by JK Ensley
Her hands were shaking. She was mumbling to herself, fussing with the layers upon layers of silky fabric. “How in the world am I expected to tie this damn thing?” Her words exploded with frustration.
She caught a glimpse of his stern shoulders. They jerked in surprise to her outburst. Glancing once more into the looking glass, she was met with an icy lavender glare.
You must not kill him… You must not kill him… You must not kill him. And so, her mental hymn grew.
He moved not.
“Can a woman possibly dress herself on this horrid layer? How do they manage? Do the men make all the clothing here? Is this some sort of jest?”
Yes, she had heard the Emperor’s questions. But bottling her internal rage was proving a much harder thing than she had anticipated. She was just a girl now, a weak, human, pregnant girl. Her lovely kimono was taking the brunt of her anger.
“I can see them all now.” Her ramblings continued but she kept a close eye on the crowned Ronin behind her. “I can imagine them standing around as they lay out the designs, having a good laugh at the fragile little lady’s vain attempts to secure the intentionally frustrating garment.” She audibly sighed with disgust. “Why? Tell me. Do the men of Jinn have not the nerve to touch a woman? Do they lack the charm, the sweet words needed to receive an invitation? Must they resort to games such as these? Must they force a lady to require assistance in donning her own attire? Is that what turns the men of your world on, Emperor? Forcing women to depend on others, never allowing them independence, freedom?”
Musashi’s hurriedly approaching steps echoed in her trembling heart, rattling her already frazzled nerves, hitching her breath in her throat. The first tug upon her sash was sharp, quick, ceasing the even sharper words that had been flying from her now closed lips. The following tugs were more gentle, yet precise to a fault. She watched him through the mirror. Noting the fierce determination on his brow, the deft, lithesome movements of his elegantly thin fingers as he manipulated the soft pink silk, his full attention on the exquisite clothing he’d gifted her.
“Apologies, Lady Jenevier. I’ll have an attendant see to you on the morrow.” He spoke without looking up from his ardent task. “I’m not used to being around women, nor am I comfortable with having the frailer sex within the palace suites. A regrettable oversight I will see to at first light.”
She studied him closely, watching the movement of his shoulders, the set of his jaw line. She recorded it all to memory. He was extremely tall. Not compared to the Vanir, but big by human standards. His arms were exceptionally defined, sculpted from obvious years of constant training. His hair, the same raven black as was the mark of his people, yet his chosen style was much different. She wondered if he fashioned those thick locks himself. Three small braids at his temples, each pulled back, effectively containing the mass of shimmering strands flowing freely down his back. A simple red stick running through every braid pierced the hair tied at the crown of his head.
So engrossed was he with the task of her raiment, she took full advantage of his misplaced attention, noticing how long and nimble his fingers were, how accurate his movements. Hands, confident and steady.
Definite swordsman, she thought. These hands are graceful tools of destruction, lethal as are my own claws. I do not relish the thought of fighting this man fairly. Were we to face off, I wouldn’t wager upon the outcome. No, I shall not attack him head-on. If it comes down to it, I’ll slice his throat as he slumbers. Dead is dead, irrelevant the process. I long for his summons… yet fear it.
“Why do you bear false tongue on our first meeting, Your Grace?” she said. “Do you wish me to always name you liar? I didn’t take you for such a man. I assumed one as powerful as you would loathe deceit, praising only truth.”
Her words dripped with sarcasm but her mannerism displayed a nonchalant guise as she adjusted her curls, peering innocently at her glowing reflection.
His massive hands were now upon her shoulders, gripping painfully tight. She looked up to meet his glaring eyes within the large looking glass. There was shock mingled with rage in those deep purple orbs as he spoke through gritted teeth.
She had pushed the right button. Very well, she thought. It wasn’t right that I should be the only one vexed this day.
“What did you just say?” he hissed. “How dare you name me liar to my face.”
“I would never name you liar behind your back, Emperor. That would be spineless. I am many things—spineless isn’t one of them.”
