by JK Ensley
She cried against his neck. “I missed you so much.”
“Oh, my true love, not nearly as much as I have missed you. It is good to finally see that mesmerizing sparkle back in your eyes. You warm my soul and complete me.”
“Why did you stay away from me? Did I not tell you it would utterly destroy me? I very nearly lost myself, Alzeen.”
“Had I but known how much you needed me. I did not realize how true your words actually were.”
“I told you I would never lie to you, Alzeen. Never leave me again. Promise?”
“I promise.”
She kissed him then. No longer did she kiss him with innocence and wonder. This time, she kissed him with the lips of a woman, a woman filled with passion and burning desire. His heated response grew between them. She pressed ever closer. Alzeen’s elated moans thrilled her uncontrollably. She wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him even deeper. Smiling mischievously, Jenevier ran her tongue from his ear down his neck.
He gasped. “Jenevier.”
“What, my love?”
“You must stop, please. I cannot bear it much longer.”
“I don’t want to stop, Alzeen. I don’t want to ever stop. Do you truly want me to withhold my love from you?”
“…No.”
She kissed him until he lovingly, pleadingly pushed her away.
“Alzeen, my love, do you no longer wish to lay with me?”
His marvelous smile broadened as his eyes flickered.
“I told you one day you would ask me that.”
“Yes, you did. And that day is today, Alzeen. Will you lay with me, my love?”
“Had I but known this was all you needed, Milady. Had I but known you wished to share your bed and your glorious heart with me, all those lost and wasted moments could have been spent in sheer bliss—lying in your loving arms, watching your beautiful sleeping face. All I ever dreamt of, ever wanted, was within my grasp. Forgive me.”
His voice began to change then. His lovely green eyes were no longer filled with rusty flecks, now… they glowed with amber fire. He pulled her back to him, smothering her with fierce desire. She never wanted it to end.
“Alzeen?”
“Yes.”
He answered her between passionate kisses across her subtle, willing body.
“Varick?”
“Yes.”
Her breathing was heavy, labored with want.
“Who… who are you?”
He stopped his glorious exploration to look into her eyes.
“My precious love, I am Alzeen and I am Varick. The inside never changes, only the wrapping. What you have confessed to Alzeen, you have confessed to Varick as well. What secrets Alzeen whispered in your ear, were said by Varick as well. It is only your eyes that cause your confusion. I am the man who pulled you away from the Pixies. I am the man who broke your nose. I am the man who gave you your very first real kiss in the Valley of Trees as you sat in my lap. And I am also the man you just threatened to gut and leave for dead. The outside is for your comfort, my love. Inside is where the truth resides. See me now for who I truly am—your everything, as you are mine.”
He now had gold and silver flowing hair, glowing amber eyes, and beautiful olive skin.
“Does the wrapping change the gift within?”
“N-no.”
“Which do you prize most? The paper wrapped without or the precious gem hidden within?”
“The gem.”
“Tell me. Let me hear the words from your beautiful mouth. Speak now the truth, my love, my Jenevier.”
By the gods… Wha—
Her confused thoughts suddenly halted. She studied him a moment more before gently placing her hands upon his gorgeous cheeks, looking upon the face of Alzeen… and into the eyes of Varick.
“My love, my one true love, I have been so foolish and childish concerning the matters of my heart. I love you with every ounce of my being. I am ready for this and I will never again fight against it. I wholly embrace this magical love. I want to spend an eternity in your arms. Whether they are olive or iridescent, I care not. I now see you without my eyes. And all I can see, is the radiant other half of my weary soul.”
He closed his heavenly eyes and released the anxious breath he had been holding through her entire, wondrous answer. He lovingly picked her up and kissed her all the way down the hall.
He gently laid her upon that giant, fluffy bed. They held each other, laughing and talking for hours.
Finally, after all the lonely desolate years, happiness had found them.
Chapter 50
Vareilious
(vah-REEL-ee-us)
She hurried down the long hallway, feverishly looking for the blaring angelic horn resonating throughout the consecrated dome.
Jenevier found Varick in the enormous formal dining hall. A pitiful looking cake slumped on the table beside him, flaming brightly with large candles never intended for such use.
“What is this? It is not my name day.”
She tiptoed as he bent down. She gave him a quick, affectionate kiss on the cheek.
“No, it is your anniversary.”
She raised one eyebrow. “What anniversary?”
“Today, you have completed six years of intense training in the way of the holy Vanir warrior. I humbly present you with a delicious treat. Your first bite of sweets in six years, my love.”
She closed her eyes and groaned. “Six years? Ugh, I’m so old now.”
Varick laughed. “Yes, you are now an ancient twenty-four-year-old.” He gently tugged on one of her curls. “You are an incredible woman, Jenevier. I simply could not let this day pass without some form of acknowledgment. I am exceedingly proud of you, Milady. You have grown into a breathtakingly beautiful woman and a ferocious warrior. One whom I would be leery of facing on the sacred battlefield.” He whispered that part. “This puny mortal tongue does not contain the words to properly express just how much you mean to me. I love you truly, Jenevier.”
