“So she will hunt you down and force you back—or kill you?” Diamond breathed.
“Yes,” he agreed. “Unless I can destroy the phials,” he looked at her intently.
Diamond gaped at him, unable to process his words.
“But even if I can’t, then we leave—together. Running will mean always being on our guard. But I can deal with that if you can. Besides, you know nothing about living in another kingdom,” he gave a half-smile, lifting her hand to kiss her fingers, then shrugged. “And neither do I, but I would like to learn—with you.”
Diamond wasn’t sure she heard him right. She blinked. “With me?” she asked hoarsely.
“Yes. I have never wanted to be a Queen’s guard. This life was not my choice, but I have never let myself hope for anything more, until now,” he breathed. Sitting up, he freed his other hand to brush his fingers down her cheek, “You make me believe I can become something other than the puppet of and murderer for an ancient, crazed queen.” His fingers cupped her cheek, shaking slightly. “Do you like the way our magic dances?” he asked, although from the sparkle in his eyes she guessed he already knew the answer.
Diamond nodded and dropped her eyes to his bare chest, her long silver lashes brushing her cheek.
He gently tilted her chin up. “I have never felt anything like it before,” he told her.
Diamond huffed slightly. The Queen had caressed him with her vile magical touch.
Hugo’s eyes narrowed. “No, not even hers,” he said in understanding. His magic pushed against her skin as if he were trying to reach inside her soul and reassure her. “Yours is beautiful, the perfect match to mine.” His throat bobbed, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. “We have such a rare and special connection,” he continued. “It’s called a Nexus bond. It is a powerful, goddess-given gift. Our magic simply fits; it belongs together. A perfect match. I don’t know how a Nexus bond works, not really, but maybe when this war with Ragor is over we can find out—together?”
Diamond’s heart tightened in her chest. Being with him was what she had yearned for, but he had let her down. She breathed out slowly and steadily through her nostrils. No, she trusted Hugo now. He was right: their magic did belong together. She felt stronger, more powerful with him nearby.
Diamond took a leap of faith, believing in her heart and her magic. She nodded. “I’d like that,” she answered, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Hugo leaned back, settling himself on his elbow once more. His face remained serious, though his eyes absorbed every detail of her high colour and bright eyes. “We must escape the Queen right after the battle. We cannot be anywhere near the palace on Winter Solstice.”
“Why? What has she got planned for you?” Diamond asked, dread curling in her belly.
A shadow crossed his face, clouding his eyes. “I forget sometimes how little you know of this place and of the Queen’s rituals.” The intense sapphire blue in his eyes turned almost black and his magic withdrew. Diamond shivered at the loss.
“On Winter Solstice, all the Queen’s guards gather in her throne room. None are permitted to be absent. That vile female then picks one, or more of us to, err ...” he coughed uncomfortably, searching her face as if unsure of whether to continue or not.
It dawned on Diamond; he had stopped because he thought her too naive to hear his next words. She squeezed his fingers, reassuringly. “It’s all right, Hugo. My father was fae, remember? I am not as ignorant as you seem to think. What does she do to them?” She raised her eyebrows expectantly.
“Use them for sex,” he said bluntly.
“Oh,” was all she could reply, instant jealousy searing through her magic, battering them both.
“Whoa!” Hugo grimaced, leaning back from the onslaught before a satisfied smile stretched his lips. His thumb stroked over her wrist, sending little electric shocks up her arm. “What was that?” he asked, a little too smugly.
Diamond scowled. “What?” she muttered, dragging her magic away from his.
“Diamond, you can’t hide your feelings from me. Your magic and mine; remember?” He grinned, entwining his fingers with hers and bringing them up for them both to see. “Are you jealous?” he asked, his voice full of a heat that made her insides melt.
“No,” she denied, mortified when her face burned.
He chuckled but let it go. “Let me explain, before you blast me off this bed. The Queen chooses one of her guard she thinks is not utterly loyal. She craves complete control over us; our emotions, our memories, even our bodies. And she possesses an ancient fae method of achieving that. She can cloud a mind with thoughts and desire and make any of us do anything she wishes. Sometimes those she has bitten remember what they have done; other times, they don’t,” he finished, disgust heavy in his voice.
