Cursed by Diamonds (A Dance with Destiny Book 1) (30 page)

Chapter 42

Jenevier

(ZHEN-ah-veer)

“Well then, Milady. If that’s your idea of revenge, I pray you exact it daily. Promise me you will, tiny warrior.”

Jenevier rolled her eyes and plopped down on the luxuriously fluffy lounge this angelic demigod had carried her to. Vareilious bumped her with his shoulder, chuckling.

“Tease me all you like, Vareilious. We both know I beat you at your own game. Your taunts are simply proof of your inability to accept obvious defeat.”

A gentle, soothing laughter filled the hallowed room, halting Jenevier’s blood within her veins. She dared not turn toward the gloriously melodic sound. She had completely forgotten about the second Vanir, the one who
truly
terrified her.

Maybe that kiss erased more than just my fear, but my mind as well.

“She is certainly a fiery one, Vareilious. I’m rather curious as to how you will train this fierce little maiden.”

Vareilious joined the other giant by adding his deep growling laughter to the symphonic chuckles of the first still bouncing off the domed walls.

“Well, Varick. I’m even
more
curious as to how you can possibly train a young maid who refuses to even look upon your ugly face.”

The enormous sentinel’s roars continued, but the comforting, warm laughter had ceased. Jenevier heard the second Vanir’s rapidly approaching footsteps.

She remained as she was—eyes firmly fixed on the intricate lines lacing gracefully through the moon-colored marble floor. When the tips of his boots invaded her peripheral view, she closed her eyes and pulled her knees against her chest.

Vareilious roared. “See, Brother? She cannot even bear the thought of it.”

The gentle Vanir placed his hand upon her trembling shoulder. She visibly flinched, whimpering. The terrified little sound only caused Vareilious’s animated laughter to increase.

“Why do you shun me, Maiden?” the second Vanir whispered. “Why do you fear me? Tell me. What have I done? I would sooner die than harm you.”

He ran his hand down her tangled curls and lovingly rubbed little circles across her back. His touch was like a lightning bolt of reality shooting through her denying mind. She let out another soft whimper.

This isn’t real. This isn’t real. Oh, by the gods, this can’t possibly be real!

Wrapping her arms around her bent legs, Jenevier began to rock, softly humming, trying to drown out this impossibility. When tiny tears popped out of the corners of her tightly closed lids, Vareilious’s jovial outburst ceased. Instantly, the mighty warrior’s deep voice was nervously whispering in her ear.

“Jenevier?”

She didn’t respond.

He turned her face toward him. “Jenevier, fear swells within me. Look upon me now, Kitten. Crush the pain growing in my heart.”

“Don’t call me that,” she barely whispered.

“Very well. If you will look at me now, I swear to never call you Kitten again. On my honor.”

She slowly opened her burning red eyes and looked helplessly at the daunting giant holding her quivering chin. His heavenly face was stricken with alarm. She watched as his eyes grew wide, finally absorbing the realization of her fragile state of mind.

“Dear heavens. Jenevier, calm yourself, my love. Nothing can harm you here. Speak to me now. Squash this panic rising within me. Your eyes alone have failed in this purpose. Speak, Princess. Give voice to this madness, now.”

The second Vanir rose from her side, but Vareilious held up his massive hand, halting the concerned warriors advance.

“Open your eyes again, Jenevier. It is only me. I promise.”

She numbly obeyed.

“Tell me what runs wild within that beautiful little head of yours. Withhold nothing from me and I can fix it.” He tenderly smiled at her. “That’s what I do, Maiden.”

“I cannot.”

“You must, my love.”

“I am not your love. I hate you, remember?”

The glorious Guardian relaxed and released a long, sweetly scented breath. “There you are, Milady. I feared I had lost you for a moment there.” He gently kissed her forehead. “Now, tell me all I have asked of you.”

“I fear.”

“I am the
master
of fears, dearest one. That’s my job. I will crush them thoroughly. But you must speak them to me.”

“Who is that other man?” Her voice trembled as a child’s. “Do you know him well?”

The luminous Vanir looked over her head to the warrior standing still behind her.

