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

massive form was unmovable. He protectively placed his hands on her shoulders and growled.
    “Come, Sakura,” Suou said, smiling brightly. “You are to be my date for this evening’s celebrations. How lucky am I, hmm?”
    “My name is Kagi Naga. And I am afraid your request is simply out of the question, Your Highness .” She curtsied politely. “I must be leaving now. Oh, and once again, Musas… umm… Suou, sincerest gratitude for your undeserved kindness. Know that I will be forever grateful.”
    She turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm. The cherry blossoms swirled around them, carried by an unexplainable breeze, thick with Vittorio’s delicious scent.
    “Sire, what are you doing?” Izaru demanded. “Who is this woman and why is the Crown Prince grabbing at her?”
    The other man was becoming angrier by the moment, focusing his cold glare on Jenevier.
    “This is all terribly unseemly, Your Highness,” he said. “Come with me this instant and let this Fire Dragon return from whence she came.”
    Daichi’s growls mixed with Tenshi’s and rumbled threateningly through the trees, shaking the limbs. She was amazed the humans were deaf to it.
    “That mortal is not to be touched, the one called Suou,” Uriel said. “No matter what happens, you are forbidden from laying hands upon him. Do you understand me? No… matter… what.”
    Jenevier cut her eyes toward the Arch. “Oh, just shut it, Uriel. We heard you the first time. I… under… stand.” She rolled her eyes as she mocked his ominous tone.
    Turning back to her human company, she realized they were both staring at her—Izaru with disgust, and Prince Suou with an almost uncontrollable smile. She blushed.
    “She is amazing. Is she not, Izaru?” He took her trembling hand and tucked it in the crook of his arm.
    The other man didn’t even try to hide his extreme distaste for her. “If you say so, Your Highness.”
    “You will be the rarest gem among them,” Suou said. “Never have I seen a dress as lovely on a maid. Most go for bright flashy colors trimmed about with gold, or some such finery. Yours… well, it suits you perfectly, little Naga—shiny black with tiny cherry blossoms sprinkled about. It was made especially for you, was it not? I can tell by the way it fits, it was sewn with you in mind.” He continued without waiting for her reply. “It came not from this land, sweet Sakura. This I know. It is too rare a garment to be from around here. You must share with me its story. I feel honored that you wore it just for me, especially on such an occasion.” He chuckled. “We will be the talk of the town, you and I. Come. Let us make our grand entrance and listen to the hens cluck.”
    “No!” She tore her captive hand free.
    Both men gaped at her in amazement.
    “I said I had to be going. Did you not hear me, Your Highness ? Or do you simply not care?”
    Izaru approached her. “Who are you to be speaking thusly to the Prince?” He raised his hand. “You need to be taught some manners.”
    Jenevier assumed a defensive stance, bracing for the impact. It didn’t come. Then she noticed Suou’s large hand wrapped around the other man’s wrist.
    “If I ever even hear a faint whispering on the wind that you laid a single finger upon this woman, Izaru, you will live to regret it. This I swear,” Suou warned.
    “No, he will not.” Jenevier’s pink glare bore through her would-be attacker. “If he ever lays a hand on me, he will not live at all.”
    Izaru’s eyes widened while Prince Suou only laughed, loudly.
    The Crown Prince slapped the shorter man on the back. “She is perfect. I love her already. The very spark of life this stuffy old place needs.”
    “If you say so, Sire,” Izaru half hissed.
    “Your most noble admiration is truly appreciated, Milord.” She bowed in her Dragon manner. “But as I was saying before, I simply cannot stay. Someone exceedingly special is waiting for me. He will be terribly worried if I