essence. After that, well…” He paused. “Her lessons were put on hold, after that.”

“And whose fault was that?” Tenshi snapped. “Is my father to blame for
your
indiscretions as well?”

“Enough!” Jenevier hissed under her breath, effectively halting the coming bloodbath she could all but smell. “I will not abide another word. The Kougai will begin soon.” She turned back to the Elder. “Lord Hanzo, if you would please…”

He nodded once before continuing, “The average lifespan of a regular Jinnite is much the same as one from Ashgard—anywhere from eighty to a hundred plus years. Not so with a Shinobi. We live four or five times longer than your average person. Some, even longer. Thus, we age four or five times slower than does the normal Jinnite. Or Ashgardian, as far as that goes.”

“So… that’s why my enchanting husband still claims the beauty of his youth.”

Hanzo nodded. “And will for many years to come, Your Grace.”

Apollyon sort of snorted. Jenevier ignored him.

“That is also why your lovely granddaughter still seems as but a child.” Hanzo smiled softly. “Because she is. By Shinobi standards, she has barely gotten started.”

When Tenshi squeezed her shoulders, Jenevier reached up and gently placed her hands over his.

“Tell me, my son,” she said. “Do you know of your daughter’s true powers?”

“I do, Mama.” He gave her another little squeeze. “But I have been sworn to secrecy.” He smiled when she quickly glanced up at him. “Just wait. Lala wants to show you herself.”

*****

The joyous parade came to an end just outside the Iga village, in that same field where Jenevier had once faced Apollyon in battle… and said goodbye to her beloved Varick.

In the midst of that flowing sea of lavender, the crowds parted to reveal their honored guest standing there alone—lovely little Lala.

Jenevier took her designated seat, but her gaze never left her enchanting granddaughter—crowned with all those raven curls.

She is a true Princess, Kagi Naga. The finest I have ever seen
, Nilakanta said, as he approached the back of the podium where Jenevier and Yui were seated.

Yes, Dragon. I love her more than I ever could have imagined.

He chuckled inside her mind.
Yes… grandchildren have that effect on us all—no matter our species.

She turned to look at her beloved, bonded friend.
Glad you could make it, Brother.

Taka twittered before flying from her shoulder and quickly flitting around Nilakanta’s regal head.

Glad to see your bug is in such high spirits. If you wish him to remain whole, Naga, best get the vile little creature out of my face.

She only smiled before calling the tiny Dragon Pixie back to her. When Taka reclaimed his favorite spot atop her shoulder, Nilakanta snorted a puff of warm air down upon them, sending Jenevier’s curls flying about her. She giggled aloud.

Yui smiled to himself, enjoying the now rare, happy sounds of his treasured wife. He squeezed her hand just as a gentle wind picked up, bending the sweet lavender down in a circle surrounding Lala.

Jenevier watched in awe as that same wind began to spin and dance about the young woman—tiny twisters, twirling about to the movements of her delicate hands.

“Wha—” Jenevier gasped. “Wait. You mean… Lala can control the wind?”

“Yes, Mama,” Tenshi said softly. “But that’s not all. Watch.”

The breeze suddenly died away, leaving Lala standing there—arms extended, eyes closed.

“What’s she doing?” Jenevier whispered.

“Calling upon her element,” Tenshi said.

“An Elemental Shinobi is a rare thing indeed,” Hanzo added. “We have not been blessed with one for many generations.”

“An
Elemental
Shinobi?”

“Yes, Madam Empress.” Hanzo nodded. “Controller of one of the four elements—earth, fire, wind, and water. Lala is the first anyone among us has witnessed with their own eyes. She is enchanting, don’t you agree?”

Jenevier only nodded as she watched her granddaughter’s long raven curls lift into the air as the girl raised her hands toward the sky.

“We have had a few gifted Shinobi who can manipulate the elements, yes,” Hanzo said. “But never have I seen one who claims complete mastery over a given force of nature. Watch this, Milady.”

