Protected by Emeralds (A Dance with Destiny Book 5) (9 page)

The giant gilded doors swung wide at their approach. Servants bowed low as the couple passed. Jenevier took note of Izaru as he purposefully filed in beside the maids, looking down his sharp nose at them.

“How is your back, Milady?”

She jumped a little when the Prince whispered down at her.

“My back? Oh, it-it’s fine,” she mumbled. “Gratitude for your help.”

His expression had changed. He was no longer jovial and teasing, no longer carefree and gay. The lines of his face had hardened, causing him to look exactly like Musashi did the very first time she had laid eyes on the now hated Emperor of Jinn.

“Don’t tell anyone what happened,” he said quietly. “Not a soul. Understand?” He glanced down at her from the corner of his eye. “No one can know I was there. Or
you
, for that matter.”

Jenevier gave a quick nod of her head but didn’t meet his sideways glance. “Tell me. Were you playing about somewhere you should not have been, Your Highness?” A wry smile turned up one corner of her mouth.

He ignored her little jab. “Why don’t you tell
me
something, tiny Sakura? How is it you have healed so soon? As I tended you, I am certain I saw air bubbling up through the blood pooled upon your back. I feared your lung was punctured. I am all but certain of it. Yet here you stand—an elegant dream come true. And only a day after we were parted.”

“I heal fast. It’s a curse.” She mumbled that last part.

Suou flexed his bicep, tightening his grip upon her tiny hand. “No matter how magical a creature you may be, cursed or blessed, no one heals
that
fast.”

“I am an Angel. Well, perhaps… at least I was, once. I suppose I still am. Just not a
good
Angel, mayhap. Hell, I guess I don’t really know how to describe what I now am. Perhaps you could say… I am a creature with the capacity to be more wicked than hell, and more merciful than heaven.” She huffed out a sardonic laugh.

“Watch what you say, little sister.”

She glanced over at an invisible Uriel leaning against the wall. She rolled her eyes at him.

“An Angel?” Suou snickered. “So, you believe you are a Tenshi, do you? Most women may harbor such feelings toward themselves. Yet they would never be so bold as to speak them aloud.”

“No, I am Naga. Tenshi is my son.”

The Prince’s confident steps faltered slightly, shuffling a mere fraction off his elegant pace. But she noticed.

“Son?” He cleared his throat uncomfortably. “You have a son? But I thought this was your wedding day or betrothal or whatever.” He cut his eyes down at her. “Are you a widow perhaps?” He chuckled softly. “Awfully young to have buried a husband, I should say.”

“Yes, I am a widow, thrice over, Milord. And at least twice your age, I might add.”

His steps noticeably faltered at her confession.

“Naga, hold your tongue,” Uriel snapped. “If you think this is funny, you are wrong.”

“Oh, shut it, Uriel,” she hissed under her breath.

Suou reached for a nearby door, guiding her toward it. “Please, excuse us for just one moment,” he said to their following party. “The lady requests a bit more time… upon her hair,” he added quickly.

The rattled Prince all but shoved her into the empty sitting room. The shocked servants stood frozen in the hallway, their curious stares following the couple’s abrupt leave.

“What do you think you are doing?” She snapped out her clipped words as she tore free from his grasp.

Suou’s eyes were as hard black coals floating upon a fair sea. His mouth drew up on one side in a half smile.

“You are the most curious, most entertaining maiden I have ever stumbled across. But do not take me wrong. I will only abide so much insolence before—”

“Before what?” She cut him off. “If you cannot
abide
me, then release me. I do not wish to be here, and you have no reason to detain me. Why do you insist on forcing me in this thing?” Her hands were balled into fists at her side. “You are apparently the Crown Prince of where-ever-the-hell I am, and you know me not. Mark my words. I am no maiden, Your Highness. Take care and do not be lax with me.”

“Easy,” Uriel warned.

“By all that’s holy,” she murmured as she turned to face the mighty Arch. “Uriel, go back from whence you came, Brother. I got this. Your constant interfering is driving me mad. Shut it, or go.”

“Umm… you do remember…” The Angel pointed behind her. “…that
he
cannot see me, right?”

She turned slowly, facing an extremely worried looking young man, a man who was also the mirror image of the long-dead Emperor of Jinn. Her stomach tied in knots. She felt like she was going to be sick. He came toward her then, slowly.

Jenevier flinched when he raised his large hand, but the blow never landed. Carefully opening one eye, she saw that his worry had been replaced with alarm.

“Did you think I was going to strike you?” He placed his hand upon her forehead. “Hmm, you’re not febrile.” He touched her cheek, running his fingertips along her tiny sapphires. “May I see your wound?” He reached for the collar of her kimono.

She jerked away. “No! You may not!”

“Kagi Naga.” His voice was gentle, almost shaky. “What have I done to make you think I would harm you in any way? What have I done save worry and fret over you? From whence comes your vile hatred?” He searched her strange pink eyes. “Not but a few short days ago, I first laid eyes on the most enchanting creature imaginable, stumbled upon her in the middle of a twisted world ruled by a madman. And only seconds later, I witnessed the horror of my life. That same madman held this magical woman to his cold lips as he raised a blood-stained dagger and plunged it deep into her lovely back.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I stopped breathing, Milady. I don’t even remember picking the gun back up. My mind was only on getting him away from you. My stomach turns in on itself every time I remember that shiny hilt… sticking out, there beside your spine.” He pulled her close against him. “I still can scarce believe you live. I doubted my own mind, doubted my own sanity. I was certain of nothing concerning your blessed presence… until Izaru looked upon you as well. That’s when I knew you were no Spirit, no figment of my imagination.” He released her and stepped back. “And when you just now said you were leaving to attend your promised love, desperation seized me. In that moment, I would have done anything to keep you within my sight. Even if I had to bind you.” He lowered his head. “Do not hate me. If you disappear when I close my eyes this night, I will understand. Just… please, do not hate me.”

