Destroyed by Onyx (A Dance with Destiny Book 4)

by JK Ensley

  Now facing the door, she fought with a hazy memory when a delicate red box appeared in her peripheral with the next flickering of sight. She snatched it up as she made for the exit.

  Flying down the many flights of stone steps, her dagger’s scabbard made a fine, thin line along the pristine wall as it marked the jagged path of her uneasy balance.

  “If they were my friends, why did they make me do that?” She sniffed and tried to rub the tears from her eyes, but her hands were too full. “I told them, did I not? I said to stay back if they meant me no harm.”

  Her foot missed the next step and she tumbled forward, thankful she only hit four steps before coming to a jarring stop on the cold marble floor.

  Her spackled vision was maddening, yet the pictures were staying just a little longer than they were before, perhaps becoming a bit clearer as well.

  Checking to make sure both swords and the odd box were still in her possession, Jenevier tried to get back to her feet.

  “Empress, what happened? Are you well? Did you get hurt?”

  She spun toward the speaking shadow and twirled her sword so the heavenly blade now pointed outward.

  “Stay away from me.” Her tears were obvious in her threat, almost choking out her words as they poured over her cheeks, burning a pathway down her scarred neck. “I do not wish to harm anyone else. So please… just let me leave.”

  The massive palace doors had been in view while she was sprawled upon the floor, she knew she was close. This new shadow blob, the one she could hear, heeded her plea and did not advance. She backed away, one uncertain step at a time.

  “Naga, if you wish to leave this place, I will help you.”

  “I can do it myself,” she cried. “Just stay back.”

  “Yes, Milady, as you wish. I know not what new evil has befallen you, but if you can understand me, listen closely.”

  Jenevier stopped short when her back bumped up against the stone wall, a long way from the intended doors. The speaking shadow made no move to stop her as she scooted along the wall, hand extended, searching desperately for the feel of a cold metal protrusion.

  “When you are freely through the main gates and can feel the sun upon your cheeks, call out to your bonded protector. Nilakanta will wing you far from the palace.”

  “Why would you help me?” she said. “And why can I understand only you?”

  “I know not what has befallen you, Mistress. But I will always help you… just as I have always loved you. When you are ready to come back home, I’ll be here waiting for you. Worry not over Jinn, Milady. We will see to your realm. Go. Heal your soul, beautiful Angel.”

  Her hand latched onto its intended target just as the shadow had finished its words. Jerking the door wide, she ran headlong into the bright daylight, stumbling down the polished marble steps.

  “Let her pass.”

  She heard the voice behind her as she gained her footing and ran wildly forward.

  “Do not hinder or approach her. Give her room. Stay back.”

  The shadow person was shouting out exactly what she was thinking. The many other mumbling blobs parted like waves as the open gate flashed in and out of her vision.

  Her trembling legs had taken her perhaps a couple hundred yards before the burning in her lungs forced her to her knees.

  “Nilakanta.” Her intended yell came out as a squeaky plea, but the result was the same.

  As she knelt there, gasping for air, her every cell still screaming out for more oxygen, a giant shadow blotted out the sun. The jarring thud sent her sprawling, face first, onto the ground.

  Come, little Naga. I will be your wings.

  The deep, ethereal voice wasn’t in her ears, but in her head. Her strobing vision was slowly lessening. She had little trouble seeing the giant sapphire wing touching the ground beside her.

  It took longer than she thought to crawl up the velvety leather ladder. Falling wearily upon her Dragon’s back, Jenevier released a heavy sigh.

  Hang on, tiny Angel. I will take it slow for a bit. Are you ready, Kagi Naga?

  “Y-yes,” she said. Not really, she thought.

  The rumbling laughter in her head eased her racing mind. Do not lie to me, little one. I know your thoughts. Take your time and regain your bearings. I’ve got you. My breath will ensure your safe rest. No one can get to you now, Little Fire. Not even Angels, be they dark or light.

  “Gratitude, dear friend.” Her chest heaved with the effort required to speak. “I could use just a little rest.”

