Protected by Emeralds (A Dance with Destiny Book 5) (7 page)

She shook her head. “What?”

“Four sets of bulbous eyes bobbing not far from where I lay upon the beach.”

“What did you do?”

He snorted. “What do you think I did? I jumped to my feet and took off as fast as my tiny wings would go. I vowed never to near that sea again… no matter what.”

“Oh yeah… I forgot you used to have wings.”

Shaemon rolled his eyes. “Of course I had wings. Well, for the moment, anyway. But that would soon change. Damn Death Angel,” he mumbled. “Here’s precisely how
that
all played out.”

Jenevier could guess almost exactly what he was about to say, but she stayed silent as his trembling voice filled her ears—sorrowful scenes playing out vividly in her mind…

“Whew… that was close,” Shaemon mumbled as he rubbed his brow. “A few more seconds and I’d have been a goner for sure.” He pulled his tiny fist to his lips, kissing where the stone was securely hidden. “Now, to save Garoth. If that old Bat laid a single finger upon him, I swear I will—”

“Swear ye’ll what?”

Shaemon pulled up short, quickly searching for the strangely accented voice he was certain he had just heard. No one was around. He quickly dropped to the ground, hiding deep inside the tall grass. He held his breath, frantically scanning the area. Ducking his head as he slumped over, the terrified Fairy ran wildly across the flowing field.

“Now then, just where do ye think yer going, wee Fairy-man?”

Shaemon didn’t even stop to look that time. He hurriedly darted from the tall grass and into the dense forest.

“There’s nae sense in trying tae hide, Fairy. A summons came down for ye. Ye’ll nae be getting away from me. Run as fast as ye can. I’ll still be there tae exact yer punishment when yer breath an’ those wee legs of yers gives oot.”

The man’s threatening words did nothing to deter the frantic Fairy. Shaemon panted loudly as he climbed up the steep mountainside, pain now shooting mercilessly through his aching side. When he crested the peak, his foot caught in some thick vines and sent him tumbling toward the valley below. He yelled out as he bounced off what seemed like every single rock and tree on the way down. Pain shot through his back, the likes of which he had never known. He shrieked loudly just before he landed atop a waterfall, and was quickly tossed over the side. The battered little Fairy’s ungraceful belly-flop echoed painfully across the magical hidden valley, as he landed in the pristine pool with a loud splash.

Vittorio reached in, pulling the tiny floating man out by his now limp arm.

“That’ll do, wee Fairy-lad. Enough running. Hand it over.”

Shaemon didn’t speak. He felt like his body had been the sole target of a raging stampede, and having the wind knocked completely out of him was a more painful thing than he had imagined it would be. He made a strange wheezing noise as he tried to suck in a breath.

“All that pain, an’ the ending is still the same. Give me the stone, Shaemon Green. Cough it up before I have tae wring it from what’s left of yer scrawny hide.”

The Fairy only wheezed again as he opened his palms, showing them to be covered in scratches and cuts, but completely empty.

“Dropped it, did ye? Well, the punishment’s still the same, stone or nae. Ye took it. There’s nae denying that. Stand up, Fairy. Take it like a man.”

Jenevier quickly clamped her hand over her mouth, trying to hold in the giggle threatening to escape.

“Yeah… I thought you’d enjoy
that
part,” he huffed. “You like that damn Death Angel as much as he likes you, don’t you?”

“I love Vittorio, yes. And although I do not love what happened to you, Shae, you have to admit… you brought it on yourself. But the way you told the story…” She chuckled. “…I could just
see
Vittorio doing that very thing, saying those exact words.”

“Well, I’m happy I could be your entertainment.”

“Apologies, Shae,” she said through another laugh.

“Oh, don’t worry about it. Looking back on it now… I could almost laugh myself.” He sighed. “And that’s the story of how I obtained, and then lost, the Water Stone of power.”

“So… what happened? What did your Queen do to you?”

Tears filled his eyes once more. “It’s not what she did to me… it’s what she did to Garoth that will always grieve me—tore my heart asunder. I loathe her. I prayed that the demons who invaded our realm would tear her into tiny pieces… but that she didn’t die until the very last moment, that she felt every wretched drop of it. Alas… she was well-hidden during that gruesome apocalypse.”

Jenevier didn’t say anything. She only held him—stroking his hair, keeping his breathing in-tune with hers, wiping away his tiny bitter tears. When he lifted his trembling hand, Jenevier thought he was going to touch her cheek. Yet he reached past her, placing his palm on the rough bark of the tree trunk they were resting against.

