Protected by Emeralds (A Dance with Destiny Book 5) (17 page)

“This is ridiculous,” Daichi said. “Of course we are not going through with it. Naga would fare better going it alone, then being destroyed by an intended protective melding.”

I only caution you of the things that could happen, Blessing to my Guardian. Not necessarily that they would happen.

“If there is even a
tiny
chance it could harm her, the answer is, no,” Daichi said.

“Well, there stands more than just a
tiny
chance she will be harmed while on this mission,” Jophiel said. “Seems to me, she should just pick which harm she prefers. This is one of those times you just strap in and hope for the best.”

Jenevier cut her eyes toward the smirking Arch. “Jophiel, have I ever told you that I care not for you?”

“Actually… no. I don’t believe you have.” He tapped his finger against his chin. “You have told me you hated me on numerous occasions, yes. But I cannot presently recall you ever saying you did not care for me.” He smiled then. “I guess that could be considered an improvement. Huh?”

She only rolled her eyes.

“Nilakanta, I will never do anything to hurt you… not by choice.” She tenderly rubbed his snout, tears filling her eyes. “It seems I have made a mess of things again.” She sniffed and tried to smile. “You know that summons I was telling you about before? The one I attended on Earth where I removed my mask and then was injured?”

Yes, Little Fire, of course I do.

“Well… I screwed up more than I knew. Apparently the lack of magic on that layer has led to something they call science.”

Yes, this I know.

“And it seems this
science
has shown the truth of how the evil one died.” She bit her lip, trying to hold in the flood of guilt threatening to consume her. “They can tell he did not die by my claws, but by the gun of the man who saved me. And now… that valiant young Prince is being held accountable to a madman. I have to go back and fix what I broke.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “And… well… I’m scared.”

Nilakanta’s heart was breaking for his trembling little Guardian. He sensed her sorrow, her guilt, her growing fear.

Tell me, little one. What can strike such fear in the heart of a Death Angel? You cannot scare fire, Guardian, and you are named thusly. Besides, you have been to that accursed realm many times before. Not once have they managed to scare you. Have confidence, Kagi Naga. Vashti will ensure your victory.

“That’s just it… I have to do this as Jenevier. Now that I
want
to don my mask, I cannot. To do so will only make more waves. Now that Valencia is pulling the strings—”

Valencia!
He roared, cutting off her words.
Did the Guardians break their promise? Has she been loosed upon the universe?

“She was not freed, no,” Gabriel said. “Yet she now roams about, unshackled. We know not the whole of it… but it matters not. She has been rallying demons and whispering lies.”

“The only thing she is good for,” Daichi grumbled.

“Either way,” Jenevier said. “This all happened because of me.”

No. She alone is to blame—the she-Guardian. Do not take that vile creature’s guilt upon your heart, little one.
 

“But it’s true. She can only do what it is she is now doing because I did not take my summons seriously. Vanity caused me to meet that killer face to face. And a lack of faith was the reason I could not fulfill my duty. So now, I must return to the man who saved me, stand at his side through the coming war, and lay my life down for him… if need be. Although I created the ripple, I have not the power to stop it. Not this time. That destiny belongs only to Suou. Mine is simply to see that he gets to fulfill his.”

You were born under the wrong stars, little one.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Such is my Fate.”

Nilakanta sighed.
I fear you still do not fully understand what it is you are doing. This will be dangerous—melding with me.

“You are probably right. But… I trust you.”

I will ask you once more. Are you certain about this, Little Fire?

“No.” She half chuckled. “But if I must suffer or die, I would rather it be while you were at my side.” She looked deep into his magical eyes. “Nilakanta, I am scared because…” She swallowed hard. “…I do not wish to be alone at the end of things. I am not afraid to die. I am afraid to die all alone.”

A giant Dragon tear sloshed to the ground, puddling at her feet, soaking her up to her ankles.

That is all you had to say, little one. No matter what, I swore to be with you in the end. You do not have to be afraid anymore.

