Blessed by Sapphires (A Dance with Destiny Book 2)

by JK Ensley

  I emptied the entire bottle of rosewater into the steaming still water only moments before we were joined by our friends.

  “Aye, Lass, did ye get in here tae cool off?” Vittorio said. “Things were much hotter over there.”

  “Hey, Jen, since when did you enjoy parading around in front of a bunch of men, completely naked?” Vareilious asked.

  “Hey, Var, since when did you start calling me Jen? And as for naked men, I’ve never minded them.” I smiled and snuck a quick peek at Varick’s chest. “Actually, I’m quite fond of them.”

  “You know what I meant. What’s happened to you? Are your reservations absent, or have they abandoned you altogether?”

  “In all my years here, never once has the natural state of our bodies been a secret, or hidden, or something any of us have been ashamed of. You, yourself, taught me we are more than just our bodies… they are the least of us. You know this as well as I. Besides, when you reach the point in your life where you cannot even distinguish heaven from hell, reservations are the least of your concerns. Although, I will admit to being laced about with darkness during my rebirth. Perhaps that’s playing just a small part in my being absent shame. I’m not sure. But, Vareilious, you have seen me naked on hundreds of occasions, why take offense to it now?”

  Varick cleared his throat and Vittorio only blushed.

  “That was completely different and you know it. I was your trainer.” His brusque whisper was forced through clenched teeth. “Besides, you were all beaten and emaciated then. Now, you’re properly filled out in all the right places. Your nakedness alone is not the only problem. Well, it is, but it isn’t. I mean, the way you were acting with Varick, all sexy and seductive, that’s just not like you.” His voice softened. “And think about Vittorio, he’s never seen you behave thusly.”

  “Aye, only in my most treasured of dreams.” Vittorio winked at me, continuing to enjoy Vareilious’s exasperation.

  I stared at the massive warrior brooding across from me. “How have I wronged you, Brother? Had I been even vaguely aware that my natural body would bring you such unrest, I would have forsaken the springs altogether. I’ve never heard you go on such with Vinika or Varillum or any other Vanir. Apologies for my current shamelessness. I no longer worry over such trivial things. I am daily thankful for life, for all its joys and sorrows. I will not make excuses, but neither will I be a stumbling block for you, Brother. If my nakedness offends you, I will remain fully clothed in your presence ever after.”

  “Don’t take it like that. It’s just… well, it’s just…” Vareilious stammered.

  “Jealousy,” Varick said. “The word you are looking for, is jealousy.”

  I snickered. “Oh, so you didn’t want Vittorio to see me like this?” I taunted him further. “All sexy and seductive acting.”

  “Aye, nae worries, Brother. I already have.”

  Astonished looks masked rising fury on the faces of both my former teachers. Vittorio only smiled broadly, enjoying his moment in the spotlight.

  “That’s quite enough fun for now,” I said, sending Vittorio a scolding look.

  “Sounds to me like you’ve been having way too much fun as it is,” Vareilious snapped.

  I almost snarled at him. “If you insist on entertaining that hideous green monster, I must ask you to leave our pristine waters before you foul them with such slime.”

  “You need to come with me.” He glanced at the other two Guardians. “This will only take a moment, gentlemen.”

  Vareilious jumped out of the springs, snatched my wrist, and jerked me out before I knew what was going on. I let out a surprised little shriek. He pulled me several yards away from our companions, but I could still feel Varick’s internal grip as if he were standing at my side.

  “Exactly what’s going on with you? Vittorio? Really? You had sex with Vittorio when I have professed my undying love for you from the moment we first met. Why not use a blade and remove my heart with one quick slice? Show me mercy, Jen. Stop tearing away at my soul.”

  “Hey, Vareilious, are you crying?” I quickly wiped his tears and peered around him at the waiting warriors. “Please, do not shed tears. You know I cannot handle your sorrow. It maddens me, takes me to a dark place, a place where I lose all control.” I caressed his jaw line with my thumb. “Vittorio was only playing with you guys. I thought you of all people could see that. I am different, yes. Yet I’m not so different that I would sleep with all manner of men and Angels and Vanir.” I visibly shuddered. “Let’s return to the waters. I’m shaking. And you now have me standing naked in an open field for the whole city to see.”

