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

even knew they had him.”
    “…Yes.” Shaemon tapped his finger against his chin. “They can control thoughts.”
    “Yes, they can. You must keep your wits about you, Shae.  Do not let your thoughts stray, whatsoever. If even the faintest trace of love or magic or happiness crosses your mind… they will be on you like scales on a fish. Mark my words, boy.” She chuckled softly. “But that shouldn’t be a problem for you, Shae. Now, should it? I mean, you are one of the sourest Fairies I have ever known… truly. Just keep the scowl that’s normally painted across your face , painted across your mind as well. If you do that, you will be able to walk right by them without a care.”
     
    Shaemon sniffed then, pausing in his story.
    “Wow… She sounds like a truly horrible person, Shaemon,” Jenevier whispered as she tenderly stroked his soft hair.
    “She is. No…” He barely shook his head, biting his little lip. “She is even more horrible than you can yet imagine. I hate her,” he whispered. “I truly do.”

Chapter 5
    Lyra
    (LYE-rah)
     
     
     
    “So… that’s why you stole the little triangle stone you were so desperately seeking when first we met—to save your friend.”
    “…Yes.”
    “Tell me how you managed it, Shae. Do you remember it in detail?”
    “Of course I do. I can never forget. As I said… it haunts me.” He nuzzled back against her. “You’re so soft, so warm. I never knew women could feel like this.”
    She chuckled. “What do you mean? Didn’t you have a mother? All mothers feel this soft when they are cuddling their children.” She felt him suddenly go rigid. “Wait. No. I did not mean to imply that you were a child, Shae. I only meant—”
    “It’s not that,” he whispered. “…No. I didn’t have a mother or a sister—a father only.”
    “I’m sorry, Shae. I didn’t mean to bring on more unpleasant memories. Forgive me.”
    “It’s alright. I don’t have unpleasant memories about that sort of thing because, well… I simply have no memories of a mother—be they pleasant or unpleasant. No, I was just thinking… I must have missed something really incredible.”
    Jenevier did not speak, only waited for him to finish his train of thought.
    “If you get pampered and spoiled like this by a mother… then I truly did miss something incredible.” He let out a relaxing sigh. “Can you do that again—play with my hair like that?”
    She smiled softly. “Sure, Shae… anything you want.”
    He waited a moment more before continuing with his story.
    “I remember sitting by the water’s edge—staring between those giant pearl spheres, thinking about how much I hated my Queen—when a light came streaking down from the sky. It entered the sea right next to the floating platform. Completely noiseless, like… silence accompanied its presence.”
    “You mean… the streak of light?”
    “Yeah. There was something odd about it, unsettling even.”
    “Did you find out what it was?”
    “Yes.” He glanced up at her. “That silent lightening… it was an Angel.”
    Jenevier gasped. “An Angel? What happened, Shae? Did an Angel fall into the sea?”
    “No. I believe he dove into it. Well, I didn’t actually speak to him myself, but I did hear him speaking with the Mermaid Queen. I didn’t understand their conversation, no. But I did overhear it.”
    “Can you recall their words, verbatim?”
    “Very well.” He sighed. “As soon as the strange light disappeared beneath the waves, I quickly drank the potion and dove right in. I hoped the unexpected lightning would cause a bit of commotion and perhaps even provide cover for my intended theft. This is what happened.”
    He closed his eyes and began reciting the distant scene…
     
    “Uriel! How wonderful to see you again, Darling.” The Mermaid Queen waved her hands excitedly as she neared her visitor. “It has been ages, Angel, simply ages.”
    “Yes, it has been far too long, Your Majesty.” He