Redeemed by Rubies (A Dance with Destiny Book 6) (17 page)

“Why, Princess? Why would you hide your rare heart from the world?”

“Why would you?”

Baytac didn’t answer.

“A broken heart heals the way it heals,” she whispered. “We have little say in the matter.”

They continued on in silence, each reliving the bitter pain of their youth.

“…We are here,” Baytac said softly.

“Oh… it’s a cave. Is this where you’ve been hiding?”

“No, Milady.” He gently eased her down. “This is a special place… a magical place.”

“Magical?” Kaleeska looked from the darkened entrance to the large Elf beside her. “How so?”

“Come with me.” He took her hand. “I will show you.”

As the two Elves neared the cave’s entrance, the darkness within began to lessen.

“What
is
that?” Kaleeska whispered. “Is someone in there?”

“No, Princess. We are alone. Come. I want you to see this.” He tugged on her hand. “You are the only one I want to share it with.”

“Wait, Baytac.” She pulled back, resisting him. “…I fear.”

“There is nothing to fear, Princess.” He smiled down at her. “I am here. I will keep you safe… always.”

“Believe him in this. That Elf is fierce beyond your knowing.”

The two Elves turned just as Jenevier and Alastyn stepped into the clearing.

“You?” Baytac snorted, almost growled. “What are
you
doing here?”

In contrast, Princess Kaleeska bowed reverently. “Madam Empress… His Royal Highness.”

“Rise, Princess,” Alastyn said. “There is no need for such formalities in a place such as this.”

Baytac kept his hardened gaze locked with Jenevier’s. She smiled and scrunched up her nose at him.

“This is the second time you have appeared from the trees…
uninvited
,” Baytac said in a low voice.

“Oh, come now, Brother.” Jenevier batted her lashes. “If you continue to go on so, our friends here will think you don’t like me.”

“Baytac,” Kaleeska scolded. “You mustn’t speak to Empress Naga in such a manner. She is Master of Death and Guardian of Dragons.”

“Yes,” Baytac mumbled. “I know all about the Dragons.”

Jenevier chuckled softly. “Yes, haven’t you heard?” She smiled happily. “I am a creature to be feared, not scorned.”

Baytac rolled his eyes.

Kaleeska yanked on his hand. “Please, Baytac. Do not anger her. Have you not heard the stories?”

“What stories?” he grumbled.

The Princess lowered her voice. “The ones that tell of how she can claim your soul with but a look—cease your breath with but a whisper. She can rip grown men in two with nothing but her thoughts, and commands wild beasts to do her bidding.”

“Wow,” Alastyn said, yanking on one of Jenevier’s curls. “I didn’t realize you were so
awesome
, so
terrifying
.”

Jenevier chuckled. “Neither did I. Go on, Princess. What else do the Elves whisper about me?”

Kaleeska blushed and looked away.

“Do not tease her,” Baytac said, before turning to the Princess and gently lifting her chin. “I have not heard those stories, no. Yet, I have seen her might with my own eyes. I cannot attest to the fact she can reap with but a look or a word, no. But I know that she is a force to be reckoned with… an incorrigible force.” He mumbled that last bit.

Kaleeska gasped. “What are you saying, Baytac? Did you raise your sword to the Empress?”

“Aye… and my bow as well.”

“But…” Kaleeska looked from the raven-crowned Elf to the tiny smirking Angel all covered in curls. “How is it you yet live? What did she do to you?”

Baytac glanced sideways at Jenevier. “She changed me,” he grumbled. “Can’t you tell?”

Kaleeska furrowed her brow. “Changed you? How? Did she make you taller?”

Jenevier chuckled.

Baytac’s mouth nearly fell open. “No, Princess. Growing up made me taller.” He narrowed his gaze. “Are you honestly gonna stand there and tell me you cannot see what that Angel did to me?”

