Protected by Emeralds (A Dance with Destiny Book 5) (18 page)

“What do you mean, Apollyon?” Gabriel pressed. “Why are you
ever
free to come to her? Even as a last resort?”

The dark Angel sighed and glanced at his worried son. “Father and I have sort of an
understanding
where Jenevier is concerned. When her pain is too great, when she can no longer bear it, when her fear is close to consuming her… He lets me be her strength.”

Tenshi smiled, happy tears welling up in his eyes.

“Is that not what Daichi is for?” Uriel asked.

“Just what are you saying, Apollyon?” Jophiel snorted. “Are you saying that you
pray
and Father lets you do as you wish? Do you think we are all idiots?”

A crooked smile turned up one corner of the dark Angel’s mouth. “Yes, I do—think you are all idiots, that is.”

Tenshi quickly turned his head, muffling a laugh.

“But, no,” Apollyon continued. “I do not pray. Well, not the way you believe. In my book, praying is too much like begging. And you know me, Jophiel. I’m not real keen on begging. No, it’s more like… we talk. I feel her, always do I feel her. And when she is like
this
… He lets me go to her. That’s all.”

“That’s all?” Raphael huffed out a sardonic laugh. “That’s too much, if you ask me.”

“Nobody is asking you, Raph. If you like it not, take it up with Father.” Apollyon chuckled. “Tell
Him
He is wrong and you do not agree.”

Raphael narrowed his eyes, glaring at the beautiful Angel who once stood as his most trusted brother. “You think you are better than me, don’t you?”

“
Better
than you? No, Raph. No one is
better
than you. You are the
perfect
son. Now, if you meant… stronger, faster, smarter, better
looking
than you. Then, yes. You know I am.”

Munenori could no longer contain his rising anger. “Just who do you think you are?” He glared venomously at Apollyon. “
You
are the very creature who left the deepest wound upon her heart. When you slew Varick, you cut a piece of her soul out, a piece she can never replace. You didn’t
see
her, Apollyon. You were not witness to her complete shattering. You did not see how badly your betrayal damaged her. And now you stroll in here like you own the damn place. What makes you think you have a right to claim even a single breath more of her life?”

“I
felt
every single moment,” Apollyon hissed, bending down so he was eye to eye with the Guardian Angel of Jinn. “Know this, purple Angel. I am not Daichi. I will not stay my hand when the time comes for me to strike. And I look forward to the day with bated breath. As for the
right
to be with my Anicee… know this. If I need the right, I will not ask it of you. I will
take
it.”

Chapter 14

Apollyon

(ah-PAH-lee-ahn)

“Naga… oh dear gods… Naga!” Daichi cried.

Her eyes were rolled back in her head—face pointed toward the stars, pain-induced seizures racking her entire body.

Stay as you are
, Kin Ryu warned.

Her curls were drenched with sweat. Drool ran freely from her open mouth, leaving glistening trails streaking down her chest.

But all that torturous horror was not what had captured Daichi’s eye, no. He was staring at the darkened spot just below her throat. He couldn’t be certain, couldn’t quite make it out in the moonlight… until it moved, quivered. He leaned in closer, studying the strangely familiar shape, concentrating, focusing hard.

Then… it blinked. It was just a tiny movement, probably involuntary. The golden eye wasn’t even focused on anything, and the sapphire lid slowly closed back over it.

Daichi jumped, startled, almost releasing Jenevier’s clenched hands. When his heart rate slowed and sanity returned, he looked over her shoulder, searching for her bonded Dragon.

“Nilakanta?” he whispered shakily.

He cannot answer you right now
, Adalin said.
He is busy. Keeping the flow of magic perfect at all times is paramount.

At that moment, Jenevier’s seizures increased, violently shaking her whole body. Then, she threw up, covering her Blessing in what little fluid yet remained within her.

Only then did Daichi take note that she had obviously done thus several times. The scent of urine also mixed heavily with the stench of vomit and sweat.

“By all that’s holy,” he whispered. “What is happening to you?”

As if in response, her sudden screams ripped through the silence of the otherwise still night.

Daichi squeezed her sweat-slick hands and watched in horror as a queer darkness crept around both her sides. He couldn’t quite make out the moving shadowy outline, until the two nearly touched—just under her breasts, almost completely covering her ribcage.

Her cries ceased only when the strange movement ceased encompassing her tiny body. She began to pant like a dog, desperately trying to pull more oxygen into her deprived lungs.

Only when the last little shiver ran across the darkened flesh, did her grip upon his hands loosen.

