Terror trapped the scream in her throat. Her vision had been true! And if this beast existed, so too did the goddess and every other legendary nightmarish creature she had hidden from under her bedclothes as a child. The enormity of that thought paralysed her.
Lunaria and her war with the god of Chaos. It was all true.
This roaring, malevolent creature was a guardian. Ice crept along her veins. It clearly did not answer to the goddess Lunaria. Who does it answer to—the god of Chaos?
Red eyes rolled and raged like pits of fire. Black bony ridges protruded all the way up his spine, from the end of his barbed tail to the base of his big skull. There three twisted red horns curved outwards from the dragon’s ridged forehead, surrounded by smaller spikes that thrust from the side of his massive head and jaws like a macabre halo.
The beast swung his tail in a huge arch, crashing close by into the ground that the fallen tree bounced and a branch hit her stomach and knocked her off her feet. Gasping for air, she scrambled up and ran as fast as her shaking legs would take her. Away, away from this creature of fire. Gas burned her lungs, her eyes watering until everything blurred. Trying not to breathe in the poisonous cloud, she made herself sprint. This creature was far more terrifying than any Seeker. In the vision this red-eyed dragon had incinerated her.
Sweating and breathless, she reached the edge of the ash circle and dived down behind a bush, staring in horror at the harsh beauty of the beast. It was close enough for her to see each individual mirrored, black scale. Acid drool dripped from the dragon’s huge maw, smouldering on the ground where the slimy globules landed. Stretching back its reptile-like mouth, it bared row upon row of hideously sharp, black teeth. Fear rippled through her at the sight of them. Cloying heat sucked oxygen from the air, making it unbearably difficult to breathe. Crawling forward on her hands and knees, she cried out as spikes of scorched twigs dug through her leggings. Gasping, she collapsed down on the ground, salty sweat trickling into her eyes and mouth.
Where is Hugo? Panic threatened her vision, her lips beginning to tingle. All she could see were shadows and smoke. Her eyes desperately searched through the sparse forest, her brain not registering how odd it was for her to wish for him rather than her childhood friend or the general who had always been part of her life. That weird tugging sensation pulled at her insides, and she knew beyond any doubt Hugo was coming.
A movement in the trees caught her attention. Strangely, it was opposite to where she had seen the flash of movement before. A young man near Diamond’s age, tall and lean with curly brown hair, ran forward. A sword hung down his back, its ruby hilt glinting as angrily as the dragon’s eyes.
He has to be the prince. What is he doing? she thought incredulously. He’s right in the path of the dragon’s gaze. Is he mad?
The prince reached for something, and she realised there was a huge black and white animal lying on a bed of branches and leaves. A water leopard! Then she remembered what Hugo had said. Their lands were the lakes and mountains that bordered the Barren Waste Lands. Prince Oden’s allies.
Diamond instinctively knew the animal was hurt. Its black barbed tail swished, hitting the prince’s leg as if trying to get him to leave him. Clearly the stubborn prince wasn’t paying attention. Neither of them would escape the dragon’s attention.
It rolled its massive head, triumph making its whole body quiver. Anger and desperation laced the water leopard’s bellowing roar. Animal eyes sought her out an instant before a growling voice echoed in her head, making her jump.
‘Save him!’
Without any thought for her own safety or the fact she had heard the big cat’s voice in her head, Diamond launched herself into a run, ash plumes bursting from beneath her feet.
Chapter 8
Hot prickly sensations ran over Diamond’s sweat-drenched skin as she charged toward the prince, Hugo and everyone else forgotten in her haste.
‘Your energy—your magic. Use it to shield, to protect.’ The emaciated dream woman’s voice echoed weakly in Diamond’s head. The spark of heat the woman had ignited within Diamond’s chest burst into uncontrolled flame, shifting rapidly through every cell in her body; muscle, sinew, bone, they all burned with something Diamond could not comprehend.
‘Magic.’
