by JK Ensley
“Apparently they are extinct.” She snorted softly. “At least that’s what the blessed ones told me.”
Vittorio chuckled. “Archs have great power, Lass. They wouldnae lie tae ye. But I know what ye mean. They can get under yer skin pretty quick.”
“Tell me about it.” Jenevier tossed the destroyed stem to the side as she quickly snapped off yet another one. “Under your skin and on your nerves… in a hurry.”
“Are ye sure ye met a Nephilim?”
“No. That’s just what he told me he was. Maza Vespar Rixx—the last Nephilim.”
Vittorio chuckled at the way she was apparently trying to imitate the man’s voice. He gently tucked a curl back behind her ear.
“Tell me, Lass. What did the creature look like?”
“Like a man.” She turned to face Vittorio then. “Just a man. No wings. No claws. Not even a sword.”
“Just a man, aye?”
“Well, not a normal man, no. He had an unsettling look about him. Kind of like… fire and ice.”
“What do ye mean?”
“His hair and his eyes.” She gazed off into the distance, remembering every little detail about the man. “His skin was fair. He had on a waistcoat—grey-striped, I think. His shoes were a shiny black and his trousers matched the long, fitted jacket that came down to his calves. He looked like a proper gentlemen, I guess you could say. Save for the fact he was floating in midair… and those eyes.” She shuddered. “His hair had a hard part—one side as red as flame, the other… white as the winter snows.”
“An’ his eyes?”
“The same—one red, one grey… fire and ice.”
Vittorio absently plucked some lavender and began crushing the tiny, individual blooms as well. “Hmm… Sounds a bit like Jago, does it nae?”
Jenevier blinked twice, then dropped her lavender. “By all that’s holy… that is what was so familiar about him—Jago.” She chuckled. “I haven’t thought of that worthless old Angel in ages.”
“Aye, perhaps Rixx is his spawn.”
“Could be.” She furrowed her brow. “I mean, that’s what they were doing on Pretoria—sacrificing women and birthing offspring.” She turned to Vittorio. “But that couldn’t be right. Could it? If Jago was intent on making babies, there should be tons of them around. How could Rixx be the only one? And… he said he was eons old.”
“I cannae answer that, Lass. But it’s nae an easy thing—bringing a half-Angel intae the world through a woman. Nae. Even bringing a half-Guardian intae the world is nigh impossible… for the mother. Most dunnae live through it. Often, the wee bairn takes its last breath with its mum.” He pulled her a bit closer. “Such was nearly the case with ye, Lass.”
“And with Finnean’s mother as well,” she whispered.
“Aye… I was thinking the same thing.” He sighed, then shook his head. “Nae… it’s nae an easy thing tae do… for the mum.”
They sat in silence, holding one another, lost in the past.
“I’m gonna ask Vindicus if he will question Jago,” she finally whispered. “Maybe he can torture the information out of that vile, fallen creature.”
“Do ye believe Jago tae be in hell?”
Jenevier furrowed her brow. “Why wouldn’t he be? That’s where I sent him.”
Vittorio chuckled. “What are ye talking aboot, Lass? That’s nae yer decision. Ye may get tae reap their bloody souls, but ye dunnae get tae decide where they go. Father sends them on where He wishes them tae be.”
Jenevier blushed. “Well… where else would a fallen Angel go?”
“I cannae say. Whatever Otherworld they were meant tae go tae. Now, come here, my wee darlin’.” He pulled her onto his lap. “I stopped by tae help ye forget aboot the coming darkness, nae wallow in it.”
Jenevier wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up at him. “You want to take my mind off my worries?”
“Aye, that I do.”
“Then tell me a story, Vittorio. A love story. Tell me about Finnean’s mother.”
“Aye, Lass. That’s a hard tale tae tell.”
“Then don’t.” She rested her head against his chest. “The last thing I want to do is cause you more pain.”
“I told ye I’d tell ye the whole of it… when the time was right.”
“That you did,” she whispered, hugging him tighter.
“Well, now.” He smiled. “Today is a lovely day, an’ I am blessed with even lovelier company.”
Jenevier giggled when he yanked on one of her curls.