“So I gather,” he mumbled angrily.
She continued, “And I only named you liar because you prove yourself thusly by your own actions.”
He gave her shoulders a slight shake. “Speak not to me in riddles, tiny woman. They try my patience.”
“Hmm, that’s good to know.” She didn’t even try to hide her smirk. “It may prove useful in the future.”
Musashi was shocked when he caught the evil glint flashing briefly within her ethereal eyes, then disappearing.
She knew he saw. She could tell by the sharp intake of breath near her ear.
“It wasn’t a riddle,” she continued, satisfied she had his proper attention. “You confessed to being unaccustomed to having women living within these palace walls. Yet your knowledge, your precision with my attire, would suggest otherwise.” She smiled, mockingly feigning innocence. “I believe you’ve done this on numerous occasions, Milord.”
His skillful hands froze in their action.
Jenevier wished, by all that was holy, she could don Vashti’s glowing ruby eyes right now. Alas, she claimed only these alluring pink and blue pupils, the ones marking her new form. A haunting gift from her lost husband, father of her unborn child. They were a blessing and a curse… these Angel eyes. They were highly effective weapons. Men were so easily lost in them, good and bad alike.
Musashi proved to be no different, even though she had hoped against hope he would be. His once busy hands slid up her back, now resting lightly on the same shoulders he’d left bruises upon only moments before.
She quickly averted her gaze, hoping the spell would be broken. His hands didn’t move.
Dammit, this was not my intent. She cursed her carelessness.
“Apologies, Milady. They tie much the same.” His voice was now soft, soothingly low as he turned her around to face him.
Mustering her courage, determined to face the ramifications caused by those damn eyes, she finally looked up. Instead of meeting his gaze, Jenevier noticed the Emperor was motioning to his own sash, expertly cinched about his thin waist. Relief washed over her as she realized she had mistaken his intent as being desirous. She couldn’t help but smile with relief, immediately wishing she had not.
“What kind of creature are you?” His words held a childlike fascination, a wonderment that terrified her. “No one else is as you upon the whole of this land. Tell me, Princess. What could one so frail and beautiful have done to a wise Shinobi wizard to haunt him so?”
She believed this was probably the kindest he would ever be toward her. So she determined to make the most of it before his ruthless Samurai side reappeared.
“I will answer you true, if you return in-kind.”
“As you wish, little rainbow. A question for a question, then. I’ve already formed the words, give me the answers I seek and I’ll withhold nothing in return.”
“The kind of creature I am, good sir, is an Angel. I was born of a woman, raised as a normal girl, trained as a warrior, and then graced with the cursed power of life and death.”
Musashi was obviously shaken by her raw, honest answer. Shock danced across his once stoic face.
“I will not lie to you, Emperor. It’s not within my nature. Ask not if you do not truly wish to know.” She crossed her arms atop her enlarged belly. “My turn. Why have you brought me here?”
“I desire the powers you wield, the ones draped about your lovely neck.”
She’d already known the answer, but hear
ing it spoken so plainly caused fire to course through her marrow.
“You have no part or lot in these matters, Shogun. Be careful what you wish for. Look to wisdom forged during your journey. Let it serve you now. Lean upon the lessons of your youth. Is this the battle you seek? Are you certain this is the stand you wish to make, the one you wish to draw your blades upon? Choose wisely, Emperor. Some lines are better left undrawn.”
“Wise counsel, Lady Jenevier. I will solemnly take it under advisement. And my second question,” he pressed.
She closed her eyes, sighing wearily. Relinquishing her rising anger, she slowly let it ebb away. This man carried his every emotion plainly within his breathtaking depths of lavender. The bloodthirsty Ronin was gone, only a curious man remained before her. Sending up a silent prayer for much needed help, she looked back at the ruler of this realm.
You are but a child, an abandoned little soul playing at being a warrior… and doing one hell of a job at it, she thought. I like the Ronin better than the man. I know how to handle a single-minded warrior on a mission. But a man, a now gentle man… Ugh.
