by JK Ensley
“Yes. I’m afraid it isn’t very dainty looking. It looks like it would suit my hand better than yours.” He half chuckled. “But Vashti isn’t a very delicate creature, is she?”
“…Vashti…” Jenevier took the ring, turning it from side to side.
Michael was right. The ring looked huge in her tiny hand. The center stone was a bright, sparkling ruby… with an onyx encrusted cross draped over the top of it, pressed down into the main stone.
“It was useless to you as it was… just lying dormant, deep within your soul,” he said softly. “This way… this way you can use it, if ever the need arises.”
“Use it?”
“Yes.” He nodded as he placed the ring on her middle finger. He chuckled softly. “There is no way you won’t be able to notice if this goes missing. And to make sure…”
Jenevier watched as Michael produced another glistening, invisible thread—like he had used on her collar—and attached it to the ring, then tied it around her wrist.
“Just like when no one could break Raphael’s sleeping spell… no one can break my binding cord. This ring will never leave your hand, Kagi Naga.”
She looked closely at it, watched as it sparkled in the noonday sun.
“Umm… it’s not that I am not grateful, Michael. It is a gorgeous jewel, to be sure. But… why?”
“Just in case,” he whispered.
“In case of what?”
“In case your Angel powers ever fail you.” He patted the top of her head. “With your mask now gracing your lovely hand, you can call upon the first gift Father ever blessed you with. If the need never arises, then what harm have I done? Yet, if the need ever does arise, Kagi Naga, don Vashti. Never forget.”
“I won’t. Gratitude, Brother. But… you’re scaring me. You know that, right?”
“There is no need to fear. Like I said, it was going to waste inside of you. This way… you always have a contingency plan—a fierce back-up, so to speak.”
Jenevier smiled. “I like the sound of that.”
The powerful Archangel flinched slightly when Jenevier threw her arms around him.
“Gratitude, Brother,” she whispered.
Michael smiled and patted her atop her curls once more. “Well met, little sister.” He glanced back out over the lavender. “As it should be,” he softly whispered.
*****
When Michael reached the clouds, Raphael was waiting for him.
“What was all that about? You scared her. I can hear the rapid pounding of her heart from here.”
“I know I scared her, Brother. That was not my intent.” Michael sighed. “She’s just so tiny… so fragile.”
“She is a Death Angel,” Uriel said. “She can handle herself.”
“Yeah,” Jophiel added. “Just look what she did to me. These are my first scars.”
Michael gave the other Arch a level glare. “That is because you wanted them. You didn’t raise a finger to stop her.”
“Yes,” Raphael said. “And you were smiling all the while.”
Jophiel only chuckled.
“Laugh not, Brother,” Michael said. “Would the darkness have shown her such kindness? When you toy with her like that, you do more harm than good.”
“What is the matter, Michael?” Gabriel said. “Has Father enlightened you concerning her?”
Michael shook his head. “No, it’s nothing like that. I just… it’s just…”
“Watching her from afar and sitting down with her for tea… are two completely different things,” Uriel said, mostly to himself.
“Yes. Exactly.” Michael sighed. “I know she is a Death Angel. I know what she is capable of. But…”
“In reality,” Raphael whispered. “She’s just a little girl.”
“Yes…” Michael glanced back toward Jinn. “Just a little girl.”
“So…” Jophiel said. “Why the ring? If you haven’t been told anything bad or threatening is going on with Kagi Naga, why withdraw Vashti?”
“Because…” Michael took a deep breath. “…power untapped, is power wasted.”
Chapter 19
Ashgard
(ASH-guard)
“And just what brings you back here, Angel?”
Jenevier smiled when she beheld the large Elf approaching her. “Baytac, Brother.” She hugged him, even though he tensed at her touch. “I missed seeing your ugly mug, that’s what.”
“I highly doubt that,” he mumbled.
She chuckled. “Only teasing, Brother.” She sighed wearily. “Ugh… I have just returned from a rather bloody—I mean… draining summons. I thought a bit of girl-time with my old mate would set me back to rights. Have you seen Jezreel today?”