Diamond swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. She remembered her lack of control in the throne room. But she hadn’t been bitten by the Queen.
“You mean she rapes her men, not just physically, but mentally too? Only on Winter Solstice or whenever she wants?” Diamond asked, horrified for them.
“Always one or more on Winter Solstice, but if any of her guard show signs of wanting to mate, she will bite them immediately. The venom in that bite is what gives her control over her victims,” he explained, blowing air out through pursed lips. “I have managed to make her think I am still hers to command, until now.”
“You mean she could bite you and control you—forever?” Diamond whispered, her face almost as white as the sheets.
“Yes,” he answered, grinding his teeth until his jaw muscles bunched and his scar twisted.
“But how does she bite? Can she shape change into some sort of beast?”
“No, at least I don’t think so,” he replied with a snort. “Some fae are born with a second set of teeth. It’s a rare trait, left from our wild beginnings in the forest. But I have seen the Queen use those teeth many times. When they are embedded in her victim’s skin, she releases her venom.”
Diamond narrowed her eyes when she felt a shudder ripple through him. “Why do such a thing? She is beautiful, powerful and rich. Surely she does not want for male attention?”
“Oh, a number of reasons I think. Power is like a drug. The more you have, the more you want. When she bites her men and has absolute power over them, they can never leave or betray her.” Hugo cocked his head, not dropping his eyes from hers. “I have heard stories, ones that have never been proven of course, but Gorian…” He paused, a thoughtful look on his face. “Never mind, but perhaps they are more true than I ever thought. The Queen is said to be cursed. She is barren, except for one single Winter Solstice in all time, when she can conceive. Raping her men is not simply about lust or power. If those stories are true, it is about her desperate need to have a child.”
“Are you telling me that she has not forced you to, err, lay with her yet?” Diamond asked through gritted teeth. Jealousy seeped into her magic again but she tightened it around her chest, not allowing it the freedom to touch him. It nearly suffocated her.
Hugo’s nostrils flared and he rumbled a low growl. “No, she has not.”
Chapter 20
An irrational amount of relief stole Diamond’s sense at his words. “Well, why can’t we run then?” she blurted. “Before Ragor gets here. We could just leave.”
Reluctantly, Hugo pulled back. “We can’t. You know that. If we could, I would have smuggled you out of here weeks ago. Besides, there is no way out until Gorian’s ship arrives. And there’s something else.” The wariness in his eyes made her stiffen. “Gorian thinks your necklace is a key to a celestial gateway.”
Diamond went utterly still. “A gateway? To where?” she whispered.
“Eternity,” he replied. “The first guardians had jewels set in their foreheads. The jewels are the keys. They will allow only the guardians who possess one to pass from our world into theirs.”
Diamond blanched. “I’ve seen the guardians in my dreams. It
was the night of the throne room. Lunaria pulled me into another realm. She gave me armour to wear; it was like a living thing.” She swallowed and closed her eyes. “I remember the heads of guardians appearing and disappearing on it. All had a jewel in the centre of their foreheads.”
“So it’s true,” Hugo breathed.
Silence fell. Both of them were lost deep in thought.
Hugo spoke first, his voice determined. “We leave the necklace. I don’t know why the Queen wants a key to Eternity, but she doesn’t have a guardian. And it seems one is useless without the other. Besides, it’s more important that you survive Ragor and get away from her. I don’t know how she is going to test you, but I do know that it will push you both physically and mentally.”
“What do you mean?” Diamond gulped.
Hugo studied their entwined fingers.
“Do you know what the test will be?” she pressed, dread tingling the nape of her neck.
Hugo hesitated, his eyes shuttered. “No, but when you pass it, you will be taken outside the shield and pushed to call your magic.” He pressed his lips together. “Soon you will join Jack on the wall.”