“And I you, Varick. You are the only reason I take my next breath. You own my heart for all eternity, my love.”
He held her close. Their bond, their connection, spoke volumes between them.
“Come now. Don’t you want a piece of cake?”
“Well… perhaps just a tiny one. I have this sadistic taskmaster who will surely make me run ten miles up hill for one little bite.”
“Surely you jest. He cannot be that bad.” A tempting sparkle danced in his eyes. “Here, let me feed you.”
Varick elegantly swiped his thin finger across the icing and placed it in her open, waiting mouth. She sucked off every last bit of the delicious sweetness. His sensual moan turned into a beastly growl. She smiled coyly at him and stepped around the corner of the table. When he flashed a wicked grin in return, the chase was on. Jenevier darted from this side to that, flipping and twisting just outside his enormous reach. He finally caught her by the waist, lifting her high into the air.
“Now I have you.”
“Only because I let you.” She giggled wildly as he mercilessly tickled her ribs. “No, stop it. That’s not fair.”
“Hello, Honey! I’m hoooome! Come, Princess. Kiss your mighty warrior. I have returned from battle and crave only your lips.”
The deep guttural voice ceased their blissful playtime.
“No way.” She gasped. “It cannot be. My ears deceive me.”
Jenevier squealed and ran from the dining hall into the main living area. She leapt toward the waiting warrior while she was still a good fifteen feet away. He snatched her from the air with ease, cradling her in his massive arms.
“Wow…” He whistled seductively as his eyes devoured every last inch of her. “Look at you. Someone’s all grown up and deliciously sexy. I am at your feet, Princess.”
He licked her arm and then her neck. She couldn’t contain her giggles. He stopped at her ear, his delicious warm breath tickling her as he spoke.
“Oh, Milady, I
have missed you so much. In my mind I have made love to you a thousand times. I wish now to cease my dreaming and see luscious fantasies come to life.”
She kissed him on the cheek. “I have missed you too, Brother.”
“Do not greet me thusly, Maiden. If you wish a name for me, let it be Lover instead. Mmm, just smelling your delicious skin brings me to fullest attention.”
She laughed. “You are truly as disgusting as I remember.”
Vareilious threw her onto the enormous, fluffy lounge and landed on top of her, pinning her down. Her hysterical giggles were muffled by his tremendous weight.
“Get off me, you big ox. I can’t breathe!”
Vareilious drank in her body. He was aroused by the way he could clearly see the elongated muscles of her neck as they flexed and moved under her milky flesh when she laughed… the way her taunt skin sank in at her collar bone, leaving that sensuous little valley above her clavicle where he longed to lick and kiss her. He loved the slight curve of her shoulders and how the muscle tucked in sharply before reaching her tiny, defined bicep. The sight made his mouth water.
“Mmm, you look so strong. Oh, gorgeous little warrior, let us wrestle now and prove your worth.”
“No way.”
She laughed as she tried to wriggle out from under him. He held her fast.
Had Vareilious not already loved her, he would have been unable to stop. This maiden had effortlessly claimed a powerful pull over his strong heart. He was hopelessly devoted to her—had loved her upon sight. She consumed his thoughts, his dreams, even his prayers. No matter how great a warrior he was in battle, no matter how strong and powerful this mighty Guardian truly was, he could no more deny this lovely creature beneath him than he could deny his lungs their duty. For the first time in his eternal existence, he knew true fear. With but a word, this innocent little Princess could utterly destroy the valiant warrior, and it terrified him.
“Then, we shall cease pleasantries and get down to the heart of this matter—my desire to fill you completely, Milady.”
He licked her from between her firm breasts all the way up her neck, to the very tip of her chin. She couldn’t help but giggle.
“You are still so vile and disgusting. Get off me, you brute. You act as if you haven’t beheld a woman in these last six years.”
Vareilious suddenly stopped his flirtatious play and smacked his perfectly sculpted lips together. “I taste something different within you, Maiden.” One corner of his mouth turned up in a wry smile as he looked back down at her. “And, yes. I have seen many women. But I’ve been saving myself for you. I am so ready, so hungry for you. You have no idea, little girl, what my mind now screams.”
“Oh really? Then tell me, oh chaste one. What do you taste different within me?”
He rolled her scent around on his tongue. “It tastes an awful lot like… happiness mixed with… peace, and mingled with but a dose of… love.” He twisted his face up as if he had eaten something sour. “Ugh, it is truly disgusting. Where has your incredibly delicious fear gone? What has happened to you, little one?”
“Welcome home, Brother.”
Vareilious rolled his eyes and growled.
“You. You did this to her?”
“Yes, he did,” she answered gleefully.
“You mean to tell me that our good Captain Callous over there has made you so happy, everything else is gone? There is nothing left for me?”
“Apologies, dear Vareilious.”
She ran her fingers through his luxurious hair and crinkled up her nose as she smiled at him.
“Why, Varick?”
His outburst startled her, but not nearly as much as the pain and frustration now twisting his perfect face.
“Why have you done this? Must you destroy everything? Can I not have this one thing? Can you not simply go away and leave her to me?”
