Cursed by Diamonds (A Dance with Destiny Book 1)

by JK Ensley

  Alastyn’s muscles visibly tensed and flexed. By the gods… he thought, as he continued to listen—hearing and feeling the great pain still evident in the ethereal woman’s voice. He swallowed hard, trying to fend off the rising bile.

  “When he slammed that door, it felt as if a giant part of me had been violently ripped away. I guess, in a sense, it had. He claimed the largest portion of my soul for himself.” She paused and tried to push the painful memory aside. “I found myself wandering, lost in the woods, hopeless. A gentle man appeared from the trees and I followed him here. When I saw the village, the home of my family, I ran as an animal unleashed. I didn’t stop until I reached your front door. I didn’t even thank the man. That was terrible of me. But I was home, and that was all that mattered.”

  Silence hung in the room like a heavy veil. Mixed emotions swirled through the air about them. Markus was too terrified to hope, yet too desperate to renounce.

  “So, you are my Alissa, then? Returned to me at last?”

  Her vivid green eyes met his. “Only in part, my dear sweet husband.”

  “How so? You sit here with me now, do you not? He has freed you to return to me, to return to us.”

  “I have physically changed forever. My body was all but dead these many years. My hair is as the Northern snow and my skin is as death. Merodach yet holds a great part of my spirit, so my will may not be my own.”

  “But you chose us, Alissa. That very will you now question—your will, your spirit—it led you home, my dear.”

  Alastyn’s heart was breaking all over again, but for horribly different reasons. His father was crumbling before him as his mother remained distant, scared.

  “Alissa, you are now as you were then,” Markus said. “The most beautiful woman I have ever known. My heart will never change toward you, my love.”

  For the first time since this tormented woman entered their home, Alissa smiled. Alastyn’s breath caught in his throat. He knew that smile. Those captivating eyes were the same as he had always remembered them… Mama’s.

  “Father, I’m certain she is weary.” He timidly touched her gossamer locks then quickly withdrew. “Darkness has fallen. We could all use some rest.”

  “Will you stay, Alissa?” Markus pleaded. “Will you stay with us and never leave?”

  “If you welcome me home, dear husband, Dragons couldn’t tear me away.”

  “I know for certain my Alissa would never entertain the thought, no. But… if your resolve isn’t strong enough, if your will is not your own—I won’t live through losing you again.”

  “My love, my Markus, if you turned me out of this house… my heart would cease to beat in that same moment. My life would end there upon your threshold.”

  “Can you choose to stay with us no matter how much of your soul that venomous Prince possesses?”

  “Yes, I can now. If you still love me, and my son accepts me… I know I will be whole again. Your love and approval will be more than enough to fill this void the Prince has cursed me with.”

  Alastyn smiled. “Then come. Your room is as you left it.”

  Alissa quietly followed her family to the familiar old door.

  All was as she remembered—the curtains, the bed, the dressing table. This was her home, and she never wanted to leave again. No matter what.

  After a few more words, winks, and hugs, she collapsed onto the warm familiar bedding.

  Her eyes were already closed. She’d almost given in to the blissfulness of sleep when she felt soft lips upon her forehead and a melodious whisper in her ear.

  “Welcome home, Mother.”

  Alissa fell asleep, a smile on her face and peace in her heart.

  Chapter 25

  Jezreel

  (zhez-REEL)

  The excited knock came early that morning. Jezreel made her way to the battered door, cracking it open. There stood Alastyn with the biggest, whitest smile she’d ever seen.

  “What’re you doing here so early?”

  “Jezreel, I have incredible news.”

  He burst inside. Grabbing her by the waist, he lifted her into the air and spun around happily.

  “You found Jenevier?” she asked excitedly, almost squealing.

  His countenance deflated. Alastyn lowered Jezreel back to the floor. “No, I haven’t. Apologies, Jezreel. You’ve heard nothing?”

  “Not a word.”

  Both stood in silence, lost in their own tormented thoughts.

