The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet

by Karen Tomlinson

  A dark cloud floated ominously in front of the moon, casting them into shadow. Unable to help himself he added, “Take care of her, Jack.” His voice was as heavy with meaning.

  The moon resurfaced, reflecting the feral lights in Hugo’s eyes. Jack looked down toward the shadowy quarry where Diamond slept, his face suddenly tight, his eyes hard and his voice cold when he twisted back.

  “It is nice to see you can feel something for someone, Hugo. But the closer we get to Valentia, the more I worry about the girl who saved my life. Will you protect her, Hugo, like you so desperately want to? Or will you lead her into the serpent’s lair?”

  Hugo did not answer, he could not.

  Jack sighed. “Do what you need to do to get help, Hugo. Rest assured that I am capable of keeping her safe. And after we are back in Valentia and you have returned to your Queen’s side, I will still make time for her; you, however, cannot. You know as well as I do that no matter what you feel for her, you can never have her. Whereas, if I want to, I can,” he finished, his voice heavy with meaning.

  Hugo grunted a response, not trusting himself to speak lest he punch Jack’s teeth down his throat. The prince was right. No matter what he wanted, Hugo had no business taking an interest in any woman other than his Queen. He curled his fingers into fists and stepped off the cliff before he did something he might regret. Shifting his wings against the invisible eddies of air, he armoured them as he hovered for a moment, looking down towards the sleeping girl. Without another thought for the Prince of Rhodainia, the big warrior disappeared into the midnight sky.

  Chapter 18

  Diamond careened into Jack’s back as his feet ground to a sudden stop. They’d left their pitiful excuse for a camp well before dawn. Trembling with fatigue, she was utterly depleted, unable to summon the energy to change her vision anymore. Laying down and curling up into a ball was such an appealing thought. Sleep. She wanted to sleep. But Jack was so stubborn he would just pick her up and carry her to the cave that Diamond now believed was imaginary.

  Hugo had covered her with his tunic the night he had left. It had kept her warm for the past four days, his scent enveloping her completely. When she wanted to give up—like now—she imagined those powerful arms cradling her against his chest. If she wanted to feel that again, to see him again, even if it was to scowl or to yell or to do nothing but look at him, she had to keep going.

  Inhaling deeply, the irrational anger she had fought for days simmered in her belly. Why did he leave me? Her braided hair swung as she shook her head. No, not just her—them.

  It took longer than it should have to right herself after a stumble. There had been so little food, just a handful of mouldy berries and some stagnant water from a dried-out stream bed. Its rotten taste still lingered in her mouth, making her want to throw up.

  Her eyes burned, but she had no tears, almost as if her body had dried out completely. It had been stupid to think Hugo cared about her. Diamond’s throat hurt as she swallowed. What does it matter? She was being ridiculous. Hugo owed her nothing. Damn him to Chaos and back. Why do I want him? She shook her head. Why not Jack? At least the prince was free to be with who he wanted. But instead her heart had picked a Queen’s guard, who was completely off limits and saw her as a burden he had picked up along the way.

  “Can you smell that?” Jack whispered over his shoulder, his brown locks lank and greasy, his gaunt face covered with a thick beard.

  Her footsteps immediately stilled as Jack cocked his head and listened intently. They had left the borders of the ancient forest three days ago. The trees weren’t quite so barren but the wind pushed their boughs against each other, causing them to groan and screech as if speaking.

  Diamond stared at Jack’s back, not daring to move. For a few minutes he did nothing other than tightly grasp the hilt of Hugo’s sword. Giving a nod, he indicated they should move on.

  Diamond stepped through the rotting vegetation, avoiding the twisted ropes of ground-dwelling ivy and any sticks that might crack loudly under foot. Jack’s tension grated on her nerves. The sweet, rotting stench of decaying flesh clogged her nose, stronger and more pungent than ever—that foul miasma that accompanied Dust Devils. Fear prickled her skin, tickling down her neck, stoking her magic. Diamond winced as the crystal, clutched protectively in the dragon’s claws of her necklace, absorbed that fear. It absorbed her emotions, heating until it scorched the tender skin between her breasts. She yanked it away from her body just as Jack stopped dead in his tracks.

