by JK Ensley
Alzeen called out to her over the crowd before he disappeared from view. “I have only ever loved you, precious maiden. My heart will never change in your regard. I swear it. I’ll see you soon.”
He waved, and was gone.
“All is well, little lady.” Valadrog patted her shoulder. “Vareen will care for him as her own beloved child. He will be safe and well taken care of. He is now within the sacred city of Vanahirdem, far away from anything or anyone who could ever harm him.” He sighed as he touched one of her curls. “It lifts my heart to say this, tiny maiden. When you love, you love completely.”
“He is no mere man, Valadrog.” She was numbly staring in the direction he had gone long after his parting back had disappeared from view. “I sense a pure and ancient soul within him. I had no choice but to love him. It was the most natural thing I have ever done.”
Her constant tears were trying to drown her mind. Sorrow racked her entire essence, making it hard to even breathe.
“Come now, my child. He will not leave you.” Valadrog placed one massive finger under her chin, turning her to face him. “You are quite observant for one so young. Ah, but I share in this talent of yours.” He winked. “That man loves you, Maiden, ferociously so. I fear you will never be rid of that charming soul. Now, muster your strength, Jenevier. You are to begin training forthwith. Your quarters, tiny warrior, will be within the sacred dome.”
Her gaze followed the direction in which Valadrog’s enormous hand was pointing. A distant twinkling in the hills marked where the radiant sunlight struck the colossal crystal structure.
“You will remain within those hallowed halls until you have mastered the art of war, or… until you choose to abandon your lessons, give up, and return home. The choice is, and always will be, yours, Milady. My own noble son awaits your lovely presence. He has been preparing for your arrival and eagerly wishes to begin.”
“Your son? Is… is he a giant, too?”
She was actually just thinking the question. She didn’t mean to speak it aloud. Valadrog roared with laughter.
“You are unexpectedly funny, tiny maiden. He will love you. I am certain of it. Vareilious, please escort this enchanting little lady to her new quarters.”
Jenevier slowly turned in the direction Valadrog was now speaking. Somehow she knew without looking, but she hoped against hope. Her eyes quickly found the enormous man approaching her. Exactly as she had feared, it was the Gate Guardian.
“It will be my greatest pleasure.” He smirked as he gave her a mocking bow.
“You are in supremely capable hands, Maiden,” Valadrog said. “Vareilious is the bravest, strongest, most honored warrior amongst our people. You could not be more protected if you were sitting in the lap of God.”
“You’re being too gracious, Valadrog.”
The intimidating sentinel turned to address Jenevier. For her eyes alone, he ran his tongue across those razor sharp teeth and winked.
“The old man thinks too highly of me, little kitten. I am only second amongst the honored Vanir. Valadrog gives me too much credit. He always has. But tell me… are you impressed with me anyway? Now that you know I am but second best?”
“No, I am not.” She took a step back, sneering haughtily. “I should feel safe only with the greatest warrior among you.”
“Good.” He laughed as he reached for her. “Because that’s exactly where we’re headed, little lady.”
Chapter 37
Halora
(hah-LORE-ah)
It took Jezreel close to three hours to reach the top of Waverly Ridge. She knew where she wanted to go, and who she wanted to see, before she ever left Alastyn’s loving parents. She was thrilled to make it long before nightfall.
I will begin my intended quest before Alastyn even finishes packing for his, she thought.
The modest home was nothing like she had expected. Jezreel was ready to see a crumbling little hut completely surrounded by creeping things—black cats, frogs, bones… lots of bones. Instead, she was shocked to see an ordinary looking house with flowering gardens and a peaceful little pond. The sun shone down upon this dwelling the same as it did the rest of Tamar Broden. She had wondered about that.
