Cursed by Diamonds (A Dance with Destiny Book 1) (25 page)

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.

She forgot about her curse. She no longer remembered her quest. The only thing in the world was this man and this moment. She tingled all over. Never had she felt such stirrings in so many different places at once. She cleaved to him, pulling him closer. When he moaned and rocked against her, Jenevier forced herself to pull back before she completely lost her mind.

His breathing was labored. He didn’t release her. Alzeen pulled her under him fully, pressing his weight down upon her. His eyelids were heavy with want when his lips next found hers.

Oh god
, she thought.

Jenevier wanted him badly, all of him. The weight of his body upon hers was maddening. Pressing her inner thighs tight against his lean sides, she ran her fingers into his thick hair. When her tongue parted
his
lips, a deep growl rolled within his chest. He cupped her breast, squeezing gently. Tiny waves of pulsing current spread across her soft skin, rippling throughout her body.

“Stay here with me. I taste your desire, Milady. I share in it with you. Stay with me. Let me love you.”

He spoke into her mouth as he slid his hand down her stomach, between her legs. Jenevier regrettably placed her hands against his warm chest and gently pushed him back, ceasing his advance.

“Alzeen, we cannot,” she whispered.

He let out a small sigh, resting his forehead to hers, eyes closed.

“Please, Jenevier. Just stay here with me.”

“But, Alzeen… my quest.”

“Please stay. You don’t even know what’s out there. You have no idea what your next step will bring. Stay with me, here. I will protect you. I swear it. I won’t let that damn Prince have you, and no one else will ever come near you. You are mine, remember? You promised never to leave me. So stay, Jenevier. Stay with me and let me hold you like this, love you… save you.”

She watched as tiny tears formed in the corners of his tightly closed lids. She kissed them away.

“I’m not going anywhere, Alzeen.”

“You are going to Valadrog.”

“Yes, and you know the reasons. I am yours, Alzeen. Of course I am. Have I not already sworn to stay by your side? Never will I go back on that promise. Tell me, my love. Where is it you think I may run off to? Nothing can hurt me because you are right here, ready to protect me. Let’s just consider this a mere stroll through a magical land—hand in hand, destination be damned.”

He rolled onto his side and exhaled deeply. “True, all true. But I don’t wish it to see its end. I mean, the further you go, the closer your destination becomes.”

“Of course it does.” She giggled. “That’s the main purpose of a quest, is it not?”

“But… I don’t want that.”

“And why is that? Do you plan on disappearing when we finally reach their city? Are you going to up and desert me once we reach our destination?”

“Perhaps.” He half smirked. “Tell me. What would happen if I did? What would you do if I simply disappeared?”

Jenevier grabbed his arms, forcing him to look her in the eye.

“Do not say such things, Alzeen. Do not tease me in this.”

When he saw that terrified yet determined look in her eyes, his soul trembled.

“Know this, Alzeen. If you disappeared, it would utterly destroy me. Tiny little pieces of my heart would litter their city’s streets. I would cry bitterest tears, continually. I would pray daily for my light to be mercifully snuffed out, or that you would be returned to me.”

“…Jenevier.”

“I do not play in this, Alzeen, not ever. If you were forced to leave me, even for a day, you would
have
to return to me, Alzeen. Swear it now. Swear you will
always
return to me.”

“And bring back all the tiny little pieces of your heart?”

“Yes, Alzeen.” She smiled then. “Only
you
could ever put the pieces back together.”

He was entranced by the fire burning wildly in her deep blue eyes.
How can I not wholly love this woman?

“Very well, Milady. As you say. But you have no need to worry. I will
never
leave you. Not even for a day.”

He kissed her forehead and held her there for one tender moment—savoring their precious time together before they headed back out to once again search for Valadrog.

“Have I told you that I love you?” he whispered.

“Not nearly as many times as I would like to hear it, no.”

“Hmm… I think, perhaps…
you
may be a very easy woman to spoil, my love.” He chuckled. “I best take care around you, tiny lady. Lest you take me for granted and
demand
my love.”

“No, you mustn’t.” She smiled up at him. “Please spoil me, Alzeen. Please?”

He gently yanked on one of her curls. “As you wish, Milady. It would be my honor.”

*****

Feeling more refreshed and alive than ever, their journey took on a much different tone from here on out. Jenevier wanted to be free from her curse, yes. But she no longer considered it to be her
only
mission. Nay, not even the greatest part. Saving Alzeen and what he now meant to her,
that
was foremost in her mind. She had only just awakened from a short nap—a nap filled with dreams of his childhood screams, images of his described torment. No, she could never let him return from whence he came. He was with her now, and she would die before letting him go.