  At this realization, he stretched his wings forth, covering me with their silky warmth.

  “Apologies.” He blushed. “I let my emotions master me for a moment.”

  I didn’t try to hide my smirk. “Imagine that. The Master of Emotions, being mastered himself.”

  Vareilious’s wings covered my most important parts as we made our way back to the blessed warmth.

  “Wow… My dreams of ye are forever changed, wee Princess,” Vittorio said. “I nae imagined just how ferociously sexy ye’d look, having yer delicious parts barely covered with feathered wingtips. I cannae part with the beautiful memory. I wulnae forget it… a truly inspired vision from the heavens.”

  “He speaks true, my love.” Varick turned to his brother. “Vareilious, I must say, your attempt to hide her was more enticing than even I am able to handle.”

  He pulled me close, gently kissing my lips, but buried passion was burning in his golden amber eyes. He melted me.

  “By all that’s holy! Must I be forced to sit here and watch this?” Vareilious growled.

  “Aye, nae one is forcing ye, Brother.” Vittorio playfully winked at me.

  “Enough with all this nonsense.” I waved my hands in the air, trying to shoo away this entire conversation. “Varick, you promised you’d tell me about the man who froze my body, talked inside my head, and filled me full of that vile black stuff.”

  All teasing and laughter ceased.

  Vittorio gasped. “Nae, it cannae be.”

  “Tell me this isn’t so, Brother,” Vareilious demanded. “Loosen your royal tongue and still my rising fears.”

  Chapter 43

  Vittorio

  (vit-TOR-ee-oh)

  Everything was pitch black—devoid all light. Try as I might, I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my face. But I could sense it.

  Vittorio had made certain I learned how to live without my eyes, relying solely on my inner eye through the forced awareness of my other senses. I hadn’t seen the true light of day for weeks now. You can never properly appreciate the wondrous gift of sight… until it’s gone.

  My mind drifted back to Varick’s soothing angelic voice as we bathed in the hot springs. He tried desperately to impress upon me the nature of the being that had read my thoughts and left his own bouncing around inside my head.

  “I know not his name, for I know not yet who seeks you. I fear who it may be… and pray to God I’m wrong. I only hope a vision comes before we’re forced to find out the hard way. What I do know is… he hails from layer three, Spadroon, the far eastern side.”

  Vareilious visibly shuddered at Varick’s words. “How does he even know about her? We have no dealings on the east side of Spadroon. They’ve kept to themselves for years now.”

  Vittorio smiled. “Aye, she’s been tae hell, Brother. Every creature ye wouldnae want tae even learn of yer existence, now speaks her name openly as the wife of their dark master.”

  “That hadn’t crossed my mind, Vittorio. You must be right.” Varick’s excitement left that sick feeling in my gut again. “No way something as hell-shattering as Apollyon himself, crying over a lost love, would go unspoken. I should daresay the news has traveled throughout the underbelly of every layer.”

  “Think about it. The beautiful glowing Angel with the pink and golden curls… stole away the vicious Hell Prince’s h
eart.” Vareilious stared at my horrified face. “Wow… What a story. It tickles even my ears.”

  “Why did we not anticipate this? I should have known,” Varick mumbled. “I’ve been lax in my duties.”

  “Aye, why dinnae we think like demons? Listen to yerself, Brother. It nae crossed our minds because we’re nae hell’s spawns. Demons cannae be understood. Ye cannae reason with the bloody devils. An’ ye know as well as I, that’s truth, Brother.”

  “‘Tis true. And how could we always know when a demon was near her?” Vareilious’s brow was furrowed in thought. “There are thousands of them. I bet about half that many are just curious enough to try and get a little peek at this fabled Princess.”

  I got tickled. “Yes, Varick, what shall you do? Hang a demon bell about their necks to warn me when one’s coming?”

  Vittorio chuckled. “Aye, Lass, just what goes on inside that twisted wee mind of yers? Nae, dunnae tell me. I dunnae even want tae know the truth of that.”