He looked closer. “What is that?” Daichi’s nose was nearly touching her belly when realization finally took hold. “Ah… i-it’s… w-wings.”

Jenevier hit her knees. Her arms went slack and her head lolled back. Daichi watched in horror as the eerie whites of her eyes were hidden by slowly closing lids, consciousness ebbing away from her. Her fingertips slipped from his grasp as her body gradually arched backwards, almost as if she were being held from behind, gently laid to rest. With her knees upon the ground and her legs bent under her, Jenevier’s body curved up drastically as the crown of her head gently touched the soft ground behind her.

Daichi was frozen in place, briefly unable to move through his shock and confusion. He stared blindly at her limp form, contorted unnaturally, uncomfortably… almost like a discarded, broken doll.

“Naga!” When his senses returned, he made to lift her up, reaching for her waist.

Touch her not, Angel
, Kin Ryu roared.
It has yet to be finished.

Daichi stopped, frozen in place with his hands extended. Still bent over the only person he truly cherished, he watched in horror as black burn marks crept around the same tiny waist he was still reaching for—the fair skin bubbling, hissing, darkening slowly, inch by painful inch. When the two approaching burns neared her navel, the point of each barely touching the outside ring of her bellybutton, all movement ceased.

The swollen black scar smoothed out, settling back flush with her angelic skin. When the darkness receded, Daichi gasped as the torturous mark faded into a glistening sapphire… drawing.

“What is that?” He sucked in a sharp breath. “Is that… claws?”

Yes, baby Angel
, Adalin whispered within him.
And with only barely enough room. Another half an inch, and the whole process would have been for naught.
The giant pink Dragon moved to stand beside him.
It is finished, little one. Take our Guardian now. See to our little Kagi Naga. We know not yet how she fares. The melding is complete. Nilakanta is fine. But never have I seen a host have to sacrifice so much in the process. Heal her, Daichi. Only you can ensure her future health. Go in peace, mighty Blessing.

The beautiful blue Angel silently lifted her limp form. He gazed lovingly at the tiny, helpless Angel draped silently across his arms.

“Naga…” he whispered, pressing her to his chest as he quietly spread his glorious wings.

*****

“Where is he taking her?” Jophiel said, leaning against the railing, straining to get a better view. “Is it over? Why did he not return to the palace, return her to us?”

“Because… this is not about
us
,” Raphael said quietly.

Upon hearing the strain in the Arch’s voice, Apollyon glanced back at the Angel he had once called his most treasured brother… and took notice as the handsome dark-haired man quickly tried to hide his silent tears.

A jealous anger swelled within him.
Does he… Does he love her… like that?
He started to growl, but Tenshi gently touched his hand, reining in his dark temper.

“This is about what little Naga needs,” Raphael continued. “Daichi is only doing what Father made him to do.”

“But why can he not do it here, at the palace?” Uriel mumbled.

“These gilded walls are no place to restore her beautiful soul,” Yui said. “Empress Naga needs more than this stone and mortar can provide. She needs the stars, the openness. Naga needs the moonlight.”

Tenshi remained quiet, a peaceful smile now painted across his lovely face. Apollyon had been watching his son from the corner of his eye. He casually bumped the beautiful young Angel with his shoulder.

“Keeping secrets, boy?”

Tenshi blushed. “Not really.”

“But you know where they went, do you not?”

“Yes.” He turned to face his father, whispering for his ears alone. “You will never find a more breathtaking view of those majestic moons up there, than the one you can see from the hidden hot springs within our secret valley home.”

“Is that so? Perhaps I should have a look at that for myself.”

Tenshi glanced over his shoulder at their present company, and then quickly looked away, trying to hide his smile.

“Tell me one thing more, son. Tell me the true intent of these Angels gathered here. Is it for this summons alone? Or do they do thus regularly?”

“Not every day, no. Yet they visit… on occasion.”

“And do you know why? Is it for duty? Or…” He glanced back at Raphael. “…for something else entirely?”

“Worry not, Father.” Tenshi turned to face him then, keeping his voice at a whisper. “I will not let them touch Mama in that way. No one will ever get that close to her heart again. If they try, I will cease them.”

Apollyon smiled with but one corner of his mouth. “Does your mother know just how much of my son you truly are, boy?”

Tenshi only blushed.

*****

“Naga, my beautiful little Angel,” Daichi whispered as he scooped up warm water and used it to smooth back her tangled curls. “You amaze me. Did you know that?” He watched as the moonlight glistened off the trickling drops running down her shoulders.

