Then Hugo raised his voice enough that everyone would hear his words. “When you reach her grace, you will kneel. Three weeks ago you broke the Queen’s laws by using magic. Today you insulted her benevolence by escaping. Because of you, two of my brothers were killed. Now you must await her judgment.”
Diamond whipped her attention from the seated council. Lips pressed together, her contempt switched to Hugo. She had not run today, and he knew it. It seemed being kidnapped was not an excuse his Queen would care to hear. She lifted her wrists in front of his face, wishing she could slam both fists into his face. Everything he had said about helping her, about never leaving her, had been lies. He was a coward. A gods damned coward! Concerned only with protecting himself.
“You know that isn’t true, you lying bastard!” she hissed.
Hugo just looked at her. Impassive. Unreachable. Before she could utter another word his large hand pushed her forward. They both knew it was pointless for her to fight or argue. The emptiness in his face, the utter change in him back to emotionless guard destroyed Diamond’s will to fight. There was no hope of getting out of this.
Unless…unless he was pretending. Unless he really was going to help her.
Tentatively she reached out with her magic, her control only just good enough to grab at his arm, before she felt it slipping. She could do no more or that power would break free.
Nothing. No reaction at all.
Her magic dissipated like mist on the wind. With each step closer to the dais, Diamond felt her anger ebb away, hopelessness taking its place. The Queen’s green eyes glittered as if she felt that creeping defeat. Diamond’s stockinged feet dragged silently on the expanse of green tiles as they approached the dais.
Hugo pulled her to a stop and looked down pointedly.
Gritting her teeth, Diamond forced herself to kneel in front of her monarch, for that is who this Queen was. Diamond had been born in Avalonia. Looming above her, sitting poised on the throne was her Queen.
Hugo stood silently by Diamond’s side. But now that powerful presence meant nothing, even his magic was absent. It hurt to kneel on that cold, hard floor.
“Magic wielder, I understand you are quite recovered now from your time in the forest?”
Diamond almost laughed. Is this insane female serious? The forest? Diamond could hardly remember the forest. Blood dripped from her wrists down between her fingers, her face throbbed and her heart had just been ripped apart by the guard at her side. In an act of defiance, she spat blood out onto the tiles at Hugo’s feet and glared up hatefully at him before resting her eyes back on the Queen.
“Yes,” she bit out.
“That is good,” the Queen said pausing thoughtfully.
Diamond waited, trying to appear brave even as fear skittered down her spine.
“So why did you run from my hospitality this morning? That was very rude of you after I have been so kind and generously allowed you to remain in comfort in my palace,” she scolded with lethal calm. Diamond tensed waiting for the axe to fall. Then suddenly a bright smile lit the Queen’s face. “Never mind, I have a way for you to compensate me,” she said and dismissed the subject with a flick of her hand.
Diamond blinked away her shock. The Queen’s tone was now that of reasonable, benevolent leader.
“We—that is, myself and the council members here,” she gestured expansively to the overdressed toads at the table, “have been discussing your future and how to ensure the safety of my people whilst you are here as my guest.”
Guest? Diamond’s anger flared at the injustice of that remark but held her tongue.
“As I am sure you remember, despite the comforts you have enjoyed at my expense, and let us not forget the attention you have demanded from my guard,” Diamond tensed at the inflection on that word, “there is still a war being fought against the Wraith Lord. I expect you know Ragor is an ancient enemy of mine. What you don’t know is that he has always coveted this city and now he is determined to claim it—and my other possessions.”
The Queen’s attention levelled on Hugo, the air becoming oppressive with magic, ancient magic tainted with a deep seething anger.
Disgusted by her Queen’s hypocrisy and frightened by the sheer force of that power, Diamond ducked her head, twisting to look surreptitiously at the council toads. They too shifted uncomfortably in their chairs, rubbing their arms and faces. They were restless and edgy but clearly had no idea why.