  It was obvious they mistook my reference. So, I told the giant trio about the story I remembered from my childhood. It was the one about some mice who were terribly tired of being chased and having their friends eaten. They strung a bell around the large housecat’s neck while he was sleeping… so they could hear him coming.

  “Exactly! That’s precisely what we’ll do,” Varick announced. “The bell for starters, but now it’s time to resume your training, Milady. Vittorio, you and Valadrog will both be needed to help. Only your expertise will save her in this, Brother.”

  “Aye, Captain, I’m on it,” Vittorio said, with a determined nod.

  “You mean, you plan to hang a bell around a demon’s neck? So I can hear him coming?”

  Vareilious snorted and rolled his eyes. “Well, now you’re just being silly, Jen.”

  *****

  I could only listen while they set Varick’s plan into motion. I had to keep reminding myself to breathe. I couldn’t believe this was happening again. Was there a large flashing beacon floating over my head with something like, Come and get it! written thereon? Or perhaps my soul was catnip for crazy people. Actually, if people were my only worry, I’d have no worries at all. It was the unseen ones that were pulled to me, as a moth to a flame. I sighed heavily as I was taken, once again, to the ethereal training dome.

  I didn’t dread this training like I had the first one. I knew the basics and what was expected of me. I no longer carried the baggage of a fragile, childlike heart. I was a grown woman and a seasoned warrior. Even at that, nothing worth doing ever comes cheap.

  Varick and Vareilious teamed up to run back through the basics. I proved sadly out of form. My years spent in idle roaming had nearly obliterated my reflexes. I was amazed I’d handled myself so well on Praetoria. Much could be said for the element of surprise, but I kept that gruesome little scene to myself. There was no sense in worrying my brothers with stories of slaughtered demons and banished Angels. And I certainly didn’t want to have to sit through another verbal lashing about how careless and naïve I was. No one needed to remind me.

  I spent the first few weeks in constant combat. Only when I had bested the accomplished warrior, Vareilious, was I allowed to be released into Valadrog’s capable hands. We sparred daily, but his focus was mainly on demon lore and abilities. This ancient Guardian was a wealth of amazing stories and long forgotten information.

  “Rarely will a lesser demon be much of a challenge to your deadly fighting style, but greater demons don’t attack you head on. They get in your mind, toy with your thoughts, alter your reality. They can change the things you know to be true, into bitter lies,” he warned.

  We spent weeks bent over scrolls, with me absorbing all I could. We mapped out strategies for the best attack or defense against each type of demon, fallen Angel, or dark soul recorded. I combed over those ancient words day and night until I knew each vile creature by name and deed, if not by sight. I even read about my husband, Vindicus or Apollyon, as it was recorded there. I didn’t spend a great deal of time on his story. I could never fear him and I knew he wasn’t the one looking for me. But I did add to the words written thereon concerning him. Some things… only a wife can know.

  When Valadrog was satisfied with his tutelage, Vittorio came to take his place with me at the training dome.

  Varick showed up just long enough to tie my bell around my neck.

  “This, my love, is a sacred blood ruby with the runes of demon protection carved into it. This is the only one of its kind and was procured at great cost. Never take it off. This is now your most precious talisman. It glows and pulses when a demon is near. Advanced notice can almost always ensure victory, my love. Coupled with it is a medallion of ancient Norse runes ensuring invincibility in battle. You are mighty in your human form, lethal when donned with Vashti, but you’ll be unstoppable to all with this magical protection about your neck, tiny Princess.”

  Other Vanir were forbidden from interfering during training, but I discovered several letters those first few days upon my windowless sill. Most of them were affirmations of love and devotion from my precious Varick, but many came from Vareilious. They were full of warnings and threats concerning the accented, skirted Guardian who was now in charge of my life. I chuckled as I read each of them and then carefully hid them from my current master.

