by JK Ensley
“Aye, little brother, I fear ye’ll come tae regret that,” Vittorio said.
“I concur,” Vareilious said, slapping the blue Angel on the shoulder. “Daichi, my young friend, I believe I would’ve let her go with this strange speaking old Guardian here and meet up with that damn cat… before I would’ve let her go back there.”
*****
Jenevier flew straight to the little rose-covered cottage, the tiny home that would always live in her heart, no matter where her head may lay. Forgetting a childhood as magical as hers wasn’t something one could easily do. Nor would they want to.
Vareilious had already told her what had happened, how he’d gone there when he first arrived. He found nothing but bits and pieces scattered about… and all the blood.
But he did not find a body. My heart lets me believe she yet lives. I must know the truth in this.
She removed her wings, took a deep breath, put on her best smile, and burst through the back door with a song on her lips.
“Jezreeeel, I’m hooome! Show me your beautiful face, Sister. I have much to tell you. We will end this day with too many tears accompanied by way too much wine.”
Her song wasn’t answered. Her heart began to sink until she heard a sleepy… Hello? coming from her old bedroom.
She giggled as she flew into the room, pouncing on the mumbling lump still covered up in the middle of her old feather bed.
“Wake up, Princess. I came back to get you. Get up and make me some tea.” She held the covers down so her squirming friend couldn’t escape. “Why are you still lying in bed at this hour? You’ll get fat if all you do is sleep. I’ll enjoy making fun of you when your hips are spread out for miles and your big butt jiggles when you walk.” She laughed as she was thrown off the fighting lump and then pounced upon in return. “Jeez, Jezreel, you weigh a ton. Seriously, what do you do besides lay in bed and eat? Get off me. I can’t breathe.”
Her giggles abruptly stopped when the covers were finally pulled away and the most glorious emerald eyes she could never forget were staring down at her.
“Are you a dream? No, wait. Don’t answer that. I don’t want the spell to be broken. You can be a dream. Just… promise not to disappear. Not yet.”
A huge lump rose up in her throat. She spoke not.
Alastyn moved closer, slowly, until he was firmly on top of her. “You always disappear…” he whispered softly. “…even in my dreams, right before I finally get to taste your beautiful lips. The same lips I longed to kiss all those years ago.”
She didn’t move. She didn’t even breathe. Jenevier couldn’t decide if this man was real or an illusion. She wanted it to be him so very badly. He had changed. His long curls were back, same as in his youth. But life had creased his brow, left its lined mark above his lovely eyes.
He didn’t advance, he only stared at her. Then, he flinched when she reached for his lovely raven curls. His brow furrowed and he seemed to actually focus on her then.
“Are you still asleep, my valiant young knight? Have you not yet fully returned from the land of slumber?”
At the sound of her voice, tears poured down his cheeks. He wrapped strong arms around her and held her with all his heart.
“I prayed every night for you, my love. I prayed for your return, prayed you were still alive.”
“Hey… Alastyn. I’m here now. Save your tears, sweet friend.” She ran her hands through his dark curls and rubbed his back. “I have no intention of disappearing this time. I’m here to stay until things are set to rights.”
He relaxed his hold, drawing back just enough to look into her eyes. “Then I hope it takes the rest of my life to set things to rights.”
She couldn’t help showing the joy that seeing those loving emerald eyes brought to her heart.
He rested his forehead against hers and mirrored her smile. Alastyn inhaled deeply, savoring her sweet scent, the same delicious scent that made his mind reel and his heart flutter.
“It really is you,” he whispered.
“And it really is you.” She ran her fingers down his fair cheek. “I came here hoping to find my childhood friend. Instead, my first love is sleeping soundly in my old bed.”
“After all these years, it still smells a little bit like you.” He chuckled softly. “Did you mean it?”
She was still lost in his eyes. “Mean what?” she said absently.
“Am I your first love?”
She smiled and kissed the tip of his nose. “How can you even ask me that?”
