He faced forward again. Silence fell between them but Diamond stayed quiet; somehow she knew he was not done speaking yet.
“When Ragor escaped the wards holding him inside the Barren Waste Lands he fought to reach Stormguaard. King Oden battled him for years on the borders between Rhodainia and the Barren Waste Lands. But then the king disappeared. That left Prince Oden alone to rule. One by one his generals were assassinated or ambushed, and Jack’s army slowly disintegrated around him until he had only young and untried commanders. I was sent there by my Queen with several fae legions to help him. But I think we all realized it was too late. Jack, Prince Oden, was only fifteen when Ragor attacked. It didn’t end well, as you know. Saving as many people from Rhodainia as possible became the prince’s priority.”
His eyes took on a distant look. “Ragor’s army of the dead moved faster than anything I had ever seen before. They travelled as if moved by the wind. The grasslands of Rhodainia are dry and dusty in the summer months, and although we had prepared, it made no difference. Each of Ragor’s dead soldiers used the dusty ground to transform into a swirling column of dirt, into Dust Devils. Even the most experienced soldiers struggled to fight them.”
Does he mean himself? she wondered. It didn’t seem appropriate to prompt him, so she sat quietly—waiting.
“Dust Devils are impossible to kill—until they reform back into the husk of the man or fae they once were.” His head twisted and he looked at her.
She wondered why he was telling her this—telling her anything at all—after what he had said earlier.
“The farther north the Wraith Lord invades, the damper the ground becomes. When grasslands turn to forest, Dust Devils can no longer transform. That and the combined forces of Jack and the Queen have slowed Ragor down. But even that hasn’t been enough to stop him. The prince has withdrawn his troops to concentrate on defending the Rift Valley wall, whilst the Queen continues to destroy his forces in smaller campaigns. Survivors are escaping wherever they can; many are going north thinking they will avoid the conflict, but the Rift Valley and Valentia are still nearly full to bursting. So many souls will only continue to entice Ragor. I expect he will attack the city this winter.”
Diamond stared at the pile of meat in her hand, dread tightening her belly. Nowhere was truly safe.
“Don’t worry, Valentia’s ancient magic shield will slow Ragor and his army down. He will not break through easily,” Hugo informed her in a mildly condescending and irritating tone.
She nodded but wasn’t naive enough to be convinced. Ragor was as ancient as that shield—it would not stop him forever. “I know about the shield,” she answered, her voice sharper than she intended. “I am not completely ignorant just because I’m a half-blood. I can read and write and everything,” she bit out, then took a breath. His prejudices were not entirely his fault; besides, his assumption she would be illiterate was hardly unique.
“ My…father,” she nearly choked on that word, “told me tales of Valentia and the Queen, though I am not sure what was true and what he made up to entertain me as a child. What will happen when Ragor reaches the Rift Valley wall? Surely he will put siege to the city and starve everyone to death. It would be far less effort for him than a war, wouldn’t it?”
Hugo raised his eyebrows slightly, causing his scar to stretch.
Did I say something wrong?
“You are remarkably well informed—for a half-blood,” he commented, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Diamond gritted her teeth and tried not to let his remark hurt. “Ragor wants to gather souls, and to do that he needs to be nearby when the slaughter begins.” He shrugged his big shoulders before continuing, “But no one is sure if that’s all he wants. Devouring a soul’s energy immediately after death is an insatiable need for him. It makes him stronger—but only for a time. And Ragor is a wraith who has been starved of souls for thousands of years. Now he gluts. When he arrives at the wall with his army, none of us will have time to starve.”
Diamond shuddered at the implications of Hugo’s words. Even if the wall kept Ragor out and, by some miracle, he gave up on Valentia, the rest of Avalonia would be destroyed. “Why, though? What does a powerful lord of darkness desire once he has devoured all the souls in Avalonia? What is left for him?”
Hugo frowned as though he didn’t really want this conversation. “The other kingdoms across the Rough Sea, I suppose.”