“Aye… this is a good day tae remember love.” He gently kissed the top of her head again. “I wish tae share the memories of my heart, Lass… only with ye.”
Jenevier remained perfectly still as the handsome Guardian’s haunted words wove a tragically beautiful picture through her mind…
“It was in the spring.” Vittorio started out in a low voice. “I’ll nae forget it. She was sitting by a wee pond. The gentle breeze was tossing aboot wisps of her lovely flaxen tresses. Aye, but she was too busy collecting feathers tae worry much aboot her hair.”
“Feathers?”
“Aye. She was filling a basket with stray swan feathers sprinkled aboot the edge of that pond. The sun was dancing across the ripples, sporadically lighting up her fair face. She was a beauty. Just a wee whip of a thing—pale skin, fair hair, sky blue eyes… an’ a smile that could melt a demon’s heart. She looked more like a doll than a woman. Rarest creature I’d ever seen.” Vittorio chuckled softly. “I remember how mad Vareilious got when I was the Guardian chosen for this particular summons. He threw one hell of a fit, he did. Acted like a spoiled wee lad for days over it.”
Jenevier smiled. “I can see the pouty look on his face now—cheeks all red, teeth grinding together. Did he ball his hands into fists?”
“Aye, an’ stomped around like a miserable old troll.”
Jenevier giggled. “Well, I know the reason he wasn’t chosen.”
“An’ why’s that, Lass?”
“Because Finnean’s mother was a delicate woman—shy and elegant… fragile. She would have never relented to a massive warrior like Vareilious, all rough and coarse. She needed a true gentleman. One with a tender touch.” She glanced up at him. “And a mesmerizing smile.”
Vittorio blushed.
“You made my heart skip… the very first time I laid eyes on you,” she whispered.
“Mine as well, Lass. It pained me, but I knew ye were meant for my captain.” He chuckled softly. “Aye, when I saw ye stand up tae Vareilious an’ Valen at the gate, when I saw ye defiantly hold yer ground with Valadrog… I was in awe of ye. Then… ye smiled. Aye, Lass.” Tears filled his lovely blue eyes. “It was like gazing intae heaven itself. Ye stole my heart, then an’ there.”
“You are my favorite person in the whole universe, Vittorio. I love you.”
“An’ I love ye more, wee rabbit.” He tapped the tip of her nose and smiled. “Now… let that be enough for today. I’ll tell ye the rest another time. I came here tae comfort ye. Let us spend a few quiet hours alone… minus the ghosts of our past.”
“As you wish, Vittorio.” Jenevier nuzzled against his chest.
He gently tightened his embrace, resting his cheek atop her head.
“What was her name?” she whispered.
Vittorio smiled softly. “Her name was Monae. Two syllables. The first—low an’ melodic. The second… as gentle as a whisper across yer skin.”
“…Monae,” Jenevier whispered. “It is beautiful.”
“Aye, it is… an’ she was as well.”
She squeezed him, burying her face against his soft tunic. “I love you so much… it is physically painful.”
“I know, Lass,” he whispered. “Pain akin tae Shabriri ripping my wings off… but it’s deep inside my chest.”
“Yes… like that.” Jenevier bit her lip, nodding softly. “Sometimes at night, when everyone else is asleep… I cry for you. Big, ugly, painful tears.”
“If only one person in this universe could be happy, I’d want it to be you.”
Vittorio couldn’t speak, couldn’t answer her without his voice cracking.
“I’ve been back to Val Hal a few times over the years,” she whispered softly. “Visiting my father’s people. They are majestic, are they not?”
“Aye, the rarest of all the layers.”
Jenevier smiled. “Did you know that after I left… Father took a bride and had a child?”
Vittorio nodded. “Aye. Named her Celeste, he did.”
“I went back there not too awful long ago.”
“For Gráda’s funeral?”
She nodded, then sniffed. “He was the last of my brethren there.”
“Aye, but Brodder’s blood lives on.”
“Yes, it does…” She paused. “I met Princess Celeste’s daughter.”
“Aye. Did ye now?”
“Have you seen her?”