“She came looking for me,” he whispered. “After the Death Angel had claimed my wings… I laid here for what must have been hours. I was beaten, broken… shamed. I couldn’t have climbed out of this valley if God Himself had demanded it.”

She lightly kissed the top of his head, blinking away her own tears.

“I was lying right here when they found me.” He ran his hand atop the soft grass. “In this very spot. I know that because of this tree.”

“It is a lovely tree,” she whispered.

“More lovely than you know.” He sniffed and then shuddered. “When I didn’t return, the Queen woke Garoth and together they came looking for me. And when they found me… she was furious. Furious that I had lost the stone, yes, but even more so that a Dwarf Prince now knew of her intended treachery. When Garoth saw what kind of shape I was in, he ran to my side. That’s when the vile woman cast her unforgivable spell.” He gently stroked the rough bark again. “He lifted me in his arms before the pain hit him. He tried to hold on to me… but it was simply too much. When I fell from his arms, I looked back up to find my beloved friend twisting and writhing as the Queen’s witch-work transformed that beautiful man into what we now rest beneath.”

“What we now rest benea—” She glanced up, her eyes widening with realization. “You mean… this tree?”

He nodded. “That’s why
this
side of Princess Falls must always be mine. It’s where the only person I have ever loved now rests. I lie beneath his swaying branches… and pray for the end of all things to finally come.”

Chapter 6

Vittorio

(vit-TOR-ee-oh)

When he saw the sun dancing off her golden curls, his chest tightened.

“Aye, Lass. I knew if I came here every day, I’d eventually find ye sitting right where ye are now. I am blessed beyond my worth. So, my wee rabbit, were ye waiting here just for me? Or are ye hiding oot with yer Dragon up there?”

He pointed to Nilakanta’s resting spot high atop the mountain.

“Both.” She half giggled. “In truth, I came here to think. But the heartbreaking story Shaemon Green just shared with me…”

“Aye. It was as tragic a tale as I’ve ever heard… until I met ye. Yer sorrow ootweighs them all, Lass.”

His accented voice brought a smile to her forlorn face. It was her favorite voice in the whole of the universe.

“Ahh, Vittorio.” She sighed. “I have missed you, Brother. More than words can say.”

He sat down, letting his feet dangle in the pristine pool alongside hers.

“Aye, have ye now?” He took her hand in his, squeezing it. “An’ I’ve missed ye more, my wee darlin’.” He tucked her hair back behind her ear. “Yer lovely eyes still shine, Lass. Yet they nae longer sparkle with the joy they once held. Now, they seem tae glisten with the flame of rage. Tell me, wee lamb. From whence comes this fire?”

“My current fire…” She blinked the burning tears away. “…is the distant reflection of my dead husband’s pyre.”

“Aye.” He nodded his head knowingly. “After three years of mourning, yer torch still burns for the lad, does it nae?”

Her brows furrowed as she cast a questioning glance his way.

He chuckled. “Aye, Lass, ye caught me.” He playfully yanked one of her curls. “I kept an eye on ye while ye were away. I cannae help prying where yer concerned.”

“So… you know then? You know where I’ve been hiding these last few years.”

“Aye, that I do. Alas, it wasnae a big surprise. I knew where ye’d eventually end up the day we found ye on Val Hal. It pained my heart. Yet, I knew.”

She chuckled softly. “Is that so? And just how could you be knowing a thing like that, most beautiful of my brothers?”

He bumped her with his shoulder. “When I saw ye with Finnean… I just knew.”

She turned to him, wide-eyed. “Ahh, you knew my Finnean?”

“Aye, Lass. I knew him well.” Vittorio tightened his hold upon her tiny hand. “He was
of
me.”

She stopped breathing. Her eyes glassed over as her mind took her back to the beautiful man she had loved and lost, all too soon.

“
Of
… you?”

Her pained whisper wasn’t truly a question.

“Aye, Lass, of me.”

Fresh tears burned the backs of her eyes, made her jaw bones ache. “That explains so much.”

“Aye, an’ Vareilious has been the devil tae live with ever since we stood in that palace hall, watching ye melt intae my fair son’s arms.”

Her gaze remained fixed on nothingness. “Your… son…” She echoed his words automatically, numbly.

“Aye, my son.”

She swayed slightly then shook her head, bringing her mind back to the present.

“Here now, Lass. Are ye well?”

