by JK Ensley
“And what gives you the right to make that decision on your own? Are my wishes not to be considered? And who knows, your seed may not even take. A woman doesn’t become pregnant every single time she is ripe. Besides, if God doesn’t approve of us having a child, it will not be.”
His breathing increased. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore my reasoning.
“You want my child within you?” he asked, hope and fear both evident in his voice.
“If God will grant it, I want nothing more.”
Vindicus roared as he released the last of his reservations and returned to the glorious kisses I craved so badly.
“Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine you wanting to bear my child… my only child.” He spoke into my mouth, between kisses.
“I want any piece of you I may be blessed with.”
“How can you honor me so? How can you be so perfect, my Princess? And… how can I ever let you go?”
And with those words, he worshipped me. I will never know such love, such passion, such desire again… were I to search for it throughout eternity. We made sweet love over and over, again and again. Time was lost to our desires. We couldn’t get enough of each other to last a normal lifetime, much less our lifetime. When we again reached the pinnacle of our passion, Vindicus collapsed upon me… trying to catch his breath and laughing with sheer joy at our unimaginable connection.
“Greatest pardons.”
We casually looked toward the meek voice, unperturbed by the interruption, unashamed of our blissful contact.
“Forgive my intrusion, please,” Vinika said.
I saw my celestial sister’s worried gaze. My heart froze in my chest.
“Jenevier, you are urgently needed at the training dome,” she said.
Fear seized me. “What’s wrong, Vinika? Has something else happened to my treasured brother? Is Vittorio well?”
“I was only told to find you and make haste.”
“She will need clothing,” Vindicus said.
“Yes, of course. I’ll be right back.” Vinika bowed slightly.
My husband tied the lovely little dress at the back of my neck where it hung down and then wrapped around my waist. It was one Varick had bought me during my recent absence. There was no back, to make room for my wings.
Vindicus smiled. “I have never seen a more heavenly sight, not even in heaven.”
“I love you, my glorious husband.”
“And I you, my enchanting wife.”
He kissed my forehead and tenderly placed his hand upon my belly as he lifted me into the air, carrying me to my beloved brother.
Chapter 47
Vittorio
(vit-TOR-ee-oh)
“He’s calling for you.”
Vinika was waiting for us, standing in the doorway of the training dome. She had been crying. Fear swelled in me as a tide.
“Still yourself, my love,” Vindicus whispered. “I am here for you.”
“Aye, there’s my lass. Come. Heal yerself, Jenevier,” Vittorio said. “Join me in the pool. I cannae bear it if ye suffer in the least.” His voice was frail and ancient sounding, it made me sink inside.
I smiled at him. At least, I tried to. “You and I will go to the springs, Brother. You can wash my hair and coif my curls.”
His weak smile flashed wicked for an instant. “Aye, Milady, I would be honored.” He released a sigh. “Alas, I cannae, wee Angel.”
“Cannot? What are you talking about? This is no time to tease me, Brother. You are Vanir, skirt boy. You’re my immortal friend.”
“Aye, dunnae call it a skirt, Lass. And yes, immortal I am. But I can be killed. This ye know, my wee darlin’.”
“Yes… but… but we lived.” Tears burned the backs of my eyes, dripped painfully upon my breaking heart. “We made it out alive. You’re rejuvenating as we speak. Why should you die?”
Vareilious cleared his throat. I looked up to see all my brothers and sisters standing as if they were weeping statues.
“Someone, tell me now,” I demanded. “Answer me. Is my brother dying?”
Every head bowed, but no one answered.
Vindicus touched my shoulder. “He has a little time yet. As long as he remains in the pool, he lives.”
“No!” I yelled. “How can this be? How can a demon kill an Angel?”
“We’re not Angels. This you know,” Vareilious said.
“He speaks true. The Vanir are mighty Warriors of God, but they are not Angels, my love,” Vindicus quietly added.
I looked to Varick. He caught my sorrowful gaze and bowed his regal head.