Her eyes remained closed as he held her, reclining in the gentle warmth of the same spring Yui had once washed away the blood and pain left by a very
different
night of torture. As her fair Shinobi had once healed her, so too now did her divine Blessing.

“Where do you find the strength, my love?” He gently brushed back a few sodden strands from her forehead. “You are safe now, little Naga. By dawn, I will be graced with your beautiful smile once more.”

Daichi tenderly washed away any remaining filth from her alabaster skin. He marveled at how her newly received scars seemed to sparkle with a life all their own… ethereally highlighted by the soft glow of the enchanting full moons.

He carried her sleeping form down the mountainside and into the cave they had once called home. After changing the now forgotten linens with crisp new sheets, he couldn’t help but chuckle at the tidiness of the abandoned, over-stuffed closets.

“Yui really does love us too much,” he mumbled. “We could have lived here for many peaceful years without a worry in the world.”

“If it had not been for me.”

Daichi didn’t turn toward the familiar deep voice. He kept his eyes fixed on the sleeping treasure before him.

“…Yes. If it had not been for you.”

Apollyon walked past the younger Angel and carefully sat down on the edge of her bed.

“What now?’ he whispered.

Daichi stood, leaning wearily against the massive wooden post of her canopy. “Now… I heal her.” He smiled softly. “It will not prove to be
too
bad. Not this time. She is not shattered and broken, only drained. At least I will not be tasked with having to weave bits and pieces of her back together. Tonight, she only needs her strength restored and her heart refilled.” He took his place beside the sleeping woman and she automatically curled up against his broad chest. “I do not mind this type of healing so much. The kind where I get to simply provide love and comfort… not worrying if her crumbling essence will survive the next hour, or flee forever.” He smiled down at her and tucked a curl back behind her ear. “Tonight,
I
am the blessed one. Tonight, I get to hold an Angel in my arms, gift her with the amazing love she so richly deserves. Yes… this is my
favorite
kind of healing.”

Apollyon watched as Daichi wrapped his strong arms around her, pulling her closer. She squirmed a little, nuzzled against his chest, then released a long breath as she relaxed into his warmth. The Prince of Hell quietly watched as the rare magic passed between them… before he turned away, unable to bear any more.

“I knew not what jealousy was until this very moment,” he whispered. “I should be the one holding her right now. I should be the one healing her, erasing her pain.”

Daichi remained silent, listening to the mighty dark Angel’s trembling confession of bitterest regret.

“I had the power you wield.
Have
the power you wield. But for my damn pride…” His words trailed off as the silence of the night surrounded them. “Instead, I am the very creature that sends her falling into
your
magical embrace. Well… normally. Instead of gifting her with love, I only ever manage to dangle her precious soul off the cliff of insanity.” He drew in a haggard breath. “I hate you above all, Daichi. Yet you are one creature I would never harm, never want to see put in danger. As great as my hatred for you is, my love for her will always be greater. Therefore, I will forever see you safe, Blessing. You are one of but three souls I will heedlessly lay my life down to protect.”

Daichi didn’t speak, nor did he protest when hell’s Prince quietly laid down on the opposite side of the bed and watched as her shoulders rose and fell to the rhythmic hum of her steady breathing.

Peaceful sleep wrapped her in comfort, blessed her with fair dreams, and left a tiny smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

*****

Deep into the night, she stirred. Inhaling fully, she knew where she was by scent alone. Slowly, she raised her lids and was comforted by the soft glow flickering within the bedside oil lamp. She stared at the tiny flame as her mind walked her through the recent melding ceremony.

Jenevier reached behind her, feeling for her Daichi. Her gentle movements caused his arms to reflexively encircle her waist, tightening slightly before going slack once more. The tender action brought a warm smile to her face.

“I love you, Daichi,” she whispered softly.

Then… she glanced away from the light and found herself staring into the most beautiful sapphire eyes she could possibly imagine. The tears now filling those enchanting eyes were slowly blinked away before true realization came over her.

“I remember when you once whispered
my
name in the night, once professed love and received comfort from only me.”

She cautiously reached a trembling hand out toward him and tenderly stroked his perfect cheek.

“My beautiful Vindicus.”

Her precious words pulled not only tears from his eyes, but tiny sobs from his heart spilled forth as well.

Jenevier held her arms out, beckoning him come closer.

The mighty Prince of Hell, sole keeper of the bottomless pit, curled up in her gentle embrace. Resting his head against her bosom, the darkest Angel to ever walk the layers cried as would a child.