“No. We can’t stop—it’s too dangerous,” he bit out, wincing as he stumbled.
Diamond clamped her mouth shut, not brave enough to question him more. Common girls don’t question the judgment of princes—do they?
Jack weaved between the tall, dying trees, narrowly avoiding bare branches that stuck out like the macabre fingers of a skeleton. Diamond shuddered in the gloom and eeriness of the forest. Her hand curled tightly around the cool metal of Hugo’s dagger. The object gave her a sense of safety, a connection to him—even if it wasn’t real. Her magic stirred unhappily as she called to mind the silver serpents of his energy wrapped soothingly around her arms.
It wasn’t until the light dropped that Diamond realised how late it had become. She had been totally absorbed on putting one foot in front of the other. Now it was hard to ignore her aching muscles. Late summer this far south should still be warm—but it wasn’t, the air was frigid. Weak and exhausted, shivers racked her body.
Glancing at Tu Lanah, a frown furrowed her brow. It would be another six months until the moon was at its lowest point on winter solstice, but storms would rage during the months before that. She shivered again and hoped the storms wouldn’t come early. The Festival of the Moon on winter solstice had always been Diamond’s favourite celebration, full of laughter, music, dancing, food—and love. It was a celebration of the goddess of creation. A night full of magic, where devout fae believed the females of their race were the most fertile.
Cramps twisted her stomach. Her life in Berriesford might not have been full of riches but going without food for such a long time was not something Diamond had experienced before. Exhaustion tugged her mood even lower. She didn’t know how she was going to stop Jack’s infection or keep them fed. It was impossible for Jack to hunt in his current state. She blinked back tears and scanned the forest.
And where in chaos are we? Jack had led them in a weaving roundabout route for hours. How can I get us anywhere near Valentia if I don’t know which way to go?
Diamond shifted her vision. Jack’s energy hung like a stagnant grey shroud around him. Fear of him dying made her throat hurt.
“Jack? How do you know which direction Valentia is in?” she asked tentatively.
Silence. He seemed to be concentrating hard, his skin pale and covered in a sheen of sweat.
Risking getting her head bitten off was worth it. “Jack! You need to tell me where to go, which direction to head in or we aren’t going to make it. You’re sick and you’re becoming confused. Jack!” she barked impatiently.
Unfocused eyes stared at her. The prince swayed unsteadily on his feet and just for a moment his eyes cleared.
“I’m sorry, Diamond,” he panted and swallowed. “If you follow…the moon. The glow. It stays in the east…until after winter solstice,” he rasped. Diamond could only watch in horror as his eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed to the ground.
“Jack!” she cried.
With trembling fingers she felt for his pulse. Sobbing with relief when she felt the rapid flutter beneath her finger tips, Diamond looked about helplessly. A rocky outcrop jutted from a nearby slope. Diamond dragged Jack’s unconscious body towards it a few feet at a time. It took most of her remaining strength but, at last, panting and sweaty and determined, she had him underneath its lee. At least it would provide some shelter. Dreading what she would find, Diamond unbound Jack’s wound. A fetid aroma hit her. She gagged, wrinkling her nose in disgust. Quickly she cut a strip off her dress, wrapped it around her fingers and scooped out the pus. With no water to clean the festering laceration, she packed it with the herb poultice and left the dressings off, letting it drain.
Diamond stayed awake through the long and lonely night, scooping out the poultice when it became pus-stained, and replacing it until every last bit was gone. There was nothing else she could do.
“Except pray to the goddess,” she mumbled to herself. And that’s just what Diamond did, fervently. All night her mood bounced between worry for Jack and fear for herself if he died. She didn’t stand a chance of surviving on her own.
Halfway through the next day Diamond allowed herself to leave Jack long enough to search out the nearest stream. After thirty minutes of walking, she came across a clear bubbling flow. Relieved, she single-mindedly used the empty nut shells to spend the day fetching water to fill up a small dip in the rocks near Jack. When satisfied the pool was full enough she carefully and patiently dripped water in between Jack’s parched, cracked lips, beseeching him to drink. Dribbling water across his wounds, she washed the pus away as best she could.