  Jezreel finally spoke, “So, what was your incredible news?”

  His eyes sparkled. “My mother has returned to us.”

  “Wha— H-how is that even possible?”

  “I don’t know everything yet. She was weary and sleeps still. All she said last night was that Prince Merodach granted each wraith a wish. Hers was to return home.”

  “And… he just let her go? Just like that?” Jezreel raised an eyebrow, leveling her glare.

  “Well, not really just like that. He was extremely angry. He cursed her, literally threw her out of the palace.”

  “Wow, that’s… that’s great.” She lightly touched his curls as she spoke, “So, how is she? How does she look? Tell me. Is she acting all right?”

  Alastyn fell silent.

  “Oh… I see. Apologies,” she whispered.

  “She is weak.” He looked away, swallowing hard before turning back. “But I’m sure she’ll be more like her old self once she gets some rest.” He smiled. “Yes. I’m all but certain of it.”

  Jezreel placed her hand on his arm, squeezing gently. “I truly hope so. Alas, be wary of strangers bearing gifts.”

  “What’s your intent with such words? What are you saying?”

  “Just worrisome, I suppose. Seems rather strange. That’s all,” she mumbled. “And the timing, well, the timing’s just too perfect.”

  “Same old Jezreel.” Alastyn rolled his eyes. “I was actually surprised to see you still here. I figured if you stayed here last night, those terrifying wraiths would’ve taken you. I thought, perhaps, even the Prince himself would have shown up.” Alastyn half laughed at the thought. “Kicked down your door, even.”

  “He did,” Jezreel said as she walked into the kitchen, Alastyn following her. “Please, don’t get upset. I truly am happy your mother has returned. That means all hope is not lost for Jenevier. It just seems strange to me. You know? The fact that your mother returned to you at almost the same moment the dark Prince was here, kicking in my door.”

  They seated themselves at the table as Jezreel told him everything—all about the secret room, her fainting, the drugged tea, the sinister Prince’s many questions. She left out nothing, not a word. Alastyn just sat there, staring into the distance.

  “So, the Prince of Wrothdem was in Tamar Broden last night,” he whispered, mostly to himself.

  “Not only that, he spent the whole night here.” She tapped her finger on the old table for emphasis. “Left only a couple hours before you showed up.”

  “Thank the gods Mama didn’t know. That would have ended her for sure.”

  “How did she get here? Did she tell you?”

  Alastyn nodded as he spoke, eyes downcast. “A stranger found her in the woods. She didn’t say his name… if she even knew it.”

  “I see.” Jezreel was growing ever more suspicious. “Can I meet your mother? I mean, when she’s rested and feels up to it?”

  He eyed her cautiously. “I suppose so. Why?”

  “The secret room I was telling you about earlier.” She shrugged her shoulders, fiddling with her teacup. “It’s dark. As in… dark magic.”

  “Yes, I remember Jenevier reading something Marlise had written… something about dark magic and their ancestors. Isn’t that the reason her family had no protective blessing from the Elves?”

  “That’s what the book said, yes.”

  “So… Tell me, Jezreel. What are you not saying?”

  “Yes, well, I was studying hard on it.” She nervously refilled her
teacup. “And, well… I was just wondering if maybe your mother might know something. I mean, anything I might find useful in helping me defeat him. She was with him a long time, after all. And I just thou—”

  “Defeat him? Dark magic? Jezreel, have you gone completely mad? Seriously, have you lost your wits?”

  “No, I lost my best friend,” she spat. “That seemed to matter to you yesterday. Or have you forgotten your true love so quickly?”

  “Jezreel, that’s not fair. Of course I haven’t forgotten Jenevier. Are you implying that I shouldn’t feel joy over my mother’s return because Jenevier is absent? She escaped. She’s safe… somewhere.”

  “Are you deaf? Have you heard nothing I just said? That vile man knows where she’s going, when she left, and by what means she travels. Hell, he probably already has her—caged her up like an animal, shackled—while we sit here, enjoying our tea and little chats about our loved ones.”