“I only just left there,” Baytac said. “I had to get a breath of fresh air. All the giggling and squealing was driving me mad.”
“Giggling and squealing?” Jenevier scrunched up her face like she had tasted something sour. “Are Jezreel and Kias at it again? And in the middle of the day, at that.”
“Wha—No!” He looked at her, astonishment and disgust both clear upon his face. “They aren’t doing anything. How does your mind work, woman? Why in the world would you even suggest—”
“Hey! They’ve got like twenty kids or something. In my mind, they are little more than a couple of rabbits who need separate cages.”
Baytac bit his bottom lip, holding back a laugh while managing to keep his scowl intact.
“They have only seventeen children.”
“Yeah, well, I thought maybe she’d popped a couple more out since last I was here.”
“You were here less than three months ago.”
“Would you quit being so serious?” She punched his arm. “I was joking, Baytac. Jeez… I was trying to get a rise outta you. What I said just now… you gotta admit, that was funny as hell.”
Baytac shook his head as he looked away, trying to hide his smile. “You are not like any Empress I have ever known.”
“That’s because you haven’t known any. Save me, that is. As far as you can prove, all Empresses act exactly like me.”
“Yes, well, I can read. Royalty brings about a sense of decorum, a bit of proper restraint.”
“That’s just what they put in storybooks. Royalty brings about debauchery, Brother. Imagine if you were given unlimited power—you made the laws, you judged the masses, you meted out wealth… or the lack thereof. You can do anything. Does such a thing as that bring about refinement and grace?” She chuckled. “Nope. Just the opposite, my friend. Peek behind the closed doors of royalty, and you will see a sight you’ll only wish you could unsee.”
“You lie. I have been to the King’s palace in Wrothdem. Alastyn is nothing but honor and respect and reverence.”
“That’s because it is Alastyn.”
“I don’t believe so. Royalty is elegance, refinement, grace, and wisdom.”
“Pffts… Don’t tell the Jinnites, okay? I’ve got them all fooled. They love me.”
Baytac’s smile grew. “I am pretty sure they are not fooled, Your Grace… merely tolerant.”
Jenevier laughed. “Sooo… are you going to tell me, or not? What was all the giggling and squealing about?”
Baytac’s countenance fell. “They are trying to decide on dress designs, flowers… girl stuff.”
“Who is?”
“Mistress Jezreel and Princess Kali.”
“Dress designs and flowers for what? Is a celebration coming up? Is it time for the Spring Festival?”
“No.” Baytac blushed. “It is for the Amalgamation.”
“The Amalga—” Her eyes went wide. “Is somebody getting married?”
The dark Elf’s cheeks took on a completely crimson hue.
“Yes… Princess Kaleeska.”
Jenevier smiled and clapped her hands. “To whom?”
Baytac only grimaced and looked away, the bent tips of his ears flaming red.
“Oh. My. Holy. Stars… Baytac!”
&nbs
p; When Jenevier screamed out his name and pounced on him, the large Elf nearly lost his balance.
“Get off me, woman! What are you going on about? Quit screaming in my ear.”
Jenevier grabbed his hand, pulling him back toward the large Elven home.
“Come on. Come on. Come on. We gotta help. This is gonna be sooo much fun.”
Even though he truly did try to resist her, Jenevier easily dragged the unwilling Elf back inside.
“Damn Angel,” he mumbled under his breath.
*****
“Please. Please. Please. Let me pick your attire, Baytac.”
“I told you, no! Now leave me be.”
“I will not.” Jenevier pretended to pout. “I mean, look at what they’re wanting you to wear. These look like girl’s clothes.”
“They most certainly do not look like girl’s clothes,” Jezreel said. “Kias dresses like this for every important occasion.”
Jenevier shot Baytac a knowing look. They both burst out laughing.
“What’s wrong?” Jezreel demanded. “What is so funny?”
“Calm down, Jezreel.” Jenevier rolled her eyes. “I’m certain Kias looks absolutely divine in these sorts of clothes.”