“He was my whole world.” Her words were tiny. Her voice, distant. “When Drostan’s blade pierced his noble heart, mine stopped beating as well.” She dropped to a whisper. “In truth… I’m not certain it ever started back.”

Vittorio pulled her onto his lap, rubbing her back. “I dinnae mean tae renew yer grief, Princess.”

“It has been over three years since we were parted. Still, I can barely breathe without him, Vittorio.” She buried the side of her face against his massive chest. “How can seven years fly by in but an instant? I merely blinked… and it was over. How can those seven years sweep by me like the morning mists of summer… and the following three seem to last a dozen lifetimes?”

“Pain has a way of doing that tae us, my wee darlin’. Happiness is fleeting… pain wulnae let go.”

“Tell me your story, Brother. Tell me how you came to have such an incredible son, and why you kept him hidden from me.”

“Are ye sure yer heart can handle it right now?”

He felt her nod against him. The slight movement of her head caused her curls to brush across his skin, sending chills down his spine.

He wrapped his arms around her. “Very well, wee rabbit.” Vittorio took a deep breath. “As for why I dinnae mention him tae ye, well, that should be obvious. He was rare an’ beloved by all. I knew ye’d be smitten with the lad if ye ever laid eyes upon him. An’ I’m a jealous Guardian.” He kissed the top of her head. “I wanted ye all tae myself.”

She released a tiny chuckle and nuzzled even closer against him.

“I gave seed for that valiant young man because he had a purpose, an important destiny tae fulfill.” He felt her warm tears cooling upon his flesh. “She was just a wee thing, his mum, fragile an’ fair.”

“Did you love her?”

“Aye, in a way. She was my mission. Yet… I worried over her, took special care of her. We dinnae live as man an’ wife. I gifted her with the child that would one day save the King. But, I saw tae her… every day.” The memory brought a smile to his face. “Her hair was the color of flax, so pale an’ lovely. She had tiny freckles sprinkled across her wee nose. She looked more like a doll than a woman.”

Jenevier felt his chest rise and fall as he drew in a haggard breath.

“I cherished the wee thing.” He sighed. “Perhaps I loved her… aye, I loved her.” He paused. “When the time came for our son’s arrival, I was with her. I feared she wasnae strong enough tae live through it. Alas, love lends strength when all should be lost. When that wee babe cried, a new light shone in her lovely eyes… blinding it was.”

Jenevier felt the warm teardrops as they landed atop her head, soaking into her curls. She looked upon her brother’s face. It was her turn to be the comforter. She wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head upon his shoulder, waiting for his haunting story to continue.

“He was the most beautiful wee lamb I’d ever laid eyes on.” Vittorio’s smile was like the heavens, a far-off look in his proud eyes. “She named him Finnean. Crowned with snow, he was. Fair as an Angel. He brought life back intae that fragile wee mother of his, enough tae hold her weak heart until he was a good sized lad.”

When Vittorio fell silent, Jenevier gave him a moment alone with his thoughts before she spoke.

“What happened to her?”

“Aye, Lass. She just dinnae wake up one morn. She was working at the palace by then. Everyone loved the lad upon sight. King Brodder raised Finnean as his own, even made him Hand. That fair-haired man was loved by all who laid eyes upon him.”

“As is his father.”

Vittorio sniffed. “Aye, Lass, ye broke my heart.” He lightly kissed her forehead. “Yet, I dinnae shed tears. How could I fault my own blood for being wholly smitten with ye? He came by it honest.” He softly tugged on one of her curls. “Yet, I couldnae be happy for ye, either. I knew the lad’s purpose, knew his light would be snuffed oot before his time. I did shed tears over that, Lass, over the pain I knew yer wee heart couldnae bear… but was destined tae feel.”

“Vittorio, I would gladly bear the pain of losing him, bear it every day for all eternity… just to be blessed with knowing him. I wouldn’t trade my amazing years with Finnean for any treasure in the universe, for any favor heaven could bestow. Such was our love.”

“Aye, Lass, ye make my heart swell.”

She chuckled softly. “I wondered how one as rare and beautiful as him came to be. I fell for him upon sight, Vittorio. He loved me the first day. Did you know that?”

“Of course he did, Lass.” Vittorio wiped away a tear. “The lad was more like his father than I knew.”

She smiled, joy dancing in her watery eyes. “When I first tasted him, the reaction was nigh uncontrollable for us both.”

“Aye, I know the feeling,” he mumbled.