  She nuzzled into his luxurious softness and breathed in and out, over and over, until calmness returned to her quivering soul.

  “What happened… it must have all been a dream,” she whispered. “A horribly tragic dream. That’s all. Yes, it must have just been a dream. I haven’t been nearly bad enough for such a thing as that to be reality. Have I?”

  As she slowly relaxed, utter exhaustion hung tiny little weights upon her drooping lids. She gave in to the comforting lull as she curled into a ball, snuggling atop the velvety soft spot between her Dragon’s shoulder blades.

  “I just need a calm moment.” Her whispered words grew ever fainter as consciousness slipped away. “Just an hour or so, for rest, then all will be well. The nightmares will ebb and my wings will return. I’m all but certain of it. Keep me safe, giant brother. Let me slumber within your magic for a time.”

  Very well, tiny Guardian.

  The Otherworldly voice floated softly through her mind.

  Nos da, Little Fire. Sleep well.

  *****

  “Yui,” Daichi called out to the young Shinobi as he stood motionless, staring out the open door at his terrified Empress. “Why did you allow her to leave the palace?”

  Yui turned back slightly and caught sight of the approaching blue Angel. “I do not have to be one of heaven’s mighty hosts to know… crossing her this day would not be a wise thing to do.”

  He looked then to a man he hadn’t yet met and saw blood oozing out between his fingers, dripping down the back of his hand that was clamped firmly against his left cheek. Yui blushed slightly and turned back to watch the approaching Dragon.

  “Ha ha. Yes. My wisdom fled me this day, little ninja.” Raphael followed Yui’s gaze outside as he mumbled. “She has always had that effect on me, removes my rational thought… troublesome little sister.”

  Yui didn’t look at him directly, but Raphael could see the Shinobi’s smile from the corner of his eye. The injured Arch bumped the young ninja with his elbow. Yui swayed slightly, his smile growing a fraction larger.

  “You and I are of like-mind concerning her, child of Munenori,” Raphael whispered.

  Yui only nodded his head slowly and watched as the Empress of Jinn clumsily scaled her Dragon’s giant wing, collapsing onto his back.

  “She could be in no safer hands,” Gabriel said as he took a place beside the gawking trio.

  “Are you going to make me ask what happened this time?” Yui said. “Or should I just guess?”

  Daichi released a heavy sigh. “Oh, the usual. Angels came and pushed Naga past her breaking point, took her wings, and then her life.”

  Yui snorted out a sardonic laugh. “Oh, is that all?”

  “No, it gets better,” Daichi continued. “While her wrongfully departed soul was passing through the Nether, unescorted, Apollyon saw her.”

  “Of course he did,” Yui said casually. “I knew that, for I saw his rare sapphires sparkling upon her alabaster cheek.”

  “That’s not the only place they now sparkle,” Daichi grumbled.

  “Yes. I noticed that, too,” Yui said. “Tell me. Why didn’t she know me?”

  “Well, that bloody Prince of Hell refused to release her,” Raphael said. “Her body lay dead for nearly an hour. It’s naturally taking her shell some time to catch back up with her mind. That’s all.”

  Yui rolled his eyes. “Oh, well… naturally,” he said. “And need I ask why an Angel yet bleeds?”
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  Raphael shrugged his shoulders. “It was a seraph blade,” he said, like that simple explanation should suffice.

  “He means… it will leave a scar,” Gabriel added. “And it’s such a shame, too. His pretty face was about all he had going for him.”

  Daichi snorted. “Yeah, what a shame.”

  Yui muffled a chuckle.

  As they watched, the majestic Dragon spread his enormous wings and finally took flight. Dusty wind blew through the open palace doors and across the four witnesses, tousling their hair, causing their eyes to squint.

  “Is she mortal now?” Yui asked.

  “I’m not certain,” Gabriel said.

  The young ninja shook his head, rolling his eyes in exasperation. “Tell me. What of her are you certain about?”