The word whispered through her soul, leaving her fearful of what that might mean if she lived through the next few minutes. Diamond pushed thoughts of Hugo’s threats aside. Right now, instinct told her to let this power flow. The woman’s aura stayed with Diamond, a misty presence quivering on the periphery of her consciousness commanding the magical energy within her in a way Diamond could not do herself. Encouragement and support flooded Diamond’s mind.
‘Free it,’ urged the woman’s voice. A peculiar milky film covered her violet eyes. Far from obscuring her vision, the magical sight sent the world swirling with colour, a kaleidoscope of energy exploding from the living magic of the world. Diamond did not have time to admire the beauty around her.
Level with the dragon’s front claws, she skidded to a halt, panting hard. Waves of blistering heat coursed through her body, becoming more difficult to contain with every passing second. Alive and impatient, it wanted out—out of her body. Her eyes flew to the vulnerable prince. The air crackled and energy flared around Diamond’s body. Unbound from its prison, magic engulfed her, turning her skin and hair into a river of silver and white light. The woman’s control on Diamond’s magic slipped and it fought for release. The dragon gave a bellowing roar and Diamond exploded into movement, running faster than she ever had before.
Orange scales glowed underneath the dragon’s neck, turning molten and flowing like a turbulent river of lava. Moments later, dragon fire surged forth towards the prince and the water leopard.
Fuelled by anger and despair, magic swirled like a lightning storm around her arms, crackling through the air. Throwing her arms forwards, an orb of white energy exploded from her hands. It engulfed her, the forest and the dragon’s prey in a huge protective bubble, abruptly cutting off the flame from around them. Diamond ground her teeth. The power flowing from her felt dangerous and far stronger than her ability to control. But there was no choice; if she could not dominate it, they would all burn. The huge dome of magic held a strong protective force against the torrent of dragon fire.
Horrible, terrifying minutes passed. Sharp, agonising pain saturated her arms. She could not, would not fail…. Her shield stayed strong even when the flames ceased and the dragon began battering the dome with his spiky tail, boiling with unchecked rage when his fire could not burn through.
“Keep going!” ordered a familiar deep voice. An almost painful wrench at her chest had Diamond raising her head. The movement caused the world to spin and rivulets of sweat to trickle down the groove of her spine. Hugo stood near the two figures on the ground, surrounded by a halo of blue and silver light, his sapphire eyes glowing with flickering silver flames. Caught by that glow, new strength and purpose surged through Diamond, bolstering her trembling and weak limbs. It boosted her but not for long.
“Do not stop!” Hugo commanded harshly as if he sensed she neared the end of her strength.
Her throat was burning and dry, her lungs heaved as darkness fogged the periphery of her vision. Despite her determination, all of it drifted away like mist on the wind: the shield, the forest, Hugo. She was floating, looking down on her physical body from a long way off. It was lovely and peaceful out here. This was the edge of Eternity. No sound penetrated, no roaring disturbed her mind. A serenity that was truly beautiful beckoned her. It would be wonderful to float away and be swept up in that never-ending tranquillity where the sun shone and the stars played.
Painful and insistent tugging dragged her back, crashing her awareness back into her body.
“Diamond!!” Hugo bellowed, close enough now to touch her.
His voice hit her like a slap to the head. Shocked, she gazed at the beautiful silver serpents of energy that reached from him,
nipping her as they wound around her arms. That invisible tie jerked her closer to him even as his fiery eyes tethered her to her physical body and to him.
The dragon’s wrath was terrifying. He attacked her shield, trying to smash his way through. Molten red eyes fixated on her with murderous intent, but Diamond was too exhausted to notice. The prince crouched next to the water leopard, wide-eyed and white-faced as he watched her.
“Hold that shield, Diamond!” Hugo demanded, concentrating only on her.
To Diamond, nothing else existed but the touch of his energy and the midnight blue and silver fire of his eyes. The dragon continued to pummel the shield, his barbed tail causing a cacophony of crackling and flying sparks. Fire rained down but still she held firm, small and pale against the might of the beast.