“Yes, my sweet. I know him extremely well. He is my brother, Varick. He is first born of Valadrog and captain among us. I have never known a more honorable, loyal warrior. He truly is the best of us all. You’ve never known pure angelic love until you have earned the heart of Varick. He is goodness incarnate.”

“So… he’s the opposite of you, then?”

Vareilious’s laughter shook his entire flawless form. “Yes, my future lover. He is
precisely
the opposite of me.”

He winked at her. She ignored his little jabbing reference.

“Has he always lived here?”

“Yes, always.” Concern returned to his majestic brow. “Why do you ask, Princess?”

“Then, tell me. How is it he has the very voice of my own conscience? How is his, the voice whispered within my sleeping dreams? How does he own the same treasured voice that answered me whenever I asked it of him?”

Vareilious looked once again to his brother Vanir.

“Explain to me how it is he has walked with me and talked with me the whole of my life. Tell me, Vareilious. Because, my poor mind simply refuses to accept the fact that my make-believe friend and inner guide is really a beautiful, silver-haired Angel living out here in the wilderness.”

“And what makes you think he is beautiful? Hmm?” He chuckled softly. “You have yet to even look upon him.”

“I am certain he looks like you, does he not?”

“Oh, so you think I’m beautiful?” His voice softened to a tempting purr. “You like the look of me, hmm? Find me extremely attractive, do you?”

“Yes, of course I do. You took my breath away when I crested the ridge and beheld you standing there in all your glory.” Her honest words simply rolled off her tongue without thought or hesitation. “You are perfection personified—magnificent beyond mortal words. I honestly thought you weren’t real. You are
too
glorious.”

A warning growl rumbled in his chest and up his throat. The gorgeous sentinel took her still shaking hand and pressed it to him. Yet his mischievous gaze stayed locked with hers.

“If I had but known how you truly felt, Princess. If I had but heard those most splendid of all words, I would have lingered upon our journey here.” He tenderly caressed her cheek. “Oh, Milady, I would
still
be licking the sweet taste of your divine innocence from my lips. You would yet be radiant with the glow that only a woman who has experienced pure ecstasy can hold.”

He pressed himself against her then, running his tongue over those terrifyingly sharp teeth as he moaned with anticipated pleasure.

Jenevier gasped and jerked free, falling backwards off the couch. Vareilious crawled toward her like a hungry beast, his mouth watering with the thought of consuming his prey. She quickly jumped to her feet.

“Vile dog! I trusted you!”

He fell onto his enormous side, laughing heartily. “You should have seen the look on your precious face,” he roared.

Yet Jenevier couldn’t stop screaming at this most terrible of Angels. Her chest, rising and falling rapidly as her anger swelled.

“You are a horrible, disgusting person, Vareilious! I confided in you. Dammit all. I poured out my soul to you. Spoke all that you asked of me and more.”

“And, I did as I promised, my delicious little Princess. I fixed it, did I not?”

She stopped yelling then and took a quick mental inventory. He was right. She immediately calmed with this realization.

“Y-yes… my fears are tamed. But my questions remain.”

“I only promised to crush your fears. Mission accomplished, tiny Angel.” His ever-present smirking smile widened. “And I received the added benefit of knowing you find me beautiful, attractive, desire me above all others.”

“Of course you are beautiful. You…you
all
are. Wha-what human would think otherwise?” She furrowed her brow. “Yet, I never mentioned desire.”

“Pretty is as pretty does, I’ve always heard said.” The tender voice was right behind her. “Or in this case I suppose you could say, beautiful is as beautiful does.”

At the sound of that voice, Jenevier’s back stiffened as her eyes went wide.

“And
that
is my cue to go.” Vareilious jumped to his feet and headed for the doorway. “Do not fear, dearest lover. I will return at our appointed time. We have a date, you and I.”

The awesome giant winked and disappeared out the door.

“He is an incredible warrior, Jenevier. He means no harm. It’s just his way.”

“He makes my skin crawl,” she admitted.

Varick laughed. “Yes, perhaps. But you will never find a more loyal friend
or
a fiercer protector. Vareilious has a heart of pure gold. You saw that in him just now. One day, when your training is complete, you will come to love him as I do. He will never be far from you now, little one. He already cares too much for you. From this day forth, he will be ever near. Take comfort in that reassuring thought.”