  “Stay here. I’m just going to check ahead. Something’s not right,” he whispered without even looking at her.

  Diamond sank to her haunches, keeping utterly silent. It was difficult to hear anything above the banging of her racing heart. Wishing for Hugo right now was pointless; he was probably back in Valentia at his Queen’s side, giving Diamond no more thought than he would an insect. Lost in her turbulent thoughts she missed the sound of dead sticks cracking nearby. An explosion of movement and sound erupted around her, crashing and guttural roars coming from every direction. Diamond jerked herself up, but not quickly enough. A heavy blow landed on her jaw, knocking her off her feet. Hitting the ground with a jolt, air burst from her lungs.

  The stink of carrion overpowered her as the Dust Devil crashed down onto her chest with its full body weight. Her scream was cut off when the rotting corpse lifted its leather covered fist and, with a grunt, slammed it into her face. Colours exploded across her vision a split second before agony cascaded across her face. Her lip exploded, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth in a nauseating rush.

  All she could hear was shouting and grunting and swords clashing. Another heavy blow sent agony detonating through her skull. Diamond felt herself slipping into unconsciousness, her body light, floating as if her arms and legs no longer belonged to her. The Dust Devil roared with triumph, his rotten breath hitting her straight in the face. She blinked to clear her vision, but it was no good. Panic gripped her chest, stealing any sensible thought. I am going to die!

  The gloved hand grabbed at her throat, squeezing and cutting off her air supply; simultaneously his other arm moved. Diamond saw his sword glint in a shaft of glittering sunlight. No. She would not let him kill her. Not without a fight. Writhing underneath his weight, Diamond bucked, pushing her hips up to unbalance him. Fear and desperation lent her strength. She wriggled her hands free, clawing at the monster’s half-rotted face and dead, soulless eyes. Skin tore under her desperate fingers, but it was no use—his dirty hand remained fast to her throat. Diamond willed herself to stay conscious even as her lungs burned and her vision faltered. Blood pooled in the back of her throat and she gagged, unable to swallow or spit, as the monster squeezed the life from her.

  “Diamond!” she heard Jack’s voice bellow somewhere in the distance. Still fighting for her life, she couldn’t turn, couldn’t look for him. There was the high pitched whine of a sword being swung, a thump as the Dust Devil’s head hit the ground, then a split second later black dust exploded in her face. She immediately sucked in gulps of air, sobbing and choking with relief.

  “Diamond? Diamond!”

  Jack swore as he beheld her face but could do nothing to help as a blue, heavily muscled creature ran up behind them, growling and swinging a large axe.

  “Get up!” Jack bellowed at her, blocking the hard blow from the creature’s weapon with Hugo’s sword.

  She scrambled unsteadily onto her feet. Dazed and in pain, she half stumbled, half fell to the nearest tree trunk. Keeping her back to it she sank down, her knees unable to take her weight. It was impossible to think of anything other than the agony throbbing through her face and head. Blood filled her mouth. Gagging, she spit. Blood clots splattered the ground even as more ran down her face. Jack appeared at her side, panting heavily. He was covered in black dust and blue blood.

  “Get up! Now!” Jack roared and, with a grip like iron, yanked her to her feet. “Run!” he bellowed and began sprinting over the
ground.

  Diamond had never run so fast in her life. Trying to match Jack’s stride, she jumped roots, sprinting as swiftly as her wobbling legs would take her. When she faltered and nearly fell, Jack grabbed her arm and dragged her along. Despite the adrenaline pumping in her veins, she knew he could have gone faster without her.

  “Diamond, where’s the dagger Hugo gave you?” Jack barked sharply. “Get it out now! You are going to have to fight if you want to survive. To kill a Dust Devil you need to take its head off. Go for the neck.”

  She nodded, although her chances of hacking a head off with a dagger made her want to laugh hysterically. Her emotions stormed. Heat and magic seared through her insides, crackling around in her belly like exploding fireworks until the pain of keeping it contained nearly drove her to her knees. The dragon crystal was hot enough to blister and burn her skin. Clutching Hugo’s dagger like a lifeline in her right hand, she closed her eyes. Inhaling Hugo’s scent deeply, Diamond used it as her anchor and panted through the panic threatening to render her completely useless. A loud sob escaped her ravaged lips.