“So why aren’t people from Valentia fleeing? Why isn’t the Queen allying with the other kingdoms and planning for an attack? Valentia’s an island city; surely there are boats or ships or something that can get people out?!” Diamond exclaimed. It was ludicrous to keep so many people under the constant threat of eternal torture at the Wraith Lord’s hands.
“The Queen has discouraged her subjects from leaving. Did you know that Ragor was once Lord Commander of the armies of Erebos, the God of Chaos?”
Diamond shook her head.
“Well, he was. And my Queen is as ancient as Ragor. She has fought him and defeated him before. She knows how his mind works. Valentians have confidence she will defeat Ragor. They believe in her, and have every faith the shield and their Queen’s eternal power will protect them from harm—as do I.”
Diamond couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing; not only did those last words sound somewhat forced, but surely people weren’t so blindly trusting as to believe their ruler was going to save them—that one fae queen was powerful enough to keep them safe against an invading army of dead things.
“But the shield is thousands of years old. Every book I’ve ever read, every story I’ve learned as a child, says it is there to protect the Rift Valley and Valentia from the fire of the guardian’s, not to stop an invading immortal or his army.”
“True, but most people in Valentia have chosen to forget the shield’s reason for existence. Remember, dragons have been gone from Avalonia for at least a thousand years. Even if tales and rumour suggest they have been seen in the Fire Mountains.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “If you try and bring a long-dead body back into Valentia, the shield will turn it to dust. Therefore, the theory of our Master Commander is it will stop soulless creatures, like Dust Devils, from entering the city. To get his army into the Rift Valley, Ragor will have to destroy the wall and the shield. The mortal prince’s city, Stormguaard, fell because there was no shield.”
“Did many die?” Diamond whispered, almost afraid to ask.
“Yes.” His voice was hard. “Thousands of innocent people perished and many more had their souls ripped from them in those final moments when the city fell…the prince and I saw too many suffer before we escaped.”
Diamond shuddered at the thought of seeing a soul ripped from a person. “Will the shield stop all his soldiers?” she asked, thinking about the Seekers.
“No. Ragor has many monstrous creatures in his army besides Seekers and Dust Devils. There are Wolfmen, who people say were the first shape shifters but who displeased Erebos so he kept them in between forms as a punishment. They cannot scale the smooth Rift Valley wall. And Battle Imps, which are ugly as a warthog’s backside. Big, muscly, bald and blue. They're too clumsy and heavy to even try. Neither is Ragor a battle leader given to patience—despite his eternal life. He wishes to conquer, and to do it quickly he will use giants to try and destroy the wall. It is heavily manned by Prince Oden’s forces; and in addition to the Queen’s forces, the gates that provide access for those without wings are warded by the Queen’s magic. Have you been to many cities?” he asked.
The change in subject threw Diamond. Startled she met his questioning glare. “No, I haven’t,” she answered truthfully.
“Hmm. Well, remember what I said: every city has its dangers, especially for someone like you. The city guard will not help a half-blood in trouble, and neither will most of the people. You have no rights to safety—or anything else. If you wish to stay alive, or not end up pressed into service in a whore house, do not trust anyone or go anywhere alo
ne.” Warning laced his voice.
Diamond scowled to cover her inadequacy and fear.
Hugo kept his eyes focused in front of him and continued, although Diamond was at a loss to explain his patience and willingness to enlighten her.
“Diamond,” her name rolled off his tongue and for a moment surprise flickered in his eyes. It disappeared so quickly she wondered if she had imagined it. “Valentia is swollen with refugees, people who are desperate and hungry and homeless. It is a dangerous and desperate place right now,” his massive shoulders shrugged slightly. “But if Ragor is hunting you, it will be safer than wandering this forest.”
Her belly clenched and her chest felt like it was being squeezed. That tightness was all she could concentrate on for a moment. She shut her eyes.
