by JK Ensley
His soft kisses rained down like a sweet summer storm. She held him tightly, feared he would stop.
Alzeen now owned a huge piece of her heart. Jenevier knew somehow, in some way, he would always be with her. She could no longer imagine a world without him in it. She just wasn’t certain which role it was he would play in the theatre her life had become.
“Jenevier?”
His gentle voice startled her out of the dreamy state in which his kiss had only just left her.
“Yes?”
“After you meet your chief, will you leave here? Will you leave me and go back from whence you came?”
“I’m not sure what my chief will ask of me, or where he will command me go. But know this, Alzeen. I will never leave you. Never.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
“What if we chose to just stay here?” He brushed a loose curl back and tucked it behind her ear. “What if I never return to my chief and you didn’t continue the search for yours? Would you be content to just stay here with me, forever?”
“I can answer without reservation—staying here with you would be the most perfect life I could possibly imagine. But as long as this mark remains upon me…” She held up her hand. “…I will always be looking over my shoulder in fear. That’s not fair. To you or to me.”
“I would protect you always.”
He kissed her neck. She shuddered and closed her eyes.
“I know you would, Alzeen. I know you would. But if I find Valadrog, then we won’t have to worry. He can remove the cursed bond another man has forced upon me.”
“I don’t like that.”
His lips tickled the base of her throat when he spoke. She giggled softly before pulling back.
“Don’t like what, Alzeen?”
“The fact another man has placed a claim upon you and is seeking you now.” He tightened his embrace. “I won’t share you. Not with anyone. Not ever.”
She smiled. “I won’t share you, either. I will admit. I was a bit leery of searching out Valadrog and asking for his help. But look at what I would have missed. Had I not journeyed here, I would never have found you. You, Alzeen, have given me strength I did not possess on my own. Strength I needed to finish my quest. The strength I lacked to be free. Free to follow my own destiny. Not one forced upon me by another.”
“Please stay with me.” He hugged her again.
“I will always stay with you, Alzeen. You were made just for me, remember?”
One corner of his mouth turned up in a smirking smile.
“Or perhaps, you were made just for me.”
“Perhaps.” She absently began tracing his marks again. “I can live with that. You won’t ever leave me, right?”
“Right.”
“Then I refuse to throw away something as perfect as you and what you have come to mean to me. You are a rare and precious gift, Alzeen. But I can only truly be with you after my journey to meet Valadrog.”
“Well, we’re not there yet. Perhaps you’ll change your mind.”
She softly laughed. “Very well, we shall see. You need rest, my enchanting friend. Lie down. I will not leave you.”
“Only if you lay with me.”
His lips found hers once more. This man—everything about him—made her mind spin, removed all trace of worry and doubt. She needed him fiercely. She always would. This she knew, minus any hesitation.
“Of course I will rest with you, Alzeen. I never wish to be parted from you. Sleep now and be at ease. I will be here when you wake.”
Alzeen lay upon his side and reached for her. Jenevier smiled as she curled up against his warm chest. He was soon fast asleep and she spent the passing hours gazing lovingly at her new friend.
She couldn’t help but kiss his smooth forehead and whisper softly, “You are the true other half of my soul.”
Chapter 33
Jezreel
(zhez-REEL)
“There is nothing in this world that could make Jenevier quit being my friend,” Jezreel mumbled. “Crazy old lady’s lost her wits.”
She knew all too well the trouble her stubbornness had gotten her into in the past. So, she sat down in the shade and thought hard.
“If I stay here and try my best to be the village healer, then one day, a very long time from now… Jenevier will return and we will be happy again.”
She knew this was the most sensible and truest option. But she was choking on the very thought of it.
“Halora is a dark witch, and she lives right up there on that ridge. She can teach me what it is I need to know, if I’m willing to pay the price.”
She remembered Mrs. Trinken’s warning… If you do this, you will sacrifice your future and your friendship.
“Ugh!”
