Free Enthroned by Amethysts (A Dance with Destiny Book 3) by JK Ensley, Jennifer Ensley Page A

talking as they left the little party and walked further into the forest.
    “Yui, are you okay?” Mika asked as she moved closer to him.
    “Yes, Mika, I am fine.”
    “Why would Master Mikage say such a thing?”
    “Mika… you’re far more innocent than your years. Hanzo has protected you well.” He sighed, tossing away the stick he’d been using to draw in the dirt. “Don’t take Mikage’s words upon your tender heart. The old ways still live within him.”
    “The old ways?” she asked, puzzled.
    He turned to the girl and wiped the tears from her cheeks before she vanished again. She hummed so he could see the pleading question still in her teary eyes. Yui took pity on the trembling little Shinobi and placed a comforting hand upon her cheek, smiling softly. Such emotional gestures were rare for him. Mika would’ve been rather wary, was she not easily able to read his thoughts of pity concerning her.
    “Mika,” Yui began. “During the old times, a Shinobi born with talent as rare as yours was feared. Men do not trust what they cannot see. It wasn’t a spoken rule or law among our people, just an understanding . Children much like you would simply, well… vanish.”
    “But Hanzo would never—”
    “No, he wouldn’t.” Yui halted her words. “And we’re all truly grateful he’s such a good man. You bless all you touch, Mika.” His smile shone in his eyes. “If you were to disappear for real, our whole village would be worse for it.”
    “Especially Saizo,” Goemon added.
    Mika glared at her younger sibling.
    “What are you saying, Goemon?” Yui huffed out a laugh. “Saizo is near to our father’s age. Surely you jest. Imagine if Father or Hanzo asked for a child’s hand.”
    “It’s not funny, Yui,” Mika whispered. “He spoke not in jest.”
    “What? Are you saying he speaks true? Saizo has asked Hanzo for your hand, then?”
    “Yes, but Father will quit denying him in a couple more years. Then Mika can move out and I will get my own room,” Goemon boasted.
    Yui turned back to Mika, clearly seeing the pain and fear obvious in the young girl’s lovely eyes before she faded away.

Chapter 10
    Vareilious
    (vah-REEL-ee-us)
     
     
     
    “It causes worry to stir and find you gone from our bed,” Varick whispered.
    Jenevier was staring out the kitchen window when the mighty Vanir wrapped his arms around her, kissing the back of her head.
    “It’s nighttime in Ashgard, is it not?” she said.
    “Yes, my love.”
    “I miss the Moon.” She sighed. “It holds great meaning for me.”
    “Were you but able, I would wing you to it and revel in the glorious glow it would cast upon your lovely face.”
    She leaned her head back against him, melted into his comforting embrace.
    “The babe stirs within me. He wakes with the rising of the moon.”
    “Truly?” He chuckled. “Our son will one day know the moon, and the night, I promise you.” Varick smiled down at her. “I fear he’s already too much like his mother.”
    Jenevier laughed. “You fear that, do you?”
    “Yes, Princess.” He rubbed both hands over her tummy. “This little Angel boy will definitely keep our wings moving, if he is as you were.”
    Varick found he loved teasing her just as much as he loved touching her, easing her mind and his alike.
    “He speaks,” she whispered. “Always does he speak.” She tilted her head back to look up at her Guardian husband. “Yet, tonight he’s excited above normal. And… I do not share in his curiosity concerning such a thing.”
    “And what thing is this?” He placed the tip of his nose to the top of her head and gave her another quick kiss. “What could our son possibly say that would pull his mother from my comforting arms?”
    She placed her hands over his on her belly. “Many things. This night… he even answers himself—whole conversations within mine womb,” she mused. “Valencia returns from the clouds. She carries my journal.”
    “From the clouds?”