Over the next two days Diamond searched the forest nearby for more herbs, ignoring her hunger and ever-increasing weakness. Foraging for yellow berries and any edible roots yielded only minimal success. But at least it gave her something other than loneliness and fear to think about.
Three days later the prince’s fever broke, and his eyes flickered open.
Diamond’s shoulders sagged, a small sob escaping her. “Nice of you to come back, prince,” she whispered, wiping sweat off his forehead with a damp piece of cloth.
He looked at her silently, then fell back into a more settled sleep. That night when she checked his energy it had a flicker of blue among the grey. Thanking the goddess for her favour, Diamond lay next to Jack’s prone body and held his cool hand as she tried to sleep.
The following day Diamond helped Jack shuffle slowly and painfully towards the stream. There they stayed for the next three days. She worked tirelessly as Jack rested, searching the forest for more herbs and food. Fallen nuts littered the ground and she discovered grinding them down released a foul smelling oil. After testing it on herself with no reaction, she mixed it with the herbs to make a salve. By the fourth day Jack was just about strong enough to walk.
“Diamond? I really am strong enough to travel now. We need to leave. If we stay much longer, we will starve. Even the trees are dying. Ragor’s cursed troops must be overpowering its energy,” he said, chewing on a tough reed root.
Diamond knew he was right. It was hard to keep track but at least two weeks had passed and both were gaunt and bony.
Together they set a slow pace towards the bright orb of Tu Lanah. Each night Diamond cleaned Jack’s wounds and then lay next to him on the ground, periodically checking his energy. It was becoming bluer and brighter every day; even his mood was lighter. A smile curled her lips. He had even taken to teasing her again.
The next morning sunshine burst between the sentinel tree, casting glittering beams to the ground. Since waking three hours ago they had been walking into even thicker forest. The going had been tough and rocky. Diamond leaned back against the rough bark of a tree and sucked in big breaths of cool air until her tired breathing settled. Jack mirrored her, his chocolate brown eyes resting intently on her face. A flush bloomed over her cheeks at his unwavering regard. After a few moments she risked meeting his eyes.
“Thank you,” he said, looking at her intently.
She nodded, aware he was thanking her for saving his life.
“You’re welcome, Prince Oden, but I owe you thanks as well.”
“Do you?” He sounded genuinely surprised. “What for?”
“Saving me from Freddy,” she replied while meeting his eyes, hoping he could see she was sincere. “If it hadn’t been for you, Freddy would have—” she coughed disgusted by thoughts of what Freddy would have done to her. “Anyway, I’m really sorry you got hurt because of me,” she finished awkwardly.
“Hey, I can’t think of anyone else I would rather get attacked for than you,” he teased, then brushed his fingers down her hot cheek and grinned. “Besides, it meant I got your undivided attention for a few days. It’s been more than worth it to get to know you better.”
He gently grasped her chin, and she felt herself drowning in his deep brown eyes. She gulped, not quite knowing how to handle this handsome, charming and self-assured prince. He was so out of her league. Forcing herself not
to panic, Diamond withdrew from his touch. It wasn’t that his touch felt creepy or wrong, not like the traders who had tried to corner her over the years; it was quite the opposite, in fact.
“And I mean that. I hope I still get your attention when we get to Valentia and you are once again surrounded by warriors with wings who could whisk you away at a moment’s notice. Particularly a certain large one with blue wings,” he chuckled but she didn’t miss the serious undertone in his voice. He took her hand, his face altogether more serious. “Perhaps you should stay in the Rift Valley in my camp. It will be much safer for you than Valentia.” A gorgeous smile stunned her, and his tone lightened. “Then we can spend time together in more…luxurious surroundings. My camps even have beds….” he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Blowing air from her lips, Diamond gently but firmly pulled away. The prince studied her, looking amused at her discomfiture. Despite Jack’s stunning good looks, Diamond couldn’t help but compare him to a certain scarred and fearsome Queen’s guard. Jack’s warmth and friendliness was nothing like the cold strength Hugo exuded; yet Diamond longed to be lost in this forest with Hugo, not Jack. Which, she reflected, was ridiculous considering he was as likely to kill her as save her.
