Enthroned by Amethysts (A Dance with Destiny Book 3)

by JK Ensley

  “My brother, Vareilious. He taught me how to taste people. I can glean nearly everything I need to know about someone through but one tiny little touch of the tongue.”

  He cocked one mossy lavender eyebrow. “Hmm… Well, people, perhaps. But you should never do thus to Angels. You challenged me, Naga. Did you know that?”

  “Challenged you? But none of the other Angels I’ve tasted ever said such a thing.”

  His eyebrows lowered and the smirk returned. “Other Angels? You mean Apollyon? Of course he didn’t see you as a challenge. At least, not after he’d bedded you.”

  She flinched at his crude words. “I wasn’t talking about Apollyon.”

  “Then, you must be mistaken, Little Fire. Name the Angel you have tasted.”

  “Well, the first Angel I ever licked was Ahriman. But I knew not he was an Angel at the time. My dark husband goes without saying. And then, Jago and Cashiel were—”

  Her remaining words were muffled when Munenori placed his hand over her mouth.

  “Cashiel?” His eyes went wide. “You have seen Cashiel?”

  Jenevier crossed her arms over her chest and just stared at him, until he finally lowered his hand.

  “As I was saying,” she huffed. “I tasted Cashiel and knew him for what he was when he tried to sacrifice me to some goddess.”

  “You are mistaken.”

  “I am not.”

  “He has been lost for centuries. You are mistaken.”

  “No… I… am… not.” She met his level glare with her own. “If you’re actively seeking him, you should stop. He no longer resides upon the layers.”

  “What’re you saying?”

  She sighed. “I was on Praetoria. Cashiel and Jago were in with a bunch of demons who called themselves The Thirteen. I killed them. And don’t look at me like that. They left me no choice. They were intent on slitting my throat, draining out all my blood so their night people could drink it and have lots of little night babies. At least, that’s what I took their words to mean. Nevertheless, they are ash.”

  Munenori just stared at her. She felt uncomfortably naked before him.

  “Enough with the big eyes, Angel. I asked you not to look at me like that. Besides, they tried to kill me. They left me no choice. If you were intent on harming me or my sons, I would have done the same to you.”

  He started laughing then. “You are just too cute.”

  “I am not cute! Why do you laugh?” She stomped her foot in frustration, balling her hands into fists at her sides.

  Munenori only laughed harder.

  “Pray, tell me. Just exactly how would you have killed an Angel of God, Little Fire? With absent claws?”

  He continued to laugh. She pushed past him, stomping off in the direction they’d been heading.

  I hate him… I hate him… I hate him.

  Before she realized it, he was standing before her. She slammed into his chest. His eyes glowed purple, then green. Or rather, they glowed lavender, then moss. She longed to don her flashing rubies so she could match his angelic glare. Still, she refused to back down.

  “Why did you come to me, Angel?” she asked. “Why are you now dragging me through this valley and away from my family? It is certainly not because you care for us. Why put yourself out so?”

  Her questions were only met with his silence. She stared deeper into those magical angelic orbs and concentrated.

  Her eyes narrowed. “You need me…”

  “I need you not,” he snapped.

  She cocked one eyebrow. “An Angel can lie?”

  He sighed. “You are the most exhausting, most frustrating, and most…” He paused, searching for the right word.

  “Most what? Glamorous? Enchanting? Radiant? Enticing? Magical? Shall I go on?”

  He shook his head, muttering to himself.

  “Is that a no?”

  “Infuriating,” he snapped.

  “Yes, I like that one, too. Infuriating—such an all-encompassing word. It can be taken either way, you know—compliment or insult. How do I infuriate you, Angel? Pray tell. I wish to continue to live up to your great expectations of me.” She curtsied, mockingly.

  His shoulders slumped forward as he sighed again. “Very well, Naga. We will play it your way, for a time.”

  She smiled triumphantly. “So, you will tell me of Angels?”