  Alastyn fell silent. He wanted to be elated over his mother’s glorious salvation. Yet, his joy would always be tempered by the loss of his beloved Jenevier.

  “The Prince himself is tracking her down, Alastyn. There’ll be no more mistakes. He knows her. He knows Jenevier and he won’t be looking for any damn mark.”

  “But, what can we do?” He was almost pleading.

  “I, for one, will not rest until I know for certain she is safe.” Jezreel left the room. Alastyn followed her into the parlor. “I refuse to let Jenevier become like your mother. If there’s anything she knows or anything she can remember, please let me know.”

  Alastyn had the painful vision of seeing Jenevier as a pale, deathly shadow—completely contrast to the way she had looked only yesterday morning—her beauty gone, her innocence lost, her captivating smile erased forever.

  “Very well, Jezreel. As soon as she regains her strength, I will talk to her. There’s no way she would wish the horrors she spoke of last night to befall any other woman. Especially the one her only son is in love with.”

  Jezreel placed her hand on Alastyn’s cheek. She wasn’t particularly fond of him, but his feelings toward Jenevier seemed real.

  “Anything she can do or anything she can remember, I would truly appreciate.”

  He helped pull the bookcase out, revealing the hidden room.

  “I will return your mother’s gracious favor with whatever I find in there that could be of help to her as well.”

  “Jezreel…” A painful knot formed in the back of his throat. “What if he already has her?”

  “I only pray he does not. Alas, I refuse to stop until I have the answer to her rescue. And hopefully… a way to stop him from ever doing this again.”

  She stepped into the darkness and began lighting the many candles she had already placed around the room.

  “If he finds out what you’re doing, Jezreel, he’ll kill you,” Alastyn yelled into the tiny glowing room. “You know that, right?”

  Jezreel stuck her head back out as she reached for the small door. She looked directly into his eyes and smiled with only one corner of her mouth.

  “I am no longer afraid of him, Alastyn. He is mean, yes. There’s no doubt about that. But so is every other bully I’ve ever come across. I will not back down. I care not what he does to me. I will stand in his face; fight him any way I possibly can.”

  “As you say, Jezreel.” He half chuckled. “Merodach has no idea he met his match in this tiny little cottage. You can count on me as well. I will do everything I can. Let me know what you need. I’ll come daily with supplies and any news my mother may provide.”

  “Gratitude,” she said with a half-smile.

  “But he will find out one day, Jezreel. And on that day, he will come for you.”

  “Then, let him come.”

  Jezreel slammed the tiny door behind her. Alastyn only snorted as he turned to leave.

  Taking on that girl… would be like trying to tame a wildcat—hopeless.

  Chapter 26

  Jenevier

  (ZHEN-ah-veer)

  Jenevier stepped between the trees and had to shield her eyes from the radiance of the dazzling sun.

  “What is this place?”

  All around her was summer—the warmth, the butterflies, and the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen. Their intoxicating aroma wafted through the clean, crisp air.

  When her hand started to burn, she looked down to see her cursed mark was as black and fresh as the moment it had been so violently placed there. A blue and orange butterfly landed softly upon the scorched flesh, tickling her, then flitted away. She watched it’s beautifully hypnotic dance until it disappeared, and then hurriedly followed after it.

  As she neared a small stream, she heard a raspy voice screech out at her.

  “Watch where you’re going, you giant foolish pig. Care you not where you step?”

  She looked down to find the ugliest old dog she had ever seen piled in the mud by the rushing little rivulet.

  “Did you just speak?” She gazed at the dirty mutt, wide-eyed.

  “Did I just speak? Well of course I spoke. Are you as witless as you are hideous?”

  She was completely taken aback. This obviously magical place was simply too amazing for reality. She had stepped through ancient trees—that had just appeared out of thin air—and into this strangest of all wonderlands. Now she was being confronted by talking animals, and foul talking animals at that. She determined it must be a dream.

