Redeemed by Rubies (A Dance with Destiny Book 6)

by JK Ensley

  “I seek guidance… and wisdom.”

  “I fear your talents far exceed my own in such things. But if it is within me, I will gladly share in all that I know.”

  “Where is Izadori?”

  “She went to visit her father.”

  “Good.”

  Alastyn chuckled again. “What is it you wish to know, Milady?”

  “In your vast library…” She glanced around at the enormous room. “…have you read of anything concerning Nephilim?”

  “Nephilim? No, I have not. What’s a Nephilim?”

  Jenevier shook her head. “Nothing, really. Just a troublesome creature I have recently come across.”

  “I guess there is much you have seen that I never will.”

  “Trust me.” She arched a single brow. “Most of it, you’re better off not knowing.”

  “But the adventure… Ahh, Jenevier… to be able to experience rare magic with you at my side.”

  She giggled. “That would be amazing, Alastyn. But we never even got the chance to explore this realm.” She bit her lip. “We didn’t really get to do anything together, did we?”

  “Would you like to?”

  Her eyes lit up. “Are you mad? Of course I would like to! Have you discovered a secret? Something magical no one else has discovered? Do you have a secret place we could go explore together?”

  Alastyn chuckled. “You truly haven’t changed, have you?”

  Jenevier blushed. “Not much. Well… not when I’m around you, it seems.”

  He smiled. “That makes me happy.”

  “Me, too.” She giggled. “Ridiculously so.”

  “Well… I’m afraid I don’t actually have a hidden secret place where we could go exploring.”

  “That’s too bad.” She sighed. “I would love to spend the day exploring with you. But just you… no Izadori.”

  Alastyn laughed. “Oh, but I did read one rather interesting little tidbit about a real secret place on Ashgard. One I had never even heard about.” He pulled a scroll from the shelf. “I was reading it only yesterday. Let me see here… a magical cave, said to connect realms.”

  “A magical cave?” Jenevier peered over his shoulder. “Does it say where it’s located? Do you know where it is?”

  He smiled as he turned his head and quickly kissed her cheek. “As a matter of fact, I do.”

  *****

  “So… you came all the way to Ashgard to ask me if I knew about Nephilim?”

  Alastyn gently elbowed her as they made their way across the outstretched field.

  “No. Not truly.”

  “I didn’t think so.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you? Or do I have to tickle it out of you?”

  Jenevier laughed as she glanced back over at Nilakanta. The Dragon was walking beside her with his head bowed so she could stroke his velvety cheek.

  “I had a fight with my son,” she whispered. “It was our first.” She felt the sting of coming tears. “I guess… I guess I just wanted to go somewhere that felt… comfortable.”

  Alastyn wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I am glad you thought of me, Jenevier. There is no place more comfortable than home… coming back to the place where carefree childhood memories were made.”

  “Yeah.” She sniffed. “It soothes the soul.”

  “And the heart.”

  She smiled. “…Yes, it does.”

  “Come on. It’s not far through the trees, there.” He pointed. “I found it several years ago, but I didn’t know what it was then—never ventured inside.”

  Jenevier snorted. “And there is where we differ, Brother. I always rush headlong into the unknown.”

  Alastyn chuckled. “Yes, Angel. As it should be.”

  Do not encourage her, Olden King of Ashgard.

  Jenevier smiled at her Dragon’s unspoken words.

  You know he cannot hear you, right?

  That truth is irrelevant, Nilakanta said with a snort. The words were meant for you, Little Fire.

  I know. I know. Yet, you are with me, Brother. No matter what trouble I stumble into, you will always save me.

  Always, Kagi Naga. So I have vowed it, so will it be.

  Jenevier smiled, running her fingertips out the length of one of his large whiskers. You are the eternal light in my soul, Dragon.

  Yes. As you are mine, Little Fire.

  “Here we go, Jenevier.” Alastyn gently tugged on her arm. “This way.”

  “Worry not,” she whispered to Nilakanta as she kissed his soft snout. “If I need you, I will yell.”

  And I will burn the forest down to reach your side, little one.

