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

by Karen Tomlinson

  “Such a pretty face—for an abomination of our lord. I would like opportunity to get to know what makes you tick, what makes you scream the loudest, but—we don’t have time,” he purred, lust and excitement thick in his voice as he grabbed her throat with one large hand. A frightened squeal bubbled out of her trembling lips. Instantly he withdrew, his eyes cold as ice as he slammed a large fist into her jaw.

  Diamond was half way to unconsciousness before pain blasted across her face.

  “I told you to stay quiet,” Ream snarled as darkness closed in and she sagged against her captor’s embrace.

  Chapter 45

  Hugo forced the familiar black wall to descend on his emotions, holding back the rampaging fury inside him. He would kill these warriors. Moving his eyes slowly, he marked each face in turn. His magic was powerful enough to ensure they would not see him coming. He would play their games—for now. If he did not, they would kill Diamond before he could get this cord off his neck.

  Not for the first time Hugo felt the weight of his inadequacy and guilt, which only served to fuel his rage further. Heat pounded through his blood, and the beast thrashed wildly against the cage of his body. Through his eyes it registered Diamond’s limp form. Hugo gritted his teeth, his body shaking as he became consumed by its desperate need to protect her, to rip her to safety and release its wrath on these males who would harm her. It was an impossible need that had quickly become an obsession.

  Hanging his head to hide his rage from Lord Commander Ream, he drove that need, along with his magic deep, inside himself until he choked on it. There was nothing he could do—yet.

  He took a few moments to gain control before he raised his eyes. Diamond’s face was already swollen and grossly discoloured. With detachment, he wondered briefly if her cheekbone was broken. The cord around Hugo’s neck burned, but he did not try and remove it—he knew better.

  Attion stared down at him, watching every twitch Hugo made. The point of his sword pushed uncomfortably against Hugo’s leather-covered chest. Hugo met his gaze and snarled. Attion’s mouth twitched, and he twisted his blade. Arrogant bastard.

  “Let him up,” instructed Ream, shoving Diamond’s dagger into his weapons belt before turning to Hugo.

  Attion dropped his blade and stepped back.

  “You will not struggle, commander, but you will do everything I ask without hesitation. If you do not, when that magic-wielding filth wakes I will make her suffer. I will inflict such indignities upon her that when I am done she will not remember her own name, let alone yours—do you understand me?” he growled, shoving his face into Hugo’s.

  Hugo did not recoil but swallowed the nausea and guilt that threatened to burn a hole in his chest. His beast snarled. It recognised Lord Commander Ream as an enemy. Hugo heard its violent thoughts, felt its wrath burn in his blood. Sweating beneath his armour, Hugo kept all that malice off his face.

  “I understand,” he rasped in response, his throat painful and swollen.

  “Good. We return to the palace. You can deliver your prisoner to your Queen and await her forgiveness. Attion!” Ream barked. “Take the mongrel. Commander Casimir need not bother himself with her any longer. Yohan. Nix. Take the general.”

  Hugo watched the two guards hoist up the general’s lax body. He was no lightweight and even the two heavily muscled guards grunted with effort. Hugo wondered how in Chaos Ream had found them. He stifled his frustration and crushing disappointment. His chance to save Diamond, and maybe himself, had just been ripped from his grasp. It had been stupid to hope. He was the Queen’s servant to command, a killer with a shrivelled soul—it was not the will of the mighty guardians or the goddess for him to be anything else.

  Attion strode forward and pulled Diamond from the other guard. Her body was so light he lifted her easily. A groan escaped her and he hesitated, a rare frown furrowing his brow before he settled her against his chest. For one moment Hugo’s protective wall cracked open, and he snarled viciously at the other guard. Attion did not seem to notice. He looked utterly transfixed by Diamond as her head tipped forward, leaving her cheek resting against his shoulder and her hair flowing over his arm and hand. A confused expression flickered across his face and, almost guiltily, he met Hugo’s wrathful glower.