“I don’t know where that guardian came from. The last guardian I heard of was rumoured to be seen in the Fire Mountains…supposedly a servant to their imperial family. “
Diamond’s heart clenched. What does that mean? Do dragons still exist? Maybe it was only on this side of the Rough Seas that dragons were believed extinct. The Queen did not shift her green eyes from Hugo as she spoke. “Was it hunting for you, I wonder, magic wielder, or something else entirely? Did it burn my fleet to ashes because of you? Or to try and keep what it wants from escaping across the Rough Seas?” Her voice became contemplative, a frown creasing her normally perfect brow. Cocking her head, she did not drop her attention from Hugo, almost as if he were the answer to her question. Minutes ticked by and no one made a sound.
Hugo did not react. He may as well have been made of stone.
Diamond remained on her knees. Unmoving. Trembling. Not daring to move.
The Queen slowly shifted her scrutiny to Diamond. Silence. Crushing, terrifying silence. Even the toads at the table did not dare mumble.
Against her tender skin the crystal heated, as if sensing that ancient, malevolent glare. It began to glow, clearly visible now through the sheer material of her blouse. Diamond winced, as something sharp scraped her skin, almost as if the dragon clutched the crystal tighter.
Immediately the Queen’s attention dropped to Diamond’s chest. Shock and elation burned through those green eyes as she beheld the glowing jewel. In fact the eyes of all those at the council table were staring at Diamond’s chest. Her cheeks burned. Instinctively she clutched the crystal, bunching the sheer material of her blouse in her fist. It had been so stupid to wear such a see-through garment.
Ragor had unleashed his Seekers on Berriesford for this necklace; now everyone could see it. Dread filled Diamond’s soul. The look of desire the Queen’s face said she would kill for it too.
Squeezing her fist tight, Diamond winced as something sharp pierced her finger. Diamond knew every dent on the black metal chain and fierce dragon that held the clear crystal. What is so special about it that two immortals desire it so?
The Queen’s body was graceful, her movements feline as she pushed herself out of her throne and stalked toward Diamond. A dress in shades of shimmering green gauze and lace clung to her every curve, accentuating her exquisite beauty; the perfect swell of her breasts, her slim waist and her shapely long legs. Golden hair fell in waves over one shoulder; on her head she wore a simple circlet of gold adorned with a single large emerald, and glorious golden wings glinted as she stretched them before folding them into her back.
Fingers of fear crept up Diamond’s spine. Run. Run. Run. Screamed her instincts. But the guards who protected The Queen would catch her or loose a swift blade into her back before she had any hope of reaching the door.
The power and energy radiating from this wicked woman became more pronounced with every step closer. Her ancient and forceful power clutched at Diamond, invading her senses. It fought to suffocate her, to dominate her own pathetic ember of magic. The Queen glided closer, her hips swaying alluringly, a satisfied smirk on her face. Diamond resisted the urge to shrink into a ball on the floor. She swallowed, not daring to move.
Hugo remained frozen as his Queen approached. The thought of this female’s magic touching and entwining itself with Hugo’s sent a shudder of revulsion through Diamond.
It was a shock to realise Hugo could do nothing, that he was not as strong as he seemed. He was emotionally weak, weak and scarred from so many years of servitude a
nd abuse; he had absolutely no idea how to resist the summons of this manipulative immortal.
Diamond’s chest caved. She was on her own in the face of this overwhelming onslaught of grace and power. Like everyone else in this room, Hugo was just a puppet. Diamond’s heart thumped against her ribs. Close enough to touch, the Queen prowled around Diamond and Hugo. A predator surveying her prey. It seemed even the room held its breath, waiting for what was to happen next.
“Stand up,” ordered the Queen, her voice soft, threatening. Challenging green eyes flicked to Hugo as Diamond scrambled to comply.
Chapter 48
The Queen took the last step needed to reach Hugo. Not bothering to disguise her sensuality, her smile widened as she swept a derisive glance across Diamond’s pale, bruised face and slowly let it travel down the young woman’s body.
Diamond did not try and stem the humiliated flush that swamped her face. But for the first time in her life she forged steely determination, and controlled the panic squeezing her chest.
The council members watched silently from their table as if in a daze. Only Hugo and Diamond had an exclusive view of the Queen’s beautiful, wicked face. Hugo’s massive shoulders tensed minutely, a painful tug yanking at Diamond’s chest as his magic flared defensively. It was hard to stifle a gasp. Why does he do that if he worships this hateful female so?