  She chuckled. “Take it easy on these old trees, Brother. Mangladune is ancient and home to my oldest and dearest friend.”

  Then I suppose you best not run into any trouble, Little Fire. To make it to your side, I would burn the universe down… Elves and all.

  She was still grinning happily as she followed Alastyn into the trees.

  “I love that smile, Jenevier.” He bumped her with his shoulder. “Feeling better now?”

  She scrunched up her nose at him. “I’m getting there.”

  *****

  “We’re almost there, Princess Kali,” Baytac said, glancing back at her. “Are you well? Has the journey been too arduous?”

  “I am fine,” she answered through a tiny pant. “I can make it.”

  “Here,” Baytac said, squatting down in front of her. “Climb on, Princess. I will take you the rest of the way.”

  She giggled. “Just like when we were little.”

  Baytac’s chest tightened when he felt her soft breasts press against his back.

  “Not exactly the same,” he mumbled.

  “What is it, Brother? Am I too heavy?”

  “You’re as light as a bird, Princess. And please… stop calling me brother.”

  She giggled again. “As you wish… Baytac.” She tightened her grasp around him. “Do you have any idea how badly I have missed you, how I have longed for your company since the very moment you left the city?”

  Baytac didn’t answer, but the tightness in his chest grew as the threat of coming tears burned the backs of his eyes.

  “I was so lonely,” she whispered. “I cried myself to sleep for weeks. Did you know that?”

  Still, Baytac kept his silence.

  “Then, one day my tears dried up… and I became vexed with you.” She lightly pounded her fist against the back of his shoulder. “How could you do that to me? How could you just up and leave me like that… all alone?”

  “You were not alone, Princess. You are blessed with many loved ones.”

  “Is that what you say to me? After all these years?”

  Baytac’s heart quivered when her voice began to crack.

  “I was all alone, Baytac. Completely alone. It matters not how many people are stirring about you, if the one you love abandons you… you are utterly alone. Miserably so.” She buried her forehead between his shoulder blades. “I got so angry with you. After my countless tears had not produced your return, I wanted to hit you. I wanted you to feel pain… pain akin to what you had bestowed upon me. I may have only seemed as a child to you, Baytac, but my heart was already set where you are concerned.”

  “…Princess.”

  “I have moped about, the whole of your absence. I have refused to let anyone else near me… near my heart. I am the outcast—the Untouching Elf. I did not forge new relationships. I have no friends, save my family. And I fear they only put up with me because we are bound by blood.”

  “Why, Princess? Why would you hide your rare heart from the world?”

  “Why would you?”

  Baytac didn’t answer.

  “A broken heart heals the way it heals,” she whispered. “We have little say in the matter.”

  They continued on in silence, each reliving the bitter pain of their youth.

  “…We are here,” B
aytac said softly.

  “Oh… it’s a cave. Is this where you’ve been hiding?”

  “No, Milady.” He gently eased her down. “This is a special place… a magical place.”

  “Magical?” Kaleeska looked from the darkened entrance to the large Elf beside her. “How so?”

  “Come with me.” He took her hand. “I will show you.”

  As the two Elves neared the cave’s entrance, the darkness within began to lessen.

  “What is that?” Kaleeska whispered. “Is someone in there?”

  “No, Princess. We are alone. Come. I want you to see this.” He tugged on her hand. “You are the only one I want to share it with.”

  “Wait, Baytac.” She pulled back, resisting him. “…I fear.”

  “There is nothing to fear, Princess.” He smiled down at her. “I am here. I will keep you safe… always.”

  “Believe him in this. That Elf is fierce beyond your knowing.”

  The two Elves turned just as Jenevier and Alastyn stepped into the clearing.

  “You?” Baytac snorted, almost growled. “What are you doing here?”

  In contrast, Princess Kaleeska bowed reverently. “Madam Empress… His Royal Highness.”

  “Rise, Princess,” Alastyn said. “There is no need for such formalities in a place such as this.”

  Baytac kept his hardened gaze locked with Jenevier’s. She smiled and scrunched up her nose at him.