  “She has been removed from my hands,” Gabriel said. “Father will decide what will become of her now.”

  Daichi snorted again. “Ugh, I hate Angels.”

  Raphael placed a hand on his shoulder. “As do I, Brother. As do I.”

  “So, tell me.” Yui crossed his arms as he turned to face the ethereal company. “Why do you people keep messing with her? Why can you not just leave well enough alone?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “And who are you to demand her wings? What gives you the right? And who the hell killed her?”

  Neither Arch seemed put out or perturbed with the ninja’s honest questioning.

  Gabriel started. “She was the Angel of Death, designed for nothing else.”

  “And she was glorious, was she not?” Raphael sighed. “Exquisitely lethal,” he said with a smile.

  Gabriel cast his brother Arch a sideways glance, cleared his throat, and continued. “When her power was drained by the Elf girl, Uriel did what he could to restore her. And then when Ahriman gifted her with darkness, we all held our breath.”

  Raphael smiled. “And then, true to form, she shocked us all by refusing her Blessing and denying her essence.”

  “I have no idea why you find that so amusing,” Gabriel chided.

  Raphael ignored him. “We came this morning to remind her why she was built thusly, convince her to take up the part she was meant to play. Remind her how important death and the wings that carry it are. We needed to see if she still had it in her, if she could still manage it. Or if she was just simply done with it all.”

  “Yes,” Gabriel said. “And when the time came for my questioning, when I took her tiny hand in mine and started to talk with my little sister… I could plainly see all the horrible nightmares still plaguing her. All the blood she has spilt. All the lives she has claimed. All the wretched battles she’s had to fight. I took pity on my precious baby sister.” He paused.

  Raphael finished their tale. “And instead of giving her the choice, he decided to just take her wings and leave her mortal.”

  “I only planted the thought within her. She was the one who accepted it in her heart. You’re the one who butted in, Brother.”

  “You left me no choice, Brother. Not giving her the whole story, not letting her be the one to decide, it was the same as lying to her. She stood, absent choice, minus freewill,” Raphael said. “What else could she do but accept the life you told her she had no choice but to lead?”

  “And so…” Gabriel said as he nodded toward Raphael. “Her tenderhearted brother, here, loves her too much and decided to help her change her mind. I had removed her wings, erased her immortality at the same moment he disappeared with her in his arms.”

  “I took her to the moon,” Raphael said softly. “I had no idea she was only a human once more. By the time I realized my folly, her lovely little soul had drifted to the Nether.”

  “And the rest you know,” Gabriel finished.

  “No,” Yui said. “You failed to explain the part I just bore witness to. Why is it we all stood here and let her leave? You know not if she is mortal or Angel now. And we have no idea where in this universe she went.”

  “She was yet master of her blades,” Raphael said as he rubbed the new scar upon his once flawless cheek.

  “Yes. But not so with her wings,” Gabriel added. “Nilakanta is eons old and incredibly wise. He will not lead her into danger. He cares only for her. She will always be safe upon his majestic back.”

  “And what of you, Daichi?” Yui asked. “I never dreamt you would willingly let her depart. And so soon after you finally got her back.”

  “Nor did I,” Daichi said. “But… I know she lives and I know she is safe. That’s good enough for now. I have a strange peace in my heart about this whole thing. I will let her heal how she is supposed to heal from this. I spent the better part of this past night restoring her, Yui. The dawn greeted her as very nearly the same woman you laughed with in our secret valley.” Daichi smiled then. “She is amazing. After all she sacrificed, all she left up there on the baby moon, at her core… she is still Naga. She is still our Little Fire. Only her wrapper has changed.”

  “Yes. She just needed some time alone with her healing Blessing,” Raphael said. “Kagi Naga is Kagi Naga. And Daichi ensures that. As he should.”

  “He speaks true,” Daichi said. “She woke whole… on the inside. Now? Well, I trust Nilakanta, Senpai. If Naga needs me, I will know. I will not force her in this. I will never part from her, Yui. Yet, right now, she needs time to sort out who she is, who she wants to be, and which path would be best for her. I will wait for her call. Whatever she decides, I will be there to support her in it.”