Breathe. In. Out. In. Out. Her father’s voice. For a moment grief stole her senses. Deliberately, slowly, she inhaled a breath through her nostrils. After a time she opened her eyes, avoiding looking at Hugo’s fearsome face. Valentia was going to be far from a safe haven.
Chapter 6
The aroma of cooked meat drifted up her nose. In control of her anxiety and breathing once again, Diamond forced some meat between her teeth. Juices ran across her tongue and down her throat, but still it was an effort to swallow. Eating seemed disgusting when her father would never taste another meal.
“Eating is necessary,” Hugo told her matter-of-factly. “It will give you at least some strength, and food is scarce in this forest now. It may be your last meal for a while.”
Diamond pulled a face but continued until her portion disappeared. It settled like a brick in her belly. Thankfully, Hugo seemed content to sit quietly until she had completed the onerous task. He quickly passed her his water skin.
“Here, drink,” he ordered.
She hesitated. Why would he share anything of his with a half-blood? The scar twisted his left eyebrow out of shape as he raised his brows. Diamond didn’t have the strength to argue or care. Coolness washed down her throat, unsticking the lodged food. Handing it back, she gave him a weak smile, quickly looking away from his scarred features. Ignoring her discomfort, he placed the water skin down on the floor beside his bent knees.
“So why is a Queen’s guard so far north?” she asked, curiously.
“Prince Oden’s scouts saw Cranach’s pack heading north through the far reaches of the forest. They seemed to be avoiding any confrontation with our troops, and they only ever do that when they are hunting someone specific. Prince Oden wanted to track them and find out who they were after—and why Ragor was willing to risk his Seekers for it.”
“I asked why you are here,” Diamond clarified, frowning at his evasive answer. “You are a Queen’s guard and not in servitude to the prince, unless your allegiance has changed.”
His eyes turned to endless black. Diamond cringed away, trying to calm her sudden fear. She needed to learn to curb her tongue. The smart-mouthed comments she had always snapped back at her father would not be tolerated by this warrior.
“I go where my Queen sends me—and report back on matters of importance.”
“Oh, well, I guess it must be disappointing to know they were only looking for a lowly, unimportant half-blood like me,” Diamond responded caustically, ignoring her own advice about her mouth and staring across the cave into the dancing flames instead of into Hugo’s obsidian eyes, not sapphire—obsidian—the colour of death and shadow.
The other fae warriors were silhouettes against the glowing fire light. Some were busy cleaning their weapons, others were talking quietly or laying down to rest. Diamond concentrated on them, watching Tom’s skinny shadow as he turned to look at her, his attention resting on Hugo. Diamond could almost hear him asking if she was alright. She gave him a reassuring nod.
“Why would it be disappointing?” Hugo asked, contemplating Tom. “Ragor wants you dead for a reason. We just have to find out why. We will join Prince Jack, tomorrow then head back to Valentia. My Queen is ancient and has knowledge forgotten to mortals like us. She will perhaps be able to work out what he wants from you.”
Diamond didn’t want to meet the fae Queen at all, but his words told her she would have no choice in the matter. Escaping him before they hit the city walls was her only chance. Clenching and unclenching her fists, she did her best to control yet another panic attack. If only her father was here; he had always been able to anchor her, help her control her worst attacks. Cold and shaking, she resisted the urge to grasp her necklace. It had belonged to her mother. No one could have it, not the Wraith Lord, not this guard, and definitely not the powerful Queen. It was hers.
“We will find the prince not too far south of here. I know General Edo wishes to meet with his monarch. I expect he will want to re-join the prince’s army as soon as you are safe,” Hugo continued, oblivious to her turmoil.
“Oh.” It was the only response Diamond could muster, her lips tingling as they always did when she felt panic grip her. Hugo didn’t seem to have anything else to say either. Staring into the dying flames, she wondered what was to happen to her if General Edo did join with his prince. She had no idea what she was going to do in Valentia as she would be homeless with no money for food and absolutely no idea about how to survive in a city full of desperate people.