  “No, we haven’t the time for that. Not now.”

  He turned and headed up the trail. After a moment, she followed him. Side by side, they strode on in silence. His mind was locked down tight. Hers drifted to Varick.

  I wish he were here with me now. He would love this place. Perhaps here, we could remain hidden from the universe for a time. This could be the very place we re-connected our hearts and finally found the long overdue chance to enjoy just being newlyweds. It’s so peaceful here. I want to see the sun reflecting off his beautiful hair as we swim together near the waterfall. I want to lay with him by the hot springs while we stare up at the most glorious moons in all creation. I want to feel his lips upon my bare flesh and get those painful little goose bumps where his fingertips brush across me. I want to spend time alone with Varick. I want to show him just how much I love him, how precious I hold his majestic heart. He deserves so much better than me. Ooh, what I wouldn’t give to feel his arms around me right now. He gives me strength I do not possess, love I do not deserve, and hope I would die without. Where are you, Varick? I am not, can never be, whole without you.

  Jenevier turned her face so this odd Angel wouldn’t see her tears. She wiped them away but could not stop their ceaseless flow. She jumped when Munenori cleared his throat.

  “Angels are solitary brothers,” he said. “Does that make sense?”

  She swallowed hard at the lump in her throat. She didn’t want her voice to crack when she answered.

  “No, not really. You mean… you’re like family that chooses to live apart and alone?”

  “Each Angel is created by Father to perform a certain task, fulfill a certain need. We aren’t created to have families and marriages and children. Yet we’re all connected inside with a powerful, undeniable bond, even though we do not live and commune as a race.”

  “So, you’re the only Angel here?”

  “I was.” He looked at her from the corner of his eye and smiled slightly.

  “Why did you not believe me about Cashiel? Do you think I would bear false tongue to you?”

  “I didn’t disbelieve you. I simply found the story almost too amazing to be real.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “Perhaps your biggest obstacle in understanding what you are… is how you started.”

  She looked up at him then. He chuckled when he saw her obvious confusion.

  “You can make some of the most entertaining faces, Naga. You wear your feelings right there for the whole world to see. Those enchanting eyes of yours are like an open book.” He laughed and she rolled her enchanting eyes. “As I was saying. You started backwards, Little Fire. The first Angel you met was once the greatest among us. But his pride bested him, brought him low. He is worse than you can possibly imagine. Just as there are none more beautiful than he, there are none more ruthless, more vicious.” He paused for a moment, studying upon something. “Do not become cross with me, Naga, but I looked into your mind concerning him.”

  “I knew you did. I felt you.” She smiled with only one corner of her mouth. “I let you.”

  He looked back down at her sideways and huffed. “Be that as it may. The man you knew as Vindicus was an amazing creature. He was like a newborn star. He glowed and pulsed and loved without restraint. It was a truly incredible thing to behold. Even before he fell, never was he as glorious as that. Perhaps that’s why Father blessed him, bonded the two of you, and allowed you your beautiful son.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes. They weren’t tears of sorrow, but they were bittersweet and they burned.

  “He was amazing,” she mumbled to herself.

  They walke
d a few moments more, minus words, lost in glorious, painful thought. His mind was filled with an ancient heavenly war. Hers was filled with happiness, regret, and sorrow. It formed an uncomfortable ball in her gut, made her nauseous.

  She heard Munenori’s intake of breath and knew his words would soon follow. She was no longer sure she wanted her question answered.

  “You and Daichi share a common beginning.”

  “How so?”

  “You were both formed in God’s hand and placed within a womb. That’s a rare thing for our kind. Yet, there is no normal way of us coming into this world. We’re all extremely unique, dreadfully different.”

  Silence returned as she processed his words.

  “You changed your destiny, Naga.”

  Those words caught her full attention. She grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop.

  “What do you mean? Do not use metaphors or tease me in any way. Speak plain to me your meaning and do not soften your words. I want to understand completely.”