  Yui stared at each man’s angelic face and then turned back to the empty skies over Jinn.

  “…I hate Angels, too,” he whispered.

  Chapter 38

  Brodder

  (BRAH-dur)

  Bore da, Little Fire. Did you rest well?

  That deep voice resonating through her head brought a smile to her lips.

  “Bore da, Dragon. I slept like a baby. How is it you speak with the tongue of my warrior kin on Val Hal?”

  I am unfathomably old, little one. My kind can be found on the pages of antiquity amongst many races. Jinn was not always my home.

  “We’re no longer on Jinn, are we?”

  Now, tell me. How is it you know that, Little Fire? You have yet to even open your eyes.

  “I know because I can no longer smell the lavender. This place smells like… like… rain. I like it.”

  He chuckled inside her mind. You are as a child, Kagi Naga. I do believe that’s what I love best about you.

  She yawned and stretched her arms, looking around as she sat up. “I wish to sleep on your back always, dear friend. Best sleep ever,” she said through a yawn.

  As you wish, Naga.

  She was trying to reach an itchy spot in the center of her spine when her unusual contortions turned her around.

  “Ah, why did you bring me here, Dragon? What was your reasoning?”

  I have a name, Naga. Or do you wish me to address you as Angel? He chuckled again. And I brought you here because of your dreams. You are an extraordinarily vivid dreamer, Little Fire.

  She snorted. “Tell me about it.”

  You have unfinished business here. Your dreams turned to sorrow when your mind remembered the bitter regret of not getting to say farewell to these honorable people.

  “But… I don’t think I’m ready for this. What will I say? What will I do? Just stroll in there like nothing ever happened? I hurt people here, Dragon. I made too many ripples. And also… I love them all too much to hurt them again.”

  Little Naga, take my advice. Don’t be so scared of being hurt that you pass up the chance to be happy. There is happiness awaiting you on this layer, tiny Angel. You only need the strength to accept it.

  “Ugh, Dragon, you know me too well. I feel violated.”

  As well you should.

  His warm laughter rolled through her again.

  “But what if someone sees you? Jinn is now the only realm where Dragons are common knowledge.”

  Naga, my tiny little Guardian, Drago
ns are full of magic. We are the very essence of it, the fountain from which it flows. My scales hide my presence, always. If your Celtic brethren look this way, I appear to them as nothing more than a blending of the surroundings. Completely natural… except for the colorless maiden straddling my back.

  Sitting atop Nilakanta, Jenevier smiled as she drew her knees up to her chest, blinking away the sleepiness while she stared at the back of the large castle.

  Your father awaits you, little Naga.

  “Yes, I know.” She sighed heavily and turned to look her Dragon in the eyes. “You know he’s not my real father, right?”

  Blood makes you kin. Love makes you family.

  She giggled. “You’re almost as wise as you are handsome, Dragon. Continue to impress me thusly and you may wake one dawn to find your manacle has been stolen away whilst you slept.”

  Tease me not, Angel, or you may find yourself good and truly wed. As I said, Dragons hold great magic.

  She smiled then. “Very well, my bonded friend. The next time I mention it, I won’t be teasing.”

  She heard his growl in her head as she felt it rumbling underneath her.

  Remember how it felt when we first touched?

  She chuckled. “No matter how much of me has been stolen, never could I forget that, Brother.”

  Do you believe you could handle such as that daily, little Naga?

  “Absolutely not. You, my good Dragon, are more man than I could ever possibly hope to handle.”

  She felt and heard his laughter, it warmed her heart.

  “Nilakanta, at the end of all things, after I have managed to alienate all who ever cared for me… will you remain?”

  Naga, until my last breath, I am yours.

  She rested her back against his broad neck. “Deep within me, I knew that. But hearing the words, I am edified, Brother. I love you too much.”