by JK Ensley
She forgot about her curse. She no longer remembered her quest. The only thing in the world was this man and this moment. She tingled all over. Never had she felt such stirrings in so many different places at once. She cleaved to him, pulling him closer. When he moaned and rocked against her, Jenevier forced herself to pull back before she completely lost her mind.
His breathing was labored. He didn’t release her. Alzeen pulled her under him fully, pressing his weight down upon her. His eyelids were heavy with want when his lips next found hers.
Oh god, she thought.
Jenevier wanted him badly, all of him. The weight of his body upon hers was maddening. Pressing her inner thighs tight against his lean sides, she ran her fingers into his thick hair. When her tongue parted his lips, a deep growl rolled within his chest. He cupped her breast, squeezing gently. Tiny waves of pulsing current spread across her soft skin, rippling throughout her body.
“Stay here with me. I taste your desire, Milady. I share in it with you. Stay with me. Let me love you.”
He spoke into her mouth as he slid his hand down her stomach, between her legs. Jenevier regrettably placed her hands against his warm chest and gently pushed him back, ceasing his advance.
“Alzeen, we cannot,” she whispered.
He let out a small sigh, resting his forehead to hers, eyes closed.
“Please, Jenevier. Just stay here with me.”
“But, Alzeen… my quest.”
“Please stay. You don’t even know what’s out there. You have no idea what your next step will bring. Stay with me, here. I will protect you. I swear it. I won’t let that damn Prince have you, and no one else will ever come near you. You are mine, remember? You promised never to leave me. So stay, Jenevier. Stay with me and let me hold you like this, love you… save you.”
She watched as tiny tears formed in the corners of his tightly closed lids. She kissed them away.
“I’m not going anywhere, Alzeen.”
“You are going to Valadrog.”
“Yes, and you know the reasons. I am yours, Alzeen. Of course I am. Have I not already sworn to stay by your side? Never will I go back on that promise. Tell me, my love. Where is it you think I may run off to? Nothing can hurt me because you are right here, ready to protect me. Let’s just consider this a mere stroll through a magical land—hand in hand, destination be damned.”
He rolled onto his side and exhaled deeply. “True, all true. But I don’t wish it to see its end. I mean, the further you go, the closer your destination becomes.”
“Of course it does.” She giggled. “That’s the main purpose of a quest, is it not?”
“But… I don’t want that.”
“And why is that? Do you plan on disappearing when we finally reach their city? Are you going to up and desert me once we reach our destination?”
“Perhaps.” He half smirked. “Tell me. What would happen if I did? What would you do if I simply disappeared?”
Jenevier grabbed his arms, forcing him to look her in the eye.
“Do not say such things, Alzeen. Do not tease me in this.”
When he saw that terrified yet determined look in her eyes, his soul trembled.
“Know this, Alzeen. If you disappeared, it would utterly destroy me. Tiny little pieces of my heart would litter their city’s streets. I would cry bitterest tears, continually. I would pray daily for my light to be mercifully snuffed out, or that you would be returned to me.”
“…Jenevier.”
“I do not play in this, Alzeen, not ever. If you were forced to leave me, even for a day, you would have to return to me, Alzeen. Swear it now. Swear you will always return to me.”
“And bring back all the tiny little pieces of your heart?”
“Yes, Alzeen.” She smiled then. “Only you could ever put the pieces back together.”
He was entranced by the fire burning wildly in her deep blue eyes. How can I not wholly love this woman?
“Very well, Milady. As you say. But you have no need to worry. I will never leave you. Not even for a day.”
He kissed her forehead and held her there for one tender moment—savoring their precious time together before they headed back out to once again search for Valadrog.
“Have I told you that I love you?” he whispered.
“Not nearly as many times as I would like to hear it, no.”
“Hmm… I think, perhaps… you may be a very easy woman to spoil, my love.” He chuckled. “I best take care around you, tiny lady. Lest you take me for granted and demand my love.”
“No, you mustn’t.” She smiled up at him. “Please spoil me, Alzeen. Please?”
He gently yanked on one of her curls. “As you wish, Milady. It would be my honor.”
*****
Feeling more refreshed and alive than ever, their journey took on a much different tone from here on out. Jenevier wanted to be free from her curse, yes. But she no longer considered it to be her only mission. Nay, not even the greatest part. Saving Alzeen and what he now meant to her, that was foremost in her mind. She had only just awakened from a short nap—a nap filled with dreams of his childhood screams, images of his described torment. No, she could never let him return from whence he came. He was with her now, and she would die before letting him go.
Alzeen took her hand as the cheerful duo continued on her quest, laughter and smiles now accompanying their way. They journeyed far that day without noticing much else around them, save each other’s stories and smiles.
Jenevier tried to determine the hour.
If you consider when we woke as morning, then it must be getting close to nightfall back in Ashgard.
But here, nothing seemed to change.
“Ugh! This constant sunshine has completely destroyed my sense of time. Have we been walking for days or hours?”
“Why, my love? Are you weary?”
“I believe perhaps I should be. But for some reason, I’m not.”