Alzeen took her hand as the cheerful duo continued on her quest, laughter and smiles now accompanying their way. They journeyed far that day without noticing much else around them, save each other’s stories and smiles.

Jenevier tried to determine the hour.

If you consider when we woke as morning, then it must be getting close to nightfall back in Ashgard.

But here, nothing seemed to change.

“Ugh! This constant sunshine has
completely
destroyed my sense of time. Have we been walking for days or hours?”

“Why, my love? Are you weary?”

“I believe perhaps I should be. But for some reason, I’m not.”

He glanced down at her from the corner of his eye. “It’s because you travel with such interesting and entertaining company.”

“Yes, I absolutely agree.” She squeezed his hand and giggled. “Yet… there’s no real sense of time in this bizarre place, is there?”

“What do you mean?”

“No real sense of time or how much has passed.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “No real need for it, if you ask me. The present is the only thing you can enjoy and live in anyway. You’ll get old and wrinkled if you constantly dwell on the past or worry about the future. I just live right now. That’s all I can do.”

When Jenevier suddenly stopped walking, Alzeen turned back to fetch her.

“You truly are an amazing man,” she said, awe in her eyes.

“I knew you’d see that, sooner or later.”

He winked at her, flashing his stunning smile. It melted her anew.

“So, my lovely little golden-haired Princess, how much further do you wish to travel today?”

“Umm… I’m not certain.” She looked around and up to the hill ahead of them. “We’ll rest at the top, there.” She pointed.

“Very well. But the valley is always cooler than the crest. More trees,” he said with a wink.

“Yes, true. But something’s telling me to go up there. I just want to make it to the top before we quit moving. We can reach the next valley easily enough if we want. Is that okay with you?”

“Anything you want to do is fine with me.”

Alzeen grabbed her shoulders as she moved to pass him, pulling her against his bare chest. She opened her mouth to speak but his unexpected kiss found her lips. This kiss was filled with desire and trepidation. His hands explored her body yet kept her pressed hard against him. He released her only when she felt she would soon faint. He didn’t speak. He just held her until her breathing returned to normal and she was once again steady on her feet.

“Wait.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “What was that, Alzeen? It felt like goodbye. Calm my racing heart and vow to remain at my side, always.”

He kissed her forehead. “You never even had to ask.”

Clasping hands, they made their way through the trees and upward. Smiling happily, Alzeen made a game of picking flowers and sticking them in her curls.

“When we reach the crest, there should be a meadow. I’ll be able to find tons more there. Would you like that, Milady? Me lacing tons of flowers through your curls?”

“Nothing would make me happier.”

“Careful, my love,” he whispered. “Careful you don’t spoil
me
along our way.”

Jenevier giggled. She had never been happier.

I was meant to find this man. I just know it. He is my future, my friend and partner in all things.

When they crested the hill, an unbelievable sight came into view.

*****

A breathtakingly spectacular gate stood there before them, arching almost to the treetops. It towered over them, glittering brilliantly in the ever-present sun.

Jenevier gasped.
By the gods… Is this the gateway to the Otherworld?

It looked to be masterfully carved from a single giant crystal. Every color imaginable danced upon its faceted surface. Two majestic trees—the likes of which she had never laid eyes upon before—perfectly framed the glorious structure. Their silvery leaves kissed the edges of the crystal gate as they playfully danced on the gentle breeze.

“What do you think it is, Alzeen?” she whispered, amazed.

He pointed. “Perhaps you should be asking
him
.”

Guarding the magical looking entryway, standing within, was a giant of a man. He was easily over eight feet tall, and his hair was like liquid silver falling freely down his back. The soft breeze caused those ethereal silver strands to wisp across his elegantly chiseled face, the features of which, were nothing short of sheer perfection.

“Wooow. Alzeen, is he… is he an Angel?”

Alzeen only snorted in response.

The towering sentinel’s high cheek bones looked to be sculpted by a master artisan. He blinked, and his radiant azure eyes sparkled like stardust from the heavens.

“Alzeen, have you ever seen anything so beautiful?”

He gazed at her from the corner of his eye, grasping her hand ever tighter. “…Yes, I have,” he whispered.

“Look at his body. Look at the way he stands. Is he real? I don’t think he’s real. A statue, perhaps. I mean… look at his arms.” She pointed. “Normal people could never have arms such as those.”

The warrior’s extremely masculine build was beautifully complimented by his sparkling, flawless skin. It glowed from within, strangely matching the shining crystal entryway he stood sentinel over.