by JK Ensley
She held his tender gaze. “At my core… I am but a woman—flesh and blood.” She smiled. “And you, good sir, are exquisitely good at your job.”
At those gentle words, his glorious smile matched hers.
“Then what you need right now, Milady, is borrowed strength. Strength I have been trying to bestow upon you, minus your complaints and refusals.”
He reached into the inner pocket of the cloak she was now laying upon and withdrew a silver flower, one that glowed with an undeniable ethereal magic. Jenevier gasped at the sight of it.
“This, my love,” he said, attaching it to the chain already laden with so many trinkets. “This is your ward against my unwanted charms. This flower will not protect you against my wretched powers, no, but it will give you the needed strength to withstand them.”
“And if I do not want to withstand them?” she asked softly.
His eyes sparkled. She melted him inside. Every dark thing that defined his being was washed away with her gentle smile.
“Would that you had an enchanted flower to gift me as well,” he whispered, breathlessly.
“And if I did…” She laced her fingers into his beautiful hair. “…I would hide it away; bury it deep within a secret cave.”
The confused look that crossed his brow made her giggle.
“Because… I never wish for you to have the strength to withstand me, sweet Vybius.”
His tender smile lightened his perfect features. “As you wish, Milady.”
Jenevier slowly pulled him closer and captured his lips once more.
Chapter 23
Jenevier
(ZHEN-ah-veer)
Naga? What are you doing? Nilakanta growled. I know you can hear me once more. The cloud within your mind has been lifted. Stop this madness, now.
In a moment, Dragon… In but a moment.
But why? You are no longer powerless toward the soul-eater. Why not push him away?
You are in my mind, Dragon. You tell me.
If I were whole, Kagi Naga, I would singe your curls for such wicked thoughts as those.
She giggled. But, Dragon, I have carried these same thoughts since the day I first laid eyes on this enchanting man. She giggled again. You are not my father, Nilakanta. Quit being such an old fuddie duddie… and stop scolding me. I’m a big girl. I can handle this.
You are not nearly as big as you think you are, tiny Guardian. When we separate, I will make you regret those careless words.
Jenevier heard what her bonded Dragon said, but she also felt his laughter through his threats. She couldn’t help another tiny giggle.
Ahriman sighed and pulled away from her. “What is so funny, little Angel?” He lay down beside her, pulling her close, wrapping her up in his cloak. “Why do you keep giggling? Is my desire a humorous thing to you?”
“No, Vybius,” she said through her smile. “Actually, I enjoy your touch too much.”
“Ahh… Did you just feel that?”
“Feel what?”
“Heaven and hell just trembled,” he teased.
She pinched his arm. “Oh, stop it, you…”
He chuckled and squeezed her tighter, kissing her atop her curls.
“Tell me the story of this lovely talisman, Vybius,” she said, rubbing her thumb over the intricate designs.
“Tell me first of this new one, Empress.” He touched the pendant Duhrias had given her. “I have never seen anything quite like it. Is that the outline of an Angel? What does it mean, and where did it come from?”
“It came from a rather charming young man I only just met here, in this place.”
“Ooh, is that so?” Ahriman said teasingly. “I already hate him.”
“I have no doubt of that,” she mumbled. “When first I arrived, I did the very opposite of what Uriel had ordered me to do. Because… well… he ordered me.”
“Say no more, my love.” He half chuckled. “A haughtier Arch you will never meet.”
“I know, right?” She sighed. “Between him and Jophiel, I just want to scream.”
“Listen to me, little one.”
She looked up to meet Ahriman’s hardened gaze.
“Steer very clear of that one.”
“Who? Jophiel?”
“Yes,” he whispered. “He is the Arch I spoke of earlier. He is more akin to the two of us than you have yet realized. Do not be lax with him, Jenevier. Understand?”
She only nodded by way of response.
“Good, because that one… he likes to play about with his gift. Keep your distance from him, but never take your eyes off him.” He gave her another reassuring little squeeze. “Now… tell me about your new talisman.”
After she had finished reciting what her dear River Spirit friend had told her about the Angel pendant that magically wove as she slept, Ahriman lifted it to his mouth, sniffed it, and then licked it.
“I see. So… you have lost your humanity, little one. It is bound within this dark crystal.” He furrowed his brow. “That doesn’t seem right. If you are no longer human but Angel only, how did my wicked little gift ensnare you so easily?”
She smiled. “Oh, now don’t go and start acting all innocent with me, Vybius. I know better.”
He looked at her questioningly.
Her mouth half fell open. “You mean to tell me… you truly have no idea?”
Still, he didn’t speak.
“Vybius, Brother.” She snickered. “And you have often called me the clueless one.”
“Because you are clueless. Well, most of the time. Now stop acting so smug and just spit it out proper.”
“Did you not realize? I was hopelessly ensnared the moment my eyes first met yours. It happened in but a heartbeat. While I was yet human, before I even had a clue about the Angel part… your spell was cast and I was smitten… when first I entered hell.”