The air in the room thinned, and Diamond found it difficult to breathe as those icy green eyes focused on Hugo. A silent command. Hugo immediately dropped to one knee, averting his eyes to the floor. Diamond felt her heart lurch painfully. She wanted to tell him to stand, to be the proud warrior she knew and feared, but it would be a pointless exercise. He would not listen.
The Queen smiled directly at Diamond, her face and eyes full of malice and triumph. Her meaning was clear: Hugo was her property, one of her elite warriors that she could command at her whim. Placing her long elegant fingers under Hugo’s chin, the Queen tipped his head back and gazed down at him.
“You may stand,” she told him. Caressing his unscarred cheek, she stepped so close that when he stood, the peak of her breasts brushed his body. Long slim fingers lingered on his face, cupping his jaw. Her blonde head tilted and watching Diamond closely. She let her long elegant fingers run slowly down Hugo’s neck. Diamond swallowed as she grazed the hard lines of his broad shoulder and chest and continued down his flat stomach, gliding along his weapons belt until her touch rested on the curve of his hip. A taunting smile curled the Queen’s ruby mouth as she slid that same hand into the small of his back, and pushed her hips against him.
Diamond’s mask nearly slipped, her stomach churning at the intimate gesture, but she held it together. This was a test. One she must pass. If the Queen knew how deep her feelings for Hugo ran, she might very well strike Diamond down where she stood. Diamond’s violet eyes stayed unwaveringly on the Queen’s face, unemotional and steady. The Queen chuckled and conceded a step. Diamond released a breath and looked away.
At the table a formidable-looking fae commander watched the proceedings with intense golden eyes. Feeling his regard, Diamond shifted her attention to him. He dipped his chin minutely in a nod. Taken aback by the supportive gesture from one of the Queen’s own warriors, Diamond gaped at him. A frown furrowed her brow as his eyes moved to Hugo—and stayed there.
Another warrior protected the commander’s back. His face was handsome in a too-perfect way, marred only by the startling arrogance glinting in his eyes. Slowly, thoroughly, he ran his eyes over Diamond, causing the fine hairs on the back of her neck to prickle. She snarled defensively. A mocking smirk curled his shapely lips before he shifted his attention to Hugo. Who are they? Clearly the commander was someone of importance. But that warrior….
The Queen raised her voice, the change in her demeanour incredible as she became the concerned, devoted ruler.
“Ragor will soon bring his war to Valentia. By winter solstice he will have reached the wall. If he breaches that ancient bastion of protection, he will use his dead army to seize the souls of every living thing in this city. He will turn every single one of you into rotting demons that will feed his power.” She swept her hand expansively, encompassing all their intent faces. “All of your loved ones, your precious children, even the humans who are citizens of Avalonia—you will be left with nothing. Do you hear me? Nothing except a will to do his bidding. Ragor wants this city for himself. It is what he has always wanted.”
Anxious murmurs erupted from the noble toads, the noise of their anxiety interrupting her speech. Satisfaction flashed across the Queen’s face at their reaction. She stalked towards them with swishing skirts, flourished a turn and gestured back at Diamond.
“This—girl—has magic tainted by the goddess herself,” she told them unnecessarily. “It is a dangerous and powerful poison that runs through her veins, one that should be eradicated. However, to keep my people—our—people safe, you have all agreed it is far better to have that magic fight for us, rather than risk it being unleashed against us.” The Queen lifted her chin imperiously. “My council and I are benevolent in our judgment.”
She gave Diamond a vicious smile that the council could not see, a smile that belied those words. Diamond held her breath in fearful anticipation. This was it—the moment she had been dreading for weeks. She grasped her own fingers, attempting to stop their shaking.