“Aye. I visit Val Hal quite often.” He sort of glanced away. “She is lovely indeed.”
Jenevier smiled. “The rarest I’ve ever seen.”
“…Aye.”
“Will you do me a favor, Vittorio?”
“Anything, Lass. Just name it.”
“Will you always see to them for me?”
“Who? Queen Celeste an’ her daughter?”
“Princess Jenevier.” She smiled. “Did you know they named her Jenevier—after me?”
“Aye. I knew.”
“So… will you do it? Will you watch over Brodder’s daughter and granddaughter?”
Vittorio sighed. “Yer trying tae get rid of me.”
“No. I would never do that.” Jenevier sat up and looked him in the eye. “Had I abandoned my wings… that would have been my sister and my niece. I want them to have their own Guardian. My most perfect Guardian.”
“Aye, so ye are trying tae get rid of me.”
“Don’t act all innocent.” She playfully punched his shoulder. “I saw your cheeks flame up when I mentioned her.”
“Who?”
“Pffts… drop the act, Brother. If I had to guess, I’d say Princess Jenevier has been on your mind for a while now.”
Vittorio didn’t answer.
“Will you do it? Will you get closer to my kin?”
“Aye. I will.” Tears filled his lovely eyes. “I will always love ye, Lass. Nae forget that.”
Jenevier smiled. “And I will always love you more.” She kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Make her happy, Brother. Make her smile like you always have me. Bless her with all the magic I so foolishly missed out on.”
Vittorio didn’t speak, he just held her tightly… as they both cried.
*****
After Vittorio had kissed her farewell, Jenevier had spent nearly an hour curled up atop that rock, crying out the last of her broken heart. She wanted him to be happy, wanted it more than she had ever wanted anything else… but that had been the hardest thing she had ever done. Letting Vittorio go, it ranked right up there with kissing Varick’s cold, lifeless lips.
When her head was good and throbbing, and her tears were long since spent, Jenevier finally allowed a tiny smile to turn up the corners of her still quivering lips. She closed her eyes and breathed in the fragrant lavender, now basking in the precious time she had just spent with her beloved Guardian, fingering the delicate crown he had carefully woven for her out of lavender. She held the sweet blossoms to her nose, inhaling deeply. A warm smile then spread across her face.
“I am glad that a thing such as love does not rule me.”
She quickly turned toward the unfamiliar voice.
“If I were your fair Emperor, I would go mad… knowing the depths of your feelings for that Guardian.”
Jenevier hissed as she stood. “Yui knows well the love I will always hold for Vittorio.” She let the claws of her right hand fully extend. “You picked the wrong day, the wrong place, and the absolute worst time to show yourself to me. Did you forget my warning, Nephilim?”
“Warning?” He furrowed his snowy brow. “Concerning what?”
“Concerning the snake slithering through my lavender. As long as he wishes to hide there, I will leave him to it. But the moment he makes his presence known… is the moment he shall meet his end.”
Rixx smiled. “Actually, you said the moment the snake slithered into your home and invited himself to tea, that would be the time for his reaping.” He held out his hands, glancing from side to side. “I am neither in your home, nor am I asking to sup with you, Milady. I only wished a genteel word… Madam Empress.”
He bowed low—regally, extravagantly.
Jenevier rolled her eyes. “Such arrogant graces do not flatter me. I can be swayed by neither reverence nor praise.”
Rixx smiled as he glanced back up at her. “As you say, Milady. May I?”
He motioned toward the large rock upon which she and Vittorio had only just been sitting. When Jenevier gave him no indication whatsoever, Rixx took a cautious step forward.
“Take a seat if you must,” she said coolly. “I will not be joining you.”
He bowed his head slightly. “As it should be, Madam Empress.”
“Yes… now speak your peace, then slither back to your hiding place. I am in a foul mood, and I am sure you bore witness to the cause of it—all your damn spying,” she mumbled. “I am itching for an excuse to rid myself of this wretched pain. And… I am unnerved by the look of you—uneased by my consuming desire to rend you wholly.”
Rixx’s eyes went wide, only for an instant. Instead of taking a seat, he took a cautious step back.