The house was much bigger than she thought one person would need, but it was quaint and cozy looking. Butterflies were kissing the aromatic white lilies blooming near the edge of a charming little stone pond. The glistening fish swimming near the surface of the water fascinated Jezreel. They were of every shade and color imaginable. There was a spunky little blue one darting here and there. She noticed a large plump yellow one that reminded her of butter slowly melting over fresh hot-out-of-the-oven bread. There were many shiny orange ones and a couple of little black ones, but they were really hard to see. She saw a gray one, a weird greenish looking one, and several tiny snow white ones with dull red eyes. But her favorites were the spotted ones. Spotted fish, she could hardly believe it. They alone contained every other color in the sparkling little pond. It was like all the individual colors used to paint those vivid fish were haplessly splashed upon these beautiful speckled creatures swimming carefree all about.
“They are beautiful, are they not?”
Jezreel almost jumped out of her skin. The woman approaching her was nothing like what she pictured Halora would look like. She wasn’t old and she wasn’t young. She wasn’t hideously gnarled and she wasn’t enchantingly beautiful. To put it plainly, she was normal—perfectly normal in every way. If you were to pass her on the street, you wouldn’t give her a second glance.
“Hello, my name is Halora and this is my humble home.” She motioned with a wave of her hand. “Welcome. And may I have the pleasure of your name?”
Her smile was genuine as she extended her inviting hand in the most natural way possible. She wasn’t threatening, or intimidating, or scary. She was actually rather pleasant, comfortable even. Jezreel visibly relaxed as a soft wave of joy washed over her. She was now certain she had made the right choice for her future. She had passed the test, and was overwhelmingly relieved.
“My name is Jezreel. I’m so very pleased to meet you, Halora.”
“I see you’re enjoying my precious little babies.”
The pleasant woman then sprinkled food across the surface of the little pond. Jezreel hadn’t even noticed she was carrying anything. The frenzied swarm within the waters looked like a living, breathing work of art—hypnotically beautiful.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” She smiled warmly as she looked at Jezreel. “You surely aren’t lost all the way up here?”
“No, I’m not lost. I am exactly where I want to be.”
Halora looked back at her fish. “Oh? How so?”
“Well, I was told you were the one who could show me, could teach me how to use magic.”
She chuckled. “Now, who in the world would have ever told you such a silly thing as that?”
Jezreel blushed. “Apologies. Perhaps, I’m going about this the wrong way. Let me explain.”
“Yes, do go on.”
*****
Jezreel recounted all the many tragedies of the last few days as the woman listened patiently. She told Halora of the secret room she’d accidentally discovered, and then finished with all the cryptic warnings she had received from everyone.
“And yet, you chose to come anyway? Of your own free will?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Jezreel said with a nod.
“Then you are very foolish or very stubborn. Either one renders you unworthy of such a great a gift as magic. Go back to your little cottage, Jezreel. Quit dabbling in things you do not understand. My advice to you? Wait out the appropriate time until your dear friend returns.”
Halora headed back to her house. Jezreel chased after her, begging and pleading.
“I know you can help me. You’re my only chance. I’ll pay whatever price you set. Just help me, please.”
“Mind your words, child. You know nothing of what you speak. No matt
er what price you are willing to pay nor how much you are willing to sacrifice, you cannot save Jenevier. Her future is in her own hands. Nothing you attempt on your own selfish part will change that.”
“Why does everyone keep saying I’m selfish?” she mumbled. “I’m the one willing to give up everything for someone else’s benefit.”
“Child, you are so blind.” Halora walked back to the magical pond and seated herself upon the stones surrounding it. “I will offer you some free advice. Anyone you ask will tell you that won’t happen very often. But you need to have your eyes opened lest you fall into the great pit you are wildly running toward.”
She lovingly fed her precious fish once more as Jezreel sat waiting.
“See these enchanting creatures? Notice how every single one is beautiful and different? There are no two exactly alike. As they were in life, so they remain.”
Jezreel’s gaze remained fixed on the hypnotic colors swirling within the crystalline waters.
“I don’t understand,” she murmured.
“Child, you are thick.” Halora tossed out more crumbs and sighed. “Many people come to me with many different requests. Some want money. Some want fame. Some want power. But, most of them just want love. Alas, that is the hardest request to fill. Love is a two-way street, mind you. It is impossible to walk it alone.”