Jack’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she focused on him again. “Diamond, I’m only teasing—about the bed thing, I mean. But not about the city. You will be safer if you stay away from it.”
Diamond didn’t doubt it. With a weak smile at Jack she turned and began walking again.
Chapter 15
Diamond lost count of the days. One day of marching through this ancient part of the forest was much like another. Death caressed the old trees; their twisted trunks and heavy moss covered boughs bare of leaves. Even the tall firs that clung to the rocky slopes were mostly naked. Millions of fallen pine needles formed a deep carpet that made walking hellish and running impossible.
Jack grabbed Diamond’s hand.
“Move quicker,” Jack whispered, pulling her along urgently. “Wolfmen track nearly as well as Seekers.”
This part of the ancient forest was riddled with Dust Devils and Wolfmen. The atmosphere was utterly still, so devoid of any breeze it was impossible to tell how close the monstrous creatures were from the stink of rotting carrion. Diamond gagged and swallowed her nausea.
It had been terrifying to find so many enemy soldiers here. Jack had thought the Wolfmen would avoid this part of the ancient forest, just as the fae did. Apparently they believed the ‘heart’ of Avalonia was haunted by tree spirits who dragged their victims into the trunks of their chosen tree and slowly devoured their prey over months, sometimes years.
Diamond shuddered. It was true the forest had a mysterious feel, as though eyes constantly watched her. But it seemed Ragor’s monsters did not respect folklore and legends.
Diamond clutched Hugo’s dagger in her cold hand. She was painfully aware it was the only weapon they had and was nowhere near enough to defend themselves effectively. With no breeze to blow away their scent, the miles of undulating hills and twisted ancient trees were a death trap. They were easy prey.
Diamond found she couldn’t lift her feet properly and began stumbling. With immense effort she righted herself and pushed on. The ancient forest seemed to despise them, sharp branches clutching at the remains of her clothes. Jack yanked her into a thicket of spiked undergrowth to evade a shuffling party of Dust Devils. His hand was firm over her mouth, stopping the whimper that escaped her as the thorns pierced her skin. They waited for what seemed like hours to ensure the Dust Devil patrol had long gone. Her nerves were fraught, the utter stillness of the forest and the constant smell of death terrifying. Jack squeezed her trembling hand and guided her onward.
“Stay alert,” he hissed, his dark brown eyes surveying the shadows between the army of trees in their path. “Hugo told me once that Leaf Fairies inhabit this part of the old forest. Nasty creatures they are. They have three rows of teeth and can devour a human body in seconds, right down to the bone,” he told her, turning his chin slightly over his shoulder whilst keeping his eyes forward.
Diamond shuddered with revulsion. “How big are they?” she whispered, nervously imagining fae as big as Hugo but with massive rows of fangs and sharp claws.
“About as big as your hand, but those rows of teeth are as sharp as needles; they devour their prey in swarms and have a temperament more brutal than an injured Battle Imp.”
“They sound charming. How do we fight them if we meet any?” she asked as she stepped closer to Jack’s side despite her attempt at a light tone of voice.
“You don’t,” said a deep male voice from behind them.
Diamond spun on her heels, dagger out. Her mouth dropped open and her heart jumped wildly against her ribs.
Jack followed suit, pushing her behind him protectively. “Hugo!” Jack exclaimed incredulously, a wide smile spreading over his face.
Diamond felt blood rush up her neck and into her cheeks. The sight of Hugo’s towering figure stunned her into silence. She blinked to make sure he wasn’t an apparition.
“How the hell did you find us?” asked Jack, disbelief colouring his voice.
“I followed your scent,” Hugo responded, his voice devoid of emotion. He stared intently at Diamond.
Diamond could not take her eyes off his face, nor could she help the rush of relief she felt at seeing him. He was alive and unharmed….
