The Queen’s guard knelt in a state of misery as though waiting for her punishment.
With a sharp crack, her hand connected with his scarred cheek.
Hugo took her blow, not even trying to defend himself. An air of utter defeat and dejected acceptance settled upon his broad shoulders. It smothered his energy until she could barely feel it. Her palm stung as she stared at this proud fae warrior, who had both saved her life and destroyed it. But causing such suffering in someone she cared about so much, no matter what he had done, shamed her. Deep down Diamond knew he had saved her from a fate far worse than one beating.
Agonising silence stretched between them. Hugo continued to stare at the floor, his shoulders slumped. Pain etched the golden contours of his face and he shut his eyes. Regret squeezed her chest tight, making it difficult to breathe.
“Get out,” she whispered, tears burning her eyes. Turning away from him, she found herself suddenly exhausted. “I need to be alone for a while.”
Hugo lifted his head and stared at her, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.
“Was I not clear, commander? Leave,” she sobbed, tears running down her face now.
Hugo pushed himself up, his eyes shining darkly.
“Don’t let her win, Diamond. Even if you can’t forgive me, the ship will still be waiting on Winter Solstice. Please—be on it.”
With that he turned and left.
Chapter 29
Dressing in her armour was a painful and slow process. The tough leather hurt her swollen limbs. Persevering, Diamond struggled to fasten the laces and ties with her stiff, swollen hands. She buckled her Silverbore sword around her waist, slipped two throwing knives into her vambraces and fixed her sleek Silverbore daggers to her hips and thighs. By the time it was done, she was exhausted.
Sitting on the bed, she listened to the rain pounding against the window, and grimaced. It was going to be a miserable journey. Downing a phial of painkiller, she grabbed her thick, waxed cape and drew it on. Gingerly, she lifted the sack containing her meagre belongings, flicked her cowl up and joined the squadron in the winter storm.
After this battle, if she still lived, Diamond would be on that ship to Gar Anon. It was time to discover who she really was, who her mother had been. Busy thinking of the Queen’s words about her blood and heritage, Diamond did not register her booted feet sloshing through the surface water or the mud that splattered the back of her legs, nor did she register the hidden scrutiny of the warrior who sat proudly upon his stallion, distancing himself from the scurrying men and women of the squadron.
Diamond hurried towards the stables.
And what of Hugo? He knows nothing about who he is. Guilt burned inside her. At least Diamond had known her father, had been loved by him. Hugo had never experienced anything other than coldness and abuse. She swallowed her sorrow for him. These thoughts were too much to consider right now.
Tallo led forward Luna, a gentle mare Diamond had ridden before. He did not speak, but nodded grimly and continued his task of organising the masses of troops leaving for the wall. Diamond blinked as he walked away. Her heart lifted to see him alive. Struggling onto her mare’s back, she caught sight of Hugo. His horse rose above any other, sleekly muscled and shining wetly in the moonlight. From under the cowl of his hood, sapphire eyes caught her gaze, and her stomach tightened painfully.
She wanted desperately to forgive him, but she couldn’t. Not yet. Lifting her face to the icy rain, she let it hit her bruised face. For a moment the pain served as a distraction from the confusion in her heart. She understood, even empathised with, Hugo’s situation, but she was still angry with him.
Diamond tugged on Luna’s reins, urging her forward at a steady plod. The crack of whips and the protesting growls of Ometons filled her ears, as the great northern snow beasts pulled on the chains and winches that opened the reinforced palace gates. The column of warriors, horses and supply carts wound its way down through the cobbled streets of the city.
Hugo briskly walked his horse up beside her. The magnificent animal whinnied at Luna, who turned her silver head and huffed back.
Diamond’s skin prickled beneath her armour as tendrils of Hugo’s magic reach out, and whether she wanted it to or not, his very presence made her feel more alive. Anger, disappointment and something far deeper sparked in her bruised heart. No smile reached her lips, though Diamond steadily met his gaze. The warmth of understanding filtered through their magic.