“Then ask God to heal him. Varick, please… go to the temple and… and… I will go. This I can do. I’ve done it before.”
“Jenevier, look at me, Lass,” Vittorio pleaded.
I only shook my head fiercely, pretending as if he didn’t speak.
“It won’t work this time,” Varick whispered. “You did not take his life. This isn’t the same.”
“It’s exactly the same. The same as if I wielded the knife with my own hand.” My words were resolute and my voice did not waver. “Once again, everyone is endangered because of my pathetically weak heart. Am I forever to be punished for my one act of vengeance? No… but everyone I love will be.”
Vinika spoke up. “How can you hold fault for the greed of a demon?”
“Because she is my wife,” Vindicus answered. “The fault lies with me.”
“Stop it, all of you,” I demanded. “It was I who killed Merodach. I was sentenced to death. I gave my life for his. I was the one who entered hell. I fell in love with the darkest of Angels. And I willingly married hell’s own Prince. That’s the reason Vittorio had to train me again. And I am the only reason he was taken and tortured. Tell me now, Brothers and Sisters. Where does your heart place the guilt? Do you not see? Yes, you see. I can read it upon your faces. If Vittorio dies, his blood is on my hands alone. Why then should I not be the one? Why do you think God would deny me this?” I turned to face my dear friend. “If you die, Brother, I will beg daily for mine own. The guilt will consume me, turn me foul. I will become darker than my husband’s ebony wings. I prefer death over that.”
“An’ I prefer death over yer sacrifice. If ye do this thing, if ye squander what ye’ve only just been given back, I wulnae forgive ye,” Vittorio rasped.
“But… but… I love you,” I cried.
“Aye, Lass, an’ I love ye more. I win.” He tried to smile.
“Then what shall I do?” I asked him. “How do I fix this? How can I make it better?”
“Stay with me. Talk tae me. Smile at me. Ye know yer smile is my undoing. I cannae breathe withoot it.” He winked at me and held out his hand. “Tell me some of yer silly childhood stories, Lass. Just be with me an’ hold my hand.”
“We will go,” Varick said.
“Nae, Brothers. Dunnae leave me now. I need my family, all my family.”
“What shall we speak of first, then?” I searched his tired eyes for answers. “Our first battle together?”
“Aye, wee warrior girl, that’s one of my favorites.”
“It always makes me cry,” I warned.
He snorted. “An’ what dunnae bring yer tears? I cannae remember a day passing withoot seeing dried tears upon yer face an’ snot running from yer wee nose.”
“You are horrible.”
I mussed his hair as everyone circled around to sit by the healing waters, gathering their strength enough to help send one blessed brother back to God.
We laughed. I cried. We poked fun at each other. I tried to imitate Vittorio’s accent, but it only made him laugh until he coughed, and that hurt his chest.
Vindicus never left my side. He listened to our stories, even shared in our laughter and some of our tears.
“Aye, Vareilious, tell us of when ye found her in Merodach’s castle. An’ ye have tae act it oot the way ye did that day at the gate,” Vittorio said with a chuckle.
�
�No, I hate that story most of all,” I complained.
“Aye, well this is nae yer party, feisty warrior. Ye dinnae get a vote.” Vittorio winked at me and patted my knee.
My loving husband really got into Vareilious’s exaggerated rendition of my vengeful execution. He even asked a few questions, and I believe he laughed louder than the rest.
“But what happened next wasn’t funny,” Varick whispered.
“Aye, Brother, ye tell it true. Losing our wee Angel that day… It made something inside me shatter.”
“It made something inside all of us shatter,” Varick added.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Vindicus squeezed my shoulder and tenderly rubbed my back.
“Hey, this was only supposed to be about good memories.” Vinika broke through our dark thoughts. “Tell us now, dear brother. Exactly where did you and Jenevier go when you disappeared those few days? And what exactly did you do during your secret absence?”