She lightly kissed his soft snout. “Gratitude, Brother. This means more than you will ever know.”

His chest rose and fell with a great breath.
Naga?

“Yes, Brother?”

Forgive me for what is about to happen.

And with those words, she heard the noise of approaching wings—Dragon wings.

*****

“The battle for Earth will soon begin. We are on the eve of it now,” Gabriel whispered to Munenori.

The mossy lavender Angel only nodded via response.

Her angelic brethren watched from afar as Jenevier stood before the sapphire giant, encircled by countless waves of pink and gold.

“What’s gonna happen now?” Tenshi whispered, mostly to himself.

Raphael gently patted the younger Angel on the shoulder.

“Once they get prepared, the melding will only take an hour or so,” Munenori said, then turned to Daichi. “You must be ready to receive her. When the chanting stops, swoop down there and get her as fast as you can. The most important part will fall to you.” He looked back out on the growing sea of Dragons. “Whether the melding is successful or not… all will be lost, if you cannot heal her.”

“There is no fear in that, Angel.” Daichi sort of snorted before looking back down to her. “My touch will
always
heal her.”

Chapter 13

Kagi Naga

(KAH-jee NAH-gah)

The giant pink Dragon had pity in her eyes as she looked down at Jenevier.

Apologies, little one. Had I known this would be your fate, I would not have been so jovial at our first meeting.

Jenevier hugged her soft, pink snout. “No matter what my fate, Adalin, being Guardian of Dragons has been one of the most delightful things that has ever happened to me. I would not trade even a moment of such rare joy.”

Come, Kagi Naga. It is time.

She turned to her bonded Dragon. “What do I do?”

Stand in front of me. I need to get a good look at you… decide where best I will fit.

She giggled. “Where you will fit? Am I now to be the one carrying
you
about?”

In simple terms… yes, Naga, you will.

Jenevier could feel the blood draining from her face. “…What? What did you just say?”

You will need to disrobe now, Empress.

She didn’t even turn to see which Dragon was speaking as she numbly did as she was told, her mind racing through a slow-motion movie of the strange event.

Hold out your arms, Kagi Naga.

She did.

Now turn.

She obeyed.

Now to the side.

And again
, another Dragon said.

She did all that was asked of her, seeing nothing, yet hearing every word.

All had been quiet for some time before she found her voice. “Shall I get dressed now?” The whispered words just fell out of their own accord.

No, Naga. We are about to begin
, Nilakanta said.
Adalin, I believe it will be best from this angle.

Yes
, the she-Dragon said.
I cannot see how else it will even be possible. Were she built as is her son, this would not be an issue. What about the…

Jenevier quit listening to them and looked toward the palace, and the large Angels standing upon her balcony.

Tenshi?

Yes, Mama?

I’m scared.

Me too, Mama.

Kiss Lala for me. Tell her how much I love her and how proud I am to be her Obaasan. Hug Mika for me. And tell Yui…

She couldn’t finish what it was she wanted to say to Yui.

Don’t worry, Mama. He already knows. But I will tell him anyway. Stop fretting so. Nilakanta shares a magical bond with you. Trust in him.

Her cheeks felt cold as the soft breeze swept over her tears.

Naga… I love you.
The deep voice rippled through her quivering soul.

I love you, too, Daichi.

Are you ready, Little Fire?
Nilakanta’s words broke through her distracted thoughts.

She quickly nodded her head, once, unable to speak.

Very well, little one. And again… apologies.

When the low chanting started, she squeezed her eyelids shut and braced for the unknown.

It started out as simply a warming sensation across her back. Slowly, the heat increased, becoming rather uncomfortable, but still tolerable. It crept up over her left shoulder blade, down along her chest, and halfway around her neck.

When the sensation started to actually burn, she released the breath she had been holding and began breathing rapidly in and out through her open mouth.

The burn crept down her left leg ever so slowly, winding around her thigh, stopping at the center of her calf.

The pain was so intense at times, she had to remind herself to stand still and just breathe. Even though every instinct she possessed was screaming at her to run away from the danger, from the mind-reeling pain.