She looked up at the ceiling, waiting impatiently for the help she had only just prayed for, hoping for a sign. Jenevier knew she didn’t have a clue how to avoid the looming disaster she could all but see coming, felt it in her bones, tingling up her spine.
She released a resigned breath. “I bound Mikage Abe from doing harm unto me,” she confessed. “It didn’t sit too well with him. I’m afraid he took great offense to it.”
Musashi’s knees wavered slightly before he regained his balance, briefly relying upon her strength. She felt the tug of his sway upon her imprisoned shoulders.
What was that? What unknown thing just washed over his essence? She wondered at his strange reaction but could glean nothing else from his eyes.
“Second question,” she continued. “How did you come to know about my powers?”
He stiffened. Holding still his tongue, he spoke not.
“Come now, Emperor,” she coaxed. “You chose to go first. This question has already been paid for.”
He sat down upon the bench in front of her mirror, bowing a heavy head. “I know everything about you, Jenevier,” he whispered. “I’ve thought of little else since I first…” He paused.
She thought she heard him sniff. The mighty Emperor of Jinn took a deep breath, steadying his trembling shoulders before he continued.
“In truth, your power is the least of it, Milady.” He turned a sad, tormented gaze back up at her. “It was due, in part, to my greatest weakness. My insatiable curiosity. I wished to behold your magical eyes and ethereal markings for myself. It is as I had dreamed. They draw me in, hold me here now. I am utterly bewitched.”
He reached for her hand. She quickly stepped back.
“Not only that,” he continued. “It was also your words, your beautiful, sorrowful, tortured words. Never have I been so captivated by mere written words.”
“My words?” Realization tore a gasp from her lips. “Valencia,” she growled. “I will strangle that filthy liar with mine own hands.”
He continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “When I heard the story she told me of your magical amulets, my wicked heart was bent on having them, on creating and un-creating. But when I read the whole of your life, written in your own hand… I knew your power wasn’t all I desired.”
His pained confession pulled her racing mind from her treacherous sister Vanir, turning it back to the regal man before her.
“No, Musashi. Speak. Not. One. Word. More.”
Jenevier took another shaky step back from the seated warrior. His hand shot out, quick as lightning, seizing her wrist like a vise.
“Tremble not, Princess. I will not harm you. I’ve read all the tragic stories of what befell the ones who harmed you… and the ones who loved you as well.”
His blunt words caused a stabbing pain within her chest. It was true. She somehow managed to hurt every soul unlucky enough to come into contact with her treacherous heart.
“Neither one fared much better than the other,” he added.
“That’s quite enough honesty for one day,” she whispered. “I believe I’ve had my fill of it. I wish now only for silence.”
Her knees betrayed her. Musashi caught her up in his massive arms, steadying her laden form, respectfully touching her as little as possible.
“You only act brave, little sparrow. You are wounded still,” he whispered. “In my wicked heart, I had hoped this was so. I continually pray, beseeching the gods, calling upon the spirits of the old ones. My plea is a selfish one. Yet, I beg your angelic powers will not be returned to you once your child is born. I believe you’ll once more be as a normal woman. And that belief, dear one, is the truth of why I brought you here.”
“You wish to imprison me? To what purpose?”
“Look around you, colorful maid. Does this seem a prison to you?” He forced her to meet his deep gaze. “You will want for nothing. This I swear. The babe will want for nothing. I do not wish to shackle you, little rainbow. I wish only to make your one woeful desire a blissful reality.”
“My one desire?” Confusion clouded her racing mind.
“Yes, Princess. The one thing you sought in earnest, begged for, even. The one thing I can give you no other man could.” His smile was soft, almost beautiful. “A normal life.”
“Normal life…” she whispered, dazed.