“I do not hate you, Prince Suou,” she said. “I hate your face.”

His brow was furrowed when he raised his head. She immediately blushed, feeling deep guilt over using such brash words.

“Is it… Musashi?” His voice was racked with pain.

Tears filled her inhuman eyes. “Suou, forgive me. I did not mean to hurt you. I chose my words carelessly. You saved my life. For that, I will be forever grateful. But in truth, you were never supposed to see me. I am not meant to be in your world. My presence alone may have already proven a terrible thing for your kingdom.” She placed her hand on his, covering his troubled heart. “Our paths crossed when they should not have. And that is
my
fault. Let us be thankful for what we shared and say our farewells.” She squeezed his hand. “And yes… I was speaking of Musashi. I do not hate
your
face. Prince Suou’s face is a glorious thing to behold. Thank you for sitting by me during my time of need. Gratitude for your kind heart.”

Jenevier sighed. Looking upon the troubled shadow now cast over his handsome features, it pulled at her heart.

She cleared her throat. “I owe you a great debt, Milord. Ask one thing of me, anything. If it is within my power, I will freely grant it.”

“Careful,” Uriel warned.

Suou’s eyes brightened. “Dance with me,” he said eagerly. “Grant me but one dance, one of my choosing. Then I shall let you take your leave.”

“No,” Uriel all but shouted.

She turned toward the frantic Arch. “No? It is but one dance, Uriel. Only a moment ago you demanded I attend this party. As his date, I might add. And now you balk at a single dance request?”

“I know not who this Uriel is you always speak to.” Suou chuckled. “Yet I hope you never hold such disdain for me, Milady.”

She looked closely at the Prince. He was hard to read, even when she really tried. Strangely, his mind was partially closed off to her.

“Suou, do you not find it odd I speak to someone who is not there?”

“So you
do
know there’s no one there. Good.” He laughed. “Of course I find it odd. I find everything about you to be odd, thus my consuming infatuation. I have never met one such as you, Naga.”

“And you should thank your lucky stars you have not,” she mumbled.

“So? Will you grant my one wish? Will you trade a dance in exchange for your life?” He couldn’t contain his mischievous smile.

“Tell him, no,” Uriel said.

Jenevier was at a loss. “Is there nothing more, Your Highness? It seems a pity to trade three long days of your life for a mere dance, when you could have… anything.”

The suggestive way she said
anything
truly turned her stomach, but Uriel’s insistence had given her pause. She had made the offer, pretended to be a wish-granter… now she felt like a rabbit caught in a snare.

Hearing his breath hitch, Jenevier noticed his racing heart beating wildly beneath his palm. She quickly pulled her hand back.

Dammit
, she thought.
Uriel, when I get out of this, we will duel. You and I—to the death. Someone’s ashes will blow upon the wind. And I care not if they are mine.

“Mind your temper, little sister. Think about it like this… if he beds you, you will be free to go. Daichi can easily heal any mark that passionate little act might leave upon your mind.”

Uriel, how can you be so stupid? Some scars… even Father cannot heal. …Idiot.

She had tried to sound vicious, but her quivering voice only sounded like the helpless twittering of a baby bird as it flitted through his mind. The Arch felt a stab of pain run through his essence.

You are an idiot!
Raphael yelled in his brother Arch’s head.
Forget not who it is you now speak to. Kagi Naga is no stranger to the dark desires of men. Why do you think this man’s face strikes such fear in her heart? I cannot think of anything that could shatter her more—being entered by this particular man.

“Forgive me, little sister,” Uriel whispered. “I did not wish you more pain, honestly. It’s just, well… my wings did more than tingle when he proposed his dance request. I know not what it is. But something feels… off.”

“Something feels
off
?” she spat. “Truly? You would rather see him disrobe and mount me, than to simply embrace me as we swayed? In public, no less. And surrounded by an entire kingdom full of witnesses to boot. Is that what you’re saying, Uriel?”

Suou’s massive arms were suddenly around her.

She closed her eyes, mentally cursing herself.
Oh, bloody hell. Dammit. Dammit. Dammit all.

“When will you ever learn to still your temper and hold your tongue, tiny Angel?” Uriel scolded. “You are, by far, your own worst enemy.”

You think I don’t already know that by now?
Her silent voice was icy.

“Very well, then.” He sighed. “If it is within you, can you possibly try to learn from your mistakes? Do you think you can manage it, Naga? So many things have happened in your short life, but you continue to skip about like the universe is nothing but a rose garden minus the thorns. I mean… It’s just… Ugh!” He rubbed his furrowed brow. “Naga, do you think perhaps you can start today, do you think mayhap you can just
learn
for a change?”

She held the Arch’s determined gaze. He could plainly see the pain, the regret, the bitter sorrow playing about within those magical pink orbs. He held his tongue.

I will try and do as you say. But… can you do me one solid, Brother, just one? Spare my shame. Do not stay here and bear witness to what must now happen. Please
, she begged.

“As you wish, little Naga.” He bowed his head, feeling great pity for her, yet powerless to help. “If I do not see you within an hour, I will return.”

Uriel slowly faded away. Their eyes remained locked until he was no more.

Prince Suou whispered…

“
There once was a girl with a sapphire curl,

Hanging in the middle of her forehead.

And when she was good, she was very good indeed,

But when she was bad, she was horrid
.”

Those were not the words she had been expecting to hear. Relief washed over her.

“How dreadfully clever, Milord.”

“Not at all.”

Jenevier half smiled. “I once heard something similar… in my youth. Where in the world did you come up with such as that?”