Kaleeska’s brow remained furrowed as she studied him closely. “You are older, of course. No longer a boy. Hmm… Did she make your hair longer?”

Jenevier giggled. Baytac growled at her.

“I made him sweeter,” Jenevier said. “Can’t you tell?”

Kaleeska turned to Jenevier, confusion plainly written across her lovely face. “No, Your Grace. That is not so. Baytac has always been the sweetest person I have ever known.”

Baytac blushed. “Kali… can you not see how I have been changed?”

“No.” The Princess shook her head. “You are as handsome as I always remembered you to be.”

“Handsome?” The red covering Baytac’s cheeks continued to grow. “Princess, you shouldn’t say such things to men. If you let your guard down thusly, they may take your words the wrong way.”

“How could you possibly take that the wrong way?” Kaleeska grabbed his hands, forcing Baytac to meet her earnest gaze. “I have always thought you were beautiful… always. No other Elf has hair as lovely as yours. There is not one among them who stands as your equal in height and build. And your skill with a bow…” She smiled. “I remember… you used to sit me up on a high tree stump. I would watch you practice all day, cheering loudly as each arrow found the center of that battered old target. My favorite part—when you would turn and smile at me as I clapped. Wow… Never have I seen a smile as lovely as yours. So, no, Baytac. I see no change in you. You are the same amazing Elf who has wandered through my dreams for years… the one I fell in love with when I was but a child.”

“…Princess.”

The girl smiled at the brightly blushing Elf, almost giggled. Jenevier and the King remained silent, sharing occasional knowing glances.

“Now,” Kaleeska said happily. “What rare magic were you going to show me?”

“Yes, Baytac,” Jenevier said. “Show us what
magic
you have stumbled across.”

The dark-haired Elf ignored Jenevier as he slowly led Princess Kaleeska to the glowing cave entrance.

“When I was yet young,” he said. “Not long after I had left our home in Arbordell, I stumbled upon this strange place. The closer I came, the brighter it got. When I stepped inside, it was like every star in the sky was shining down… just for me.”

The smiling Elf couple stepped into the cave.

“…Wow.” Kaleeska giggled. “This is amazing.”

“Yes,” Baytac whispered, gazing down at her and the glow now dancing across her pale cheeks. “And never has it been more lovely. I believe the stones are showing off… just for you, Princess.”

“She’s right,” Alastyn whispered. “It truly is amazing. I have never seen stones
glow
before.”

“That’s because they are not stones. They’re Urimtheim,” Jenevier said. “Baytac, you say this cave glowed for you when first you saw it?”

“Yes,” Baytac said, turning to face her.

“And… you were alone?”

“Yes, Empress. I have been alone since the moment I left Arbordell, until you barged into my home only a couple days past. Why? What of it?”

“Because…” Jenevier motioned with a wave of her hands. “These stones are not mere rocks. They are Urimtheim—gems of the heavens. They glow for Angels, and Angels alone. These
stones
mark the gateway between realms. They are a safe passageway back for any Angel who cannot make it to the clouds.”

Baytac snorted. “Obviously you are mistaken, Dragon girl. They glow for me. Always have.”

“So you say.” Jenevier took his hand. “Come with me. Let’s see what happens when we leave the Elf and the Olden on their own.” She began dragging Baytac away from the cave. “Let’s see if the Urimtheim glows for them.”

After they had taken a couple steps, Jenevier leaned over toward Baytac and whispered, “Hey… Remember what we talked about before—the whole not judging people based on their looks thing?”

Baytac didn’t answer.

Jenevier bumped him with her shoulder. “People with the purest of hearts, they
never
judge the wrapper. Hell, they probably don’t even see the skin. It’s what’s
inside
that they treasure most. Kaleeska is such a person.”

“She said… she
always
thought I was handsome,” he half whispered, half mumbled.