“Apologies, Death Angel. I oft forget that you are not nearly as acquainted with me as I am with you. Forgive my unintentional comfort in your presence. Seeing you work through your sorrow, seeing you smile so happily a moment ago… I forgot my place.”
“And now that you recall your place, do you think it wise to remain?”
“I do not, Empress. Yet… my need to enlighten you is warring with my screaming impulse for self-preservation.”
“Be at ease, Nephilim. If you keep your words short and your distance far, I will hear you out.”
“As you say, Kagi Naga.” He bowed again before looking her directly in the eye. “I am not the cause, nor am I to blame, for the thinning of the veils.”
“And I’m supposed to believe you… simply because you claim thus?”
“I do not lie, Your Grace. If you wish to know the answers you seek, look closer to home.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning… scouring the universe is a waste of your time, Milady. The answers are here—upon Jinn, and Jinn alone.”
“Say what you mean, Nephilim!”
She took a single step toward him. Rixx suddenly disappeared.
“Ugh! I am truly starting to hate that slimy little—”
“Who are you talking about?”
Jenevier spun toward the happy sounding voice as Duhrias approached her.
“Somebody got your tail feathers all twisted up?”
“Ahh… sell-sword.” She rubbed the deep crease now furrowing her brow. “Nothing I cannot handle. What brings you to the middle of my favorite field?”
“I don’t know.” He casually shrugged his shoulders. “I just wanted to go for a walk—get out of that stuffy palace.”
“Stuffy?” Jenevier chuckled. “My home is the most unstuffy, comfortable place in the universe.”
“For you, yeah.” He plopped down on the large rock. “But for someone who has spent thousands of years freely flowing where they will, I find it rather… restrictive.”
“Restrictive?” She sat down beside him. “Is Tenshi on to you again concerning your unpolished way of speaking?”
“No,” he said, in a half pouting tone. “…Daichi is.”
Jenevier chuckled. “Ahh… Lord Daic
hi, the proudest and sternest of us all.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.” He glanced sideways at her. “Being with them—the other Angels… it’s not like being with you, Naga. When we were together on Earth, you acted just like any other human. Talked like them as well. If I had to guess, I would have sworn you were from there.”
She smiled and gently bumped him with her shoulder. “I pride myself on trying to fit in. It’s rather difficult at times—what with my look and all.” She traced the outline of the sapphire scar adorning her sparkling cheek. “But I try, nonetheless.”
“You do more than try, Naga. Your look is rare, yes, but not all that noteworthy on Earth. Especially not in Gokula.”
Jenevier chuckled, nodding knowingly.
“The way you acted, the way you spoke… it felt familiar, comfortable. I was at ease with you almost immediately.”
“And that is because I took my cues from you and Cherie. I spoke the way you spoke. Acted the way you did. Well, as best I could, anyway.”
Duhrias didn’t speak, only nodded.
“How is Cherie acclimating here? Are the others giving her a hard time as well?”
“No.” He shook his head. “She spends most of her time with that Guardian. He isn’t like the Angels.”
Jenevier snorted out a laugh. “You ain’t kiddin’, Brother. Vareilious is the most Earth-like among us. He loves that place.”
“Yeah… that’s pretty obvious.”
“…Hey.” Jenevier waited until Duhrias met her gaze. “You wanna go back? If you truly miss your old home, I will not hold you to your oath.”
“It is not only my oath that now holds me here.” He smiled with only one corner of his mouth. “My heart is forever bound within those palace walls.”
“…Dimples.” Jenevier smiled knowingly. “Love has a way of doing that, huh?”
He nodded. “As long as I can be by Lala’s side, I will begrudgingly endure my lessons.”
“It’s just,” she whispered. “Sometimes you gotta get away for a bit.”
He sighed softly. “Yeah… sometimes.”
“Is Daichi intent on visiting with Lala today?”
Duhrias only nodded in response.
“Then come.” Jenevier grabbed his hand, pulling him to his feet. “Let’s go to Iga. And if they’re too stoic for us there…” She smiled, a sparkle lighting up her pink eyes. “…then we’ll play about with Dragons.”
