Diamond fought her panic as the Queen regarded her through narrowed eyes. “Magic wielder, you will earn redemption for your attempted escape by showing me you can follow my orders.” Elegantly she gestured to General Edo. “Go and end that male’s life. He did, after all, cause your father’s death. It shouldn’t be too hard for you. Lord Commander Ream, give Commander Casimir your whip,” the Queen instructed.
Diamond looked down at her feet. No. No. She couldn’t. Panic tightened like a band around her chest. There was no air to breathe. The walls of the room began to press in on her, crushing her. Her chest heaved and tears burned her eyes. A sob rippled from deep in her chest, only to catch in her throat and fade to a whimper. She couldn’t kill anyone in cold blood; she couldn’t….
It was then she felt it—an unexpected blanket of reassurance and calm that descended from nowhere. Her mind and body responded immediately, totally beyond her control. Diamond felt her breathing slow of its own accord, silence filled her head and, although she didn’t want to look outside that tranquil cocoon to the throne room beyond, she did.
Lord Commander Ream tore his hungry gaze from Simeon’s naked body and complied with his Queen’s order. Hugo took the coil of twisted leather in his big hand and curled his fingers around it. Diamond stared in horror at the three iron ends that unfurled and clattered to the floor. He wouldn’t…. It was no use appealing to him. Hugo’s face remained impassive, his eyes like black empty pools.
“Commander Casimir. If the magic wielder refuses her task, you are to deliver one lash to this young boy, followed by two to her. You will continue that punishment until she complies,” ordered the Queen.
Simeon stared at Hugo, all his bravado now gone. Shaking visibly, he looked at Diamond with such terror, the whites of his eyes were visible.
Diamond almost stopped breathing and blanched. The Queen smirked spitefully.
“But he’s only a boy. You can’t,” Diamond whispered, certain she was going to vomit when Hugo stepped behind her.
“I am over a thousand years old and queen of this land; I can do as I please,” the Queen purred, smiling like an adder.
Simeon was led over by his chains, too frightened now to fight as he was forced to his knees, tears rolling down his face. Seeker or not he was just a scared little boy who had already suffered enough. Diamond’s bladder threatened to void, blood whooshing through her ears as she felt Hugo’s presence at her back. Simeon’s eyes beseeched her to help, but she knew pleading for him was as useless as pleading for herself. Diamond turned to General Edo. It was an effort to look at him.
“Tell me none of this is true, general,” she pleaded. “Tell me you are still the person who dried my tears and loved my father. Tell me that you did not kill your best friend?” she choked out, even as tears blurred her vision. Was this really all his fault? Had he really been the catalyst for such heartache and pain? “Tell me that, general!” Her voice broke, anguish tearing at her heart. The cave. The parchment. She stared in disbelief as things fell into place.
“Tell me it isn’t true.”
A whispered plea.
“Tell me you didn’t betray my father. That all those people didn’t suffer or die because of you! Gods! Please tell me you weren’t going to betray Jack!” Her voice rose to fever pitch. Her attention moved to Simeon, who was trying his best not to cower despite his fear. “What did Simeon mean when he said you told his father you would soon become a king?”
General Edo leaned forward, his muscles bunching as he pulled against his captors’ grip. His face twisted in a contemptuous sneer. “True? Of course it’s all true! I spent the last thirteen years of my life following the final order my king gave me. He wanted me to find and protect your mother and father and not return to Stormguaard without them. When I discovered my king had gone missing—that he was presumed dead, I pleaded with Arades to return home to Stormguaard with me. I knew if King Oden truly was gone, we were meant to rule. If your bull-headed father had agreed, we could have stopped the Wraith Lord years ago, but no—he refused. That cowardly bastard chose you and your dead mother over me and his kingdom,” he spat at her feet in disgust.
Diamond couldn’t believe this was the same person she had grown up loving. Pain cleaved her heart.
“How could you?” she choked, tears running down her cheeks. “He was your friend…he loved you!” she cried.