  “It’s alright, Diamond—just fight as hard as you can, for as long as you can,” Jack grunted, stepping back now so he was right next to her.

  But it wasn’t alright, not at all. This wasn’t like before. With Hugo nearby she had been able to control her magic. This time her power felt different, wild and savage. Blood ran down her chin. With every sob and shuddering breath she took, more dripped onto Hugo’s tunic. Hot tears blurred her vision as power thrummed through her veins, coursing through her exhausted body and burning into her very bones. She fought the urge to scream.

  Clutching Hugo’s dagger in a hand that didn’t seem her own, she forced herself to breath. In. Out. In…. Just like her father had taught her. The world seemed to narrow to that one need—to breathe.

  Jack fought on alone, taking on a heavily muscled Battle Imp, a blue monstrous creature that stood nearly seven feet tall. Its body was hairless, with pointed long ears and dark fathomless eyes. Wide jaws opened in a grotesque smile as it struck at Jack with a vicious-looking barbed and curved blade. Jack side-stepped with ease, then ducked. In one swift move he gutted the creature, splattering Diamond in foul smelling blue blood.

  Jack cursed, moving to shield Diamond’s body with his own. He stood over her, panting and facing the shadows as she fell forward onto her knees and hands, tears streaming down her face. Her brain wouldn’t work properly. This couldn’t be their end—overcome by magic or sliced apart by monsters. Panic crushed her chest, her face and hands numb. Jack dropped down in front of her and pulled her into his arms.

  “Diamond? It’s alright. They’ve gone for now,” he told her. “Something else has taken their attention.”

  She trembled against him, the heat inside her belly guttering into a flame rather than a raging fire. Her head dropped to his chest as she sobbed.

  “It’s alright, I’ve got you,” Jack murmured into her hair, “but we have to go.” Gently he pulled her to her feet. “Come on. We need to run,” he said, keeping hold of her hand.

  Chapter 19

  With every step Diamond took, her skull and face pulsed with pain. She wondered if her cheek bone was broken. Blood caked her chin, forming a dry crust on her teeth, and she had no saliva left to wet her raw and painful throat. Without warning the world tilted and her legs gave way. Collapsing on the ground, waves of nausea hit her, and it was impossible to fight the blackness fogging her vision.

  “Oh shit! Diamond? Come on. Don’t give up on me. You have to get up,” Jack urged, running a hand through his sweaty, blood soaked hair. Taking a ragged breath, the prince squatted in front of her. Anxiety swamped his gaunt, handsome face.

  “Diamond, listen to me. Stand up—then I’m going to carry you,” he said, gently cupping her throbbing chin in one hand as he pushed the silver threads of blood-caked hair from her eyes with the other.

  She couldn’t understand him. His voice seemed such a long way off, just muffled words and confused sounds. I wish I could just close my eyes and drift away, Diamond thought, exhausted.

  Jack swore quietly then stood and raised his sword, staring intently into the trees ahead. Diamond whimpered. Her whole body ached as she looked up at him through the slits of her half closed eyelids.

  “I’m sorry, I need to….” Jack’s voice was suddenly choked off as a huge arm snaked around his throat. Diamond couldn’t even scream as he was pulled backwards.

  “Get up! Run!” he choked out, his eyes wide.

  But she couldn’t, her body just wouldn’t work. Three shadowy figures appeared in front of them, arrows nocked in their bows, ready to fire in an instant. Something was amiss; they faced the forest not Jack.

  “Hello, Jack,” growled a deep voice. “Don’t move and don’t shout. You are walking straight into the path of your enemy.”

  Diamond tried to focus on Jack’s attacker. His voice was wonderfully familiar. Hoping she was right, she squinted up through sticky eyes at the large shadow.

  “Hugo!” breathed Jack. His tired face lit up and his shoulders sagged in relief. He looked closely at the men, poised, watching the shadows, ready to strike in an instant. “Diamond, it’s okay. These are my men,” Jack said looking down at her.