“And just what is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Only that Kias is… pretty.” Jenevier shrugged her shoulders. “How can you take that in a bad way? Kias is a pretty man with pretty clothes—an elegant Elven Prince. But look at Baytac.” She motioned toward him. “He is neither pretty, nor is he elegant. He’d just look silly in those clothes.”
“…Thanks,” the Elf mumbled.
“Don’t mention it,” Jenevier quipped, crinkling her nose up at him. “No. Baytac needs something that matches his personality. Something manly.”
Kaleeska smiled. “Yes. Something manly.”
Jenevier muffled a laugh. Baytac blushed brightly.
“Look at him, Jezreel.” Jenevier leaned toward her friend as she spoke. “Look at the shape of his broad chest… the size of his massive arms… the rich color of his lovely hair. Now, tell me. Do you truly think what looks good on Kias will look good on Baytac?”
“…Well. I don’t know.”
“Come now, Jezreel. That man over there is not Elvish. He is dark… strong… sexy.”
Jezreel gasped loudly. “Jenevier!”
“She’s right, Mother,” Kaleeska said, staring up at Baytac with large, enamored eyes. “He is… all of those things.”
“Oh, for mercy’s sake,” the embarrassed half-Elf mumbled. “Can I please go now?”
Kaleeska grabbed his hand when he tried to leave. Baytac immediately acquiesced, didn’t fight her in the least.
Jenevier and Jezreel shared a chuckle, which only made Baytac’s ears glow all the brighter.
“I swear,” Jezreel whispered, staring at the young couple. “That is the cutest thing I have ever seen.”
“I know, right?” Jenevier said, winking at Baytac, earning her a scowl in return.
“Please, Mother,” Kaleeska pleaded. “Let Empress Naga dress him. Please?”
“Don’t I get a say-so in this?” he grumbled.
“No,” all three women said in unison, as Jenevier dragged him out the door.
“If I could,” Baytac said through a growl. “I’d give you a good thrashing, Angel.”
“But we both know you cannot.” Jenevier looked up at him. “Why so glum, Brother? I just saved your hide back there. Left to those two… you’d be all dolled-up like a proper dainty little Prince of the Forest.”
Baytac grunted, but didn’t protest further.
“Now… I’m going to grab you under the arms,” Jenevier said. “So don’t squirm. Got it? I’d hate to drop you and scar you up right before your wedding.”
“Drop me?”
Baytac tried to move away, but Jenevier was too quick. They were in the air for only a heartbeat, then they were standing outside the palace in Wrothdem.
Baytac steadied himself, then growled. “Never. Do. That. Again.”
Jenevier laughed. “Try and stop me.”
Baytac was still growling when the courtier pulled open the large doors.
“Madam Empress.” He bowed as he spoke.
Jenevier returned the gesture in her Dragon manner. “We are here to see the King… and his tailor.”
*****
“Ahh… this tea is divine, Jezreel. What is it?”
“She calls it Harmony Within.”
“She?”
“It is Namira’s specialty.” Jezreel smiled proudly. “She guards the secret—won’t even let one of her brothers accompany her when she gathers the ingredients.”
“Namira?”
“Princess Namira… our daughter,” Kias said softly. “She designed and named this particular blend of tea. You met her earlier today.”
Jenevier rolled her eyes. “And just how in the universe am I supposed to keep up with the lot of them? Perhaps if you named them something properly forestry sounding, I might stand a chance.”
Kias chuckled. “Forestry sounding?”
“Yeah. I mean, you have a Merigold, an Oleeander, and a Fauna. Why do the rest of them have to have such complicated names? You should have named them something more woodsy or Wood-Elf sounding. That’d be easier to remember.”
Kias tried to hide his smile. “And what, pray tell, would be more Wood-Elf sounding to you, dear Empress?”
“I don’t know. Something like… Butterfly or Rose or even Stump.”
The elegant Elf Prince bit his lip, then cleared his throat. “Well, Stump is definitely out of the question. And tell me, lovely Angel. On what layer of this universe have you ever met someone named Butterfly?”