At least Tom was with her. Her friend’s shoulders were slumped forward, misery and grief written in every line of his body. Diamond pressed her lips into a tight line, shame burning inside her. He had lost everything because of her. She should go and comfort him. But what if he spurns me? Have the others told him I am to blame? Tears burned her eyes. What does the future hold for us both now? Will he ever forgive me?
Tom’s silhouette became distorted as her eyes blurred. Diamond would not cry again. Not in front of Hugo. Shame burned her cheeks as she remembered crying into his shoulder until she had no tears left to shed. Worrying about the future, hers or Tom’s, was pointless; they had to make it to the city first.
Her thoughts must have shown on her face.
“Don’t worry. If anything else hunts you, we will kill it. You will get to Valentia,” Hugo promised, his deep voice rumbling over her and giving her goose bumps.
Diamond twisted to regard his terrifying visage, not doubting for a moment he spoke the truth. In those few seconds it struck her Hugo did not look as old as she had first thought; in fact, if she chose to disregard the altering effect of his scar, he did not look that much older than her.
“How old are you?” she asked curiously, narrowing her eyes as she studied his face.
“Nineteen.” Hugo answered shortly, studying her right back.
“Nineteen!” she exclaimed. “No. You’re a lot older than that.”
Her stomach tightened, twenty was considered fully mature in fae males. Her knowledge of fae customs was thorough, thanks to her father. Most fae males didn’t choose a life mate upon maturing these days, certainly not if they had obligations to their Queen; but just the awareness that Hugo could want someone enough to make that binding pledge made Diamond fidget. He raised his eyebrows quizzically almost as if he could read her thoughts.
“Thanks,” he drawled.
“S-sorry.” Diamond stuttered, cringing at her insensitivity. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. You don’t look old at all. It’s just with your beard and all that has happened, it’s difficult to tell…” Heat flooded her face as she rambled, digging a bigger hole for herself. Amusement flicked the corners of his mouth upward, accentuating his scar. Its ugliness mesmerised her.
“It’s just that—well—you seemed to kill those things so efficiently and quickly; it looked like you’d been doing it for a very long time.”
All levity in his face disappeared. “I have,” he responded, not volunteering any more information.
Nerves made her mouth work before her brain could stop her. “So how old were you when you became a warrior?” she asked.
His eyes glinted sapphire again, his face expressionless as he l
ooked at her. “I am not just a warrior. I am a Queen’s guard and I have always been one. I was given to the Queen as a baby, like all the Queen’s guards are. It is considered an honour by many parents to gift their son to the Queen. I was raised and trained by my brother guardsmen. My Queen ordered me to take my first life when I turned twelve years old. So you could say I am an efficient killer; it’s what I do—kill on the orders of my Queen.” His face was blank, but she didn’t miss the slight note of bitterness in his voice.
Diamond swallowed, not really knowing how to respond. She rubbed her arms as a strange prickly feeling washed over her skin. Hugo looked her up and down and changed the subject. Just like that, the feeling disappeared.
“It will be cold in the forest for you dressed like that,” he said frowning meaningfully at her bare legs.
Diamond bristled, immediately flushing bright red as his gaze rested on her exposed thighs. She resisted the urge to pull what was left of her skirt down further. Never had her skin been this exposed to the scrutiny of a boy. But Hugo was not a boy, he was a mature fae male. Suddenly Diamond found it difficult to speak.
Embarrassed she hastily knelt on the hard floor, ignoring her stinging grazes, and curled her feet underneath her. She tugged her short skirt down as best she could. Silently the big warrior got up, his movements controlled and powerful, and walked over to his pack. He might only be nineteen but Diamond already knew he could kill with as much efficiency and grace as he moved. Hugo sank to his haunches and quickly pulled out a spare pair of leggings, some clean linen bandages and a pot of salve. Turning back, he chucked them to her one at a time, then put the water skin down on the ground within arm’s reach.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 5