  “This is the second time you have appeared from the trees… uninvited,” Baytac said in a low voice.

  “Oh, come now, Brother.” Jenevier batted her lashes. “If you continue to go on so, our friends here will think you don’t like me.”

  “Baytac,” Kaleeska scolded. “You mustn’t speak to Empress Naga in such a manner. She is Master of Death and Guardian of Dragons.”

  “Yes,” Baytac mumbled. “I know all about the Dragons.”

  Jenevier chuckled softly. “Yes, haven’t you heard?” She smiled happily. “I am a creature to be feared, not scorned.”

  Baytac rolled his eyes.

  Kaleeska yanked on his hand. “Please, Baytac. Do not anger her. Have you not heard the stories?”

  “What stories?” he grumbled.

  The Princess lowered her voice. “The ones that tell of how she can claim your soul with but a look—cease your breath with but a whisper. She can rip grown men in two with nothing but her thoughts, and commands wild beasts to do her bidding.”

  “Wow,” Alastyn said, yanking on one of Jenevier’s curls. “I didn’t realize you were so awesome, so terrifying.”

  Jenevier chuckled. “Neither did I. Go on, Princess. What else do the Elves whisper about me?”

  Kaleeska blushed and looked away.

  “Do not tease her,” Baytac said, before turning to the Princess and gently lifting her chin. “I have not heard those stories, no. Yet, I have seen her might with my own eyes. I cannot attest to the fact she can reap with but a look or a word, no. But I know that she is a force to be reckoned with… an incorrigible force.” He mumbled that last bit.

  Kaleeska gasped. “What are you saying, Baytac? Did you raise your sword to the Empress?”

  “Aye… and my bow as well.”

  “But…” Kaleeska looked from the raven-crowned Elf to the tiny smirking Angel all covered in curls. “How is it you yet live? What did she do to you?”

  Baytac glanced sideways at Jenevier. “She changed me,” he grumbled. “Can’t you tell?”

  Kaleeska furrowed her brow. “Changed you? How? Did she make you taller?”

  Jenevier chuckled.

  Baytac’s mouth nearly fell open. “No, Princess. Growing up made me taller.” He narrowed his gaze. “Are you honestly gonna stand there and tell me you cannot see what that Angel did to me?”

  Kaleeska’s brow remained furrowed as she studied him closely. “You are older, of course. No longer a boy. Hmm… Did she make your hair longer?”

  Jenevier giggled. Baytac growled at her.

  “I made him sweeter,” Jenevier said. “Can’t you tell?”

  Kaleeska turned to Jenevier, confusion plainly written across her lovely face. “No, Your Grace. That is not so. Baytac has always been the sweetest person I have ever known.”

  Baytac blushed. “Kali… can you not see how I have been changed?”

  “No.” The Princess shook her head. “You are as handsome as I always remembered you to be.”

  “Handsome?” The red covering Baytac’s cheeks continued to grow. “Princess, you shouldn’t say such things to men. If you let your guard down thusly, they may take your words the wrong way.”

  “How could you possibly take that the wrong way?” Kaleeska grabbed his hands, forcing Baytac to meet her earnest gaze. “I have always thought you were beautiful… always. No other Elf has hair as lovely as yours. There is not one among them who stands as your equal in height and build. And your skill with a bow…” She smiled. “I remember… you used to sit me up on a high tree stump. I would watch you practice all day, cheering loudly as each arrow found the center of that battered old target. My favorite part—when you would turn and smile at me as I clapped. Wow… Never have I seen a smile as lovely as yours. So, no, Baytac. I see no change in you. You are the same amazing Elf who has wandered through my dreams for years… the one I fell in love with when I was but a child.”

  “…Princess.”

  The girl smiled at the brightly blushing Elf, almost giggled. Jenevier and the King remained silent, sharing occasional knowing glances.

  “Now,” Kaleeska said happily. “What rare magic were you going to show me?”

  “Yes, Baytac,” Jenevier said. “Show us what magic you have stumbled across.”