  “By the goddess, Jack, you look rough!” exclaimed Hugo with a quizzical twitch of his eyebrows whilst shoving Jack back up on his feet. “I thought you looked bad when I left, but hell’s teeth, prince!” he grimaced taking in Jack’s blood-stained clothes and sword.

  “I’m fine, but Diamond isn’t. This blood is mainly hers,” Jack answered.

  Diamond was vaguely aware of Hugo squatting down in front of her, his back to the others. He swore quietly but she could only stare at him in a daze, unable to speak. Tears of relief pricked her eyes as she looked at the concern in his. Pulling a disgusted face, he gently touched her lip and swollen cheek with his thumb. She dropped her eyes in shame. Her face must be a mess. Hugo clicked his fingers and someone passed him a water skin. Lifting her head with one hand, he held the water skin with the utmost care and gentleness against her torn lips.

  “Drink,” he ordered gruffly and tipped a few drops of the blessed liquid onto her tongue.

  Throbbing pain stung her lips. Diamond swallowed with difficulty, coughing as the dried blood became sticky in her mouth. Hugo tipped more water between her lips, waiting patiently for her to rinse and spit out clots. Putting the water skin down, he ripped material off his shirt, using it to gently clean up her face whilst Jack had a drink. She winced as he dabbed her lip.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled.

  “Thank you,” she rasped, her throat still raw.

  Before she or Jack knew what was happening, Hugo had hoisted her into his arms and stood up. “The general is waiting in Sentinel’s Cave. It’s not far away now.” His deep voice rumbled through her chest into her bones, and to her shame she could not stop herself grabbing on desperately to his shoulders. Hugo tightened his grip as he felt her push against him.

  “There are more of Ragor’s soldiers ahead. Another large squadron. Bigger than the one you just fought,” he told Jack.

  Jack swore, jamming his sword into the ground at his feet. It swayed side to side.

  “How big?” he asked, his nostrils flaring.

  “At least one hundred fifty strong—probably more, it’s difficult to tell as they’re hidden in the forest,” Hugo answered gravely, holding Diamond tightly against his chest.

  Belonging rushed through her at the feel of hard muscle and heat against her cold body. Startled, she wriggled a little. He glanced down, holding her eyes. Arms of steel tightened, and he raised an eyebrow, snarling a little. Immediately her movements stilled. But she wasn’t trying to escape him, completely the opposite in fact.

  “This squadron of Dust Devils travels with Battle Imps and Wolfmen, just like Ragor's main host; not to mention they have a giant swelling their ranks,” Hugo said, keeping eye contact with Jack.


  Jack ground his teeth together, his jaw muscles clenching and unclenching rhythmically. “Where are the rest of my soldiers?” the prince asked quietly, staring at Diamond, who had nestled into Hugo’s warmth. For a moment Jack’s eyes softened and a worried frown creased his brow.

  “General Edo is commanding your men. He has ordered a rotational guard to watch the enemy nearest the cave, the remainder are sheltering and resting inside the cave,” Hugo informed Jack in clipped, precise tones.

  Jack grunted in acknowledgment. “You said you’d take three days to get back to us, Hugo. It’s day four, what happened?” he asked coldly.

  Hugo bristled. Diamond could feel his muscles tense all around her. His chin lifted proudly, and there was a slight pause before he answered. “We needed to deal with the Wolfmen that were tracking you and end the rest of the squad you just fought before we could get to you safely,” he explained stiffly.

  Jack grunted and Diamond felt her stomach lurch. They had been tracked by Wolfmen? She felt limp. Suddenly she was happy not to be standing up.

  “Fair enough,” said Jack almost dismissively. “If it isn’t far to the cave, I’ll take Diamond whilst you show us the way,” he said, gesturing at her with his chin.

  Hugo glanced down, holding her eyes. His grip tightened and he snarled a little. Not at her, but because of Jack’s words. With an almost imperceptible movement of his head he seemed to ask: “Do you want to go with, Jack?”

  Her emotional turmoil at seeing him again was overshadowed by such a deep, deep relief that he was here to take care of her. A tear ran down her cheek. No. With all her heart she wanted to stay in his arms. She pushed her body against his, gripping him like a life line.

  “No, prince. You are exhausted and need to recover. I will take her,” Hugo replied.