Protected by Emeralds (A Dance with Destiny Book 5) Read online

  *****

  Apollyon and Munenori watched silently as the trio of Archangels kissed and hugged their tiny little curl-covered baby sister. When they had parted, Apollyon leaned over to his mossy lavender brother and smiled mischievously.

  “My turn,” he said, then disappeared.

  Munenori looked back down at his beloved Naga and watched as the sapphire wings of his darkest brother approached her.

  Jenevier’s back was to him. She was still staring up at the empty sky.

  “I felt you there the whole time,” she whispered.

  “I knew you did,” he said. “I would never try to hide from you.”

  “I think perhaps Raphael felt you as well.”

  “He did.” Apollyon snorted out a laugh. “Why do you think he kept his arm about you the whole time?”

  She chuckled. “He does thus even when you are not there. He loves me too much. We are unconditional friends, he and me.”

  “You lied to your unconditional friend. You are not okay. Nor are you happy. You are damaged in ways even I cannot heal.”

  She smiled and tilted her head to the side. “He knew that. Raphael knew I was lying. That’s where the unconditional part comes in. He let me.”

  “Is he not worried? I mean, look at you. You are consumed by grief, drowning in guilt. You cannot recover.”

  “Yes, ‘tis true. I am irrecoverably broken.” She smiled again. “Love is a powerful weapon, is it not? Powerful enough to fell even a Death Angel.”

  “Yes, my dearest Anicee. It can work for us or against us. That is true.”

  “And which way do you think it tends to lean where we are concerned?”

  “Us?” He chuckled then. “We horribly damaged souls. We really do attract one another, do we not? We have been cursed with broken picker-outers, you and I. Now, tell me. Why would anyone in their right minds fall in love with ones such as us? Freaking bloody disasters, we are.”

  She giggled. “Ahh, Vindicus, you have such a way with words.” She cast him a sideways glance. “But… I guess I have been known to be a bit, umm… contrary on occasion.”

  He met her sideways glance and added a smirk. “On occasion, yes. But being contrary is a talent, one among many that I best you in.” He playfully bumped her with his shoulder.

  She smiled and bumped him back. “In truth, I am not a good fit anywhere. Not with demons, and definitely not with Angels. I do not belong with any race. Not truly. After a while… that sort of thing starts to weigh on you.” She sighed and looked back to the stars. “Sometimes… like right now… I just need a break from it all. Or better yet. I should forget everything else, save my job—throw myself into my work. I can do it. I am ready for this. Delivering death… it just feels right.” She looked then to the Angel she had once blended with. “What do you think, Apollyon?”

  “I think you should not ask questions you do not truly want the answer to.” He sighed and met her questioning gaze. “We cannot turn from our true nature, Anicee. A leopard shall never be rid of her spots.” He lightly tapped the tip of her nose. “No matter how hard she tries.”

  She smiled and nodded her head. “Yes, I know. But it would be nice to hide from the pain every once in a while. I am so tired of all the heart-loss. I need to just stay busy. That’s all. Keep my mind focused on something else.”

  “Be careful what you wish for, Little Fire.” He absently plucked some lavender and began pulling the petals from the stem. “I have borne witness to the fall of many I have called brother, all because they became too single-minded. Perhaps you should spend some time away dealing with it, not running from it.”

  “Wise counsel, Brother. But I have some big important summons coming down. At least that’s what Uriel said. And besides that, I cannot go someplace quiet and just think. I try not to spend too long entertaining silence.” She glanced at him and he was staring directly at her, waiting. “My silence beckons demons, Vindicus. And on particularly lonely days… you.”

  He held her for one comforting moment and then kissed the top of her head.

  “I love you too, Anicee,” he whispered, and then was gone.

  *****

  She was lying on her back amidst the lavender—hands behind her head, eyes closed, softly humming. Jenevier heard the sound of liquid sloshing around in a bottle. She opened her eyes to find her sensei standing beside her, holding a carafe of her favorite elixir. She smiled and sat up.

  “The time has come, my enchanting friend, to talk of other things.”

  She giggled. “Like shoes and ships and ceiling wax? Cabbages and Kings?”

  Munenori cocked one eyebrow and tilted his head. “What?”

  “Oh, never mind.” She reached for his hand. “Come. Sit with me, Brother. Couple wise words with sweet rose wine and see them better received.”

  He handed her a glass and poured it half full. “Ahh, yes,” he said with a smile. “A man must do what he can, to withstand the hell-storm of another day.”

  “Tell me about it, Brother,” she grumbled before taking her first sip.

  “There is something else I will tell you as well,” he whispered. “I believe you are the most amazing woman or Angel I have ever met, barring none.”

  Their glasses made a tiny clinking sound when they touched.

  “Do you believe me, Kagi Naga?” He swallowed the sweet, warming liquid. “Do you realize how enchanting I find you?”

  She cut her eyes sideways at him and spoke into her glass as she tilted it up to her lips. “Eh… some people just don’t know simple when they see it.”