*****

Daichi was the first to hear her faint whimpering. He leapt upon the banister.

Munenori grabbed his wrist before he could take flight. “Not yet, son. She has a ways to go. The melding has only just begun.”

Yui stepped out onto the balcony, followed closely by Goemon.

“So, it is true, then,” Yui said, gripping the banister and staring down at the tiny woman shaking, trembling amidst an ocean of glittering scales.

“It was the only way,” Munenori whispered.

“I know
you
are well aware, Sensei. But do
they
have any idea?” Yui motioned toward the twin Angels.

“There was no time,” Munenori said, not turning to look at the sapphire giants.

Yui glanced over to find Tenshi staring at his mother, worry creasing his brow. When he looked to Daichi, his gaze was met with a burning glare. Fire leapt within those steely blue eyes, fire enough to singe them all. Yui swallowed hard and tried to hide the pity clearly displayed in his own eyes.

“Angel.” Daichi’s voice was like hardening ice. “When this is over, I will claim your wings.”

Everyone turned to her enraged Blessing, but his vicious glare was fixed on the mossy lavender Angel of Jinn.

Munenori was the last to make eye contact with Daichi. He spoke not.

“This is the last time you hurt her. Do you understand me? It is the very last time you intentionally diminish the rarest creature you have ever had the good fortune of knowing.”

“Nothing has ever been
intentional
, Daichi. I would never cause her unneeded—”

Daichi roared with such ferocity, the very floor beneath them trembled.

The Archs took a step back. Not even Tenshi came to the smaller Angel’s defense.

“Nothing was intentional?” Daichi yelled, his nostrils flaring, spittle gathering at the corners of his mouth. “How can you hold your head up before me, knowing you spew nothing but lies?”

Yui pushed against Goemon’s chest, trying to usher the younger ninja back inside the palace. But the boy would not be moved. He was frozen in place, utterly awestruck by the massive amounts of power pulsing around the enraged blue Angel.

Yui dropped his head and sighed. “So be it,” he whispered. “Speak not a word of this. Not to anyone. Understand me?”

Goemon could only nod, mouth agape.

“Did your arms
unintentionally
wrap about her as she called out for me in the night?”

Munenori flinched at the accusation.

“Was it simply a
mistake
when you kissed every inch of her tiny body? Are you saying it was not your intent to enter her when you lay on top of her, claiming
my
name as you claimed
her
body? Was that all just a big
misunderstanding
?”

Munenori could not speak, could not answer for his actions.

Raphael’s growing growls were ceased only when Gabriel gently laid his hand upon his brother’s trembling shoulder.
My anger matches your own. I understand. Yet, this is not your fight, Brother.

Uriel and Jophiel shared a knowing glance before looking back at their mossy lavender brother, and the vicious blue Angel towering over him.

“And tell me, Munenori,” Daichi said through gritted teeth. “Was the second time you took her, was it an unavoidable accident as well? How about the third? Or the fourth?” He drew his hand back, his boiling anger no longer containable.

“Help me, Daichi!”

Jenevier’s cries pierced the night, halting the sapphire Angel’s blood in his veins. Daichi leapt from the balcony so quickly, his absence didn’t even register with the rest of them for a couple more heartbeats. They raced to the banister, peering down at the shimmering colors. And there in the very center of that magical gathering, angelic sapphire wings were spread out in their full glory.

*****

Stay back, Angel. It isn’t over
, Kin Ryu said.
There is still much to do.

What Daichi was witness to before him, was almost too much for his racing mind to comprehend.

Jenevier stood on trembling legs, head bowed, naked, screaming out when the pain became just too much to bear. Her shaking hands reached out, feeling blindly for him, for his support.

Daichi quickly grabbed them. “Naga, I am here. I will not let you go, I swear it. Hang in there, my love.”

Do not touch her further, Angel
, Kin Ryu said.
To do more than hold her hands will only increase her pain… and compromise the melding.