Jezreel yelled out in frustration and stormed back into the house. She was pacing, fuming over the part she was being forced to play in this monumental drama, when something clicked.
“Wait. What handsome friend? Alastyn?”
She was out of the house and down the street without another thought.
*****
Alastyn casually answered the frantic banging, sighing as he opened the door.
“…Jezreel.”
“Where are you going? What have you found out? You never came back. Are you hiding something from me?”
He totally ignored her crass behavior. He was now familiar with her unpolished demeanor.
“Jezreel, would you like to come in?” He called back over his shoulder. “Mother, Father, we have a guest.”
When his parents entered the room, Jezreel grabbed Alastyn’s arm and hid partially behind him. He ignored her once again.
“Alissa, Markus, this is the young lady I was telling you about, Jenevier’s friend. Jezreel, these are my parents.”
He stepped from in front of her and nudged her in the back as Alissa approached—smiling, hands extended.
“Jezreel, I have heard a great deal about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Alissa reached back and took her husband’s arm. “This is Markus, my husband and Alastyn’s father.”
Jezreel politely shook his hand. “It’s very nice to meet you both.”
“To what do we owe this pleasure?” Alissa said, her warm smile lighting up her face.
Alastyn placed his hands on Jezreel’s shoulders. “It seems Jezreel is full of questions today, Mother. I will speak with her outside. Then, we would love to have tea with you.”
“That would be exquisite, my son.” She turned to Jezreel. “Do you have a preference, little one?”
“Anything is fine, Ma’am. Rose, if you have it.”
“Very well, then. Rose it is.”
Jezreel smiled and gestured with a tiny bow, as Alastyn led her back through the front door.
“I see your manners haven’t improved in the last few days.” He scowled and jerked her arm. “I’m almost positive you were raised better than you let on.”
“Apologies, Alastyn. It’s just… I feel like I’m swaying in the wind out here with nothing at all to anchor me.” She looked down. “I have no good excuse for my behavior. I will make amends, truly.”
“Umm hmm.” He couldn’t hide the smirk he now wore. “So tell me, calmly now. How did you know I was leaving?”
“So, it’s true, then?”
“Yes.”
“Mrs. Trinken.”
“Who?”
“Margy Trinken, the lady who lives behind Marlise.”
“And just how did she know?”
“I’m not certain. She’s a bit of a hermit, actually. But she’s a seer, and gifted at that. She told me you were going on a long journey.”
“What else did she say?”
“Just that Jenevier had made it to the mountains safely.”
“Then, he didn’t catch up to her…” Alastyn’s voice trailed off as relief washed over him. “So, she found Valadrog, did she?”
“No, not yet. But she did say Jenevier is somewhere Prin
ce Merodach can’t go. So, I know she’s safe.”
Alastyn looked hard at the fidgeting girl.
“Is that all she said?”
“No,” Jezreel murmured.
“I thought not.” He rolled his eyes. “Speak, Jezreel. What are you not saying?”
“She said Jenevier is safe. That much is true. But then she told me that Jenevier wouldn’t be returning here for a very long time.”
A stabbing pain shot through Alastyn’s heart. He swallowed hard, holding back the coming tears.
“Is that all, Jezreel?”
“No. She also said that if I followed her, I would die.”
“Of course you would. It doesn’t take a seer to divine that, Jezreel. The southern stretch of wilderness is far too dangerous a place to go, even if you think you know what you’re doing.”
“But… Jenevier made it.”
“Yes, she did, thus the extreme relief upon hearing fair news of her arrival. Ugh, Jezreel. I swear… you can be so thick sometimes.”
She looked down at her feet, mumbling.
“What else is there, Jezreel?” Alastyn’s nerves were wearing thin with his exasperating guest. “Tell me. What are you hiding?”
Jezreel bit her lip and glanced around. “Mrs. Trinken said there was a woman who might help me understand how to use the secret room I found.”
“Who?” Alastyn narrowed his eyes, studying her closely.
“Her name is Halora,” Jezreel whispered.