Diamond dropped her eyes, shuffling away from Hugo’s heat. In truth, she had not thought of her friend much since he had left. Guiltily she wondered if that made her a bad person. “But she will send you there with me, won’t she?” she asked, her stomach clenching at the doubt in his eyes.
“Whether she does or not makes no difference. You have to go. There are thousands of people in the Rift Valley who will die if Jack and Commander Riddeon lose control of the wall. You are powerful enough to save so many lives. Not like me, all I have ever done is destroy people.” Self-loathing coated his words.
“That’s not true. You saved me, more than once.”
“Did I?” he asked, a note of bitterness seeping into his voice as he ran his index finger along the skin of her collar bone down to the hollow between her breasts where her necklace usually sat.
Diamond held her breath.
“I’m sorry for being so messed up, for being so many things I shouldn’t be.”
He paused and shifted his weight towards her, his face and eyes softening so much she couldn’t speak, let alone move away from him.
Hugo gently kissed the back of her hand, then let it go and brushed some loose silken threads behind her ear. Her eyes fluttered closed involuntarily. A shiver of pleasure travelled through her and she arched her neck to the side. Trying to hide her response to his touch was impossible. Magic trembled around them, pushing against their skin.
“All the training, the way I’ve pushed you and your magic, it isn’t for the Queen. You have to be able to survive on your own—through this coming battle, and after. And if she finds out about our plan—and stops me—you have to run. Promise me you will run. Don’t stay here for anyone; not Jack or Tom. And definitely not for me. “
His gaze was so intense it frightened her.
“I promise,” she whispered.
“Thank you,” he replied, relieved.
“But the Queen won’t find out about our escape. How can she if only we and Gorian know?”
Hugo sighed, his face grim. “Because this city is like a den of snakes; anyone could betray us. Gorian’s guards, the ship’s captain, the thieves and murders that saw me enter the inn earlier. She has spies everywhere.”
Adjusting his weight, Hugo cradled her face in one large hand. Diamond rested her cheek against his palm, trying to understand why this complicated male was willing to put himself at such risk for her.
“I know everything I’ve said is a lot to think about. I understand. Let’s get some sleep. Maybe we can talk more tomorrow,” he said, sounding weary.
Giving him a tired smile, she nodded, then snuggled under the thin blankets. Her eyelids closed, but she was painfully aware of Hugo’s strong energy and the length of his hard warrior’s body, inches from her own. Tentatively, she reached out with her magic and wrapped it around his waist and arms, like she so desperately wanted to do with her body.
A low rumbling groan vibrated through his chest.
As their magic entwined, a sensation of deep belonging spread from her core, seeping through her bones. But that belonging soon became something much more. Gritting her teeth, she tried to remain still. Then he shifted his weight closer.
“Diamond? Can I hold you?” he asked, his voice no more than a low growl.
Anticipation fizzled through her. She nodded, her mouth too dry to speak. Warm, hard muscle wrapped around her, then a gentle rustle filled the air as he shifted her weight and lifted her into his body. Beautiful silken wings encircled them.
“Just to keep you warm,” he whispered, his voice strained. “Trust me.”
“I do trust you,” she murmured, feeling safer, yet more on edge than she ever had in her life.
Their magic melted together, pulsing in time with the beat of their hearts. There was no shame when Hugo pulled her in closer, only warmth and delicious, simmering desire. She propped her head on his shoulder and, with her heart thumping madly, dared to rest her cold hand on the curve of his waist. His skin was impossibly hot under her fingers. The urge to explore him further nearly broke her self-control. Engulfed by his warmth, Diamond was painfully aware of the roughly hewn blankets separating their naked bodies. Her breath caught in her throat at a light brush of his lips against her forehead. If she leaned her head back he would be able to kiss her lips.
Before she could drum up enough confidence, he ran his hands through her hair. Murmuring contentedly, she savoured the closeness and warmth of his body as it seeped into hers. The touch of his hands in her hair excited her, but lulled her too. Under her cheek, she felt the muscles of his chest shift as his fingers moved. Her warm breath fanned his skin. Like his wings, the silver serpents of his energy curved around her. They gently explored her chilled skin and awakened nerve endings she didn’t know existed. New sensations were drowning her.