  My glorious Guardians simply didn’t understand the special relationship I shared with Vittorio. If ever there was a more caring and loyal brother, I never heard tell of it. He was as close to me as blood kin, closer. He understood me better than anyone still living, all past and present loves included. He was truly my brother in every possible way. I would easily lay my life down for his without a single thought. We shared a bond more precious than love; we trusted each other, period. He knew what I needed even before I did, and he fixed many of my problems before they even became problems. This had always been the way with us, since our first mission together. I was the most precious being in the world to this man. His every thought was continually upon me. And I was like-minded toward him. If ever the phrase… I’ve got your back… rang true, it was with me and my kilt-wearing brother.

  *****

  “Vittorio?”

  “Aye, my wee darlin.”

  “Do you have a mask?”

  “Aye, Lass, now why would I need a mask?”

  “Well, Varick can change into Alzeen. I’ve seen Vareen as an old woman, and Valen as a disgusting old dog.”

  “Aye, that’s all true.”

  I stared at his smiling profile. “You don’t have one?”

  He glanced my way. “I can change my form, if need be.”

  “What or whom do you change into?”

  He laid down the book he was reading. “Whatever or whomever I need tae be, Lass.”

  “Truly? So… a Vanir’s mask isn’t like mine? Isn’t like Vashti?”

  “Nae, my love. We have the ability tae appear as anything ye need us tae be. Our mask is designed for yer pleasure, Milady. It’s all aboot the innocent who needs us an’ what or whom they will be comfortable seeing. Vashti is different. She’s a whole other side of ye. She is ye and ye are her. She’s like a physical manifestation of a talent ye always had. She simply lay dormant within ye until yer Pyrolysis.”

  “So, Varick can look like a man other than Alzeen?”

  “Aye, that he can.”

  “And… you can do this as well?”

  “Aye, Lass. If need be.”

  “Can you look like Alzeen?”

  “If ever I’d met him, I could.”

  “What do you mean… met him?”

  “If I’d ever met this Alzeen person before, I could change tae look like him.” He cast me a sideways glance. “I know what yer mind is playing upon. But remember this, wee Princess. It’s only an illusion for yer eyes, for yer comfort. The way Alzeen looks an’ acts is nae necessarily the way the real Alzeen would be. The Alzeen ye know is Varick, an’ Varick is who ye fell in love with while ye were lookin
g at Alzeen. Does that make any sense tae ye?”

  “I believe so. You can change your outsides so you can better blend in where you are needed, for their comfort. But you’re still Vittorio.”

  “Aye, my love. I’ll always be yer sexy Vittorio.” He winked and flexed his muscles. I laughed. “Shall we begin, my wee rabbit? We cannae be wasting much more time on pleasant chatter.”

  “I put myself completely in your capable and trustworthy hands, Milord.”

  Vittorio leaned in close. “I wish tae share a secret with ye. Promise ye’ll nae tell anyone, dear heart. But know this. Yer my most precious friend.”

  “Only if you promise not to tell anyone I share in this secret as well. You’re the treasure I hold above all others.”

  “Aye, many a night I’ve lain awake an’ remembered when ye first donned that rare red dress.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pulled me onto his lap. “It’s still my favorite. Sometimes, I just put it on and stare at myself in the looking glass. It makes me feel like a real Princess.”

  “Aye, promise tae do that for me someday soon. Once this is all over, I wish tae take ye some place special. Somewhere I know ye’ve nae been before. Ye wear that dress an’ I will escort ye through a magical land, Princess. Ye wulnae be able tae forget it. An’ I’ll always remember yer smile.”

  I squeezed his neck even tighter. “I want to go now.”

  “Aye, me too, Lass. Me too.”

  “Vittorio?”

  “Aye?”

  “Thank you.”

  “For what, wee Angel?”

  “My ruby hair stick. I knew it was from you, minus your words.”

  “Yer smile is my breath, Milady. I cannae live withoot it.”

  *****

  Vittorio’s focus was on the third layer realm inhabited by the unnamed demon who had tried to possess me, the eastern part of Spadroon.

  “The only way tae describe the accursed side of that layer is utter darkness. There’s nae a single ray of light that can penetrate its void. Eastern Spadroon is a black hole in this universe.”