Daichi looked toward the golden Dragon now speaking in his mind.

Oh, and just one more thing
, Kin Ryu added.
If you see him nearing where you now touch her, if you see him approaching her hands, release her. Do not hinder his advance.

“Hinder whom?” Daichi asked, confused. “Who is approaching? What are you talking—”

Jenevier’s next scream stopped his words in his throat. She threw her head back, racked with the unspeakable, burning torture.

That’s when Daichi understood what Kin Ryu meant. That’s when he caught his first glimpse of this truly horrible, magical melding.

*****

“It’s a good thing your Kagi Naga screamed out when she did. Or else, you would be a bloody mess right about now, Munenori.” Apollyon spoke as he casually walked out onto the balcony, as comfortably as if he lived there and did thus daily. “Not that you do not deserve such a thrashing… and more.”

Raphael snarled. “How is it you manage to leave your supposedly inescapable prison cell whenever you feel like it?”

Apollyon glanced over at his dark-haired angelic brother and smiled. “That jealousy is going to eat you up, Raph. Or
burn
you up, one or the other.” He snorted out a chuckle.

Walking over to Tenshi, Apollyon gently placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “You okay, boy?”

Tenshi blushed. “Yes, sir. I am fine… but Mama’s not.” Tears burned his heavenly eyes. “She keeps screaming and crying. It’s ripping my heart out. And there’s nothing I can do but listen to her from afar.”

“I know, son. I know.” He turned to face the others. “This is all you could come up with, huh? A melding?” He shook his head. “By all that’s holy. You bloody fools… absolute idiots. Did you even consider the darkness she now carries? Did it not cross your tiny minds—the possible ramifications of Ahriman’s dark gift?”

Tenshi gasped. “…Oh no.”

Apollyon looked at Munenori questioningly, but the smaller Angel did not speak.

“Do not pretend to walk in here at the eleventh hour with all the answers,” Raphael said. “If you truly wanted to help, you would have come before now. Spare us all your sullen
God of the Underworld
rubbish. I have not the patience to deal with your dark, depressing whining. So just shut the hell up, Apollyon. Or better yet, go back to hell… where you belong.”

Tenshi grabbed the dark Angel’s wrist. “Don’t go… please,” he whispered. “Can you not stay just a bit longer?”

His son’s pleas touched his blackened heart. He gave the younger Angel a tender smile and patted his hand. “That is why I am here, boy. I will stay with you and help see your mother through this.” He turned back to Raphael. “Why did you not ask me to go with her? No one is more experienced in the art of war than am I.”

“Why even give such nonsense breath?” Uriel said. “You know well why we would
never
ask for your help. How are you even here, anyway? It’s like every time we turn around, you just pop up out of nowhere. After centuries of darkness, how is it you can so easily now stroll through the light?”

Apollyon shook his head. “You just don’t get it, do you?” He half chuckled. “Think about it, Brothers. How do you think I can leave a place I
cannot leave
?”

They all fell silent then. Apollyon turned back to the melding ceremony.

“He gives you freewill with her, doesn’t He?” Gabriel softly asked.

“Not exactly freewill, no,” Apollyon said, before turning back to face them. “Were I to have freewill where she is concerned, I would never leave her side. No, it’s more like… as a last resort.”

“What do you mean?” Yui said, stepping forward. “Is she in trouble? Is something even worse going to happen to Empress Naga?”

Apollyon looked at the raven-haired young man for the first time. “Are you not afraid of me, pretty little ninja?”

“No,” Yui answered. “Naga said you were the gentlest man she has ever known. She once said you were the only one, save Tenshi, who has never been angry at her, never raised your voice or your hand to her. Why should I fear the man who loves my Empress above all things?”

A lump rose up in his angelic throat. He quickly swallowed it down. “Your
Naga
says that, does she?” He glanced back to the busy lavender field below. “Seems that curl-covered bundle of trouble is trying to ruin my bad name.” He snorted out a laugh. “Tell me, fair Shinobi. When is your Naga ever
not
in trouble?”