But the proud Elder Shinobi could have just held his words; Jenevier was already transfixed on the rare magic playing out before her.

Lala used no words, no incantations. The mighty wind was slave to her movements alone.

The girl smiled as the gentle breeze wrapped around her like a blanket, before bursting forth in every direction, nearly flattening the surrounding purple blooms. Lala used her willing element to halt, and then reverse, a nearby rushing stream. She pushed those icy waters back until they stood as a wall before her.

Jenevier heard Lala’s faint giggles being carried about upon the breeze. She smiled.

When the stream finally crashed back down with a gushing sound of relief, Lala turned her attention to the multiple mini twisters she was now carefully manipulating. The gathered crowd gasped as the invisible wind spouts became colored with dust, and then tinged with purple by the many blooms they now claimed.

“…So beautiful,” Jenevier whispered.

Lala approached the gilded podium and stood with her back toward her proud family, then began beckoning the tiny twisters come closer. As each swirling mass converged with the other, an enormous column of brown and purple wind now stood before them. At Lala’s command, the colorful tornado began to tilt away from the crowd… until it seemed as if the tip was emanating from the girl’s dainty palms.

“Nilakanta,” Lala called out over her shoulder. “If you would…”

Jenevier heard the mighty sapphire Dragon take a single step forward.

“No!”

Jenevier immediately leapt to her feet—arm outstretched, fingers splayed—as if she were
physically
trying to halt Lala’s words from reaching her bonded friend.

“I forbid it!”

A hush fell over the crowd. Everyone present turned toward their incensed Empress, eyes wide.

“Naga… what are you—”

Yui’s words were cut short when she slowly turned to face him. The look in her magical pink eyes carried the icy bite of a bitter Northern wind. He shrank back at the chilling sight.

“No one commands my Dragon, save me,” she hissed. “No one. Goemon may allow you to mount Kin Ryu in his presence, but never will such be the case with
my
Dragon. Nilakanta is mine!”

Jenevier turned then toward Adeline. The large pink Dragon met her gaze and stepped forward.

“Noble she-Dragon,” Jenevier said. “Is there not one among you who could assist? Call upon a worthy partner for my beloved granddaughter.”

The regal Dragon bowed her head toward her Guardian. The gathered ones of Adeline’s kind slowly parted, and a petite pink Dragon gracefully made her way to the center of that large open field.

I present to you… Flara
, Adeline said.

Jenevier bowed toward the beautiful young Dragon—not much bigger than a war horse—before motioning for the creature to proceed.

“Lala, this is Flara,” Jenevier said. “She has graciously offered herself to your service this day.”

When Flara reached the waiting Shinobi Princess, she released a tiny breath of fire. The result was phenomenal. That spinning column of wind was now an utterly lethal inferno of rock-melting Dragon Fire, cutting a large swath down the middle of that beautiful lavender field. The resulting applause was thunderous and continual.

Lala smiled brightly as she turned back to face her awe-stricken audience, bowing low before them.

Jenevier ran out to meet her, wrapping her granddaughter up in her arms
and
her wings. “Never have I been more proud,” she whispered.

Lala returned her loving embrace. “I am so sorry, Obaasan.”

“Hush now, child,” Jenevier said through her happy tears. “There is nothing to apologize for. If the day ever comes when you find yourself to be bonded as I am… only then will you understand. Now, look at me, little one.” She lifted the girl’s quivering chin. “You, Lala, are a treasure among treasures—jewel of the Iga crown. I stand in awe of you, beautiful Princess.”

*****

Make a scene like that just once more, Little Fire, and I will make good on my promise.

Jenevier glanced toward her gorgeous sapphire Dragon.
Oh yeah. And what promise was that?

The one I made to you on Val Hal, Naga. Just once more, show me fire akin to that—fire kindled with such jealousy, such fierce possession—and I will show you the kind of rare magic Dragons are truly capable of.