  Munenori strangled, coughing and laughing at the same time. “There will never be another Naga,” he choked out.

  “And there will never be another Munenori… thank the heavens,” she said, grinning.

  He pinched her then.

  “Now, no more jokes, Naga. I have something important to say.”

  “Proceed, Brother. I am all ears.”

  “This futile quest for freedom that remains within your heart, it hangs little weights upon your wings and drapes them about your soul.”

  “But, Muneno—”

  He held up his hand, halting her argument.

  “Please, Naga. Hear me out first.”

  She bit her lips closed and stared at the red liquid swirling thickly around in her glass.

  “Even when freedom is gained, Little Fire, shackles remain. Shackles of responsibility, shackles of the heart, shackles of what you have done… they will remain, always.”

  “I received a lesson much like this from my treasured brother Vareilious, many years ago,” she whispered. “Gratitude for pulling wise words back into the light. Never stop doing thus with me, Angel.”

  He smiled. “My lessons will never cease, Naga. Yet, it is for you to apply them.”

  He gently patted her shoulder as their silence grew, but she felt the weight of his words still hanging in the air between them.

  She sighed. “I can tell you are not yet finished, Senpai. Give plain voice to troubling thoughts, if you are of a mind, Brother.”

  She saw the corners of his mouth turn up, but he didn’t meet her gaze.

  “Naga… I will say this only once. And I pray you will not hold ill toward me concerning it.”

  “On my honor,” she whispered.

  “Very well, then.” He took a deep breath and paused a moment longer. “Naga… everyone wants their own little paradise, their own secret place, their own little escape from reality. We all would like our very own Princess Falls.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “But no matter where we go, we are there. We take our damage, our messed-up hearts, all our shattered and broken pieces with us. Tell me this. If the view changes but not the heart, then what has truly changed? You are comfortable on Jinn, little one. I can sense it within you. This is where you belong. This is home. So, is home the place you run to… or the place you run from?”

  She didn’t answer.

  “Every creature desires t
hat special place they can hide out—relax, just be their self, who they really are. Acceptance is a rare and blessed thing, Milady… too rare.”

  “Yet, I found it… right here… within this beautiful realm.”

  “That you did, Little Fire.” He smiled and finished his wine. “That you did.”

  She emptied her glass and stared at the baby moon.

  Yes… acceptance is a truly blessed thing indeed, she thought.

  Chapter 11

  Jenevier

  (ZHEN-ah-veer)

  After a few weeks had passed, Jenevier and Daichi were back to snapping at each other, always angry over the silliest things.

  “I don’t understand why we always end up like this, Nilakanta. He smothers me. I can barely move, let alone breathe.”

  It is because you are too much alike, Little Fire—opposite sides of the same coin. But never forget. He was made for you. You are only whole as long as he is in your life.

  She sighed. “Perhaps it’s just as Varick said when he came to me by the hot springs. He told me I was meant to be bound to no one. Perhaps he did not mean my heart only.”

  Perhaps. The Dragon paused before mumbling, That would make more sense than constantly beating your heart up.

  They touched down in the vast lavender field just outside her palace home.

  Do you wish me to wait for you?

  “Like you even had to ask.” She leapt from his back and flew to her balcony. “You rang, Lord Daichi?”

  Do not goad him, Naga, Nilakanta scolded.

  “So glad you finally chose to grace us with your revered presence, Empress Naga,” Daichi said, without turning to face her proper.

  Jenevier looked over at the enchanting sapphire Angel quietly sipping tea from her favorite cup. “Put a cork in it, Daichi. I came because I was minus choice. You know this better than anyone.” She took the cup from his hand, emptying it before setting it back in his still curved palm. “Mmm, nice blend. I will have some more, thank you.” She ignored his growls and glanced toward the Arch now joining them. “Ahh, if it isn’t one of my lovely celestial brothers. So good of you to join us, Uriel. Would you like some tea? Daichi was just seeing to that very thing.”

  Her heavenly Blessing did not move. His eyes remained fixed on the passing clouds, yet his growls did not ebb.

  “Naga, why do you insist on torturing the one who holds you so dear?” Uriel said.

  “It is not torture.” She draped her arms across Daichi’s shoulders, leaning upon his back as he sat, motionless. “He likes it when I treat him this way. I am all but certain of it. I mean, we get back what we send out. Right, Daichi?”

  The silent sapphire Angel did not respond.

  She rested her cheek on the back of Daichi’s head and looked over at Uriel. “We treat others the way we want to be treated ourselves. I am merely mirroring my beautiful Blessing, here. Giving him back what it is I receive.” She smiled and winked at Uriel as she gave Daichi a little squeeze. “Now, tell me. How can you call that torture?”

  Daichi roared as he stood up, tossing her from his back before storming out, slamming the door to her bedchamber, rattling the entire palace.

  Jenevier sighed noisily as she collapsed across the now empty seat and reached for the teapot. She paused when she looked at the delicate rose pattern on its side. Vittorio’s laughter from that day came floating back to her. The memory of her accented brother standing before her explaining where he was when he saw the lovely teapot—and why it was he had purchased three cups instead of two—was as vivid as the day she had experienced it. Time had not touched the precious memory.