Jezreel remained silent, mesmerized by the sparkling creatures before her. The realization of Halora’s wise words had not fully penetrated her thoughts.
“Listen, child. I will never withhold the truth about magic—and its varying consequences—to anyone who wishes to toy with it. Each one knew the benefits, the costs, and the ramifications up front. I will work with no one who is not well informed of the lasting magical effects which occur when a spell or promise is broken. Once an incantation has been uttered, magic takes over. Then, it is no longer in my capable hands. Magic does what magic chooses to do.”
“So, magic made these beautiful fish?” Jezreel whispered, absently.
“Well, yes and no. Magic caused them to be, yes. But the choice was always theirs. Magic will not force itself upon you. One must willingly invite it.”
“But magic was forced upon Jenevier. She invited it not.”
“Yes. And that is exactly why Jenevier can change the curse, remove the magic. Magic will let her decide how it will affect her life. It won’t be easy, no. She will suffer greatly. But she can defeat it. Knowledge is power, Jezreel. But self-pity and ignorance? Well, they will leave you swimming with the fishies.”
Halora sprinkled the last of the crumbs. The colors swirled once more.
Chapter 38
Vareilious
(vah-REEL-ee-us)
When her feet left the ground, Jenevier tried to scream, but fear had sucked the air from her lungs. Instead, she wrapped her arms firmly around the giant creature winging her to their glittery destination.
She could feel his muscles contracting beneath his iridescent skin as he tried feebly to hold in the deep guttural laugh now echoing off the surrounding mountains.
“I knew when first you saw me you longed to hold me in your arms. You had only but to ask, fair maiden. I would take great joy in pleasing you properly.”
The enormous Guardian roared with laughter as he soared much higher than necessary. She only clung tighter to his colossal chest. No witty comebacks. No more threats of vengeance. Primal fear was all that remained within her.
The wind stung her open eyes, but she couldn’t bear to close them. Only blindness could be worse than this. The winged Vanir shot straight up toward the heavens as her stomach rocked tumultuously within her.
“What are you?”
Her whisper was so faint and pitiful, she wasn’t even certain the mighty warrior heard her.
His gigantic wings stretched forth from his sides, bringing her to a sudden, unpleasant stop high in the air. The Gate Guardian wrapped his massive hands around her tiny clinging form, pulling her up to meet him face to face.
“I am the terrifying creature of the night. I am the Guardian Angel sent from the heavens to guide you. I am the vengeance within man’s heart. I am the comfort that cradles you to sleep. I am the swift bringer of justice. I am the loving caretaker of innocence. What I am, fair lady, is exactly what you need me to be. I am Vanir.”
He stuck out his long tongue and lapped up the tears that were freely flowing down her cheeks. Vareilious revealed, once again, his sharp pearlescent teeth.
She flung her arms greedily around his neck and held on for dear life. His thunderous laugh shook the heavens as he wrapped one arm around her and swiftly dove toward the fast approaching dome. Her terrified screams mingled with his jovial laughter, ringing eerily across the open sky.
When she unexpectedly felt the glorious security of firmness beneath her trembling feet, Jenevier released the Guardian’s glowing neck and jerked free from his grasp.
“Don’t touch me!”
His boisterous laughter renewed as she fell back on wobbly legs and landed flat on her bottom. Quickly jumping to her feet, her vision suddenly blurred as the lingering dizziness swayed her. She widened her stance, holding her arms out for balance. Crouched in this frozen position, she fought to regain her breath and steady her racing heart.
Where did the wings come from? I never saw any wings. How did he get wings? What kind of creature is he, anyway? How can he be all those amazing things he mentioned? And all those horrible things… at the same time? Who, no, what is he?
Vareilious casually leaned against the ethereal crystal wall, flashing her a dangerous smile. He chuckled, thoroughly enjoying her clumsy attempts at reclamation.