“Yes. Jinn is the one peaceful place in the universe, among these layers you spoke of, where you won’t be looked upon as an oddity.” He chuckled lightly. “Jinn is made up of oddities, of magic, and above all else, of peace. The dream you always longed for but could never find… I can give it to you. I can fulfill your dreams. Can you ever live a normal life with Apollyon? Can you ever know peace living as a Vanir or as an Angel? Everything your heart has ever desired, I freely offer to you now. What say you, Milady?”
Jenevier gently pulled away from the mighty Emperor. She numbly walked out onto the pillared balcony overlooking a flowing field of lavender, silent tears dripping from her chin. Musashi followed her.
“Of all the answers you could have given, that one never crossed my mind,” she whispered.
“Can you imagine anything more lovely than this?” He spread his arms out to encompass the whole glorious view before them.
A fond smile crossed her lips, reaching her watery eyes. “Roses.”
“Roses?” He laughed and lightly touched her arm, barely brushing it. “They’ll be planted by the thousands before sunrise.”
“You have night here?”
“Yes. And the most captivating moons you could ever behold, tiny rainbow. Nights upon Jinn are the stuff enchanted dreams are made of, what fairytales only wish they could be.”
“Ah, I have so missed the moon,” she said absently.
“What more does your heart desire? Give voice to hidden secrets and I will satisfy them all.”
“Musashi, this is… wrong.”
“Wrong? Who bears false tongue now, Princess? I see the sparkle in your eyes. I hear the longing sigh upon your breath. What I offer you is divine medicine for your weary soul. Don’t try to deny this. I know it to be true.” He tucked her hair behind her ear to better see her anguished profile.
She turned to look at him. “And what of love? If you have truly read my words, why would you think I could ever deny my selfish heart? I have tried and failed on that front, over and over. What you offer is a heaven to my burdened soul, yes. Yet I cannot deny my own heart.”
She saw the question in his eyes before it formed on his lips.
“I don’t understand.” He shook his head. “Apollyon is lost to you, my sweet, and Varick is but friend and protector. I read the truth of those words in your own hand. I could be so much more for you. I will be so much more. I am the ruler of this world, gained by the strength of my steel. No protection could be greater than mine. Our mutually sworn honesty, the openness we only just vowed,
will guarantee our friendship, Milady. Yet where all others have failed you, I will not.”
He took hold of her arms, turning her back to face him once more, pulling her close. He twirled her azure curl around his finger as he smiled gently, gazing into her eyes.
“And as for your heart, I hold it the most glorious treasure in all creation. I will now, and always, treat it as a delicate bloom. Forever to be cherished, never trampled underfoot. There will be no one higher than you, Milady. Your simplest request will be my only priority.” He used a bent finger to lift her chin. “Do you not find me pleasing to your eyes? Am I too hideous to look upon, too common to be of your liking? Or could you possibly be satisfied with just a man, just a mortal? Could you learn to live with one such as me?”
“Do not speak thusly, Your Highness. You are splendid to behold, this you know. You don’t need reassurance from my lips. And let us not be coy. You’re not just a man, this you also know. You surely recognize the great power you hold over many a maiden’s heart.”
“And yet, I’ve never given my heart to another. Did you know that, little sparrow?” His arm gently slid around her waist. “I have never embraced a woman, even as I hold you now.” He forced her to meet his gaze. “My intent may have started out as evil, but the spell your words wove around my darkened heart was the true evil.” He smiled tenderly. “For I have loved you wholly by those words alone.”
“Stop this madness.” She tried to wriggle free. “You said so yourself. It is but a spell.”
He released her waist and held her face in his hands, cupping her cheeks. “Ahh, a spell I wish never to be free of. If this be your curse, then curse me daily. You have given me wings, tiny Angel, wings upon my heart.”
What the hell? How is something so absurd even happening? If this is some sort of sick joke… Valencia. Ugh, this madness reeks of her stench, she thought. I refuse to be caught up in their ridiculous games.
Musashi was still pouring out his heart when he brushed his thumbs across her lips, pulling Jenevier’s attention back to this impossible reality.