“Halora?” Alissa had come to announce their tea was ready. “Child, don’t use her name so carelessly.” She looked around to see if anyone had overheard them. “Come inside, both of you. We’ll finish this conversation away from itchy ears.”
Alissa served the tea as uneasy glances were shared by all. She turned to Jezreel.
“Now, child, tell me. How is it you know Halora?”
“I don’t, actually. Do you know her?”
“By name and deed only.” Alissa chuckled softly. “Let’s just say… she and I have never sat down to tea.”
Jezreel relaxed a little, but wasn’t sure how much of Mrs. Trinken’s words she should divulge.
“I have never met her either. I only learned today that…” She paused.
“Go on, child,” Alissa prodded.
Jezreel looked closely at the other woman’s stunning emerald eyes and saw only deep concern. She told Alissa the whole story—starting with Marlise’s death and ending with Mrs. Trinken’s recent revelations.
*****
Alissa gently sat her teacup down. “And… you were considering the worst option available to you besides death?”
Jezreel bowed her head. “I was considering it, yes.”
“Some things are far worse than death, child.” Tears filled Alissa’s sad eyes. “You can live through such things… such horrid things. Things that can make you beg for death’s sweet release.”
Jezreel looked at the woman’s ghostly white hair, understanding exactly where her tormented advice was coming from.
“You are young and naïve, little one. You think yourself invincible… as does my son.”
Alastyn lowered his head at his mother’s lovingly cautious warning.
“But you, fair maiden, you have been given assurance from an extraordinarily gifted seer. Your dear friend, my son’s first love, she will return to you one day. When that day comes, all will be well again. So, tell me. Explain to me why it is you choose to tempt Fate, little one?”
Jezreel couldn’t answer the older, much wiser woman, for she did not truly understand why herself. Everything Alissa said made perfect sense. Yet, Jezreel was impatient by nature. She wanted things done now. Not sometime in the far distant future.
Markus cleared his throat. “Jenevier has made her choice. It must have been her true path, for Fate has given her safe passage for now. Alastyn has made his choice and now prepares to leave for Haven and chase after the mythical Elven people. If the seer gave you no warning for him, then I must assume this to be his fated path as well. But you alone, Jezreel, have been given other options. Two apparent roads lay out before you, child. Which will you choose?”
She didn’t speak, but turned her full attention to the sensible man sitting across from her as Markus tried ardently to open her naïve young eyes.
“One choice will be made from your heart, the other from your head. Which do you trust? For it only appears Fate has given you two clear paths to follow. It is an illusion, little one—a test, one there is no going back from. Do you understand that?”
Jezreel didn’t speak.
He smiled and refilled her empty teacup. “You have already been granted the results of your decisions. I should think you are an incredibly lucky young lady—to be given the answers in advance of your exam. You see it, do you not? You have been told that if you choose the path of a healer, all things will eventually work themselves out with love and happiness in abundance. And… you have also been told that if you choose the path of magic, dark magic, your lovely radiant light will go out. Is this not all true?”
“…Yes,” she whispered.
“Well now, this seems to me a remarkably generous look into your future, Jezreel. You have already been blessed with the answers. So, what will you decide? How much are you willing to pay? Is no price too high for your impatience?”
Jezreel bit her lip, keeping her gaze fixed on the dainty teacup in front of her, not the gentle man who was speaking.
“How your future will turn out is completely in your own, well-informed hands. You have been given a grand opportunity, my child. A rare gift—one that men for centuries have longed for. You have been blessed with a coveted thing known as… a clear choice. No guessing. No mistakes. No worries.”
She furrowed her brow and met his kind gaze.
Markus smiled. “You have been told exactly how you will fare upon each path. Be thankful for your exceptionally good fortune, little one. It is worth more than gold.”
Alissa took her hand, squeezing gently. “Which path will you take, child? Remember this. Fate can be an exquisitely demented mistress. Don’t think she’ll change her mind to suit your desires. She cares not.”