Jenevier shrugged her shoulders. “Well then… name them Flutterby, instead. Flutterby and Rose and Daisy and Laurel—yes, those are lovely names. Easy to remember, as well. What do you think?”
Kias took another sip of tea before responding. “Those are rather feminine sounding boy names, wouldn’t you agree?”
Jenevier mumbled under her breath, “Well, you’re not the most manly looking lot I’ve ever seen. That’s for sure.”
She jumped when Baytac kicked her boot.
“Oh…” Jenevier quietly cleared her throat. “For boys you could use… Oakin or Sunny or maybe even Thorn.”
Jezreel giggled as she looked over at Kias. The Elf Prince seemed to be taking it all in stride, not put-out in the least.
“Let us make a deal, Madam Empress,” Kias said. “You may name our next child… only if we are allowed to name yours.” He gently squeezed Jezreel’s hand and smiled.
“Done.” Jenevier smiled happily, before lowering her voice. “Seeing as how I will never have to make good on my end.”
Jezreel made a pouty face. “Aww… Don’t you want any more children?”
“It’s not that, Jezreel.” She thought back to her conversation with Gabriel, then swallowed back her tears. “I don’t know. I mean… I believe the ability was taken from me.” Jenevier half smiled. “Besides, motherhood doesn’t really suit my current line of work.”
“No… I guess it doesn’t,” Jezreel barely whispered.
Baytac leaned over and pinched her side, erasing the frown Jenevier now wore.
“Trade-off, huh?” he said. “Phenomenal celestial power—shriveled up womb.”
Jenevier had to cover her face to keep from blowing tea out of her nose. She began coughing and had to turn away.
“Mother,” Princess Kaleeska whispered. “Have you seen the clothing Empress Naga brought back from Wrothdem?”
Jezreel nodded once. “I have.”
“What does it look like? Will it suit my dear Baytac?”
Jezreel turned to the smiling girl. “Kali, my dear, your beloved will put us all to shame.”
When the girl burst into giggles, Baytac turned red all the way to the tips of his ears.
“So…” Jenevier leaned forward. “When’s the big day? I seem to h
ave misplaced my royal invitation.”
Kaleeska’s eyes went wide. “Truly? You mean… you will truly come?”
Jenevier smiled. “If I can bring a date.”
“I think one Angel is more than enough,” Baytac grumbled.
“My husband is not an Angel.” She yanked on Baytac’s long braid. “He is a Shinobi.”
“A Shinobi? What the hell’s a Shinobi?”
Jenevier smiled. “A magically gifted ninja, skilled in the ways of his people.”
“Skilled?” Baytac furrowed his brow. “In what?”
“My beautiful Yui can simultaneously take out multiple enemies with his hair alone.”
“Beautiful?” Baytac snorted. “Beautiful and deadly… I should have known.”
“Oh!” Jezreel grabbed Jenevier’s hand. “You should bring your son as well. I want to meet him. Our children should know each other… play together.”
“Mi Sharna,” Kias said softly. “I believe they are past the playing together stage.”
Jenevier chuckled. “Tenshi is all Angel, to be sure—powerful and fierce. Yet, he is as gentle as a lamb… sweetest child ever born.”
“So… it’s settled then?” Jezreel smiled happily. “You’ll bring him?”
“You have already met my Blessing… Daichi.”
Jezreel and Kias shared a knowing glance.
“You know what it is you now ask for.” Jenevier held Jezreel’s gaze. “You know who we are, sweet sister.” She looked then to Kias. “If it is well with the Elvenfolk, I would be honored to bring my family to the Amalgamation.”
Kias only smiled and nodded toward her in his elegant, princely way.
“If you and Jezreel are such good friends…” Baytac lightly yanked on one of her curls. “…then why has she never met your family?”
“Many reasons,” Jenevier said, turning then to the dark Elf. “The main one being… humans cannot pass through the clouds. I could have brought Tenshi, yes.” She smiled softly. “But he was fully grown before Kias and Jezreel blended their souls… long before they had children of their own. Alas, time and opportunity have not been on our side.”
“Is that all?” he asked. “Is that the only reason?”