  “Then let us sit. We have enough time for at least this one thing.”

  After he’d led her a few paces more, Munenori sat down on a little grassy patch and patted the spot beside him.

  “You were created for a specific reason, as were we all. You were formed for the sole purpose of bringing blessed peace to an entire layer of this universe. Once you had fulfilled your destiny, you would have been given charge over that layer, the fourth layer. You would have served Ashgard as I serve Jinn. It was meant to be your realm, Naga.”

  “What did I do wrong?”

  He laughed softly. “You made one wrong decision… and altered the course of the universe. In so doing, you changed the fate of us all.”

  “What? I made one wrong decision? How in the world can one person cause the entire universe to change?”

  “Every person has that ability, Naga. Be they human or Angel, every step you take sends out ripples to the very edge of existence… and back again. Every decision, every word, and every action sends out its own ripple. We matter more than you can ever possibly imagine. People matter more than they know.”

  His words left her feeling more tiny than normal. He didn’t fail to notice.

  “Come here, Little Fire.” Munenori wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulled her against him. “You may hate me, but sometimes we can all use a little hug.”

  She greedily wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.

  He smiled as he gently stroked her curls. “I will be your safe place through this, Naga. Fear not, Little Fire. I will do my best to explain.” He held her close and leaned back against a large stone. He began. “You were meant to be cursed before your birth.”

  She squeezed him tighter.

  Chapter 43

  Kias

  (KYE-us)

  “I’ll take her tea. You would most certainly not live through it.”

  “She allows you with her when she bathes?”

  “She does.” Alastyn noted the objectionable look on the man’s ageless face. “Kias, Jezreel and I have lived through horrors the likes of which I wish never to speak of. We are friends. Nay, she is my sister, my only family. We have both lost… everything.” That one word carried the weight of the universe. He looked down at the dainty teacup. “We only have each other and our memories now. And not all of them are good. So, yes, she lets me in while she bathes. When you’ve had to stitch up gaping wounds, burn out pockets of infection, and apply ointments to all parts of her broken little body… trivial things such as mere nakedness no longer matter.”

  Kias knew every word the raven-haired man spoke was the truth. He’d been keeping a close vigil over them both. This was the first time he could ever remember being truly at a loss. Alas, he would not give up on them. He would not give up on her.

  But Alastyn said it true, he thought. She is most definitely a rare creature. Only she could have survived such a horror and retained the great fire that still burns within her. The maiden now teeters on the brink. Which will she choose? Darkness or light? This will take great magic, ancient magic. And even that will fail to work, if it isn’t heavily dosed with the rarest magic of all… love.

  *****

  The new friends were sitting in the parlor talking about Alastyn’s adventures from his youth when Jezreel came in the back door.

  “Remind me on the morrow, I need to make some fresh rosewater,” she sang out from the kitchen. “Are you weary yet? I, for one, am exhausted, Brother. Shall we retire for the evening and just go to bed—”

  She halted her words when she walked into the room and found Kias seated across from Alastyn. She immediately covered her breasts with her arms, even though she was wrapped up in a towel.

  “You? What’re you still doing here?”

  “Having pleasant conversation with a new friend,” Kias answered. “Will you not join us?”

  “Yes, Jezreel. Slip some clothes on and come sit with us by the fire and talk,” Alastyn pleaded. “Happy memories only, I promise. I believe it will do us all a bit of good.”

  “I have nothing to talk about. I’m going to sleep. And don’t wake me when you come to bed.” She stormed out of the room.

  “You sleep with her as well?” Kias asked.

  Alastyn stared into the dwindling flames. “It helps with the nightmares,” he whispered.

  Dawn found Jezreel, once again, swinging and hacking away. Sweat dripping from the tip of her nose, chest heaving from want of more oxygen. Her trembling legs finally caved in under her. Then the tears came.

  “Good morrow, Brother. What’s all the racket this fine day?” Kias yawned as he entered the kitchen.