“I-I’m not certain.”
“Jezreel!” Alastyn was furious, trembling. “I cannot believe how thick you are. You have been plainly told… do this certain thing and you will be happy, or do this other thing and you will lose all. And you’re not certain? How dare you! Jenevier loves you and is doing all she can for both your sakes. Not just hers alone.” He slammed his hand down on the table. “You are selfish! It matters not what Jenevier does for you or how much she loves you. You are out to please Jezreel and Jezreel alone.”
“Don’t you dare yell at me, Alastyn! You get to actually do something to help Jenevier. Or at the very least, you get to try. I have been told to do nothing. Did you hear me? Nothing! And for my best friend, no less… my precious sister.”
“Your best friend, your sister, she will return to you one day, Jezreel—happy and free. Knowing this… if you go to Halora, you do so for your own selfish reasons. You may try to make it look admirable by sticking Jenevier’s name upon it, but it’s all about you. You are a bitter, jealous person, Jezreel. What you choose to do will be to benefit yourself. This you know. This I know. You want to see how far you can go for Jezreel. What you can accomplish for Jezreel. To hell with the rest of the world, Jenevier included.”
“That’s not fair! How dare you condemn me?”
“You condemn yourself, Jezreel.”
“You know nothing of me or your precious Jenevier!”
“Calm down, both of you.” Markus’s voice halted their heated words, momentarily. “Alastyn, no one else can choose Jezreel’s path for her. It is her decision alone to make.”
Alastyn stood. He was finished trying to reason with a totally unreasonable person.
“Very well. I must make ready for my journey to Haven. Jezreel, you are welcome to accompany me, if you wish. At leas
t you may feel as if you’re trying. I will leave at first light tomorrow.”
“But I was not told my path lay with you on your journey,” she quipped. “What if my presence changes Fate’s mind concerning you? What if having me tagging along puts you in great danger?”
“Ugh, I want to choke you!” he yelled.
Jezreel only smiled, childishly. “Gratitude for your gracious invitation, Alastyn. But my path lies here, somewhere.”
Alastyn shook his head and stared at her for a moment, frustrated beyond reason. He finally just sighed and turned to leave.
“Very well. Suit yourself, Jezreel. You always do.”
Chapter 34
Jenevier
(ZHEN-ah-veer)
“You snore a little, too.”
He smiled a sleepy, lazy smile. “As long as you promise to always lie beside me, I care not what embarrassing thing I may do in my sleep.”
He closed his eyes again and snuggled closer to her. Jenevier gently touched his face.
“You are so beautiful, Alzeen. I wish we had been childhood friends.”
“I would have much preferred we were childhood sweethearts.”
He nuzzled his face against her neck and she giggled.
“Are you ready to continue my quest now?”
He reached out, grabbing her in a big bear hug, pulling her even closer.
“No. Let’s simply remain here—holding one another for the rest of all time.”
“As badly as I wish it, I cannot. Come on, Alzeen. Is it not enough that we travel together on this wondrous adventure?”
His breath tickled her neck when he spoke.
“Yes. …For now.”
He slid his hand from her waist down around to the base of her spine, pulling her hips into him. Her wide, questioning gaze brought a mischievous smile to his perfect lips.
“Kiss me,” he whispered. “You do it this time.”
Jenevier was trembling inside as she lightly touched his marked temples, slowly tracing the intricate pattern down his strong jaw line. When she reached the edge of his waiting lips, they parted, just barely. His tongue grazed the tip of her finger. She gasped. It felt like fire shot through her body. Looking into his rare eyes, she cautiously, tenderly kissed him. He smiled and then licked her, gently parting her lips with his tongue. She made a noise then she had never made before—a soft, trembling moan. The unexpectedly desirous sound fueled Alzeen’s passionate endeavors. He pulled her partially under him, placing his hand behind her neck, locking her to him. She didn’t resist. She didn’t want to. Jenevier melted against him. They melted, together.