Everyone shouted encouragement for him to spill all the gory details. Finally, he lifted his hands in the air to halt their prodding.
“Aye, Brothers, I’ll take that wee bit tae the grave with me. It’s the only secret I swore tae keep in all my days. An’ keep it I shall. It’s locked away in my heart an’ I wulnae share its glory with another soul.”
Vittorio squeezed my hand and I could hold back my tears no longer.
“Aye, here comes the snot again.” Vittorio laughed.
“Don’t tease me.”
Vindicus could feel what it was I wanted. He untied my dress and caught it before it hit the ground. I slid into the pool beside Vittorio and wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Aye, my wee Angel, I knew we’d get tae bathe together once more. I just had tae figure oot how tae get ye intae the waters ye loathe.”
“What do you mean, once more?” Vareilious asked.
Vittorio snorted. “Nae yer business, Brother. There’s much ye dunnae know.”
“And even more you don’t need to,” Vindicus mumbled.
All eyes turned slowly toward my dark Angel. Then laughter filled the hall at Vareilious’s expense. It was a priceless moment of acceptance and a testament to our growing, messed up little family.
“Tell me, Lass. How’d ye come by all these new glittering marks?”
“Vindicus healed my wounds.”
“Aye, did he now? I envy him the job. Yer beauty continues tae grow, wee Princess.” He winked. “Yer truly blessed by these tiny sapphires.” He lightly ran his finger over the new one running halfway around my neck.
I looked to my loving husband and saw the admiration sparkling in his eyes. He took my breath away.
“Yes, Brother. I am truly blessed by sapphires,” I whispered.
Vindicus only smiled lovingly down at me and sent me a warm, reassuring feeling. He understood exactly why I loved this warrior now holding me.
“Aye, Varick, Brother, will ye get me Jenevier’s personal things? I want tae do this right, whilst I still can. Her hair is ridiculously important tae her, an’ tae me.”
He squeezed me and I could feel how weak he was.
I did not deny him or protest in any way. If this was all I could do for my dying friend, then I would let him wash my hair a thousand times.
We continued our lively family-style chatter as Vittorio did his best to go through the styling process I’d recently taught him.
He smiled as he lightly tugged on one of my curls. “Aye, my Angel, this blue one is my favorite.”
“It’s my favorite too, Brother.” I winked at Vindicus and he returned in-kind.
“Jenevier, when did you start wearing so many talismans?” Vinika asked. “Do you need lots of good luck charms? Wait, I already know the answer to that.” She laughed and everyone joined her.
Vittorio picked up the objects hanging from my neck and began explaining each one to our friends.
“Aye, Lass, allow me tae fill good Vinika an’ Vindicus here, in on what all ye’ve told me aboot yer trinkets. This one’s the blood ruby Varick acquired tae help protect her from demons. It glows an’ pulses when one’s near. These carvings here are what makes it work, an’ hanging with it is the rune for invincibility in battle. Trust me, lads. It works.” He winked. “This lovely wee shell with all the fancy script, she got it from the Mermaids. An’ this beautiful locket is her inheritance from her great-grandmother. It has the same script carved inside. She read the words in this locket an’ removed the dark spell on her friend, Jezreel.”
Vittorio smiled at having been able to retell all the major points without help from the rest of us. He looked like a child seeking approval for his achievements.
“Wow, that was very good,” I said, smiling. “How in the world did you remember all that? I only mentioned it briefly just once. I didn’t think you were paying that much attention.”
“Aye, Princess, I always pay attention when I hear yer lovely voice.”
“Jenevier, may I see that shell?” Vindicus asked.
“Of course, my love.” I handed the odd gift to my husband, who looked intently at the ancient script.
“Now, the locket,” he said. “May I see the locket as well?”
“Of course.” I held it out for him. “What’s wrong, Vindicus?”