  “Last night was a particularly bad night.”

  When Alastyn turned from the window, Kias could tell the man had gone without sleep. He looked past the exhausted man’s haggard form and saw Jezreel, her shaking body curled upon the tear-soaked grass.

  “I may be too late,” he whispered. “She is so horribly, horribly shattered.”

  Alastyn heard the sorrow in the man’s voice; saw its bitter evidence dripping from his chin.

  “What do you mean… too late?”

  Kias was already out the door before Alastyn finished his question.

  “You have excellent form, Maiden.” He spoke softly so as not to spook her. But she had already heard him approaching.

  “Go away.” Her words were more of a plea. Gone was the fire she had shown him only yesterday.

  “Would you like to try your hand at swords?”

  “I would like for you to leave me alone.” Jezreel sniffed as she got back to her feet and filled her lungs with the fresh, cleansing air of Ashgard.

  She swore under her breath with every jarring thud of the newly-sharpened blades.

  “You… will… never… touch… me… again.” Over and over, every whack carried a pain-filled word and removed a chunk of the battered post.

  She heard the unmistakable sound of metal upon metal, sword leaving scabbard. It ran chillingly up her spine. She turned slowly to find the strange man now armed with dual two-foot long blades. They were the color of glistening dew. The sun caught them, flashing blindingly in her eyes.

  “Come at me, Jezreel,” he whispered.

  The bitter rage rose up from the depths of her soul, coursed through her every cell. A tortured scream tore from her throat as she lunged at him.

  Alastyn’s heart missed several beats when he heard the unmistakable sounds of battle. He burst through the back door and stopped short.

  Jezreel was viciously attacking Kias and he was defending every blow. When her strength would dwindle, he would advance upon her, force her to retreat. Blades locked with wooden handles.

  “You need larger weapons, Milady. Never let me in this close.”

  Jezreel kicked him between the legs and pushed back from their locked stance. Kias went to his knees.

  “Fret not, good Kias. I will never let you in; never let you close to me in any way.”<
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  “Jezreel! Stop!” Alastyn cried out for her to cease as she brought both blades down toward the kneeling man’s bent head.

  Kias raised one sword, blocking her vicious blow as he swung his other blade at her midsection, slicing through her clothing.

  She gasped. “You filthy dog.” Jezreel looked down at her tunic. “You could have killed me!”

  “Yes, I could have. Was that not how you were playing this little game of ours?” He got back to his feet. “You must learn to control your anger. Harness it. Use it to your advantage. Never let it blind you or master you. Use it to increase your strength without removing your senses.” He popped the bones in his neck as he tilted his head from side to side. “And one more thing. Never leave your stomach unguarded.” He winked at her and smiled.

  “Why you…” She lunged for him again and their heated, awkward ballet continued.

  “Stop making noise when you’re about to strike. It gives away intent,” he instructed.

  She heeded not his words as she threw her whole body into her next swing. He easily sidestepped her advance and popped her on the bottom with the flat of his blade for emphasis.

  Nothing could have enraged her more.

  With rekindled fury, Jezreel attacked him over and over. He blocked or avoided everything she threw at him. She was wholly exhausted, barely able to lift her axe enough to make much of an effort. Yet she refused to stop. When her next volley threw her weary form off balance, Kias caught her up in his arms.

  “You’re safe now, Milady. I won’t let them hurt you. I swear it. No one will ever hurt you again, mi Sharna. You fought exceptionally well,” he whispered.

  Alastyn approached him. “I’ll take her to the bath.”

  Kias stroked her hair and held her close, desperately close.

  “All is well, Sharna. I am so proud of you,” he whispered in her ear as he relinquished her to Alastyn’s gentle arms.

  *****

  Kias was sitting at the table, lost in thought, when his new friend returned from the bath house.

  “You did well with her today, Kias. I should say she’ll sleep like a babe this night. I’ve never seen her quite so drained.” Alastyn sat down wearily. “Gratitude.”