General Edo snorted, “Oh, it was so easy in the end. He told me how your mother died—that the Seekers found her and almost ripped you from her belly. He even told me how they wanted that necklace, that he would not leave Berriesford and risk them finding you…or it. I begged him to return with me to Rhodainia to whip that pathetic excuse for a prince into shape. But he still refused. He foolishly believed the boy would find his own way. Ha! Look how wrong he was,” he sneered.
Diamond struggled to comprehend his words. The only way to stop her sobs was to press her lips tightly together.
General Edo stood bolt upright, his strong shoulders squared, derision in his every word. “Prince Oden lost his heritage because he is a spoiled, weak brat who has allowed the simpering fools on his council and animals like that water leopard to influence him. He is an inadequate child who knows nothing about ruling a kingdom but everything about bringing it to its knees. His people—my people—are adrift like leaves on the wind, having to seek help from an evil bitch like this one. Hundreds of thousands of our people were murdered because of that boy’s incompetence! Tell me, what do you think is going to happen to the survivors, Diamond? Even if any of you manage to live through Ragor’s attack, Jack will always remain too weak to rule. I could have pulled what was once a magnificent army back together. I could have led our people back to greatness, given them back their homes. And with the decree King Oden gave me, no one would question my authority to rule once the prince was gone.”
“What? Stop! What are you saying?” asked Diamond incredulously. This was not the man she had known as a child. Then she remembered that her father had hidden who he was, so it wasn’t impossible that this warrior had done so too.
The Queen clapped her hands in glee, exclaiming, “Oh, this is too good. A deathbed confession. Are you hoping to go to Eternity after everything you’ve done, general? Do you think by explaining yourself, you will gain absolution from this child and be forgiven?” she chuckled.
“Shut up, you insane female! I don’t care about forgiveness, nor absolution from a half-blood who, along with her mother and father, ruined my life!” bellowed General Edo, clearly no longer caring for the consequences of his words. His icy regard rested back on Diamond. “I needed you dead so your father would return with me to Stormguaard,” he snarled. “So he had no reason to stay in the north. I knew Ragor wanted your mother and that necklace, so it stood to reason he would want her offspring with it too. Your father wasn’t meant to die—you were,” he hissed at her. “I saved you so I could get your necklace before that Seeker did. Once I had it I was going to throw you into that school house with your father, but one of those creatures knocked me senseless. By the time I recovered, the Queen’s attack dog was too close to get you alone. Then, when I met Jack, I realised how pathetic the boy was. Gods—he was so easily distracted by you, and so weak. I knocked him out without even trying. I was hoping that damned dragon would kill you both, but no…you had to survive,” he snorted with disbelief. “You even managed to save the idiot. I sent him—” he snarled at Hugo, “—after you, hoping he would find the boy dead from his injuries, and at least come to his senses and slit your throat as any self-respecting Queen’s guard would, so I didn’t have to get rid of you myself.”
“Oh Prince Oden, how marvellous of you to join us!” the Queen exclaimed.
The general whipped his body around so fast one of his guards stumbled. But Hugo, in a lightning-quick move, unsheathed his sword and rested it against General Edo’s neck. The general snarled and pushed his throat up against the blade, blood running down his neck. Hugo clutc
hed the whip in one hand, his face turned from his Queen. Silver rage burned in his eyes. One small move and the general would be dead.
“Commander, remove your blade,” ordered the Queen firmly.
Without facing his Queen, Hugo immediately complied, but he did not move from his spot between Diamond and the general.
“Guards,” she ordered.
Without further prompting, the Queen’s elite guard formed a large circle around them. Despite being unmanacled, there was no escape for General Edo, even if he should try.
Jack stood at the top of the throne room steps, regal and heart-wrenchingly handsome. But his face was cold, so cold Diamond shuddered. Her heart ached for her friend. Jack had lost his father well before he was ready to rule a kingdom. He must have hoped this tough, experienced warrior, once a loyal subject and friend of his father, would become his own advisor, his mentor.