  A second later all expression disappeared from his face. Hugo wondered what had just happened, but then he remembered what Attion had done to Diamond when she had been at her most vulnerable. He fixed an unwavering glare on the other guard, willing it to burn a hole in Attion’s back as he turned away. At night when the darkness became his ally, Hugo would make Attion regret touching what did not belong to him.

  Hugo wondered what was to become of them all as he followed his commander out into the dull evening light. It had started to rain, grey ominous clouds hanging low overhead. The air was finally clear of smoke. It seemed the ships had burned themselves out or had sunk under the fierce waves.

  Hugo tensed, tilting his head and straining his fae ears. The city was unnervingly quiet, almost as if it were waiting to see what was to happen next. The group of warriors armoured their wings and launched skyward, flying in silent formation up towards the palace and the waiting Queen.

  Chapter 46

  Diamond groaned. Serpents of invisible magic thrashed and nipped at her exposed skin like tiny insects. She tried—and failed—to brush them away. Cold wind whipped at her hair and clothes but she was so warm, held tightly against Hugo’s chest. Waking up would only bring more pain. She turned her head into his chest, inhaling deeply, then gagged as a foreign male scent swamped her.

  This was not Hugo. Her whole body went rigid. Hugo, the general, where are they? It took only a second for her to recognise the sharp pricks on her skin. Hugo wanted her to wake up. He insistently pushed his magic against her, those silver serpents nipping her as they often did when he was angry.

  “Are you awake, half-blood?” grated a cold, familiar voice. Attion.

  Diamond’s heart flipped, feeling each place his hateful body touched hers. Common sense deserted her and escape became her only thought. She wriggled and fought, only to find herself clamped between arms of steely strength.

  “Stop!” bit out Attion, his jaw clenched. He glanced at Lord Commander Ream, who flew in front. “If you struggle I will have to hurt you. Please—stop,” he hissed. His eyes darted to her face.

  Diamond was so surprised by his urgent plea that she instantly stilled and stared up at him, shock making her limp. Seconds later he relaxed his arms.

  A familiar tug. Diamond whipped her head to where Hugo watched. Relief and alarm vied for supremacy in her heart. Hugo must have agreed to something terrible for Lord Commander Ream to release his bonds and allow him to fly free. Whatever it was, Hugo made no move to approach them. Attion glanced at Hugo, then down at Diamond, giving her a small nod of thanks. She scowled, not trusting this astounding change in Attion. His embrace remained gentle, and every now and then he glanced down.

  They landed in neat formation on the manicured grass in front of the Queen’s tower, and Attion dropped her feet to the ground, putting a large hand on her back to steady her. Recoiling from him and realising she was free, Diamond bolted to Hugo.

  “Commander Casimir! Control your prisoner—now!” ordered Lord Commander Ream.

  Before her mind could process that order, Hugo grabbed her wrist. She shrieked as he twisted and flipped her body over. In one swift seamless move, she was face-first into the ground, her back and arm pinned under his knee. Pain exploded up into her shoulder.

  “Keep still,” he warned heartlessly.

  But Diamond didn’t hear him. Panic bloomed through her chest, and she writhed and panted, fear and confusion stealing her sense; even the agony of her arm paled into nothing. Hugo was doing this to her, he had chosen his Queen over her…. Through her haze of anxiety and tears, she heard slow deliberate footsteps approach.

  “Commander Casimir, move.” It was a sharp, resolute order; with an unquestio
ning belief that Hugo would not disobey.

  Hugo immediately complied. His weight disappeared. Diamond did not understand what was happening. Why is Hugo doing this? A groan of relief slipped by her lips as her shoulder joint moved back into place.

  “Attion. Get her up. Your commander will not dirty his hands with this filth any longer.”

  “Hugo…?” she implored, looking up. Her voice was a pained whisper, a plea from her heart to the one who was tearing it in two. Those beautiful sapphire eyes looked away, and she felt her hope dissipate like mist on the wind. One small step and rough hands grabbed her hair, yanking backwards. Diamond was forced onto her knees, she gave up trying to control her breathing. Wide-eyed, she looked up at the fae warrior in front of her. Attion met her gaze steadily. She saw the words on his face, ‘Don’t struggle—please.’ It took all her self-control to not fight, but Attion’s grip loosened and he pulled her to her feet.