Unbidden, her eyes strayed to the distant ocean where tall, white crested waves broke fiercely on the grey expanse of water. Before Diamond could discover who she was, Ragor needed to be destroyed; to do that, she would have to allow Hugo close enough to help her gain control of her true magic. What she had been playing with in her training was only a fraction of her power. Her heart stumbled at that knowledge.
Diamond switched her vision. She watched as the silver serpents of Hugo’s energy tentatively reached out for the pale violet ribbons of her own. Without glancing at him, she allowed them to touch, just a little. Sensing her acquiescence, the serpents entwined around her magic until warmth snaked around her wrists, her waist and her shoulders, stroking her, beseeching her for forgiveness. The feeling was so right, so familiar, she couldn’t pull away.
Hugo snapped his spine straight and turned his sapphire gaze on her. Warmth and strength seeped through her ravaged body as his magic attempted to sooth her—until it felt as though Hugo could push those silver serpents through her flesh and bones and wrap them around her bruised heart. Without warning, the serpents snapped taught and tugged at her chest. A small gasp escaped her. Hugo tightened their bond, and she was pulled closer to his side.
Neither of them smiled as their eyes met. Simultaneously, they glanced back at the palace. In their own ways they both feared the future. One day they would have to return here, whether that would be to death or something far worse she did not want to contemplate right now.
Part II
THE WALL
Chapter 30
The highway wound deeper into the valley, through rolling farmland and into the gloom of the forest. The army column made its way along the mud-blighted road, passing what had once been quaint villages that were now swollen with ragged refugees and temporary shelters.
A thumping reached Diamond’s ears. Hammers and axes. It was clear more shelters were needed for these wretched people. It seemed they had been provided with a few tools to make that happen. Diamond was relieved at least some would have shelter. The rain had stopped now but the storms would get worse until Tu Lanah touched the horizon and the Winter Solstice passed.
At first Diamond kept her gaze down, not wanting to see the poor conditions or the tired, dull eyes that watched the army pass by. But this is who I am fighting for, she realised. Lifting her eyes, she forced herself to absorb every detail of their squalid living conditions, every family huddled in the mud, every shivering soul, every hopeless cry. She inhaled the putrid smell of sewage and unwashed bodies. It was hard not to cover her nose and mouth with her hand. The conditions were appalling.
Diamond vowed she would fight with every scrap of her soul so these people might know a home and a future that was safe. No matter how hard this got or how scared she was, she must never lose sight of that goal.
After what seemed like hours, Tallo called a halt. He was at the front of their section but his deep voice carried to the rear. It was abhorrent to Diamond that the tough but kind-hearted Tallo could have been killed yesterday.
Hugo brought Midnight Fire to a stop nearby. Her emotions still rode high. Unsure how to handle them, Diamond refused to look at him.
A frigid wind had cleared the storm clouds from the sky. Dry it might be, but the temperatures had plummeted. Diamond shivered, making her sore body ache even more. Reining in Luna, she scowled at the ground, not at all sure she could dismount.
Reese, who watched her from a few feet away, narrowed his eyes and approached her with a determined air.
Hugo’s nostrils flared as he scented Reese stepping nearer. Before the soldier could get within touching distance, Midnight Fire blocked his way.
“Do you want to dismount?” asked Hugo gruffly, before half-turning his head and glaring down at Reese.
Reese defiantly held Hugo’s gaze, but catching the shake of Diamond’s head and her apologetic gaze, the squad captain clenched his jaw and turned away.
Diamond’s ire rose. Only the concern in Hugo’s eyes convinced her to bite down on her reaction to tell him to go and lose himself far away from her. The Queen cannot win, she told herself twice before she finally looked at him.
“Not really, but unfortunately I need to,” she informed him stiffly.
With a smooth controlled movement, Hugo dismounted and looped Midnight Fire’s reins over his arm. Three powerful strides and he stood by Luna’s side. Shoulders stiff, jaw clenched, he waited. With his height, he wasn’t much lower than Diamond was, even from the back of her horse.