“Diamond,” he whispered before burying his face in her hair. “This is madness,” he mumbled.
The truth of those words struck a chord in her heart but she didn’t care. It didn’t feel like madness being next to him or feeling his hands in her hair. It wasn’t enough. She wanted more. She wanted to feel the rough skin of his fingers exploring her, the warmth of his lips on hers and the glorious length of his body pressing against her, skin against skin. Instinctively, she moved her hips into him, stunned when he groaned her name.
The noise of the inn faded. All Diamond could hear was the sound of her heart beating wildly and her panting breath. A gentle growl filled the air, and Hugo’s arms tightened before he whispered into the shell of her ear, “Sleep now.” Something flared in her mind and in an instant, deep sleep claimed her.
Chapter 21
It was long before dawn when Hugo dressed in his damp clothes. Shivering, he was sorely tempted to slip back into the glorious warmth beside Diamond. The lamp flickered dully, casting a soft amber glow across the softness of her curves. Pulling on his shirt, he sat on the small wooden chair, smiling indulgently. He had almost lost his thread of self-control when she had pushed against him last night. A ferocious need for her had consumed him.
In desperation, he had searched out her mind. It had been surprisingly easy to find the channel created by their venom bond. With a little push, her mind had bloomed open. Her need and desire, mixed with excited trepidation, had swirled into him.
Hugo rubbed his hands over his face and groaned. Invading her thoughts and manipulating her mind had been beyond deceitful. Nothing he did when it came to Diamond ever seemed right. But neither was making love to her when she had so many obstacles to overcome—all of which demanded her utmost attention. He knew taking a lover for the first time would distract Diamond, even put her at risk. Besides, he didn’t want to be only a lover, he wanted far more than that from her. He wanted to be hers completely—body, soul and magic—and for that to happen she had to know—and accept—e
verything about him.
Latching onto her will before he had lost his nerve, he had commanded her to sleep. Just like that, she had dropped into a deep, peaceful slumber, her body yielding against his. This had been the most difficult and wonderful night of his life. It had been sweet agony to hold Diamond so close but not explore her. Eventually his ardour had settled and, surrounded by her sweet scent, he had slept. For the first time in years, the faces of the dead had not haunted him.
A mass of silken hair tumbled over Diamond’s face and shoulders, fanning out across the pillow they had shared. His gut twisted. This, he thought with a jolt, is how she will look every morning, if I ever get the chance to make her mine.
Hugo resisted the urge go to her side and run his fingers through her hair again, to brush it back so he could see her face. The blanket had slipped enough to reveal the upper swell of her breasts and the bite mark he had given her. A frown shadowed his features. As soon as they were away from the Queen he would tell her. Maybe when she knew why he had bitten her, she would forgive him. The alternative didn’t bare thinking about.
Stirring and mumbling incoherently, Diamond rolled towards the empty side of the bed as if looking for him. His chest tightened when she pushed her face into the indent on the soft feather pillow, right where his head had been. Hugo suddenly wished he hadn’t forced himself to get up. The thought of waiting for her to awaken, to watch her face as she saw him next to her, was enticing. Gripping the chair back with his hands, he tried to resist, then pushed himself up.
Diamond stretched and moved as if feeling his gaze. Quickly he threw on his damp tunic and fastened on his blades. How would she react to him this morning? Would it be better for him to be gone when she awoke?
The inn was quiet, but he knew Gorian would be in the kitchen making breakfast. Glancing out of the small dirty window, Hugo gave a satisfied grunt. The glass was thick with dust and salt from the sea, but he could see through it well enough to tell the sky had cleared. The sides of the dilapidated warehouses were illuminated by Tu Lanah’s silvery glow. Men busied themselves, carrying boxes from a sturdy boat that banged against the quay. Every now and then a boom echoed as a large wave broke against the unyielding wall of the quay. Stealthily, Hugo walked over to the bed and perched on the edge.
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