Panting in shallow gasping breaths her world focused only on getting air into her lungs.
“What are you doing?”
Diamond had never been more relieved to hear Hugo’s deep bass voice. It resonated through her panicked brain, as cold and icy calm as she had ever heard it. She tried to cry out to him, but her voice was just a pathetic whimper. He wouldn’t let them hurt her—she didn’t think.
“The Queen ordered us to take this filthy magic wielder to the dungeons,” said the other guard’s voice, equally ruthless.
“Then I will take her. She is my prisoner, under my control.” Hugo’s tone was superior and laced with the promise of violence. Metal chinked. A heavy footfall…then another.
“Really, commander? And can you control her…or yourself? I very much doubt that,” the voice sneered, full of loathing. “That’s why she sent us, isn’t it? The Queen’s magic-wielding dog was let off his leash long enough to find a mongrel bitch of his own to play with. When will you learn, commander, that the only female you are allowed to covet is your Queen? Bed as many whores as you want. Force them to stare at that ugly face whilst you rut upon them, but don’t you remember? Even the Queen’s pet cannot get away with actually caring for one. Maybe this time when our mistress unleashes the Lord Commander on you both, I will get to hear her—and you scream—get to watch as he—”
Diamond flinched at the sound of breaking bone. Summoning up the energy and courage to struggle against the weight on her neck, she wrenched her head around just as a limp body crashed to the floor beside her. Through her foggy vision she could see the guard’s off kilter jaw and bloody, broken nose. It was impossible to feel sorry for him; she felt only a fierce satisfaction that Hugo had got rid of one of her attackers.
“Let her up, Attion—now,” Hugo ordered the remaining guard.
There was a pause whilst her captor considered his options. Clearly he didn’t fancy his odds, and Diamond couldn’t prevent a sob as the weight of the guard’s foot lifted off her neck. Before her brain could process her ability to move again, rough hands shoved under her arm pits and hoisted her to her feet. Dishevelled and in pain, Diamond was spun around to face Hugo. Wincing she stooped forward to hold an arm across her cracked ribs, the torn material of her robe flapping open, exposing her back down to the curve of her buttocks. Hugo did not even glance her way, although Diamond could feel his magic pushing against her, wild and raging. The weight of his gaze remained fixed on the guard, wholly black and as cold as death. His eyelids did not so much as flicker.
“You disgrace that uniform,” Attion spat, ignoring the groans of his fallen comrade. “This creature is nothing but dirt under your boot. Her blood is sullied—mixed,” he jeered, “and you attack your own brother for her? Your actions are treasonous. She deserves less than a clean death at our gracious Queen’s hands.”
“Do not speak anymore,” Hugo warned, his voice icy. “You do not have leave to attack any prisoner without express orders from Lord Commander Ream or the Queen. Did you receive orders to beat—or kill—the girl?”
The other guard pursed his lips, his nostrils flaring in defiance.
“I didn’t think so. Give her to me. I will take her to the dungeons myself.”
“No. My orders are to—”
“And I am your superior,” Hugo growled, his dark eyes flashing dangerously. “Release her now and I will let you chase my shadow down to the dungeons like the rat you are.”
Hugo’s hand shot out faster than Diamond’s eyes could follow. The guard seemed stunned, his mouth dropping open and his eyes popping wide as huge fingers curled around his throat, crushing his wind pipe. “She maybe a filthy magic wielder,” Hugo snarled, “but if you lay a finger on her again, I will rip out your throat and watch as you choke on your own blood.”
He shoved his face right into the other fae’s, his voice low and menacing. “You were there all those years ago…. You watched him torture Tawne. Do not make the mistake of thinking I have forgotten, Attion,” he drawled the fae’s name with such venom Diamond cringed away.
The guard’s lip curled in contempt, though he paled significantly. “You are a fool, Hugo. Our Lord Commander will delight in punishing you—and her—for this. Just give her to me,” he wheezed, unable to talk properly with Hugo’s fingers wrapped around his neck. “I will see she gets to the dungeons alive.”
