Read Online Cursed by Diamonds (A Dance with Destiny Book 1) by JK Ensley, Jennifer Ensley - Free Book Online

with a dismissive wave of her hand.
    “Surprise you? Mmm… that could be dangerous, Milady, delightfully dangerous.”
    He winked and smiled again. The butterflies she had only just tamed sprang back to life. She tried to ignore them.
    “None of this is really happening anyway. It is simply some bizarre yet lovely dream. I’ll probably wake up after the hot bath and you’ll be gone—disappeared.” She shrugged her shoulders. “So, do as you like.”
    She gave him a half-hearted smile before walking away.
    Dante just stood there staring at the closed door now separating them. A gentle smile turned up one corner of his mouth.
    The water had steamed up the little room. She swiped the mirror with her hand and stared at the obvious dark half-moons under her deep blue eyes. A slight movement at the edge of her vision caused her to turn. It was rose petals, floating and bobbing, entirely covering the water’s surface.
    “I know now that I am truly dead,” she called out through the closed door. “The gods have sent you here to escort my soul from this realm. Have they not? Yes. Yes, they must have.” She looked back to the lovely pink petals. “For there is no other way you are real,” she whispered.
    Stepping into the water, Jenevier smiled as she inhaled her favorite enticing aroma. She sighed and then smiled, slowly sliding her aching head down into the blessed warmth.
    Or perhaps I’m already in heaven… my heaven.
    When she resurfaced, Dante was on his knees beside the tub. She let out a little scream, clutching at her chest.
    “Are you a madman? Jeez… What’re you trying to do, cease my heart its beating?”
    She let her head fall back against the tub, and winced from the pain of the forgotten lump. Dante didn’t speak.
    She looked at him, confused, and then worried. “What’s wrong? What has happened? Are you well?” She grabbed his hand. “Is it Raven?”
    “I was wondering…”
    He gazed at her with a look so intense it caused her breath to catch in her throat.
    “W-wondering about what?”
    “About why is it you live out here all by yourself, all alone. Do you like it? Who helps you? Who takes care of you?” He glanced up at the room, motioning with a nod of his head. “Who tends to this place and makes sure you’re safe?”
    “Umm… and you couldn’t wait until I got out of the bath to ask me that?”
    “Please.” His voice carried a sense of anxiousness she hadn’t heard before. “Please tell me. I wish to know of your life.”
    “What’s with this sudden curiosity, Dante?” She smirked teasingly, trying to lighten the strange heaviness now surrounding them. “Are you trying to determine who would avenge me if you suddenly decided to cleave my head from my shoulders?”
    “I jest not, Jenevier. Tell me. I would know the truth of it. Who do you have in this world?”
    Her powerful internal defenses instantly kicked into high gear. His lovely eyes were filled with curiosity and hope. But the urgency in his voice gave her pause… and pissed her off just a little.
    “I have myself. Who else do I need?”
    “What? But who—”
    “I will never abandon myself, Dante. I will never hurt myself or let myself down in any way. Do you think me frail? Simple, perhaps? Can you not see that I am more than capable of taking care of a small home and a couple horses?”
    “I do not doubt your strength, Milady. Nor did I mean to insinuate in any way that you were simple . No, far from it, Jenevier. You are a remarkable woman.” He smiled then, a warm gentleness softening his handsome features. “Ahh… can you not tell? Your lovely eyes alone make me weak. Yes, you are gifted with rare magic to be sure. But, tell me. Where are your friends, tiny Princess? Where are the ones you love?”
    “In the stables,” she snapped.
    “Come now…” He lightly touched her cheek. “Do not be cross with me. I truly wish to know. Tell me. Where are your human friends, Milady? The ones you laugh with.