He glanced down at her from the corner of his eye. “It’s because you travel with such interesting and entertaining company.”
“Yes, I absolutely agree.” She squeezed his hand and giggled. “Yet… there’s no real sense of time in this bizarre place, is there?”
“What do you mean?”
“No real sense of time or how much has passed.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “No real need for it, if you ask me. The present is the only thing you can enjoy and live in anyway. You’ll get old and wrinkled if you constantly dwell on the past or worry about the future. I just live right now. That’s all I can do.”
When Jenevier suddenly stopped walking, Alzeen turned back to fetch her.
“You truly are an amazing man,” she said, awe in her eyes.
“I knew you’d see that, sooner or later.”
He winked at her, flashing his stunning smile. It melted her anew.
“So, my lovely little golden-haired Princess, how much further do you wish to travel today?”
“Umm… I’m not certain.” She looked around and up to the hill ahead of them. “We’ll rest at the top, there.” She pointed.
“Very well. But the valley is always cooler than the crest. More trees,” he said with a wink.
“Yes, true. But something’s telling me to go up there. I just want to make it to the top before we quit moving. We can reach the next valley easily enough if we want. Is that okay with you?”
“Anything you want to do is fine with me.”
Alzeen grabbed her shoulders as she moved to pass him, pulling her against his bare chest. She opened her mouth to speak but his unexpected kiss found her lips. This kiss was filled with desire and trepidation. His hands explored her body yet kept her pressed hard against him. He released her only when she felt she would soon faint. He didn’t speak. He just held her until her breathing returned to normal and she was once again steady on her feet.
“Wait.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “What was that, Alzeen? It felt like
goodbye. Calm my racing heart and vow to remain at my side, always.”
He kissed her forehead. “You never even had to ask.”
Clasping hands, they made their way through the trees and upward. Smiling happily, Alzeen made a game of picking flowers and sticking them in her curls.
“When we reach the crest, there should be a meadow. I’ll be able to find tons more there. Would you like that, Milady? Me lacing tons of flowers through your curls?”
“Nothing would make me happier.”
“Careful, my love,” he whispered. “Careful you don’t spoil me along our way.”
Jenevier giggled. She had never been happier.
I was meant to find this man. I just know it. He is my future, my friend and partner in all things.
When they crested the hill, an unbelievable sight came into view.
*****
A breathtakingly spectacular gate stood there before them, arching almost to the treetops. It towered over them, glittering brilliantly in the ever-present sun.
Jenevier gasped. By the gods… Is this the gateway to the Otherworld?
It looked to be masterfully carved from a single giant crystal. Every color imaginable danced upon its faceted surface. Two majestic trees—the likes of which she had never laid eyes upon before—perfectly framed the glorious structure. Their silvery leaves kissed the edges of the crystal gate as they playfully danced on the gentle breeze.
“What do you think it is, Alzeen?” she whispered, amazed.
He pointed. “Perhaps you should be asking him.”
Guarding the magical looking entryway, standing within, was a giant of a man. He was easily over eight feet tall, and his hair was like liquid silver falling freely down his back. The soft breeze caused those ethereal silver strands to wisp across his elegantly chiseled face, the features of which, were nothing short of sheer perfection.
“Wooow. Alzeen, is he… is he an Angel?”
Alzeen only snorted in response.
The towering sentinel’s high cheek bones looked to be sculpted by a master artisan. He blinked, and his radiant azure eyes sparkled like stardust from the heavens.
“Alzeen, have you ever seen anything so beautiful?”
He gazed at her from the corner of his eye, grasping her hand ever tighter. “…Yes, I have,” he whispered.
“Look at his body. Look at the way he stands. Is he real? I don’t think he’s real. A statue, perhaps. I mean… look at his arms.” She pointed. “Normal people could never have arms such as those.”
The warrior’s extremely masculine build was beautifully complimented by his sparkling, flawless skin. It glowed from within, strangely matching the shining crystal entryway he stood sentinel over.
“Wow. What I would give to have skin like that.”
Alzeen wrapped his arm around her waist. “Your fair flesh is far lovelier, Princess.”
“Now you’re just teasing me.” She chuckled. “Oh, Alzeen, look at that. There.” She pointed. “At his waist.”
The angelic sentry was girded about his loins with a jewel-encrusted, golden-hilted sword. The blade alone dwarfed Jenevier’s full height.
“He isn’t real. I am certain of it. I mean, there’s no way. Look at him. He is truly, enchantingly… magical even.”
“He’s not all that magical,” Alzeen grumbled.
“Come, Jenevier.” The sentinel’s deep voice echoed across the hills, vibrated within her chest. “Come. Enter the hallowed grounds of Vanahirdem. Valadrog eagerly awaits your arrival.”
The glowing man with the booming voice made a deep bow as he stepped aside from the gated entrance, gesturing with a sweeping movement of his impeccably sculpted arm.
“Ahh, Alzeen… it spoke. Did you hear him speak?”
“How could I not?” he mumbled. “I am all but certain even the moon heard his ridiculous bellowing.”
Jenevier didn’t respond. She was in awe.