“Actually, that particular thought is rather unnerving… makes me twitch.”

His warm laugh came again as he cautiously placed his soft hands on the backs of her arms.

“He is an acquired taste, yes. Alas, he grows on you. You will come to understand and appreciate his honed talents and rash demeanor, in time. Vareilious has heard so much about you, has waited anxiously for your arrival. He
demanded
to be the warrior posted at our gates. He was so angry when Valen was chosen to test you—threw a horrible fit. Just like a child.” Varick chuckled. “Vareilious said
he
wanted to be the first to look upon you—Valen was not worthy of such an honor. And I must say, Milady, he seems especially taken with you. In truth, I cannot recall ever seeing him act quite this way before.”

“How is it you are real?”

“Apologies, little one. Forgive me for that.”

“Forgive you for being real?”

He chuckled. “No. Forgive me for not training you before too many truths had been revealed. This isn’t a conversation we should be having yet. It is one for a very long time from now. This is my fault. I never realized you could…” He paused.

She waited but he didn’t continue.

“I don’t understand.”

“And I know not how to make you. Not without harming you further.”

“Please try,” she pleaded.

“Will you look at me?”

“I cannot. Not yet.”

“May I touch you?”

“…Yes.”

When he gently began to caress her arms, she relaxed a little. Jenevier rolled her head from side to side as the bones popped and cracked in her tense neck.

“I fear that is my doing as well,” he whispered.

Varick tenderly massaged her neck and shoulders until all the tightness and tension melted away.

“Who are you?”

“I am all the things you remember me to be.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s
not
an answer.”

“And I know not how to answer you, my sweet. Not without causing more harm than good. Tell me, fair maiden. What can I do to help this helpless situation?”

She closed her eyes and smiled. “I could use a long hot bath and some time alone to think.”

“Granted.”

Chapter 43

Alastyn

(ah-LASS-tin)

Willow rose to leave, but Alastyn held her arms.

“Please let me go,” she whispered.

“I should. I mean, I will. Just give me one more blissful moment with you.”

His words tore at her fragile young heart. They meant something completely different to her than they did to him. To her, they meant hope—blissful, joyful, wonderful hope.

“Why? We have been painfully honest with one another.” She pulled away. “You cannot return my feelings and I cannot bear your rejection.”

“I didn’t reject you, Willow.”

“Yes, Alastyn. That’s
exactly
what you did. Do not place the fault on your heart, no. It’s a great credit to your loyal devotion. Yet another endearing quality you possess.”

“And yet…” He stood. “How devoted am I… if all I can do right now is try to think of a way to make you stay?”

“Stay?” Her eyes widened slightly. “Out of love?”

“No…” He paused, glancing away before turning back to face her. “It is out of my own selfish need for your tender comfort and enticing companionship.”

“I’m no longer a big fan of brutal honesty,” she grumbled. “We can stop now.”

They smiled in unison.

“Willow, I cannot love you like I love Jenevier. It simply isn’t possible. But I truly am selfish enough to ask for your company on my quest to free her. I know that makes me a horrible person, yes.” He took her hands in his. “But it would be a lie to let you leave
or
to let you stay, thinking otherwise.”

“And if we somehow miraculously find these mythical Elves and receive the precious answers you seek. What then?”

“Then I will leave you, Willow. I will return to Jenevier with all haste. The very moment she is free of her curse, I will ask her to spend the rest of our blissful lives together.”

Willow was literally nauseous. She could feel the offending cobbler rising up in the back of her throat. She swallowed hard, pulling her hands from his before trying to speak.

“I did not think it possible,” she whispered softly. “But those words… they were much more painful spoken aloud than I ever could have imagined.”

“Apologies, Willow.” He reached for her ponytail, but withdrew. “Yet… I will not lead you along, thinking I may ever be wholly yours.”

“So, when we find your answers, you’ll just leave?”

“Yes. I will return to her and you will never see me again.”

“But this quest of yours, it may take a very long time. Months or years even.”

“It may, yes. But time will not change my love for her.”

“No.” She saw another flash of that teasing flicker of hope. “Yet…” She smiled sweetly. “…it may very well change your love for
me
.”