  The lovely rose pattern began to blur as hot tears filled her eyes.

  “I will pour that for you, Milady.”

  She glanced up at the sound of that familiar voice.

  “Senpai, it has been ages, Brother,” she said softly.

  Munenori sat the newly filled cup down in front of her. “Yes, Little Fire. I have been absent your palace far too long.”

  She glanced around to see that the other Archs had joined them while she had been lost in fond remembrance.

  Jenevier rolled her eyes. “Ugh, would that this were wine,” she said as she turned the little cup up, draining it with one swallow.

  When her eyes met Jophiel’s, she growled.

  “A storm is coming, little sister. The likes of which you have never seen,” he said, almost merrily. He was definitely smiling underneath his blatant smirk.

  “Have I ever told you just how much disdain I feel for you, Brother?”

  Jophiel smiled with only one corner of his mouth. “I believe you may have mentioned something much like that a time or two, perhaps.”

  “Hmm, is that so? Well… seems there may be some benefit in repeating it. Try and remember this time, Arch.” She stood and tilted her head from side to side, popping the bones in her neck. “Think you can manage?”

  Jophiel only snorted out an amused laugh.

  “I have missed you more than a lily misses the sun,” Raphael said as he gently hugged her from behind.

  She placed her arms over his at her waist. “Your soothing voice alone restores my weary soul, Brother.” She turned to face him. “I have lost much sleep over the way I treated you when we met on that most wretched day upon Val Hal. You stood by that pyre to help save me… and I cursed you for it. Can you ever forgive me?”

  He hugged her close and kissed her curls. “There is nothing to forgive, tiny sister. You were in great pain. Your heart was shattered and your grief was fathomless. I should have swallowed my words and just held you.” Raphael felt her tears soak into his tunic. “You needed a friend, not a sermon. Can you ever forgive me?”

  She only squeezed him by way of response.

  “How is it possible to love another creature so much… it is very nearly painful?” he whispered into the curls atop her head.

  She only squeezed him harder.

  “Come to me, baby sister,” Gabriel said. “We have much to discuss.”

  She wiped her eyes, drying her cheeks as she turned to face a smiling Gabriel, welcoming arms outstretched.

  Jenevier gladly accepted his gentle embrace. “Do you forgive me as well, Brother?” Her words were muffled against his neck.

  “Only if you will pardon my sins against you that day,” he said, before placing a tender kiss upon her cheek. “It is as my dark-haired brother has said… you needed us, not our condemnation.”

  “Well, isn’t this just the sweetest little reunion?” Jophiel scoffed. “So full of love and hope, rainbows and chocolate drops. If we’re not careful, we may get so full of blessed happiness that we burst into a giant puff of heavenly feathers.”

  Jenevier looked at the condescending Arch, never releasing Gabriel. And even though they probably shouldn’t, his trite words threatened to free her infinite giggles. He smirked at her.

  “You are so much cuter when you are quiet, Jophiel,” she said. “Try shutting it for a change. Huh? Think you can handle that?”

  When he sent her a teasing wink, a tiny laugh escaped her.

  “We will save our hugs and kisses for a more…” He glanced around at the others. “…a more private place.”

  She did laugh then. Releasing Gabriel, she turned to Jophiel, shaking her head. “I try to hate you, Brother. Honestly I do.”

  “Well, goals are always good things to have.” He reached out, barely squeezing the fingertips of her right hand. “We keep our minds sharp when we have something of import we hope to achieve.”

  Jophiel winked at her again. She only smiled.

  “So,” she said with a weighted sigh. “What new horror awaits me? It must be a real doozie, to bring you all back under my roof once more.”

  “A rogue Angel,” Munenori growled under his breath.

  Jenevier gaped at her old friend. “A rogue Angel? What the hell?”

  “Hell?” Jophiel chuckled. “Not yet, little one. But soon. Very soon.”

  She
sensed her sapphire Blessing returning.

  “Continue to struggle with me and I promise you pain the likes of which you have never known,” Daichi hissed as he came back through the door, his large hand firmly grasping the nape of a dark stranger. “Cease now or I swear you will beg to be cast back into the pit.”

  Jophiel motioned with a nod of his head. “A few hundred years ago… he went bad,” he said. “Willingly abandoned his wings. Chose the path of demons. Can you believe that?”

  “You mean… he fell?” she asked, stunned.

  “No,” Raphael said. “He didn’t do anything as honorable as all out falling and openly embracing the dark, no. He went rogue—played both sides. Schemes and lies and underhanded backstabbing became his welcome bedfellows.”

  “He eventually swore an oath to Shabriri,” Uriel added. “Took up a place with some even more wicked creatures. Called themselves, The Thirteen.”

  “She knows them,” Munenori whispered.

  All eyes turned to her at her noble sensei’s words. She felt Gabriel’s comforting hand upon her shoulder. She didn’t speak.