Shoulders square and back rod straight, Jack looked every inch the ruler General Edo claimed he wasn’t. He grasped the hilt of Dragonsblood, his fingers curled around the blood red rubies, looking far from weak or pathetic. Calm and controlled, only his eyes burned with fury. The prince ignored everyone as he paced forward, stopping only when he reached the foot of the dais. To the Queen he inclined his head regally. Not low enough to suggest subservience, only respect.
“Queen, may I ask what you are doing with General Edo in your possession?” he enquired icily.
“Prince Oden, your general has been found guilty of scheming with my enemy, of planning an attack on my lands and of causing the death of my people. You may also have heard he intended to kill you, which is an act of treason against the crown that is punishable by death, even in your kingdom—or at least it was in your father’s reign.”
Jack stared at her for a moment. The Queen was challenging him and he knew it. Diamond bit her bottom lip.
“Indeed you are correct,” replied Jack carefully. “As a visiting monarch, we both know I have no right to interfere in your court’s justice, especially for crimes against your citizens.” The mortal prince turned, holding General Edo’s contemptuous eyes, his handsome face remaining a forbidding mask as silent seconds passed. Jack curled his lip in disgust and nodded slightly to himself. “I have absolutely no interest in the fate of this male. As you say, Queen, he is a traitor to me and my kingdom and caused the death of General Arades Gillon, who was a citizen of Avalonia.”
“A traitor!” spat the general. “I am no traitor to my kingdom—it was you who lost it, you who brought your people to their knees and you who leaves them now at the mercy of this scheming bitch!”
The Queen waved her hand, and Hugo slammed a forceful kick into the general’s chest, bringing him to his knees and silencing his torrent of abuse. Diamond flinched at the crack of bone breaking. Unable to speak General Edo gagged and panted, holding his broken ribs.
“As you say, prince, this is my court. He will be dealt with according to his crime,” the Queen informed Jack coolly.
Jack nodded then turned from the Queen and walked directly up to Diamond. His eyes softened and he gently touched her bruised cheek. Without hesitation he twisted back, “Queen, Diamond is a friend and has saved my life on more than one occasion. I agreed in our earlier meeting that training her to become a magical weapon would benefit all in this valley, but I would look on her being treated well as a sign of respect for our continued good relations,” his voice was heavy with meaning. “And I’m sure it will benefit us both to maintain our current military links.” He paused and let that comment sink in. The Queen smiled tightly so Jack continued. “My men are doing a good job of protecting the wall and enforcing your laws in the valley whilst your ranks are busy fighting in the forest—don’t you agree? I also see you lost your armada to that guardian earlier today. I have ten ships berthed inland along the Narkus Estuary, five of which are war ships. In return for Miss Gillon’s continued fair treatment, I will deploy them to protect the ocean borders of Valentia.”
The Queen’s mouth became a tight line. She needed those ships, Diamond realised. This city was vulnerable from the ocean even with the winter storms coming. Irritation bloomed over the Queen’s face, and she waved her hand conceding to Jack’s demand, “Yes, yes, of course, prince, you have my word she will be trained to grow her powers—and she will receive fair treatment.” A small smile curled her lips, which Jack missed as he looked back at Diamond.
“Now, deciding the manner of this male’s death is a matter for my court alone.”
Jack bowed gracefully and indicated to a stoic-looking Somal and Vico, his guards, to walk to the door. General Edo had long been a legend to the Combined Army soldiers and the two Rhodainian warriors flashed the general a murderous glance before moving to await their prince by the exit. Diamond gave Jack a small smile of thanks, so relieved he had not just abandoned her, tears stung her eyes.
“I will see you soon,” he promised quietly, giving her hand a squeeze before he turned away.
Hugo and Jack exchanged a glance, and the Queen’s guard watched his friend leave. The door grated shut and silence settled upon the throne room. General Edo kneeled. It seemed he was having trouble breathing after Hugo’s forceful kick. Diamond could not feel sorry for him. Her father was dead because of him.
Chapter 52
“No more interruptions,” the Queen ordered sharply. The guards either side of the door bowed in acquiescence. A door bar rattled loudly as it was dropped.