“Do not give yourself false hope, beautiful lady. I will not agree with you just so you may find unrealistic comfort in the thought.”

“Don’t sell me short, Alastyn. I can be rather charming at times.” She shrugged her shoulders and teasingly batted her lashes. “You may soon find you cannot live without me.”

“I will always be Jenevier’s.”

“One day, perhaps. But today and maybe for a very long time, you’ll be all mine.”

She smiled happily, despite his constant refusal.

“Only in friendship, Milady.”

“I’ll take what I can get, for now.”

“Do not decide hastily, Willow.”

“I’m not. But be wary yourself, my very handsome friend. It is true, you know—friends
always
make the best lovers.”

*****

After many hugs and fond farewells, the newly found allies left Ousten and began their bitter cold journey to Haven. The trip couldn’t be made in a single day, so they set up camp a little over halfway there.

The bitter wind was cutting Alastyn in two. Although
he
was not, the people of the North were accustomed to such things, so the provisions he had acquired in Ousten kept him from freezing to death.

They camped at the base of an odd cliff, strangely out of place among the rolling hills and open plains. Their tent was pitched within a hollow grove and completely protected from the brutal wind. The thick fur blankets he bought would have proven more than adequate, but they were so large he ended up being able to pack only one.

“I don’t mind if you don’t,” Willow whispered, teasingly.

Alastyn laughed. “Worry not, Milady. I promise you’ll be completely safe with me.”

She rolled her eyes. “Not exactly the promise I wanted to hear, you know.”

“Yes, but it’s the only one I can give.”

She smiled. “I know. Just checking.”

They arrived in Haven before sunset the following day.

Haven was much larger than the bustling town of Ousten, so finding room and board wasn’t going to be a problem. Alastyn left that part up to Willow while he began asking his strange questions to the friendly townsfolk. Almost every person he met knew many fanciful stories of the Elves. Alas, not one of them gave him the slightest clue of how to actually find the mythical Elven people, or even in which direction he should begin searching. Exhausted and disheartened, he sought out Willow.

“Well I’ve made great progress,” she said, smiling happily.

“Then at least
one
of us has,” he grumbled.

“Oh, don’t be such a sour fellow. We only just got here. Now come. I have much to show you.”

Alastyn let her tug him along as she cheerfully told him about their new accommodations and in which restaurants they could find the best local fare.

“So, let’s go get cleaned up and get something to eat,” she chirped. “A full belly will ease your mind.”

“Lead the way, Milady.”

*****

Day after day the companions sought answers, chased after phony leads, and continued to find nothing but dead ends and fairytales. Those days turned into months and the months quickly turned into years. Still, not a trace of the Elven folk could be found.

Willow had given up long ago, but she stayed loyal to Alastyn’s quest. As long as he held out hope, she was there for him just as she had promised. Through thick or thin, she never left his side.

Alastyn refused to concede defeat. His memory of Jenevier’s lovely face had long since faded with the passing of time, but his love remained untouched, even after all these many years.

The two explorers were on their way back from yet another failed lead. This one had taken them deep into the eastern forest of Mangladune. They were still weeks from home and chatting merrily as they walked along.

After the first couple of years, Willow had returned to Ousten to help her mother run the Fuzzy Muzzle. Alastyn continued the investigative part and came for her every time he found a new lead. She would happily drop everything and leave with him, supporting him on all those many lonely, unanswered trips back home.

“It’s been nearly ten years, Alastyn. I have grown old right along with your explorations.”

“Willow, you’re even more beautiful today than you were the first night I walked into your cozy little inn. Floria is now a mirror image of my first memory of you.”

“But I’m more beautiful than she, right?”

Alastyn smiled. “Of course, my love. She will never be able to surpass your grace and beauty.”

They laughed together as they trudged through the dense undergrowth of Mangladune.

“But she does have many more suitors than I.” Willow’s cheeks flushed red with her admission.

“Yes. And why is that? I’ve never understood why you weren’t snatched away from me
years
ago. In truth, I secretly fear every time I return to Ousten, I will find you happily wed.”

“You fear that, do you?” She glanced at his smiling profile.