“Not so, lovely lady. My spell was cast, yes. Yet you were far from wholly smitten. I felt the deep attraction. I knew of your carnal desire for me. Yet you have vigorously fought me from that day until this. Were you truly ensnared, Apollyon would never have been able to touch you. If my enchantment had taken hold within you as it does other humans, your mind would never have drifted into the void. I would have owned the whole of you, well and good. No, you do not possess such strength of will to withstand my charms. Something else interfered… muddled my magic.”
She lightly tapped the tip of his perfectly pointed nose. “Perhaps you are not as all-knowing as you believe you are, sexy little soul-eater. Do not sell me short, Brother. I can be a bit headstrong when I set my mind to it. I can be somewhat tenacious… at times.”
“Somewhat?” He laughed then. “I believe that is somewhat of an understatement. Wow… I am amazed anew with each word that falls from your enticing lips. I fear I may have met my equal in you, tiny Angel.”
She shot him a smirking little grin. “‘Tis true. And yes, you should fear such a thing.”
“With rosy eyes and diamond hands,
She to the heavens wailed.
Claimed my breath and stole my heart,
Then bound my soul in hell.”
Her eyes widened. “Did you just make that up?”
“Yes, my love. You inspire me.”
She blushed. “It was beautiful… in a disturbingly exquisite sort of way.”
“Gratitude, sweet Jenevier. I am a disturbingly exquisite sort of Angel.”
“Yes… that you are,” she whispered.
He chuckled softly. “Now, back to the subject at hand. If all you say is true, Milady, then tell me. Why have you surrendered so easily this day? Minus your humanity, my power should not hold such sway with you.”
“Do not play coy with me, Vybius. Neither one of us tried to use our magic on the other this time. It just happened, I guess. Who knows? Perhaps Valencia whipped me into a state of submission.”
It was his turn to smirk. “I do not believe that, not even for a moment. I believe you were just having a bit o
f fun with that vilest of all she-Guardians.”
She looked back down at the lovely pendant he had gifted her. “Yeah… I was just biding my time is all,” she mumbled. “Now, tell me of your magic, my wickedly handsome friend. Show me wherein lies its power.”
“Very well, Milady.” Ahriman pointed to the silver flower’s petal shapes. “You see this part, here?”
“What is it?” She looked closer. “It is not what it seems at first glance. Those aren’t petals, are they?”
“Well, they are… and they are not. Look closer.” He lightly touched the edge of the pendant. “These are the petals, yes. But the design… see here? What does each petal look like to you?”
She ran her fingertip across the delicate metal work. “You mean… the little swirly bits?”
Ahriman chuckled softly. “Just below the little swirly bits,” he said through a smile.
Jenevier stared at the new pendant. It was stunning, breathtaking even. The center stone was about the size of her thumbnail. It reminded her of a star. Not the shape, no. The stone was round, but the colors were amazing—flowing and pulsing like a newborn star or a tiny little galaxy. The very center was an odd sort of blue, rough to the touch. It almost felt like sand, or tiny gravel. The sides of the lovely domed stone were polished shiny as a mirror. The colors swirled about it, blending and mixing the vibrant gold and pink and green, perfectly framing the rough, dark blue center.
“I cannot recall ever seeing it’s like. Is this a natural gem? Or one created by magic?”
“A bit of both, I suppose.”
Around this central stone were set eight amethysts. Four were shaped as arrow tips, pointing out toward the four corners of the universe—north, south, east, and west. The four remaining amethysts were round, set in-between the arrow-shaped ones, covering all other points.
“They are the color of your hair,” she whispered. “This part, here, in front.”
Ahriman smiled. “Is your mind always upon my tresses?” He chuckled softly. “Now, have you decided what those petals are?”
What he was talking about, drawing her eye to, was the framing around those eight amethysts. There were two silver dots at the top of each stone, and two silver dots at the bottom.
“Hmm…” She snickered. “Well… I guess they sort of look like odd little purple people… with silver arms and legs.”
“Yes,” he whispered, staring at her smiling profile. “That’s exactly what they are. Now, for the swirly bits,” he teased. “What do they call to mind, Milady?”
She studied them, her smile fading slightly. “Aww… They look like delicate little… shackles… shackles swirled around the amethyst people’s arms.”
Ahriman caught the tiny tear trickling back from the corner of her eye.
“That’s what it looks like, because that’s what it is,” he whispered. “And, tell me. Who comes to mind when you think of amethysts, my love?”
She turned to look at him then.
A sharp twinge of pain coursed through Ahriman’s heart when he saw the understanding begin to grow in her ethereal eyes.
“…You.”
He nodded slightly. “Me, yes. But the enchanting stone… here in the center.”
Jenevier turned her attention back to the pendant when Ahriman touched it as he spoke.
“That is a concentrated drop of magic,” he said. “And it represents—”
“Me,” she whispered, finishing his words for him.
“Yes, you, my love.” He lightly kissed the side of her head.
“So… the amethysts are you.”
“Yes.”
“Yet…” She paused. “They are bound, shackled.”
“Yes, they are. From every possible point, no less.” He half chuckled. “No matter from which direction I may approach your rare magic, with this… I am bound from harming you.”