Her throat felt raw, and darkness fuzzed the edge of her vision. Hugo’s eyes narrowed. Tingling shot through her body. Involuntarily her muscles tensed as if his strength had just poured into her, forcing her to stay upright.
“He’s leaving!” shouted Tom from nearby.
Diamond vaguely registered General Edo landing next to her but did not break her hold on Hugo’s eyes. It didn’t matter what the general thought. If she moved or lost concentration, the shield would fail and they would all die. Right now the lives of these warriors were her responsibility. Panting and gritting her teeth until they hurt, she fought wave upon wave of dizziness. Not until Hugo told her it was safe, that they were all safe, would she stop.
Long terrible minutes passed. Sparks coloured her vision and still Hugo stood in front of her, commanding her gaze, the muscles of his jaw clenched tightly.
“Can—I—stop—yet?” she forced the question out between gasping breaths. Sweat ran into her eyes, her body shaking so hard she was on the verge of collapse.
The warriors and newcomers stared at Diamond in awe as she hardened her resolve and kept the shield going. Her magic burned strong but her body was failing, even with Hugo’s borrowed strength.
The black dragon snorted and flapped his wings. Snarling, he eyed the young prince who—in turn—was staring at Diamond. Dishevelled and shocked, he sat on the ground next to the injured water leopard. The dragon’s smouldering gaze rested on Diamond and then Hugo, committing their image to memory. Intelligence and cunning shone in those red orbs. A moment later his great head tilted upwards as if listening. Giving a loud frustrated screech, he snapped out huge bat-like wings and launched himself into the grey clouds.
“You can stop,” replied the general after another minute or so. Grey, incredulous eyes looked from her to Hugo, who was still holding Diamond in his thrall.
Hugo gave the slightest nod. Agreement. Blinking rapidly, Diamond broke their bond. Her legs collapsed instantly. The soft covering of ash broke her fall, but as her cheek hit the ground a fit of retching and vomiting took hold. The general put a steadying hand on her shoulder, but even as he did so the harsh features of his face blurred and the world closed in until darkness took her. The last thing she saw was Hugo’s sapphire eyes as they lost their fire and turned to ice.
Chapter 9
Hugo reeled. What she had just done…
He swallowed hard, it had been incredible, impossible even. Never had he felt magic so powerful and unending. Not even the Queen’s felt so vast. It scared him—even more so now. He had sensed it beginning to devour her soul, her mind. It would end her if she did not learn to dominate it.
The sight of a shield emanating from her hands had left him frozen, too shocked to do anything but stare until he had seen her weaken. A strange kind of rage had thundered through his blood then; even now he couldn’t comprehend his overwhelming urge to protect her. Using magic is banned by the Queen. I shouldn’t have helped this girl…
His hand found one of the daggers secured to his thigh as his eyes drifted to her too-pale face. She had looked so small pitted against such a mighty beast. Avoiding his blades, Hugo curled his fingers into fists, fingernails digging into his skin. He cursed his desperate need to storm over and scoop her up of the floor. Inexplicably, his magic jerked him a step toward her. She was so vulnerable right now. A growl rumbled up his throat, nearly choking him as he swallowed it.
Capturing Diamond’s gaze and commanding her had been ridiculously easy. Their magic had instantly merged; hers—wild, joyous and determined to find freedom; and his—experienced and hidden, striving to dominate and tame hers.
Underneath that magical struggle Diamond’s fear and exhaustion had tugged on his chest. She had needed him to keep her going, to hold her mind and body steady, and—without a second thought—he had done it.
Except he felt anything but steady right now. It was indescribable, their merging power and the rush of belonging. Hugo shook his head, trying to clear the buzzing in his ears.
Realisation dawned. No. It couldn’t be true.
With resentful eyes he stared at her, not wanting to believe it. Nexus bonds didn’t exist anymore. They were a myth, the substance of old wives tales. But so were guardians, and one had almost burnt them all to a crisp.
Hugo ground his teeth together, scowling darkly when he seemed unable to tear his eyes off Diamond.