Fear encased Diamond’s heart. Alive? Is there a chance one of these guards will kill me? Oh, gods, I am in such deep trouble. And what did he mean Hugo would be punished for helping me? Even in her dazed state, she knew Hugo had attacked these fae out of fear for her; if she knew why he had attacked his brothers, so would his Queen. She didn’t understand why he would put himself at such risk.
Anguished and confused, she stared at the ice in Hugo’s eyes. Cold air brushed over the bare skin of her back. She shivered violently. Attion and Hugo had both seen she was naked beneath her robe. Black eyes flickered her way. Humiliated at her helplessness and vulnerability, she dropped her gaze.
“I expect that to be so,” Hugo replied, unfazed by Attion’s words. “Our Lord Commander can torment me at his leisure, just like he does the rest of you, but the difference between us, Attion, is that the cruel bastard cannot kill me, no matter how much he wants to. I am after all, the Queen’s dog. So…. Let. Her. Go,” he enunciated each of those last words very carefully.
“No. Do not,” countermanded a chilling female voice from the doorway.
The despair of a million painful deaths raced through Diamond, stopping her heart for the merest moment. It was as if all those poor lost souls screamed out for help with one gigantic voice. Diamond closed her ears and walled off her mind, grabbing on to the only thing that seemed to hold her steady. Hugo. But his magic was suddenly hidden by a vast and oppressive darkness that rippled around Diamond, stealing her breath.
“This disgusting creature should be grovelling on her belly in my presence, defiled as she is by the goddess’ magic. Her ghastly pale looks ridicule the darkness of our true lord. I do not wish to look on her repulsive face any longer. Guard Sarou.” Attion’s name was a command.
Diamond knew it and went lax as Attion grabbed her wrist. In a second she was flipped face down on the floor with his knee on her naked back.
Chapter 30
The swish of silken material eddied around the room as the Queen of Avalonia stepped closer to her commander.
“I sent these men to arrest this magic wielder, Commander Casimir. Tell me, why are you here—again? You gave me your report and it was duly noted you excelled in your duties by keeping her alive for my use. But do not think that my gratitude extends enough to protect you from punishment if you return to this vile creature again without my permission.”
A soft bump vibrated the floor. Hugo knelt before his Queen his head lowered in subservience.
“Of course, Your Majesty,” he answered, his voice impassive, holding no hint of the aggression or anger he had shown Attion.
Diamond held her breath, as frightened for Hugo as she was for herself. He should not have helped her; it had been foolish to return to her room at all, even if he had only intended to warn her not to try and run.
“So tell me, commander, why did you return?” The Queen’s voice held ice and steel.
“My Queen. I came to inform the magic wielder she is now your prisoner, and if she wishes to live, she must prepare herself for a life of repentance in whatever way Your Majesty sees fit.”
Hugo sounded so sincere, his voice holding enough disgust Diamond wondered if she had imagined him ever calling her magic a gift. The pause following his words seemed to go on forever. Diamond tried not to whimper as her spine and ribs screeched in pain. The metal shin guards Attion wore dug deep into her skin as he shifted his weight.
Finally the ancient Queen spoke. “Indeed. Well, you have illustrated your…unwavering adherence to my rules once again, commander. As I heard you point out, I did not expressly order these gu
ards to harm my prisoner, merely apprehend her. I wish time to consider what to do with a half-blood who contains enough vulgar magic in her veins to flatten a forest. And it seems you do, as always, have my best interests at heart.”
The Queen’s attention shifted to Diamond’s naked back. The weight of that ancient gaze had Diamond trembling under Attion’s bulk.
“You will attend me in my chambers and more fully explain your actions against your brothers, Commander Casimir.” Her voice became contemplative. “But even I am beginning to think this half-blood may be very, very useful to me after all,” she mused.