“What is that about his shoulders? Is that… armor? Wow, I want to touch it.”
She gazed at the large, intricately designed metal plates wrapped around each of the glowing man’s massive shoulders. They sparkled, reflecting the sunlight with his graceful movements.
Alzeen yanked hard on one of her curls. “I’m certain he would be more than happy to let you. Why don’t you go ask him?”
“Did you not hear me, Maiden?” the giant man called out. “Come. Enter.”
Jenevier swallowed hard. Her feet felt like she was dragging boulders along with her as she tried to proceed. Still holding firmly to Alzeen, she took but one step within the grandiose gateway when the massive Guardian drew his giant sword from its sheath.
“Jenevier must enter alone,” he bellowed.
His voice was so deep, so ethereal, it made her very soul tremble within. Then, she realized the giant sentinel was pointing his monstrous blade at Alzeen. Her beautiful new friend had frozen in his tracks. Only his hand, still entwined with hers, had made it through the heavenly entrance.
“Wait. You mean… Alzeen can’t come with me?”
The colossal Guardian’s spectacular blue eyes blazed a steely gray when he turned to face her. A shiver ran up her spine.
“You must go to Valadrog alone, Maiden. This you knew.”
“Yes, I do know that. But Alzeen is from here. I only just met him here, in this place. I brought no one with me.”
He flashed a ferocious smile, letting his sharp, pointed teeth shimmer in the gleaming sunlight.
“Look at him,” he spat.
She turned to face Alzeen.
“Does he look Vanir to you? No, of course not. He is not from here. He cannot enter.”
“But… but I promised him,” she whispered. “He’s my friend.”
Jenevier heard the rumbling start deep within the sentry’s chest. It was as if fire spewed forth with his words.
“Jenevier must go to Valadrog alone!”
Every cell within her trembled before this terrifying, ethereal giant. She felt faint. Alzeen released her hand, his words ripping back her full attention.
“All is well, Jenevier. This is your quest, my sweet. This is what you’ve been searching for. This is why you traveled so far from your home.” He smiled softly. “Fear not, my love. You now stand at the very threshold of obtaining your most ardent desires. You have earned your reward at last. This is for all you have gone through, all you’ve sacrificed. You have paid the price well, Princess. Now, take what is rightfully due you. Don’t worry about me.” He winked at her. “Besides, I’ve lived here for as long as I can remember. I can take care of myself. I promise to wait for you, right here, as long as it takes. I will not forsake you, Jenevier. And I will never leave you. I have only just found you. Remember?”
She literally felt her heart shattering. She turned to face the giant sentinel towering over her.
“Very well,” she hissed, anger swelling within her. “If this consecrated place is too good for someone as pure and honest as Alzeen, then it’s far too sacred for the likes of me. I am not worthy to enter Vanahirdem before Alzeen, much less minus him entirely. You can tell Valadrog I no longer desire his help.”
She pushed past the fierce warrior, ignoring his still drawn blade, and returned to stand hand in hand with her beloved Alzeen.
“Foolish human!”
“Self-righteous brute!”
The sentinel snarled. “You have given up everything in your life just to reach this gate. You have traveled through lonely, untold perils to gain entrance here and seek help, help you obviously need and greatly desire. Yet you would hastily throw it all away? And at the very threshold, no less. Un… be… lievable.”
“Is that so? Well, perhaps I have already found what I was looking for, what I truly needed.” She held up her seared hand before the incensed Guardian. “This will not define me. I refuse to let it. If I must fight Prince Merodach every day for the rest of my life, then so be it. One thing’s for certain. I refuse to relinquish one more fr
iend. I refuse to dispose of one more piece of my heart just to gain my own miserable, selfish freedom. What good is freedom if you sacrifice everything worth keeping in obtaining it? Tell me. What does that leave you with, Guardian? Freedom for freedom’s sake? By the gods! If I give up all I love to be free of this curse, what have I accomplished? Why not run willingly to that vile Prince with open arms? Would I not be lost and alone either way? If Alzeen cannot walk through that majestic gate with me, then you can tell this Valadrog, his help is worthless and a lie. Tell him I no longer wish for the type of assistance the honorably sanctified Vanir have to offer.”
The Guardian just laughed. “Tell him yourself, fiery little maiden.”
He stepped from the center of the ethereal gate to reveal a growing crowd standing within. Each person looked almost exactly like him. The Gate Guardian bowed low as a distinguished looking man stepped from the throng and approached her.
This man looked like all of the others around him. Perfect in every way, save for the distinctive silver hair. He was flawless beyond description, yes. But where all other Vanir boasted a flowing silver mane cascading well below their waists, this man had not one single hair upon his head. No liquid silver trademarked him except for the extremely long mustache falling from either side of his pursed mouth.
A graceful woman glided forward and stood by the bald warrior. Jenevier recognized her immediately.
“Vareen,” she whispered.
“What say you?” bellowed the man.
“You are the chief,” Vareen answered. “It is your decision alone to make.”
“She has fire in her tongue.”
“And in her heart as well,” Vareen added.
“Who will stand up for this defiant young maiden?” he called out. “Who among you tested her?”