  The dark-haired Elf ignored Jenevier as he slowly led Princess Kaleeska to the glowing cave entrance.

  “When I was yet young,” he said. “Not long after I had left our home in Arbordell, I stumbled upon this strange place. The closer I came, the brighter it got. When I stepped inside, it was like every star in the sky was shining down… just for me.”

  The smiling Elf couple stepped into the cave.

  “…Wow.” Kaleeska giggled. “This is amazing.”

  “Yes,” Baytac whispered, gazing down at her and the glow now dancing across her pale cheeks. “And never has it been more lovely. I believe the stones are showing off… just for you, Princess.”

  “She’s right,” Alastyn whispered. “It truly is amazing. I have never seen stones glow before.”

  “That’s because they are not stones. They’re Urimtheim,” Jenevier said. “Baytac, you say this cave glowed for you when first you saw it?”

  “Yes,” Baytac said, turning to face her.

  “And… you were alone?”

  “Yes, Empress. I have been alone since the moment I left Arbordell, until you barged into my home only a couple days past. Why? What of it?”

  “Because…” Jenevier motioned with a wave of her hands. “These stones are not mere rocks. They are Urimtheim—gems of the heavens. They glow for Angels, and Angels alone. These stones mark the gateway between realms. They are a safe passageway back for any Angel who cannot make it to the clouds.”

  Baytac snorted. “Obviously you are mistaken, Dragon girl. They glow for me. Always have.”

  “So you say.” Jenevier took his hand. “Come with me. Let’s see what happens when we leave the Elf and the Olden on their own.” She began dragging Baytac away from the cave. “Let’s see if the Urimtheim glows for them.”

  After they had taken a couple steps, Jenevier leaned over toward Baytac and whispered, “Hey… Remember what we talked about before—the whole not judging people based on their looks thing?”

  Baytac didn’t answer.

  Jenevier bumped him with her shoulder. “People with the purest of hearts, they never judge the wrapper. Hell, they probably don’t even see the skin. It’s what’s inside that they treasure most. Kaleeska is such a person.”

  “She said… she alway
s thought I was handsome,” he half whispered, half mumbled.

  “You told me you were more than just your skin…” Jenevier glanced back over her shoulder. “I believe Princess Kaleeska knew that… even before you did. She always thought you were perfect. Never forget that, Baytac. When Kali looks at you, she sees past the skin, past the scars. She fell in love with you. The you, you let her see when your guard was down. The real you that hides away in here.” She poked his chest. “Your soul is laid bare to that precious young woman. Treasure it, Brother. Such a thing is rare indeed.”

  The further Jenevier and the dark-haired Elf got from the cave, the dimmer the glow became. When the Urimtheim had been extinguished completely, Jenevier looked up at Baytac and smiled.

  “See? I told you. Now, watch this.”

  In a blink, she had disappeared. Baytac started to look behind him when he heard the annoying little Angel calling out to him from the glowing cave entrance. She was waving happily. In the next breath, she was at his side again.

  “How did you do that?” he grumbled.

  “I told you it glowed only for Angels.”

  “No.” He placed his large hand on top of her head, almost like he was holding her in place. “I meant the super fast running bit.”

  Jenevier chuckled. “I wasn’t running. I was here, then I was there.”

  “How?” he grumbled, again.

  “I don’t know how. I just think of a place. If I know it well enough, or if I’m looking at it… poof, I’m there.”

  “Can any woman possibly be any more irritating than you are?”

  She smiled up at him. “Yeah… I’ve known a few.”

  Baytac rolled his eyes.

  “But that’s not what’s important here, Brother. Did you not see what just happened? Not the whole disappearing bit. The whole glowing stones bit.”

  “Yeah, I saw it. What of it? I already knew the stones could glow.”

  “No, Baytac.” She shook her head. “Look. Look at the cave now.”

  He glanced back toward the darkened entrance.

  “If the stones were simply some weird mystic, supernatural occurrence… why aren’t they glowing now?” She glanced up at him. “With two creatures as ancient and magical as an Elf and an Olden standing amidst them… why do they refuse to shine?”