“But, Vybius.” She turned to look into his lovely eyes as he lay there beside her in the leaves. “You would not harm me. Not now, anyways.”
He gave her a gentle smile. “And this will ensure that, Princess.”
*****
“Oh, my Princess. Where have you been?”
Jenevier took a step back when the half frantic man started towards her.
“I was so worried about you,” Akio said. “My stomach has been in knots all day.” He ran to Jenevier, scooping her up in his arms. “I have searched everywhere for you. I was so anxious in your regard, Milady.”
Shock apparent on her pale face, Jenevier cringed a little at his too familiar acting touch. Ahriman noticed her reaction and tried to hide his smile.
“Please, Akio,” she mumbled lowly. “Put me down. She did not maim me. I can yet walk.”
“She?” He frantically searched her eyes for answers. “Who is she, and what did she do to you? What did my father command?”
“Nothing I could not handle,” she said coolly. “Now, put me down.”
“No.” His grip tightened. “I cannot, will not. I invited you into my home in good faith. No harm was intended you. We have both been betrayed in this.”
“Are you mad?” Jenevier struggled to free herself. “You paid Izaru to beat the hell out of me, did you not? You bought me—as if I were nothing but a slave. And now, now you expect me to believe you had no idea what was intended me?”
The look on Akio’s face was akin to horror.
“She belongs to me now.” Ahriman pulled her from the other man’s embrace and tucked her against his side. “It appears my purse was much heavier than yours, little Lord.”
“Wait.” Jenevier held up her hands, separating the glaring men. “I need a cup of tea… several cups, in fact.” She rubbed her temples and sighed. “A war is fast approaching our door, gentlemen. We need to all get on the same page here.”
“I am not certain this boy is even capable of reading the page I stand upon.”
She rolled her eyes. “Vybius… please…”
He only snorted and crossed his arms.
“Really? You’re going to act like that now?” Jenevier sighed. “Your posturing and pissing will just have to wait until another day.” She looked to Akio. “Do you know of your father’s weapon? Are you willing to speak truthfully concerning its purpose?”
Akio Kazuto gave her a sharp nod before turning back toward his home. She glanced over at Ahriman and motioned for him to follow. He didn’t. Not until she gave him a little smile and reached for him.
“…Big baby,” she mumbled, bumping him with her shoulder.
Ahriman smiled, entwining their fingers as he squeezed her hand.
*****
Staring out the enormous paned window, Jenevier could see tiny specks of the distant torches in the night. She absently took another sip of tea as Akio’s words filled in all the gaps.
“Izaru watched the whole thing…” Akio was saying. “…at the party that night. He approached me afterwards. I confided in him, told him how I was drawn by your beauty… but fell hopelessly in love with you at the first sound of your bespelling voice.” He sighed wearily. “That was before we found out about Orpheus… before we learned of his death. His body was found early the next morning, after Prince Suou’s celebration.”
A silent tear slid down Jenevier’s face; it sparkled against her reflection in the darkened glass.
“Princess?” Akio whispered.
Her back stiffened, but she did not turn to face him.
“The silver woman who visits my father,” he continued. “She told him your story—how you bring death. Do not shed tears, Milady. I know now the truth of it. Whether it was you or Prince Suou, it matters not. That thing was not my brother,” he mumbled. “Alas, I had known such in my heart for a long time. That creature walking about in his skin, it was not Orpheus.”
“Fine, fine,” Ahriman said, exasperated. “That’s all well and good. A demon wore your baby brother for a bit. I understand. What I am desperately wanting to know is… what has any of this to do with this
Izaru person? Explain why you sent him to harm my Angel. Get on with the meat of it, boy. We can stroll down memory lane once the battle is won.”
“But… your battle is already won,” Akio whispered. “I have disarmed the weapon. There is no other reason to fight.”
Ahriman laughed coolly. “If that be the case, baby Lord, how do you explain that?” He motioned to the approaching torches, distant sounds of clanging metal, and the eerie cacophony of dead men’s wailing cries.
“We do not command them,” Akio said. “They were summoned by the silver lady. They take no orders from me.”
“And what of your father?” Jenevier said, still staring out the window. “Do they take commands from him?”
“It would no longer matter if they did. I have stilled his deceitful tongue.”
She turned to look at him then. “What do you mean? Have you slain him?”
The look on Akio’s face answered her question before his words could.
“No. Of course not.” His voice softened to almost a whisper. “I simply helped him to stop. He yet lives, but never again will he lie. Never again will his hand be set toward evil. He will know peace now. His body has been stilled, yet his heart beats on.”
Jenevier just stood there, mouth agape, staring at the resolute young man before her.
“But… that’s not… not how it’s supposed to happen,” she whispered, confused.
“So we can marry now.” Akio suddenly stood. “We will stay here with Father and I will care for him. He will no longer cause us any problems, my love. This I promise.”
Ahriman laughed louder than necessary, causing Akio and Jenevier to both jump.
“Are you mad, little Lord?” He laughed again. “You paid Izaru to kidnap and beat her nearly to death. Do you think that is the proper way to obtain a wife?”