Diamond regarded him steadily. She was well aware the squadron was watching them. It would be so easy to rebuke him. To humiliate him. Instead, she haltingly lifted her right leg over her saddle, a hiss of pain escaping her. Teetering precariously on the curve of the saddle, she allowed Hugo to put his hands on either side of her bruised hips. Wincing, she gritted her teeth as he lowered her carefully to the ground.
Diamond knew Hugo would feel the weight of the squadron’s mistrust. Her time with him had proven he was not as unfeeling as he would have others believe. Still, he ignored them, his attention solely on her.
“Thanks,” Diamond said, giving him a small smile before limping off into the trees without another word. When she came back, Hugo handed her bread and cheese.
“Drink this when you’ve eaten,” he said, passing her a phial of blue liquid. “It will help with the pain.”
For a moment Diamond could only look at the phial. Stupid tears burned her eyes. She blinked them back. “Thank you,” she whispered, unable to meet his eyes this time.
A river of mud had been left by the stream of horses, men and carts. It sucked at her boots as she hobbled to a fallen tree trunk away from everyone else. Tucking her cape underneath her, Diamond sat down. Bolts of pain shot through her swollen jaw and face as she chewed on a piece of slightly stale bread. She sighed and gave up after a few bites. Her appetite had disappeared. Gulping the icy water made her teeth ache, but she used it to down the painkiller. Its bitter aftertaste stung her throat and lingered on her tongue.
The fact that Hugo had actually been thoughtful enough to bring her painkillers—after what she had done this morning—made her shrink into herself.
The bottle was smooth and cold as she rolled the empty phial between her fingers. With her energy levels at rock bottom, she plummeted to new depths of misery.
Hugo sat with his back to her. Unmoving, he seemed to be staring into the gloom of the forest, lost in thought. Tears stung her eyes. This is what the Queen had wanted—to drive them apart. To hurt and weaken them both. Hugo was more alone now than he had ever been. These soldiers and warriors no longer respected him because he had done the only thing he could to give Diamond a chance, capitulate. If he hadn’t done, the fate of everyone in this valley would be so much worse.
Diamond sat up straight and contemplated Hugo’s broad back. The Queen would not win.
Chapter 31
Diamond shivered through the afternoon. Despite the painkiller, her body jarred with each of Luna’s steps. The drug had only made Diamond drowsy. Every now and then she felt magic, magic as dark as the shadows of the forest, wrap around her shoulders and pull her back into balance on her saddle.
Midnight Fire continued to walk as close as Luna would allow. Occasionally the two horses huffed and whinnied at each other. Diamond was dozing, so tired she even welcomed Hugo’s large hand holding her upright, when she heard voices raised in challenge.
Blinking her heavy eyes, Diamond peered through the thinning treeline. In the darkness, yellow torches flickered brightly, illuminating a large structure. Jack’s compound. They must be in the heart of the valley.
Diamond made out a large area of cleared ground that seemed to surround a huge fortification. A wide ditch, its scarp steep and muddy, encircled the structure for as far as Diamond could see. Solid wood gates were already thrown wide.
The squadron filed into a large yard surrounded by wooden pens and stables. The horses tossed their heads and snorted at the prospect of food and rest.The compound was crowded and noisy—and quite overwhelming. With hands and feet like blocks of ice, it was far too painful for Diamond to move. She swore under her breath. Her body had seized up. Beyond her seat in the saddle, Diamond spied a large wooden building. It looked solid and safe. She groaned; what she wouldn’t give for a nice warm bed, right now.
Flags billowed above the building, emblazoned with the dragon of Jack’s house, and there were many well-armoured guards around the doorways, walls and guard platforms on the roofs. Diamond expelled a sigh. Jack was her friend, and he had told her he had spies in the palace. Word would have reached him of her test. Fervently, she hoped she wouldn’t see Jack tonight. Facing his questions and inevitable wrath over her ravaged appearance would be far too draining.
Tallo reined the squadron in across the muddy central yard, after being directed to the only space left by a very harassed-looking captain.