  The little old lady in that disappearing shack must have been a witch. Perhaps she cast a spell upon the food she prepared for me. Or, perhaps I simply ate too much and I’m now lying upon that blanket, fast asleep and dreaming. She sighed and glanced around. Although… as far as dreams go, I must admit this one is rather entertaining. Perhaps I’ll play along for a bit. What could it hurt? She glanced back down at the growling dog. I mean, a fun dream every once in a while has got to be a good sign. Right?

  “Hey!” the dog snapped. “Are you even listening to me?”

  She smiled and curtsied to the strange animal. “Apologies, good sir. I have yet to meet a talking dog, much less break words with one. Forgive me. I am obviously unlearned in such matters and not yet familiar with the proper etiquette needed for such a thing.”

  “What thing?” he huffed.

  “You know… etiquette towards speaking canines.”

  “Hmpf.” The dog snorted. “Simple, ugly, and clumsy to boot. You nearly trampled me where I lay.”

  “I have obviously grieved you, good sir.” She couldn’t hide her smirk… well, didn’t try to. “And yet, if I am so giant and hideous, why did you not move when first you saw my enormous form headed your way? Why did you simply lie there?”

  She batted her lashes. He growled.

  “Because I cannot move. You stupid, wretched girl.”

  She tilted her head to the side. “And why is that? Hmm? Do your legs not work? Or are you diseased?”

  “Yes. I am most certainly diseased.”

  If a dog can smirk, he just did, she thought.

  “You’re quite dumb for a human, aren’t you?” He leaned to the side, looking around her. “And… you appear to be strolling around out here all on your own. Why is that, Maiden? It seems rather curious that one so small should be left unattended. What happened? Are you too ugly for friends? Hmm? Can’t even manage to scrounge up a few false acquaintances?”

  “For someone as vile as you appear to be, sir, I assume finding help from friends would be a trying thing indeed.” She clasped her hands in front of her and innocently rocked from her toes back to her heels. “Or, mayhap, it was your friends who drug you out here to die in the mud. A bit of a courtesy to the rest of us—letting you die.”

  The dog laughed a weird coughing bark-laugh. “You have a sharp tongue, tiny lady. If one does not possess kind looks, then one must at least possess kind words. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Oh yes, I do, very much so. Gratitude, oh wise one. I thank you for granting one as u
nworthy as myself such an honorable lesson concerning proper manners.” She sighed. “Alas, it is quite obvious I am making your impending death even worse for you. I do not wish to make your passing even more painful. Such a thing would be an unforgivable tragedy. So, if you don’t mind, good sir, I will be on my way now. Good luck in the Otherworld. May you receive as good as you gave.”

  She politely stepped around him, meaning to cross the stream.

  “Oh, but I do mind.” He snapped at her ankles. “Blatant sarcasm is one of my favorite games. I wish to play a bit more, Milady.”

  She spun on him then, anger springing to life, showing plainly in her burning eyes.

  “Pardon me, sir! Did you just try to bite me?”

  “I wasn’t left here to die, you lumbering ox. I was drinking from that stream…” He motioned with his head. “…when I was bitten by an asp.” He did that weird dog-smirk thing again. “And… if I had wanted to bite you, I would have.”

  “Is that so?” She eyed him coolly. “Well then, tell me. Just why did the asp bite you? Hmm? Did you carelessly step upon him? Or was he simply tired of hearing your vile tongue prattle on?”

  The dog laughed again. “You are a spirited little mink, aren’t you? Stupid, yes. But chocked full of spit and fire… I like it. Alas, such ignorance will get you killed out here. If I had been able to move, I would be picking my teeth with your bones right now.”

  “Oh, I see. Well then, I must remember to thank the asp, if ever we should meet. Now then, good day to you, sir.”

  She winked at him as she turned to leave.

  “What? You’re really just going to leave me here?”

  “And what is it you wish me to do? Hmm? You seem quite satisfied with your approaching doom. Why should someone as hideous and oafish as me, deprive you of its coming joy?”