  Hugo kept his face completely empty, but behind that facade of granite he was raging. The girl who meant everything to him, who had become his reason for existing, was being led into a world of pain. And it was his fault. A wash of bile stung his throat when he saw Attion’s gaze hold Diamond’s. To these men she was nothing but an insect to be crushed under their boots. His arms hung lax at his sides, his fingers twitching with the need to destroy these guards and run.

  Lord Commander Ream stepped in front of him and studied him coldly, then reached out and ran his finger with disgusting intimacy down Hugo’s scar. Hugo had long ago learned not to flinch from this vile male’s touch. Nauseous, he thrashed around behind his emotional wall, wanting to rip his commander’s throat out with his bare hands.

  “Do not presume to show her favour again or she will indeed feel agony for your weakness.” Lord Commander Ream leaned in and added, “Your last plaything didn’t beg enough. But I’m sure the Queen will give me longer to break you both this time—if you displease her.” He shrugged and grinned and it was a truly terrifying sight.

  On the outside Hugo remained emotionless, utterly still. He kept his eyes focused in front of him. Knowing it was for the best he caged his heart in shadow. Convincing everyone that he did not care for Diamond, that she was indeed just a dirty magic wielder owned by the Queen was the only way to keep her from the cruel torments of his commander.

  Chapter 47

  Shaking and trying to find strength in something—anything—Diamond kept her head down, concentrating on the weight of the dragon crystal bumping against her chest. Several times she stumbled as their group headed up the wide steps into the gloom of the tower. At the head of the procession, side by side with Lord Commander Ream, Hugo had once again become a cold-hearted guard, a complete stranger. Diamond almost lost her mind, nearly giving in to her insane urge to run to him and beat her fists on his chest or scream in his face to get him to look at her—to at least acknowledge she still existed.

  General Edo was being dragged, semi-conscious, between two hulking guards. How had this happened? No one had known where she and Hugo had been going…. Gods, even they hadn’t known!

  The dull corridors were empty except for the occasional sentry who watched their approach with blank faces. Attion kept his hand firmly under her arm and guided her after Hugo’s hulking shadow. Lord Commander Ream kept his chin raised superiorly, his weapons glinting with every powerful step he took.

  Diamond wanted to vomit. Her legs trembled so much she stumbled again, catching herself against the rough stone wall and scraping her hand. Attion tightened his fingers and dragged her back on her feet.

  “Keep moving,” he rumbled.

  Dazed, Diamond allowed him to lead her like a lamb to slaughter. An ache bloomed in her chest as she looked at Hugo. Power and grace incarnate. But the beauty of his armoured wings seemed diminished, their silver markings flat, dull even. It made Diamond wonder if that moment of dazzling power in the alley had been her imagination. Her shoulders slumped; maybe everything about the way he had treated her earlier had been her imagination.

  “Ensure the magic wielder has no weapons concealed under that tunic…or anywhere else,” Lord Commander Ream ordered Attion.

  Hugo turned his head and watched blankly as Attion grabbed her tunic and wrenched it from her shoulders, ripping her delicate shirt down the back in the process. Keeping his gaze cold and fixed on his task, Attion leaned around her torso, running his hands over her upper body, then sank to his haunches and slid his hands firmly and swiftly over her leggings.

  “Take off your boots,” he instructed. Diamond complied. “Nothing,” he proclaimed.

  Commander Ream dipped his chin in acknowledgment. “Commander Casimir, escort your prisoner—but I suggest you keep your hands off her when in sight of your Queen. Attion, keep pace behind. Do not let her run,” he instructed.

  Diamond expelled a breath as Attion straightened and took a step away. Her relief was short-lived; his fingers almost immediately curled around her upper arm and pushed her forward. Double doors decorated with sea serpents in gilt and green jade loomed before them, heavily guarded by warrior fae. Dressed in less ornate armour than any Queen’s guard, their brown leather chest plates and green uniform marked them as palace guards. The guards quickly lowered their eyes and pushed open the heavy doors.