“You told me you were more than just your skin…” Jenevier glanced back over her shoulder. “I believe Princess Kaleeska knew that… even before you did. She
always
thought you were perfect. Never forget that, Baytac. When Kali looks at you, she sees past the skin, past the scars. She fell in love with
you
. The
you
, you let her see when your guard was down. The real you that hides away in here.” She poked his chest. “Your soul is laid bare to that precious young woman. Treasure it, Brother. Such a thing is rare indeed.”

The further Jenevier and the dark-haired Elf got from the cave, the dimmer the glow became. When the Urimtheim had been extinguished completely, Jenevier looked up at Baytac and smiled.

“See? I told you. Now, watch this.”

In a blink, she had disappeared. Baytac started to look behind him when he heard the annoying little Angel calling out to him from the glowing cave entrance. She was waving happily. In the next breath, she was at his side again.

“How did you do that?” he grumbled.

“I told you it glowed only for Angels.”

“No.” He placed his large hand on top of her head, almost like he was holding her in place. “I meant the super fast running bit.”

Jenevier chuckled. “I wasn’t running. I was here, then I was there.”

“How?” he grumbled, again.

“I don’t know
how
. I just think of a place. If I know it well enough, or if I’m looking at it… poof, I’m there.”

“Can any woman possibly be any more irritating than you are?”

She smiled up at him. “Yeah… I’ve known a few.”

Baytac rolled his eyes.

“But that’s not what’s important here, Brother. Did you not see what just happened? Not the whole disappearing bit. The whole glowing stones bit.”

“Yeah, I saw it. What of it? I already knew the stones could glow.”

“No, Baytac.” She shook her head. “Look. Look at the cave now.”

He glanced back toward the darkened entrance.

“If the stones were simply some weird mystic, supernatural occurrence… why aren’t they glowing now?” She glanced up at him. “With two creatures as ancient and magical as an Elf and an Olden standing amidst them… why do they refuse to shine?”

Baytac narrowed his gaze as he looked back down at her.

“The stones are given light by Angels, Brother. That’s what they are meant for. The Urimtheim’s power—Angel blood.”

“Angel bloo—”

“Go on.” Jenevier gave him a nudge. “Prove me wrong. Walk back over there and see what happens.”

Baytac’s eyes went wide, his feet planted firmly in place. “Wh… What are you saying, Empress?”

Jenevier glanced toward Alastyn and Kaleeska as they neared. “What I am saying, Baytac, is that your father wasn’t demon. He was Angel.”

Baytac glared down at her. “Are you telling me that an Angel treated my mother in such a vile manner?”

“Not all Angels are of the light. Well, not anymore.”

“What are you saying?” Baytac hissed. “Spit it out. Tell me what you know concerning my lineage.”

“I don’t
know
anything. I’m only guessing.”

Alastyn slid his arm around her waist when he drew near. Jenevier glanced back up at Baytac.

“It wasn’t the sound of your arrows that drew me to your door,” she said. “It was your scent. It seemed… familiar. Yet… oddly strange at the same time.” Jenevier glanced at Kaleeska, then back to Baytac. “If you would permit me…”

Jenevier took hold of the large Elf’s shoulder and bent him down to meet her. Then, she licked his neck.

Baytac stumbled back. “What are you doing?”

But Jenevier wasn’t listening to him. Her eyes glowed with the red flames Vashti had blessed her with. She felt the rumble start deep in her chest, but she made no move to control the terrifying roar now escaping her fair lips.

“Vybiuuuus!”

Her scream ripped through the forest, uprooting the nearest trees. Jenevier’s whole body trembled with the wrath of heaven, pulsing and vibrating around them. She felt her curls lifting, the cosmic power coursing through her. She roared again as her wings and claws fully extended in a breathtaking explosion of diamond light. The thundering of her heart was nearly as loud as the air hissing between her now razor-sharp teeth.

The ground suddenly began to tremble beneath their feet as Nilakanta’s massive form tore through the quivering forest.

Kagi Naga!
he roared, as he made it to her side.