“Now. Kill the general, magic wielder, and you may go back to your room and start your training. Hesitate, and Commander Casimir will deliver the boy’s punishment…followed by yours.” The Queen smiled with delight as Diamond’s face paled.
Clearly Jack’s bargain meant nothing now that he was not here.
Painfully, slowly, Diamond dragged her eyes to the kneeling general. For the first time in his life he looked scared. His chin lifted and he tried to snarl, but his defiance was clearly forced. Death was staring him in the face. A tear trickled down her cheek. How can I kill someone who has meant so much to me all these years?
“I can’t,” she whispered, shaking her head, looking from Hugo to the whip in his hand.
The darkness in his eyes flickered to sapphire and his lips tightened. Simeon whimpered.
“Please—I can’t,” she sobbed, tears streaming down her face, dripping in tiny rivulets off her chin. Guilt seared her soul. Simeon was only a boy and had done nothing wrong.
“Oh, of course. How remiss of me,” chuckled the Queen. “Lord Commander, pass the magic wielder that dagger from your belt.”
Lord Commander Ream did not move his attention from Simeon’s cowering form. Diamond wanted to scream and shout and warn him off the boy, but didn’t know how. Here in this throne room she was helpless, utterly out of control.
“Hugo…please….” Diamond beseeched her friend, her saviour, her captor. If she murdered the general, she was no better than the Queen or the guards who served her like mindless puppets; if she didn’t, Simeon would suffer.
Before Diamond could even blink, Lord Commander Ream backhanded her hard enough to rattle her brain. “You have been warned about addressing him as anything other than Commander Casimir,” he responded in a flat voice.
Hugo did not move. She didn’t think her bruised heart could have hurt any more, but it did. She had thought…. What? That he felt something for me? She stared at the dagger now resting in her palm. His dagger. Only hours ago this blade had meant hope and promises; now all it meant was death. General Edo stared at her, his face blanching with every second that passed. His life was at an end and he knew it.
Diamond swallowed her tears, her hand trembling violently as she lifted the blade. Hugo prowled around all three prisoners, swishing the whip threateningly. The iron tips clicked against the marble flooring. Then he stilled, his back towards his queen. A desperate sob burst from Diamond’s chest.
“Please….” she cried, not caring if she sounded weak.
�
�You are a coward, just like your father,” growled the general, but she didn’t miss the slight shake in his voice.
Hugo looked directly at her. Feeling the weight of his gaze, she lifted her eyes and met silver-starred sapphires. Endless shadow devoured her mind. Gladly Diamond fell into oblivion. No matter that he had deserted her, or lied to her….
Utter concentration washed over his face, and a peculiar heat trickled from the scar on her left breast, warmth seeping out across her chest and down her arms and legs. It was not a painful sensation, but all consuming. Diamond uttered a moan that once again got stuck in her throat. This felt different to Hugo’s magic. Her own did not react to its touch. Outwardly Diamond looked unchanged, still distraught, but inside that strange feeling travelled along her bones, her nerves, and out across her skin.
Paralysed now, it was impossible to escape the voice echoing in her head, demanding her compliance as the blackness cleared from her mind. Her thoughts were muffled as if she were drugged, her body and mind lost to another’s control. Only conscious thought remained her own. The voice in her head commanded her to turn back towards General Edo. Silence devoured Diamond’s screams. Nothing escaped her mouth. Her blood ran cold, as she approached General Edo and her hand lifted the dagger.
No, no, no! she wailed inside. No matter what he had done, she didn’t want this, she was not a murderer!
‘Kill him,’ ordered the voice. Her mind fought and thrashed, but her body stepped forward anyway.
General Edo just looked at her as if accepting his fate. “Remember this if you live, Diamond. I loved your father very much, but in the end he let me down. You will always be let down by the ones you love. The simple answer is not to love anyone—be like him, be like me, if you want to save the innocent,” he said, looking over her shoulder at Hugo. “Be able to hurt and kill anyone for what you believe. If you can, you may just survive your fate—” he grinned manically at the Queen, “—and do what she’s afraid of. Save this world from darkness….”
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 31