He buried his face in her neck and squeezed her again. “Did you say you wanted some tea?”
She half chuckled. “Yes, I would love some.”
“Very well, Princess Jenevier. I should say we will end up sharing more than a few cups before our stories are fully told. There is much you need to know. And much I wish to ask.”
He helped her off the bed and they held hands as they made their way into the familiar old kitchen at the back of that tiny little rose-covered cottage.
*****
Her hand was shaking as she set the dainty teacup back on the little saucer. “I simply cannot believe he’s dead. I didn’t think that was supposed to happen. I thought his destiny was to rule this land.”
“I’m terribly sorry I was the one who brought you news of the King’s death. I know you loved him.”
Jenevier reached over and squeezed Alastyn’s hand. She didn’t speak until his eyes met hers.
“I am terribly sorry you had to be the one to tell me any of this, especially the part about your beautiful family. I can never make up for all the harm I have wrought in your cursed life, dear friend.”
Tears filled those incredible emerald eyes. “I have been blessed beyond my worth. Never apologize to me. Nothing was your fault, tiny Princess. This evil was wrought by a devil. You are no devil.” His smile was weak but valiant.
“Please… do not proclaim such until you have heard my tale as well.”
“Then let us sit in front of the fire while you share your life with me. I have dreamt of this day for so many years now. I wish to enjoy it properly. Whether it holds joy or pain for me, I care not. I will be happy with your voice alone.”
She smiled as he took her hand, leading her into the den. “You are too charming for your own good, Alastyn,” she whispered.
He could only blush.
*****
After what felt like hours, Jenevier sat silently while her words had time to sink into her dear friend’s mind.
“So… you bound your first husband to the gates of hell and held your second until he turned to ash.” He tenderly wiped away some of her bitter tears. “And you feel bad for me? My pain cannot compare to your own.”
“You lie to yourself, old friend. Yours was the greater—losing the whole of your family. And besides, pain is something that should never be comparative. Pain enough to cause even one tear, is still pain. We all hurt. When it comes to the heart, there are no little aches.”
He pulled her onto his lap. She curled up against his chest and silently cried herself to sleep.
He was playing with her curls, thinking about all the lost years, when he heard the back door open and close. He didn’t move. Somehow, he knew who it must be.
When the giant of a man walked into the den, Alastyn smiled.
“You must be Daichi.”
The sapphire-haired Angel didn’t speak as he moved to stand before them.
“Is she broken?” Alastyn asked.
“She shatters. I felt her essence crumbling. It pulled me here.”
“Do you have to take her away so soon?”
Daichi could plainly hear the man’s anguish. “I only came to heal her soul,” he said. “I can do that from here.”
“She told me all about you.”
“Did she now?” Daichi smiled. “She is an incredible woman, yes. But I cannot say she told me anything of you, Alastyn.” He saw the color fade from the man’s cheeks. “She did not have to,”
he continued. “You have been a constant fixture in her mind. I have looked upon your face from the day I was first placed within her. Her love for you… there are no words.”
“Will you grant me a favor?”
“I know no reason why I should honor your request. I owe you nothing,” Daichi answered flatly.
Alastyn smiled. “You are exactly as she described you.” He chuckled softly. “It’s not a matter of owing me anything, Daichi. It’s a matter of the heart.”
“I cannot answer words I have not yet heard. Speak them. Quit asking if you can ask them. It’s tedious, gets on my nerves.”
“Very well, Lord Daichi. My question is this… Will you share her with me? Can you share with me this Angel I now hold?”
“Share her?” Daichi snorted and shook his head. “Your trials have obviously left you mad. How can I share her? Can you share the breath that just entered your lungs? Can you spare the largest portion of the heart beating within your chest? Share her? Such a thing is not possible.”