Jack laughed, not bothered in the least by Hugo’s cold demeanour. Obviously pleased to see his friend, Jack strode up to the Queen’s guard and gave Hugo’s shoulder a solid thwack. Diamond winced. Clearly Jack was confident Hugo would not read any disrespect into the gesture and retaliate.
“I know I smell a bit ripe, but I didn’t think it was that bad,” Jack laughed jovially.
“Not your scent, prince. Hers,” Hugo stated. The weight of his amazing eyes bored into Diamond.
Jack’s smile slipped but he recovered quickly. Both of them missed the thoughtful frown he gave his friend.
Diamond felt new heat sear her cheeks, not ready to consider how he knew her scent well enough to track it. Lifting her chin and steeling her nerves, she held his dark look until he turned his attention to Jack.
“You look better than I expected, prince,” commented Hugo, scrutinising Jack’s movements through slightly narrowed eyes.
“Yeah. I should be dead from infection by now. But,” he smiled indulgently at Diamond, “I had a lot of help, some top class healing and a very patient healer.”
Jack stepped back to her side and clasped her hand in his. Hugo briefly glanced at the gesture and met Jack’s challenging gaze. Unable to meet Hugo’s eyes, hers dropped to the ground as he continued talking. A burst of anger and embarrassment clenched her belly tight. It shouldn’t matter what Hugo thought. What she did was none of his business. Even so, she was annoyed with Jack for his proprietary gesture. Silently but firmly, Diamond disengaged herself from his fingers.
“How did you get away from the dragon?” Hugo asked tersely.
Diamond’s legs wobbled when she stepped sideways away from Jack, pretending not to notice when Hugo clearly registered her movements. She hoped Jack would take the hint and let her go. She would not be marked as any one’s property, prince or no prince.
“Diamond used her energy and I used your dagger,” said Jack, his voice steady, though his brief glance at her was questioning and somewhat amused.
Inwardly Diamond cringed. She and Jack had become close but that did not give him rights over her.
“Oh?” Hugo asked, turning his attention to her again. Curiosity burned in his eyes but was replaced seconds later by a blank stare.
Diamond bristled.
“We should go, prince. You can tell me while we walk. I meant what I said about the Leaf Fairies. If we stay here too long they will detect our presence and I don’t fancy being their next meal,” he said, dismissing Diamond with a turn of his big shoulders.
A scowl cr
eased her features. Not that there was really much point as Hugo didn’t look at her again.
Days passed and still they trudged on through rolling glens and across gentle slopes. Food was scarce, and only Hugo had the ability and the weapons to cover enough ground to hunt. Sometimes he was gone for hours. Diamond hated his absence almost as much as she hated his cold attitude towards her when he returned, only to become even more confused by him when night fell and he chose to rest close by her, letting his energy wrap her in warmth and comfort.
On the rare occasions Hugo did catch a squirrel or scrawny bird, they would stop. Both he and Jack were adept at making fires, but once their meagre meal was cooked, they extinguished the flames quickly and left the area, eating as they walked. The terrain changed, the hills becoming gentler as they headed down towards the coast. Deliverance from this hideous nightmare was near. Diamond was both relieved and terrified about what would happen to her when they got to Valentia. She wondered if Hugo would allow her to stay hidden with Jack.
Nights fell quickly, always cold and crisp. Through the canopy, millions of bright stars twinkled. Diamond blinked and used her gift to guide her in the dark. Hugo’s energy swirled in a sapphire and silver cloud, like a beacon in the gloom. When her footsteps stumbled, his energy shot back and steadied her, drawing her closer to him. Swallowing the butterflies in her belly she walked more quickly, trying to keep up with him. Even though she didn’t like to admit it, she felt far safer with Hugo by her side. Jack was an experienced soldier, but Hugo had a quiet viciousness and power about him that Jack didn’t possess.
As she studied Hugo’s wide back, he seemed to disappear into the inky shadows. Diamond blinked furiously and he came back into focus. Her tired mind was playing tricks on her. Wearily she dragged her feet through the pine needles. If they didn’t stop soon, she would collapse. But under the moon-lit sky, Hugo pushed them unrelentingly onwards. Diamond silently cursed his lack of consideration for anyone else.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 11