So intent was he upon my trinkets, it was as if he didn’t even hear me. Everyone was curious, but I had a sinking feeling forming in my gut. Now that I thought about it, it was more than a sinking feeling. It was a winding, or turning, or fluttering. I’d never felt such before. I let out a yelp and my hands went automatically to my belly. Vindicus jerked his attention back to me and I stared at him through questioning eyes. He sent me a calm yet joyous feeling as he inclined his head toward me slightly and winked. I was confused. And now everyone was staring at me.
“Aye, Lass, are ye well? Why did ye yell like that?” Vittorio asked as he reached for me.
“Don’t fret over her. She’s fine,” Vinika said. “Sounded more like a yelp then a yell to me, anyway.”
I looked at my sister and she gave me the same knowing wink my husband had. I was still confused. Vindicus was the one who spoke next and moved the questioning from me to him.
“Jenevier, how did you read this? How did you help your friend? Do you know what this is? Have you any idea?”
“Yes, I know what it is… now. I didn’t know until Merodach told me. It’s the language of God, is it not?”
“That’s exactly what it is. How did you come by it and who else knows you possess it?”
“Stop it, Vindicus. You’re scaring me.” My voice shook with my rising panic. “Vittorio just told you how I came by them, and the only people who know I have them are the ones here in this room with us now.”
“Calm yourself, my love,” he cooed. “You also mentioned Merodach. He knows of this as well?”
“Yes. He was the only one who could read it.”
“But I thought Vittorio said you read the words.”
“I did. Merodach said he wasn’t worthy. He said the gifts and the words upon them were meant only for me. He spent many hours teaching me how to say each word. It was truly a difficult thing. The meaning of the word can change simply by where you place the accents.”
“That is very true. Can you read it now?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t tried since I read it to Jezreel. What is it, Vindicus? Seriously, you’re scaring me.”
“I do not wish to alarm you, sweet Princess. But it’s imperative no one else knows you possess these or that you can read the words thereon. Do you understand? The people who know now are all that should ever know. If Shabriri had any idea what you wore within your dress, we would all be dead.”
“Dead? But… these words heal,” I protested.
“These words heal because that was your intent when you said them. If your heart was evil and your intent was to harm, you could have very easily unmade us all.”
The collective gasps echoed through the hall. My knees went wea
k and my stomach was still doing flips.
Vareilious spoke. “Not trying to be rude, but are you sure it’s okay for the darkest of Angels to be holding the key to our destruction?”
Everyone tensed. That made me angry. “Do you think the man who sacrificed everything he ever wanted just to rescue us, would now unmake us? Your words cut my heart like never before, Vareilious.”
“Calm yourself, cherished Anicee. Vareilious only speaks the truth. You are correct, Warrior. Had I known of the existence of these greatest of treasures before Jenevier won my heart and changed my world, you wouldn’t be here today. And that is exactly why I stress to you now, my love, speak not of these again. Place them about your neck. Never take them off. And I don’t care who asks you for them… deny all eyes, save yours, from seeing this script. I am certain this awesome responsibility was given only to you because God alone knew how pure your heart and soul would always be. The same way He knows it’s best we never meet again.”
“Don’t say that! I never wish to hear those most horrid of all words, ever again.”
“It’s the truth and you must accept it, my Princess. I am the Prince of Hell. I will never be worthy enough to love the daughter of heaven. Our union can only ever end in tragic devastation. I do not believe it would happen by our hands or by our intent, but by our positions and the company we must keep. He can take you away from me, but He can never take the love from my heart. That gift I will treasure throughout all eternity.”
“What’re ye saying?” Vittorio asked. “Are ye going tae leave my precious sister? She’ll nae survive yer second goodbye. I was afraid for her the first time. But this… this is unimaginable. Tae tell her farewell forever? Ye’ll shatter her very soul, Brother.”
“If I could defy God, do you not think I would? Had I not vowed to uphold these conditions, you and she would still be in darkness with Shabriri. What would you give up, Brother?” Vindicus challenged. “What would you sacrifice to see her saved from that fate?”