“I’m not an Angel, neither am I a Guardian, or even a devil. I am but a man. A man whose torch for this loveliest of women has burned longer than she has even known of your kind’s existence, burned longer than you have been alive. Alas, I’m not blessed with days such as yours. I won’t live for centuries upon centuries. My time is limited. My days, numbered. You know my heart concerning her. You know her heart concerning me. If I was granted her love for the rest of my natural days, it would seem as but a blink in the span of your time with her. I ask this of you, not Jenevier. I know not what her answer will be. But I do know this. If it would hurt you, she will say no. No matter what her heart is singing. She is yours, Daichi. So, I ask you again. Can you share her? Can you share but a breath of your lifetime to grant me the heart of the only woman I have ever truly loved, ever truly wanted?”
Daichi stood, staring down at the crying mortal who owned such a large chunk of his Angel’s heart. He didn’t speak. He only gave one sharp nod of his head before turning to leave.
At that, Alastyn wrapped his arms around her. Allowed his tears the freedom they had longed for the better part of his life.
When Daichi left that little rose-covered cottage, two of the most tormented souls he would ever know were curled up on the faded old lounge in front of a tiny crackling fire, fast asleep in each other’s arms.
Chapter 55
Ashgard
(ASH-gahrd)
“Kias…”
“You don’t have to give voice to your fears, Sharna. I know your heart. I promise to be gentle with you, my love. I will erase the horrors of your past, beautiful lady, and replace them with unspeakable joys.” His soft kisses tickled her body as he spoke.
He wouldn’t rush her. Never would he force her in this thing. His noble heart raced when he felt her surrender bit by bit, slowly succumbing to his gentle caress.
“Kias, my love… that feels… so… good.”
His black eyes rolled up in his head at her labored words. He was wholly consumed, single-minded in his desire for her. Any noise, any movement, any sign at all of acceptance from his beautiful wife, sent the princely Elf into a euphoric spin.
“Kias, mi Shafeal, teach me how to pleasure you,” Jezreel whispered. “Show me where to kiss you. I want to do the things you desire. I wish to satisfy you in every way. Teach me how to please my gorgeous husband.”
“Sharna.” He moaned out her name as he gently pushed her down, covering her body with his. “Your voice alone arouses me, but your words have nearly done me in.”
“Mi Shafeal, my body aches to know you. I quiver and tremble at the delicious thought. Tease me no longer, my love. I need to feel you move within me. I want you to claim me, Kias.”
When he slowly entered her, Jezreel’s back arched, her eyelids fluttered, and a joyous smile parted her lips. He had hoped this would be the case, hoped she would be comfortable enough to feel only him, only his love… minus all nightmares and past trauma.
Her body’s intense response to his almost caused him to lose control. He’d wanted to feel her pressed against him for so long; the reality of it was very nearly his undoing. He looked down at where their bodies were connected. Moving within her, Kias reveled wholly in all the sweet noises she made, all the little moans and gasps now filling their moonlit room.
“Never did I dream you would feel this incredible, mi Sharna. I have loved you for so long…” He paused as tears burned the backs of his royal eyes. “As with everything else, my love, you continue to exceed my wildest imaginations… and I slowly, gloriously lose myself in you.”
He licked her hardened nipples and she gasped, a tremor running throughout her as she squirmed beneath him.
“…Kias,” she barely managed to rasp.
Jezreel’s response to her husband’s touch was completely natural, yes, but it drove the Elf Prince over the edge, sent him into an oblivious freefall. Kias clung to her trembling form, blissfully relinquishing all control. After only a brief moment to catch his breath and slow his racing heart, he continued with their promised magical night. A promise filled with love… not sleep.
Jezreel’s eyelashes fluttered once more as another tiny gasp escaped with her third epic release.
*****
The sunrise teased her eyelids open. Faint sounds from the kitchen pulled her to her feet. Jezreel was still yawning, tying her robe as she entered the dawn-drenched room.
Her sweet Prince was there, humming cheerfully as he sat the table for their first breakfast together in their new home.