“It is the agreement of this council that rather than being executed for possessing such corruption in your blood, you shall put that goddess-cast magic to good use. You will learn to use it and you will fight to keep the Wraith Lord and his army out of my city—or you will die trying. Prince Oden and Master Commander Riddeon need a dispensable weapon. One that can be used outside this shield. That is you. You will be taught the physical skills of a warrior, and when you have become proficient enough to kill, you will learn to control and wield your magic. If you cannot learn or you try to use it to harm me or my people, I will kill you. Make no mistake, magic wielder, you belong to me as much as he does.” She inclined her head at Hugo. “And when this battle is done—if you still live—you will still belong to me. Is that clear?”
Diamond’s nostrils flared in horror. With her utter lack of fighting skills and magical control, she was unlikely to survive. If she did, she vowed not to return here. She would run far and fast until this despicable viper faded from her mind like a bad dream.
Suddenly the Queen was standing right in front of Diamond. Her hand shot forwards like lightening, sharp finger nails gouging Diamond’s chest. A tearing sound and her blouse ripped down the front. Before Diamond knew what was happening, those long elegant fingers had grasped her necklace. Leaning in until her lips grazed Diamond’s ear, the Queen’s warm breath sent shivers shuddering down Diamond’s neck and spine.
“You will learn to control your magic. You will fight for me, and you will come back to me—or I will send Lord Commander Ream to hunt you down. But I won’t let him kill you. No.” She placed her fingers against Diamond’s cheek and gently turned her face towards Hugo. “I will have you killed by him, but not before you watch him kill your handsome prince and that pathetic human boy. Maybe I’ll even get him to gut that healer you have taken a shine to. Once this battle is done and my city is safe, I will not need the mortal prince anymore than I need the locusts he calls his people. Do I make myself clear, my beautiful, young half-blood?” she asked, quiet venom in her voice.
Diamond nodded, not daring to speak. She could feel Hugo’s magic surge against her, but he showed no outward sign of having heard the Queen’s threats. The familiar searing heat and nip of his magic disappeared almost as soon as it touched Diamond. Hopefully the Queen hadn’t noticed. Hopefully she couldn’t feel Hugo’s magic the way Diamond did.
Blood rushed from Diamond’s head at the implications of that threat, but she willed herself to stand tall, ignoring her dizziness. This woman would kill everyone Diamond had left in the world. Perhaps dying in battle would not be such a bad thing,
not if it meant they would be safe. Blood tickled her skin, running from the gouged welts between her breasts. Her torn shirt fell open revealing her skin and undergarments. Still she did not move. Not only was the Queen a depraved and manipulative adversary, she writhed with magic so powerful it stole Diamond’s breath.
Hypocrites! screamed Diamond silently at the table of over-dressed toads who watched in silence. These idiots condemned or enslaved souls born with more powerful magic than their own because they feared it. Their ignorance was shameful when their Queen practically glowed with magic so omnipotent it could oppress the room and subdue any soul nearby into compliance.
“This necklace is stunning. Where did you get it?” the Queen’s voice was curious. She studied the metal dragon, which seemed to clutch the crystal tighter as it lay against the Queen’s palm. A curious green light pulsed from the jewel at her touch.
“My mother gave it me. Please, let go of it.” Diamond managed to say, impressed by the steadiness of her voice.
“I don’t think I will,” said the immortal Queen, fixing her cold ancient eyes on Diamond.
The blood drained from Diamond’s face completely. “W-what?” she whispered, her mask of neutrality slipping. “But this is all I have left from my home. It was my mother’s. She left it to me. You can’t take it…. I won’t let you have it!” Panic gripped her.
“Hugo!” the Queen snapped quickly. “Relieve this prisoner of her necklace, then give it to Master Commander Riddeon.”
Diamond whipped her head towards Hugo. “No,” she whispered, shaking. Hugo’s eyes were fathomless, endless shadow. Hopelessly Diamond swallowed her tears and closed her eyes. She could do nothing as he moved her hair gently to one side, his fingers brushing against her skin as he undid the clasp. She instinctively shrank from him.
Hugo, intent on his task, did not seem to notice. Coiling the chain into his large hand, he strode over to the golden-eyed commander, dropping the only link to Diamond’s parents on the table in front of him. Master Commander Riddeon stared at the glowing crystal as if mesmerised. His guard, however, seemed more interested in Diamond, his predatory gaze fixing on her half naked torso.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 29