“You can have anything within the whole of this universe, Vareilious. Speak it and see it yours… just not her.”
“Ugh, I have never wanted another!” The beautiful sentry looked upon Jenevier’s troubled face. “When I left you here alone with him, I was worried sick. I knew no peace the whole of my absence. I feared he would destroy you.”
“He very nearly did,” she whispered.
“Did he? Truly? Did he hurt you, my Angel?”
She didn’t answer.
He turned slightly and threw his words back over his shoulder. “Varick, if you broke one single bone in her splendid body, if you bruised one inch of her perfect flesh, I swear I will—”
“Nothing was intentional, Brother.”
“So you did?” He looked back to her now moistening eyes. “Jenevier, tell me now. Did he break any of your bones? Did he leave a single mark upon you?”
“All is forgiven, Vareilious. Varick never meant all the—”
“All?”
“What I meant to say was—”
“All?” he yelled. “Tell me now. Did he break your fingers?”
“Yes.”
“How many?”
“All of them,” she whispered.
“At the same time?”
“No.”
“So, he broke your bones on multiple occasions? He beat you, over and over… the whole of your training, didn’t he?”
She didn’t answer, didn’t want to relive the painful memories.
“Did he break your arms?”
She barely nodded. “Yes.”
“Both?”
“Yes.”
“Did he break your legs?”
“One.”
A single tear rolled back, disappearing into her curls.
“And your ribs, did he break any of your lovely ribs?”
Her voice cracked. “…Yes.”
“What else did he break? Tell me, Princess.”
“Her nose,” Varick added.
“And you forgave him?”
His words were mingled with a hair-raising growl. He felt her tremble beneath him. She swallowed hard before she spoke.
“Not for many years, no. I hated him beyond all reasoning.”
“Good girl.” He squeezed her gently.
“I became numb to everything else in the world, save my hatred and bitter rage.”
His voice was like ice. “That’s going way too far, Varick.”
“I know, Brother.” He sounded haunted by the memory of it.
Vareilious affectionately touched the tip of his nose to hers. “So, what happened?” he whispered.
“He pushed me to the point of breaking. And… I resolved to kill him.”
“And I would have helped you, little Princess.” He squeezed her tighter. “So, what changed?”
“Alzeen,” she said.
“Who?”
“The boy from the trials,” Varick answered.
“Him?” He snorted out a laugh. “You mean that scrawny, fuzzy-haired boy you fought with me over? The one you threatened me over… at the gate?”
She blushed. “Yes.”
“Varick, you devil. She fell in love with your mask.”
“She did.”
“Good thing she did. Or it sounds as if you would’ve been buried by now.”
Vareilious winked down at Jenevier. She muffled a laugh.
“And you, little lady, you forgave him not only the destruction of your luscious body, but the destruction of your heart as well?”
“What can I say, old friend? I love him.”
“Huh, love, ridiculous. You’ve not had the pleasure of truly getting to know me yet. Thusly, you could not possibly know about real love.” He softly kissed the tip of her nose. “And does he return this undeserved love he has all but stolen?”
“A hundred fold,” Varick answered.
Vareilious glanced down at the ground. “I’m not speaking to you, dog. So, Jenevier, you have given your innocence to him? You have made love to that destroyer of hearts?”
She furrowed her brows, confused. “No.”
“No
?”
“No, we haven’t.” She slightly shook her head as she answered.
“And has he asked for your hand? Did he get down on his filthy knees and ask you to marry him?”
“No, he has not. Why do you ask all this?”
“Then, all is fair, Brother.” Vareilious yelled back over his shoulder at the regal Vanir. “A simple declaration of love can change with the winds. Hell, I told her I loved her the first day we met. If there is no real bond, then there are no rules for me to break or lines for me to cross. All is well again.” He winked down at Jenevier and licked her neck once more. “Ah, Maiden, I have desired you like no other. Promise me you won’t give yourself to him until I have had the pleasure of making you hate me as well.”
She giggled. “Agreed.”
“Vareilious, this is no game,” Varick warned.
“And I’m not playing, Brother.” He jumped off the lounge, stretched his wings and yawned. “I am weary from battle. I will take my bed and you can take your leave, Varick. My turn has come. She is no longer your pupil. We will begin when I wake. Make sure you get plenty of rest now, sexy maiden. Tomorrow, you dance with me.”
He winked at her and slapped Varick on the shoulder as he made his way to his room.
Jenevier was terrified anew.
“But… I thought my training had ended?”
“With me only, my love. Did you not remember you had Vareilious yet to contend with?”
“I forgot…”
She bit her lip, fear and dread apparent in her eyes.
“He provides an extremely important part of your training. Without Vareilious, you would never be able to control your anger and that fierce temper of yours. He is a vital part of your ultimate success.”
She sighed and fell back onto the lounge.
“Come, my love. I will lie with you as you sleep. I will leave you in Vareilious’s capable hands only when you waken.”
“You’re leaving me?”
He smiled. “Never, my dear Princess. But I cannot be here while he works with you. No warrior undermines the training of another.”
“But… I fear.”
“Yes, and that’s exactly what he wants from you.”