He was being absurd. Showing any interest in this girl, magic driven or not, would be far too dangerous—for them both. Despite himself, his stomach flipped at the sight of her unmoving and pale on the ground. Staring hard, he made sure she was still breathing, hating the emotions that made him check. Muscles quivering, he controlled his body.
It was now clear why Ragor sought Diamond. Her magic was not red, green or gold…it was the level of magic from dreams and stories. It was the sort exhorted in religious texts as being inherent of the goddess herself: it was white magic. Such a powerful gift, and one that could wreak destruction across vast lands—or kingdoms, if she learned to control it.
Hugo wrenched his magic back inside himself as it tried to reach her, forcing himself to think like the guard he was supposed to be. The Queen would want this girl under her control, not Jack’s. Hugo was powerful enough to absorb enough of Diamond’s magic to weaken her, but it was too vast and protective of its own existence for him to destroy it. Even if he took her within the dampening effect of Valentia’s shield, her magic would only be suppressed.
Darker thoughts troubled him. The Queen would consume this girl’s wild magic—and then he would be ordered to kill her, as he had countless other magic wielders. Hugo stifled his familiar rage and disgust. Killing was as easy as breathing; age, creed, origins—it didn’t matter, he always followed his Queen’s orders; there was no reason not to.
The general glanced suspiciously at Hugo. Quickly and with practiced efficiency, Hugo schooled his features into an icy mask, then turned to the mortal prince who was still staring at Diamond with a look of wonderment.
“Jack, are you hurt?” Hugo asked in a steady voice. He looked his friend over.
“No. But only because of her,” Jack answered, sounding as overawed as he looked. Then he seemed to shake himself. Back in control, his attention moved to the older warrior. Hugo helped him up. “So who are our new friends, Hugo?” asked Jack, dusting himself down.
General Edo shifted his steely eyes from Diamond to Jack and immediately pushed himself up to his considerable height. With some amusement Hugo realised this could get messy. He had known immediately who the older warrior was, even before asking. General Edo was a legend amongst Jack’s army, renowned for his fighting skills, clever mind and friendship to King Oden.
“Prince, this is General Amsal Edo. He was in the town Cranach led us to.” Hugo hid a wince, this was getting worse for the prince. “General Arades Gillon was there too. He died in the fighting. It is his daughter, Diamond, who lies on the ground. The Seekers were hunting her.”
Jack sucked in a breath between bared teeth as he heard the names of those mighty generals, warriors who had once been loyal to the Oden Dynasty. The prince’s expression turned colder than Hugo had ever seen it. Unfazed
, the older man’s regard remained steady and assessing, weighing up the dishevelled young man in front of him. Jack slowly reached over his back and grabbed his sword pommel.
The prince had been a small child when the legendary warrior had left Stormguaard. It occurred to Hugo that rather than seeing General Edo as an ally, Jack might see this powerful fae as a threat. After all, he was one of the two generals King Oden had named guardians of Rhodainia until his son reached the age of eighteen and could be crowned king. Arades Gillon, Diamond’s father had been the other. Hugo supposed the mortal king had expected to live long enough for one or other of his generals to return home. Jack was only two months away from his eighteenth birthday and not likely to turn over ruling his broken kingdom or his campaign against Ragor to a complete stranger even for so short a time, no matter what their name was.
Hugo smiled inwardly and forced himself to remain out of this meeting. Jack would only tell him to piss off if he tried to protect his friend. Since they had survived Stormguaard and Hugo had returned to his Queen, it was hard to accept that the politics of Jack’s court were none of his business. His Queen had charged him with discovering why the Seekers travelled north and, if possible, bringing the reason back to Valentia. Those were his orders, nothing else.
“So, you are my king’s son,” purred General Edo.
It was a statement, not a question. Tilting his head slightly to one side only served to make the hulking general more predatory. Jack tipped his head back to keep eye contact as the tall fae warrior took a slow deliberate step forward.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 7
