Protected by Emeralds (A Dance with Destiny Book 5) by JK Ensley, Jennifer Ensley Read Free Book Online

her head toward him. “Every person upon this realm boasts hair the color of midnight, highlighted by a blue moon.” She gave him a crooked smile. “Why is it your black tresses seem to glow with shades of blood?”
    The blushing ninja half laughed. “Mother says it marks me a rare treasure. Father says it is because I have been blessed by fire.” He looked her straight in the eye. “What say you, Empress Naga?”
    “I’d say… they are both right.”
    She winked down at the smiling young man as her Dragon’s giant sapphire wings stretched forth, lifting her into the air.
     
    *****
     
    They burst through the clouds over layer four.
    “Ahh…” She smiled. “Ashgard, the land of my birth.”
    Nilakanta chuckled. The land of your first birth, perhaps.
    She laughed with him. “‘Tis true. Many other realms now claim that same miracle.”
    They hovered in the air, looking down upon the lush green fields and rolling plains.
    “Just look at it, Brother. It’s like time claims no hold over this fair land. Alas, I had not expected to see it again. When last I left, I swore never to return.”
    Naga, one day will you learn to stop using such words—never and always. With your lifespan, Little Fire, never is but a lie, and always… well, it doesn’t even exist.
    She pondered his wise words. They left an odd sense of sadness within her.
    “ There you are, troublesome little sister. I have been searching for you everywhere.”
    Every muscle in her body tensed at the sound of that voice. She slowly closed her eyes.
    “And yet… you found me.” She sighed. “Good job, Uriel.”
    “Why are you here?” He snorted gruffly. “What more do you have to do in this place?”
    “Am I not free to go where I choose? Have you now been given charge of my schedule, Brother?” She turned to look at him. “And as for what I am doing here… that’s really none of your concern.” She gazed longingly back down upon her homeland. “What is it you want, Angel?”
    “You have an important summons coming down very soon. You need to return to Daichi. Let him restore you before your departure.”
    She exhaled noisily and leaned forward, resting her forehead against the back of her Dragon’s neck.
    Uriel clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Kagi Naga? Are you even listening to me?”
    Without speaking, Jenevier and her bonded Dragon turned their backs to Ashgard and flew into the transporting cloud bank.
     
    *****
     
    Kias lightly touched Jezreel’s arm. “Did you feel that?”
    “I did,” she said. “But now it’s gone.”
    Dofarel burst into their home. “Did the Angel return?”
    Kias looked to his father. “If it was her, she left as suddenly as she appeared.”
    “It was definitely her,” Jezreel said softly.
    The charming Elvin Prince wrapped his arm around his wife’s trembling shoulders, whispering softly into her hair before he kissed her there.
    “Mi Sharna…”
    “Fret not, sweet Kias. I am well.”
    He gave her a little squeeze. “At least you know you are on her mind. Love pulled her back here. I felt that much.”
    Dofarel nodded. “Yes. Love pulled her here… yet duty turned her wings.”
    Jezreel smiled then. “My hope has been renewed.” She looked up to her doting husband. “She swore never to return. Yet when she did, happiness filled her.”
    Kias smiled down at his beautiful wife, stroking her long silky hair. “Yes, Mi Sharna. I felt that as well.”
     
    *****
     
    “So… where is she?” Daichi furrowed his brow. “Could you not find her?”
    “Of course I found her.” Uriel glanced back, and then turned in a full circle. “Bloody hell… She did it again.”
    Daichi rolled his eyes and sighed.
    Uriel growled. “When I get my hands on that wicked little Angel—”
    “She will just ditch you again.” Daichi crossed his arms. “Tell me. How is it an Archangel continually proves himself to be utterly incompetent?”
    “Watch your words, boy… and your