“Need any help, Kitten?”
“Do not speak to me, demon. Don’t even look at me.” Her voice trembled with rage and fear. “I have never hated anyone or anything as much as I hate you right now.”
Actually, she had never hated before, period. She had always found something good in everyone she met. Well, perhaps not that vile dog she had helped. But this raw, gut-gnawing, all-consuming feeling she was now experiencing, it was utterly suffocating. She didn’t like it. Not one bit. Her first taste of hate was disgusting, left a bitter taste in her mouth. And that made her hate him all the more. It was growing inside her. She could feel it swelling in her chest.
“Come now, Maiden. I am certain you are capable of far greater hate than you now possess.”
His pious smirk was the most blatantly sarcastic thing she had ever seen. The endless sunlight danced off his lethal grin as those gloriously mesmerizing azure eyes drank in her tiny tremulous form.
“And I am way too eager to teach you thus, Kitten. My mouth waters at the splendid chance to kindle that smoldering little flame of hate buried deep within you. I am ferociously aroused at the thought of stoking the tiny ember. Stroking it until it frantically pulses, just beneath the surface. The height of my ecstasy will be met only when I have engorged that meager little spark until it violently explodes—bursting forth from every pore of this lusciously soft body trembling here before me now.”
His sharply defined animalistic incisors slowly parted. She watched, horrified, as his tongue touched her outstretched wrist and slid crudely up her shaking arm.
Jenevier couldn’t take it anymore. She lunged at those brilliant blue eyes with all her might. Screams tore from her throat as she vainly tried to rip those glistening orbs from their perfectly sculpted sockets.
Alas, her fierceness was nothing more to him than a warm breeze on a cool night. The monstrous Guardian had taken her by the wrist and she now dangled in the air in front of him—caught in his enormous hand like a child’s ragdoll. His continued pious laughter enraged her very essence.
“Ahh, Maiden, I smell your sweet hatred. It only makes me crave you all the more. Your final release will be epic. This I promise. You fight with me now, little lady. But soon you will relish the ultimate satisfaction I will bring to your quivering body. Oh, Kitten, your buried passions stir me as
none I have encountered before. Our sweet, inevitable union will be legendary, tiny warrior. Can you not sense it? Can you not feel the tremor in the very air between us?”
Jenevier watched as the ethereal giant sensuously licked his perfectly contoured lips. She swung her free arm with all her might. He simply caught her other wrist as if she had politely handed it to him. Now, she dangled helplessly before him in his inescapable grasp.
She squeezed her eyes closed as his hungry tongue once again tasted her tender flesh. She pictured him as a giant venomous snake, not the flawlessly angelic creature now holding her arms prisoner.
He eagerly lapped up the fear-tinged sweat trickling down her neck. He was feeding off her terror. She could feel his intensity growing, hear his heartbeat quicken. She kicked and squirmed, vainly fighting against this heavenly warrior.
Jenevier heard the pleasure vibrating in his throat like the dangerous purr of a majestic lion. The sound made her sick. Yet his breath was sweet and intoxicating, almost mind reeling. He slowly lowered her until just the tips of her toes were barely touching the elegant marble floor. Her wrists remained his captives, yes. But he lowered her arms and gently wrapped them behind her back. Feeling slowly returned to her pale fingers.
Vareilious was lost in his quest to devour her pain, her panic, her fear, and yes… all of her sweet hatred as well. He pulled her firmly against his iridescent body, wrapping his giant wings around her. He was momentarily lost in his desires.
The soft, ethereal feathers brushed lightly against her face as his eagerness smothered her. She continued in vain to struggle within his embrace, but she knew her release would be granted only when he had finished with her.
Jenevier hated this beautiful Vanir with a growing force—building and waiting inside her. He sensed it. She knew full well he would. This was exactly what he wanted. This was his purpose. This was why he tortured her. And oh how she loathed him. Yet, the stronger her hatred grew, the more his internal laughter vibrated against her tightening chest.