“Of course I do, Willow. I would never have survived or tried this long without you by my side. I would have lost hope years ago.”

His casual admittance rocked her heart and tore a small chunk out of her soul. She had to swallow hard before she could speak again.

“So… all I had to do was refuse to follow you around on these wild, desperate searches. Is that it? Are you saying you would have given up on her? Is that what I’m hearing you say, Alastyn? That you would have abandoned your ridiculous quest and settled down?”

He brushed a wisp of her hair back, tucking it behind her ear. His gentle touch made her heart tremble.

“No, Willow, I could never give up on Jenevier. I would have given up on the Elves.”

Willow turned her back to him, trying to
demand
her bitter tears to cease their increasing flow.

“Alastyn… I have given you the most glorious years of my life. This I have done in the hopes that if I walked beside you long enough, one day you would wake up and finally see me standing there.” She sniffed. “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t blame you for
my
misguided intentions. I chose to be with you… knowing full well where your heart truly lay. You never lied to me about the truth of your heart. Not once. I blame only myself… for being such a foolish child.”

“Willow, please. Don’t do this.”

Alastyn tried to comfort her, but she pulled away and continued with the words she had wanted to say for so very long.

“I know now—as I should have known years ago—this whole thing has nothing to do with you or me anymore.”

“But, Willo—”

“We’re chasing ghosts and dreams, Alastyn. How can I ever compete with a memory? Memories change with time. And your sacred memory of Jenevier has grown to reach Elven heights, so to speak. She will never measure up. You know that, do you not? Jenevier will never be able to live up to what you have made her out to be in your mind. She is doomed to let you down. And, well… I am dense for helping you continue in this madness.”

“Willow, no.”

“Listen to me, Alastyn. You will ultimately break her heart. You will. The same as you have broken mine. Can you not see? Reality can
never
live up to fantasy.”

Willow turned to face him then, letting him finally see some of the tears she had secretly shed for him throughout the torturous years.

“Fantasy will always win,” she whispered.

Alastyn was slapped with the brutal realization of what his selfishness had caused. He had abandoned his parents, the mother he had longed for his whole life. He had left her within only
days
of her return. And what’s worse, he had forced Willow to do the same thing—abandon
her
life for his love of another woman.

I have wasted all the love and comfort of a lifetime, chasing a dream.

He wept openly.

“…Alastyn.”

“Forgive me, Willow. I am a fool.” He grabbed her hands. “Why did you not slap me long ago? I see now. All this time, I’ve needed what only
you
can give me, reality and purpose—a true love that has stood the test of time.
Yours
is the love I want, Willow. Yours is the only love I need. And… yours is the love that should be denied me as punishment for my absurd blindness.”

“Oh, Alastyn.”

He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

“I love you, Willow. Never leave me. Promise.”

“I… I promise.”

Right there in the middle of that forgotten forest, Alastyn finally found what he had been searching for all these many years. He found his true and lasting love.

“Well done, young man. Well done.”

The disembodied melodic voice startled the weeping couple out of their loving embrace. They searched frantically for the owner of that accent, for the speaker of those glorious words.

“We are here. We have
always
been here. We were only waiting for you to realize what you were throwing away… in the hopes of obtaining something that does not truly exist.”

The misty forms of countless ancient Elves stepped from behind the many trees. There were hundreds of them. They seemed to float toward the stunned couple.

“Man has not sought us out in ages. When word of your quest reached our ears, we chose to remain hidden for we could not help you. Your brave heart and valiant love have been an inspiration to our kind. Because of you, we no longer worry that man will die away and cease to be. You will continue to wage war and hurt each other, yes. But you will also continue to love and protect one another. Man’s ways remain a puzzle to us, yet we have chosen to speak to you now, brave one. Come, my son. You are finally ready to end this weary journey. And
that
we would be honored to help you with.”

The Elves all gathered close to the speechless duo. Clasping hands, they began singing. Their rhythmic chant soothed away all tears and doubts, soothed away all pain and regret. Their magical song wove a lasting bond between the two, tying them together for all time. All was peaceful now. Their fragile hearts were mended. Their many tears were dried. Their long years of searching were no longer wasted.