  Hugo stepped in front of Diamond, his face blank. Pain tore her heart at the sight of his black fathomless eyes. Less than an hour ago those eyes had held concern in their sapphire and silver depths. Diamond stared ahead, unable to force herself to look at him.

  Pink marble steps led down to a large room tiled in sea green marble. It looked like an expanse of glittering water. The opulence of the throne room stunned Diamond. Gold and jade sea serpents curled down each of the eight fluted columns, spreading their scaly tails up and across the vaulted ceiling above. They shimmered like living beasts, brought to life by the sunbeams glaring through the high windows.

  Two dual headed serpents stood guard at the far end of the room. Their emerald eyes glittered in their golden heads and seemed to fixate on Diamond.

  Diamond had only a moment to feel insignificant in the face of such grandeur before the weight of the Queen’s hostile glare lit upon her. Heat licked along Diamond’s bones, her magic rising to protect her. Suddenly unwilling to cower, Diamond straightened and moved her eyes around the room. Ignoring her magic was the only way to prevent it from breaking free. Taking a leaf from Hugo’s book she deliberately kept her face blank and forced her magic back down inside.

  At least twenty people sat behind a long table placed on one side of the throne. As one they studied the dishevelled young woman standing atop the entrance stairs wearing ripped clothes, with a swollen cheek and bloody bits of cloth binding her lacerated wrists.

  Diamond tried to swallow, by now her mouth was so dry it was nearly impossible. Then her heart sank further. There would be no help or compassion from these people. All these staring faces had the fair complexion and brown hair associated with the Avalonian people; not one looked remotely like Hugo, with his honey bronze skin and blue black locks; and not one looked anything like Diamond with her large violet eyes and waves of silver hair.

  Only three female fae graced the table, their gossamer pearlescent wings floating gently behind them like a beautiful butterfly’s. Diamond had always thought pearl wings so very pretty and had spent most of her young childhood wishing and pretending that she could fly. The irony didn’t pass her by. She was hated for being half-fae but had none of their useful traits: no wings, no sharp hearing, no acute eyesight. The only things she did have were her father’s grace of movement and delicately pointed ears.

  Disgust flitted over the face of one of the older females. Overweight as she was, the expression wrinkled her face so much her chin disappeared under the oversized collar of her yellow silk gown. She looked ridiculous. Like an overdressed toad, Diamond decided, matching the woman’s disgust with her own.

  Many of the faces at the table showed hate or revulsion. Di
amond stared them down. A murmur rippled through the group and they mumbled under their breath at her audacity. The Queen balanced her chin lightly on the back of her fingers, her elbow on the arm of the throne and her green eyes glittering with malicious amusement as she watched Diamond’s display of defiance. Clearly she was enjoying the scene being played out before her.

  This beautiful Queen had a heart and soul of ice. She was nothing like the goddess of creation, who had gifted immortality to the rulers who had fought to save their world and people from Erebos.

  Diamond curled her lip, taking in the loathing on the faces around her. It seemed the gift of immortality had become a curse of insanity, which had seeped into the mortals surrounding this viper. The Queen had taken hundreds of years to destroy the memory of her benefactor, waiting until all those who had known the goddess as their queen, and King Noan Arjuno as her devoted mate, had faded into legend. Slowly but surely she had warped the minds of her people until they worshipped only the dark god—until they believed he would be the one to give them eternal life after death. A belief that had driven her people to hate and intolerance.

  Hard-faced council members and high ranking warriors scrutinised her. Diamond fought the urge to grip the front of her sheer blouse. Thanks to Attion the garment hung loosely from her shoulders, almost revealing her before these strangers. Hugo grasped her arm and gently but firmly urged her down the steps. Let these sycophants look upon her in judgment, but she would not be ashamed, not of her blood or her body. Lifting her chin, she snarled at her audience.