Enthroned by Amethysts (A Dance with Destiny Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

Enthroned by Amethysts (A Dance with Destiny Book 3)
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of her curls. Her hair was partially tucked behind one ear and that single blue curl, his curl, hung down in her face. The dazzling sapphire scar sparkling there upon her fair cheek, and the faint ones showing on her neck and arms… they were the glorious marks of where he’d touched her, where he had healed her.
    “She is my rare treasure, my only treasure,” he whispered aloud, bitter heartache nearly stealing his voice. “All creation can wither and die, yet I will never let go of this priceless moment in time with my beloved Anicee.”
    Yes, this picture was most definitely his favorite. This one captured everything of import, everything that’d gloriously transpired between them, it was all here. This single picture brilliantly displayed the extraordinarily magical impact they’d had on each other, body… and soul.
    And that was the very image of Jenevier he was gazing upon, the one that always brought his tears, when he heard his soul-eating warrior’s sharp intake of breath. He spun around to find Ahriman peering over his shoulder, visually helping himself to the only thing in all creation Apollyon wished never to share.
    He was furious. “By all that’s holy! Ahriman, I will rend your wings and toss your worthless soul into Sheol. Mark my words, Silver Eyes, if you so much as glance at her once more, you’ll meet your true death. I will show you darkness the likes of which you can’t even imagine.”
    His right-hand commander had sworn it to simply be an accident, vowing never to mention it to another. “Milord, please forgive me. I came only because you asked to know the next time Raphael was escorting someone through the Nether. He nears, Sire,” Ahriman said, his head bowed, staring at his fierce Prince’s feet.
    Yet still, the amethyst fallen Angel fled the hell Prince’s royal side that day. Choosing instead to roam about the layers for weeks, hoping his master’s temper would wane with time.
    True to his word, Ahriman spoke not concerning the picture and the enchanting image it held. But Apollyon did catch him staring at the pouch dangling from his neck on more than a few occasions. The Prince of Hell’s warning growls were enough to train his dark general’s eyes not to wander anywhere near his sacred treasure again.
     
    *****
     
    Apollyon spent months near the closed portal that had once granted him access to Vanahirdem. He could never again look upon her, but this was the place he felt closest to her, and he was drawn here often.
    “Father, have I not suffered enough? Have I not made proper restitution for my insolence? Have but a grain of mercy and cease my miserable suffering. Let me go to her once a year, a century, a millennium, it matters not which. As long as you give me but a glimmer of hope, my heart will be healed,” he begged. Yet no answer came.
    They had been parted for several weeks when he was sitting near the portal that had pulled him back to hell—staring at her photographs, remembering her naïve giggles—when her voice entered his thoughts.
    He smiled, thinking it to be but a beautiful memory… until she spoke to him about the babe she carried. His closed lids flew open, glorious sapphires searching the darkness around him.
    He had told her about the child growing within her, only seconds before his departure.
    We have never spoken thusly, never got the chance. This cannot be a memory for I am not so blessed as to even hope to be granted such experiences with my beloved. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Ah, it is her. I can hear my love’s voice. He placed his hands on the closed portal. She must be in the forest. She yet seeks me. She yet loves me. Her tormented soul calls out to mine. Tears poured down his face as he strained to hear her faint words.
    Apollyon returned to that same spot daily. Over the next few months, he heard about how her tummy was growing and of how her aching feet swelled.
    Oh, if I could but massage them for you, my love, I would

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