“I wanted to gobble him up.” She giggled. “As I ponder the whole of it, I believe he is the very reason I fell upon that layer. We were both in need of the rarest love imaginable, him
and
me. And that’s exactly what we got. I wouldn’t have missed it for the whole of creation.”

“Aye, who’d of thought the wee soul Varick carried tae Ashgard, would one day cross paths with the seed I left upon Val Hal? This universe yet holds many secrets, Lass.”

“That it does, Brother.” She kissed his cheek. “Tell me. What does your mask look like, Vittorio? How did Finnean’s mother see you? Did you look as Finnean?”

He chuckled softly. “I’ll share that wee secret with ye one day, Lass… perhaps.” He returned the favor of a kissed cheek. “So, tell me. When are ye gonna give me that day ye promised me?”

She met his gaze and furrowed her brow.

“I asked ye oot, an’ ye’ve made me wait a decade tae see ye in that rare red dress I gifted ye.”

“Apologies, Brother.” New tears filled her eyes. “I left it on Val Hal. I could never take it from our bedchambers. The pain of it was too great. I simply could not bear to remove my wedding dress. It hangs there still, alongside my dear husband’s garments from that day.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “We wore them… every year on the day of our marriage. We would wake early and ride off to spend the day alone, together in some forgotten place of that beautiful realm. No one could find us. They knew better than to even try.” She smiled then. “Finnean loved the look of me in that dress. Alas, it didn’t stay on me for long.” She laughed softly. “He was an extremely passionate man. He loved me too much… as I did him.”

“So then, my son got tae fulfill the fantasy I’ve carried in my heart for so many glorious years.” He chuckled. “Everything happens for a reason, I suppose. It nae crossed my mind when I led ye intae that wee shop, I was buying yer wedding dress for my own son.”

She squeezed his neck. “Is life not grand and wonderful?”

“Aye, Lass. Magical beyond belief.”

“I love you, Vittorio.”

“An’ I love ye more, wee Angel.”

“Come on then. Let’s just go.” She smiled and rubbed their noses together. “Nothing holds us here, Brother. Let’s go. Take me to this secret place you are certain I have never seen before.”

He stared at her, shocked. “Ye mean… our date? Ye want tae go
now
?”

“Yes. Why wait? Who knows what might happen to one of us in the next heartbeat.
Our
lives have proven that truth more than anyone’s. I do not plan on waiting another ten years to smile the way only you can make me smile, Vittorio.”

“An’… ye believe yer heart can handle it?”

“Honestly? I don’t know. But… I have grievously mourned my beloved Finnean for years… three long and bloody years. My rare white warrior would be extremely cross with me if he knew I locked myself away somewhere, hiding from life, hiding from love.” She smiled then and playfully pinched his arm. “Tell me, Brother. Is it truly
my
heart you are worried about? Perhaps it is
your
heart we should be more concerned with.”

“Aye, Lass. Ye know me too well.”

“Come on, Vittorio. Let’s get all dressed up and everything. Do you wish me to go to Val Hal? You are the only one I would do it for, the only one I would wear it for.” She gently fingered his long silver braid. “I think it would make Finnean smile, knowing I now donned it for the glorious man who gave him life.”

“Nae, Lass. That treasure belongs tae him now. Perhaps it always did. Besides, yer memories are too precious where he’s concerned, my wee darlin’. We’ll make our own memories, Princess.” He chuckled. “Ye ready tae get started then? My heart’s racing at the thought.”

She giggled. “Shall I go home and change then? I certainly cannot go like this.”

She looked down at the destroyed dress she now wore, covered in her blood and that of a maniacal killer, one who shared the beautiful face of her dear friend and royal Hand.

“An’ risk Daichi snatching ye away from me yet again? Nae, wee rabbit.” He motioned with his head toward the water. “Jump in the pool an’ wash yer curls, Lass. All yer sweet smelling things are by the waterfall still. I’ll be back before ye can even miss me.”

She winked. “Too late.”

He was still laughing when he entered the clouds.

“Wear your white kilt, Brother,” she shouted, just as he disappeared.

*****

When Jenevier broke through the water’s surface, she felt better than she had in weeks.

“Ahh, I love Princess Falls. This magical place is a tiny heaven… floating upon the fires of hell—my oasis from the universe.”

“Aye, exactly as it should be. That was its intent, wee lamb.”

“Wow… You are truly a divine vision, Brother. I do not recall you looking quite so handsome the last time you donned that pristine skirt.”

“Aye, dunnae call it a skirt, Lass. Men dunnae wear
skirts
.”