I must be dreaming, she thought. My life isn’t supposed to be this amazing. I’ve made too many mistakes to be blessed like this. I’m terrified I will wake, lose everything. I’m certain I would never live through such a thing. If I ever woke to find my beloved Kias gone… I would close my eyes and wake no more.
“There you are, mi Sharna.” His smile was beaming, exuberant. “Come.” Kias motioned with a graceful sweep of his arm toward her seat. “I thought I was going to be forced to wake you. But you looked so beautiful lying there; I simply couldn’t bring myself to disturb such sweet slumber. You are radiant this dawn, my love. I take it you slept well.” He pulled out her chair, beckoning her to sit.
“Like a baby,” she answered as she took the proffered seat, blushing.
Staring at him from across the breakfast table, Jezreel was wholly enamored… all over again. Kias was exactly everything she had ever wanted. Just looking at his sharp features in the morning light, remembering how he had touched her, the things he had whispered in the dark, it made her tingle all the way down to the pit of her stomach. When he caught her staring at him, she blushed and turned away.
“Are you well this morn, mi Sharna?” Concern showed in his dark eyes. “Did I hurt you, my love?” He reached over and gently took her hand. “Apologies for my eagerness. I did try to rein in my fervor, honestly. Tell me. Was I too rough with you? Did I do something wrong?”
“Kias, don’t say such things. It’s embarrassing.”
He only smiled at her.
Had Jezreel been blessed with Jenevier’s gift of hearing internal monologue, his would have gone something like this… Dear heavens, I love this woman madly. If the day ever comes when I’m forced to wake without my sweet Princess sleeping by my side, that day will be my last. Instead, she was swimming about in crippling doubt, an uncomfortable, nauseating departure from her normally fierce confidence.
“Kias?”
He jumped at the sound of her timid voice, his distant dreamy look washing away as he focused on her quivering bottom lip.
“Yes, mi Sharna. What troubles you?”
“I’m not troubled. Well… not exactly.” She blushed again.
“Do not be shy with me, dear one. I am your eternal mate.” He smiled softly as he squeezed her hand and winked. “You should learn to trust me… since you’ll never be rid of me.”
She looked down, blindly gazing at her own fidgeting fingers. “Well
, I only ask because I’m curious, you see. And… well… just a little sad.”
He perked up at her admission and quickly moved to take a place by her side. “Tell me, Sharna. I have sworn to always make you smile. To hear of your sadness, dear wife, tears a hole in my heart.”
She lifted her watery gaze to meet his. “It’s just… I was curious…” She sighed wearily. “Why do I not please you? Tell me what I can do to satisfy you, mi Shafeal.”
Kias was visibly shocked by her words, shaken. “How can you think you do not please me? Did I not show you last night just how much I desire you? Just how easily I lose control when I but touch you, when I merely taste your soft skin, when I hear your tiny voice beside me?”
Jezreel’s cheeks burned crimson and she averted his intense gaze. “I only meant… well… I’m not… you know… experienced in the ways of men. But… when you didn’t… finish… Well, it made me feel bad.” She sniffed and wiped away the single tear that had unexpectedly escaped. “If you will only tell me what it is you desire, I will do whatever I can to satisfy you. I love you, Kias. I only wish to please you.”
When he didn’t respond, she forced herself to look back up at him. The look on his beautiful pale face was one of complete bewilderment.
Tears spilled down her cheeks then. “You’re angry with me. I knew I shouldn’t have mentioned it. If I did not care for your feelings more than my own, I would have held my tongue. But I can only ever be happy if you are even more so. And when you didn’t… you know… finish, I knew you weren’t happy and I—”
He placed his finger to her lips, ceasing her nervous ramblings. “Is that what you think, sweet Sharna?” He brushed her hair back from her face, wiped her tear-stained cheek with the backs of his fingers. “Are you afraid I find you undesirable? Did you think I was unable to leave my seed within you?”
She tried to look away, but he took her trembling chin in his hand and turned her back to face him.