There was another pause as the Queen turned to consider Hugo. Diamond’s shoulder screamed in pain along with her ribs as Attion shifted his considerable weight against the arm he had wedged up against her spine. Shame and horror filled her in equal measure when his fingers brushed lightly down the curve of her ribs and waist. She realised no one else was paying her any attention. It was impossible to cry out or fight pinned to the floor as she was. Relief flooded her limbs when he snatched his hand back.
The Queen spoke again, her voice thoughtful, though still icy. “For now the girl may stay in these quarters and enjoy the hospitality of my palace—which she will not leave. You will ensure she has two experienced guards at all times. They will report back to you, Commander Casimir. You are now her gaoler. Ensure she is healed well enough to attend dinner this evening. I want my court to see the benevolence of their Queen toward such a creature. It will please some and confuse, if not anger, others,” the Queen stated with a satisfied smirk. Silk rustled and the oppressive atmosphere lifted as the immortal glided from the room.
Attion lifted his weight from her back but Diamond could not get up. Agony grated along her ribs as she slowly rolled onto her side, hugging her knees and warily watched Attion heave the other guard to his feet and drag him from the room.
Chapter 31
Silence settled.
Hugo stared at the doorway, eyes narrowed and head cocked to one side. Diamond could not, dared not, move. Her body began to shake uncontrollably. All her father’s stories suddenly made sense. The small brass carriage clock ticked away the minutes.
Eventually Hugo deemed it safe to close the door. A metallic lock clicked into place. Quickly he returned to her side, dropping to his haunches. “Diamond? Oh gods. I am so sorry. I didn’t want this…. I never should have brought you here, but you—”
“No. You shouldn’t!” she spat. “But you did. You are one of her men. You knew what she would do to me.”
He looked at her hopelessly, his mouth opening and closing like he wanted to say something, but the words would not come out.
“Why?” she whispered again, tears running down her cheeks. “Why didn’t you leave me in the forest? At least there I stood a chance of surviving.”
Magic tingled along her skin, seeking to soothe. “I—”
A banging on the door stopped him from answering and he withdrew instantly.
“Miss? Let me in. Are you alright?” Rose anxiously cried.
“Let her in, Hugo,” ground out Diamond. She didn’t want anyone else to see her like this, but Rose was the only one who could help her now. Agony burst across her ribs with each shuddering breath she took.
Hugo nodded curtly, his face shutting down completely. Diamond found she did not care. Striding to the door he unlocked it and yanked it open.
“The Queen wants her healed enough to attend dinner this evening. This is your responsibility, Rose. Do not let me down,” he snarled, leaning into Rose before she got more than two steps through the door.
Diamond wanted to defend her new friend, who paled and stared up at Hugo with wide, frightened eyes. Diamond curled her fists, wanting to punch that snarl off his face. “Leave her alone!” Diamond barked.
The poor healer blanched even further as she took in Diamond’s ripped robe and curled up posture on the floor.
“Your guards will station themselves outside this door,” Hugo informed Diamond curtly, his eyes narrowed as he looked at her window. “Do not try and run. There will be guards outside too. Rose, make sure she is dressed suitably for dinner. I will return to escort you to the dining hall.”
“I am not going to eat with you and that-that—”
“Careful, Diamond. She is still my Queen. For reasons that are beyond me she has allowed you, a magic wielder and a half-blood, to live and enjoy the hospitality of the palace. Do not force my hand. Contrary to your belief, I don’t want to have to throw you in the dungeons—or kill you,” he said, staring down at her.
“Surely as a filthy, magic wielding, mongrel bitch, I should just eat in my room and not taint the pure blooded in this palace,” she hissed, humiliated and hurt by the names he and the other guards had used.
Hugo’s face was impassive, his tone unyielding. “No. Dinner is served in the great hall at seven every evening. The Queen will attend with Jack, and clearly she wants you there too. Do not make the mistake of thinking it was anything other than an order,” he warned.