Diamond used the opportunity to switch her vision. Energy from the forest pulsed forward, as if drawn to her. It was easy to relax and welcome that spark of growth and life as it washed over her. Warmth invaded her mind and the smell of sap and damp earth tickled her nostrils. Closing her eyes, Diamond gave herself a moment to relish the feeling, wishing she had opened herself up to it earlier. A tiny nudge on her cheek from Hugo’s energy brought her back to the here and now.
Masses of energy flowed around her, swirling around the warriors and the horses. Her heart tightened, and she fleetingly wondered if Tom or Zane were nearby.
Diamond let her vision return to normal. It did not matter; they would have their own duties now.
“Dismount!” Tallo bellowed, jerking her out of her reverie.
Before Diamond could even think about getting herself down, Hugo was standing by her, his large hands gripping her hips again. She flinched, and he hesitated.
“You don’t have to be near me every time I turn around,” she snapped. “I am capable of doing some things for myself.”
“I know that, but it doesn’t mean I can’t help you,” he replied patiently, holding her eyes.
Firmly but with care, Hugo lifted her down. Her numb feet hit the ground, and she obstinately pushed him away. Her knees collapsed; to her shame, only his quick reactions saved her from landing in the thick mud. Muttering and cursing her stubbornness, he swung her up in his arms, paying no heed to her protests as he strode off towards the wooden building next to the prince’s.
“Hugo!” bellowed a voice from behind them.
Hugo froze. He instantly threw his wings wide, armoured and glowing. Slowly he turned around, his feet squelching in the mud. Diamond felt his whole body tense, his muscles pushing uncomfortably against her bruises. She changed her vision. The silver threads of his energy were thrown out in a similarly defensively way to his wings.
Jack covered the ground in long strides until he stood an arm’s breadth in front of Hugo, oblivious to the energy that tried to attack him. Diamond felt it in her chest when Hugo gripped that energy with his iron will and yanked it back. The serpents reluctantly recoiled until they wrapped around her, holding her protectively.
Diamond hastily let her vision return to normal. It wasn’t necessary for Jack to see evidence of her magic.
“Give her to me,” Jack ordered, his voice hard.
She felt Hugo pull her in to his chest and knew he would not follow Jack’s order.
“Hugo, you will release her or, may the goddess help me, I will give the order to strike you down where you stan
d. Queen’s guard or not. Friend or not. You do not deserve her,” said Jack, his voice icy.
Diamond wanted the ground to swallow her.
Familiar faces stood tense and ready behind Hugo, their swords drawn. Her heart flipped. Enough. There would be no more blood spilled on her account. This was unnecessary. Ridiculous even. Hugo did not deserve this treatment. And Jack had no right to decide who was worthy of her attention.
A movement in her peripheral vision cemented her concern. Gunnald stood in the shadows, his bow ready. Its strange magical markings glowed, mirroring the tattoos visible on his neck and arms. The human’s incredible vision was centred directly on Hugo.
“Hugo. Put me down. Please,” she breathed, squeezing his tense arm between her fingers.
A feral snarl curled Hugo’s lips as he took note of his position, but he glanced down at the sound of her voice. His eyes turned to glittering obsidian, a shadow darkening his face. She briefly pushed her magic against him, wanting to comfort him, to erase the darkness that took his heart away from her when he knew death or pain was closing in.
“I am not worth dying over,” she whispered, knowing only his fae ears would hear her. Hugo’s eyes lightened a fraction. But even as he nodded, she felt his utter disbelief in that statement filter through his magic. She gulped down her tears. He really had come to fight for her yesterday. He had stopped, not for his own safety, but for hers. Guilt for how she had treated him burned her heart.
“It’s okay. Put me down,” she told him. “I’ll go with him.”
Ignoring Jack’s outstretched arms, Hugo reluctantly lowered her feet to the ground, not letting go until she had gained her balance.
Diamond found she could not watch as Hugo turn his back on them and walked away.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 51