Diamond tried to sit up but couldn’t. Her eyes burned with unshed tears and only gritting her teeth stopped her from crying out. Rose immediately ran to help her but Hugo reached her first.
“Don’t touch me.”
He just scowled and hoisted her up into his arms. Ignoring her protest he carried her to the bed and, with complete and utter gentleness, placed her down. That care nearly tipped her over the edge, but she held her tongue, more confused than ever by his contradictory behaviour.
“Rose will find a way to heal you, and I will return at six forty-five to escort you to the dining hall,” he informed her.
Diamond’s shoulders slumped. There was no way out of it. Fear shuddered down her spine. This could either be a dinner or just an opportunity to heap public humiliation on her in front of people who clearly abhorred magic. But Jack will be there, she reasoned, hope flaring in her heart. Maybe he or General Edo would help her escape this nightmare.
Hugo’s eyebrows drew together into a frown. “You will be sitting with me. Not with Jack,” he said coldly.
Diamond tried to hide her dismay and shock. Can he tell what I’m thinking?
“And don’t try to access your magic. If you so much as touch it, I will know. I have discretion with my orders, so please don’t force me to violence. Neither you nor Rose will tell anyone else why you have these guards—or what happened here today.” Menacingly he took a step closer, then slowly and deliberately looked around. “This is a nice room. If I feel I can’t trust you,” he turned his attention to Rose, “…or your loyalty is put in to question, the palace dungeons will become your quarters—for both of you. It’s not a nice place to be—dark, reeking cells full of murderers and traitors. Think about it.” With that, Hugo turned and strode out of the room, slamming the door without a backward glance.
Rose watched him leave then stared at Diamond. After a few moments she pressed her lips into a tight line, becoming the efficient healer once again.
“Right. Stay there, and don’t move until I get back. The only thing that will heal your rib in such a short space of time is an Acolyte potion.”
“A what?” rasped Diamond, confused, sick to her very core and ready to pass out.
“The Acolytes are healers…magical healers. They are the only ones in this city allowed to openly use magic. They are religious zealots who worship the Lord of Chaos.”
Diamond shuddered. “I thought the Queen killed all magic wielders.”
“Oh, she does…unless she wants something from them.” The words lay heavy between them, but Diamond wasn’t thinking of herself, she was thinking of Hugo. Rose wrinkled her nose and continued. “They are chosen and brought here as children—like the Queen’s guards. Kids mostly don’t know how to hide their magic, or even that they should. Sometimes they are dumped at the palace gates, or their own parents report them to the city guard. Fancy your own parents willingly handing you over to such a life—disgusting!�
� she uttered. “I normally avoid the Acolytes; they have their own section of the healers’ wing, and for years have been using the main temple in the city. Their Prevost answers only to the Queen and Isla Norr. Most of the acolytes are power hungry and cruel and abuse their positions. But I know one that will help us. He will have a potion that will work. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Before Diamond could tell her not to go, Rose practically ran from the room. Silence settled around Diamond like a heavy blanket. She released a shuddering breath as she wondered what the immortal monarch wanted with her. Whatever it was would be horrible and likely painful. Rubbing her side did not erase the feeling of Attion’s unwelcome touch nor prevent fear skittering down her spine at the thought of ending up in some dark, damp, stinking dungeon.
As familiar as her heartbeat, the tingle of a panic attack crept from the tips of her fingers up her arms and across every part of her body. Gasping, the walls began closing in, crushing her. Breathe, breathe, she told herself over and over, trying to expand her lungs against the pain of her cracked rib. In…out…. Remembering her father’s calm voice was bittersweet but it helped.
Rose returned about half an hour later but did not comment on Diamond’s pale face or shaking hands. For a while Diamond did not even notice she was back. Her concentration was utterly focused on keeping her hands still and her breathing steady. Her father had often reassured her she would grow out of her attacks, and she had not had one in the months leading up to his death. Now, since her life had gone to the rats, they were out of control—just like her life.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 19
