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

by Karen Tomlinson

  Grinning widely, he took them higher than the waterfall then glanced down.

  “No,” Diamond gasped at the devilment in his eye.

  Hugo swiftly twirled them around, spiralling higher into the air. Then dived. Diamond squealed, forced to fling her legs around his waist and grip him tightly. A loud unadulterated laugh bubbled from his chest. Diamond’s hair floated around him, lifted by the rush of air and water. Inhaling the scent of summer and flowers was another pleasure he would never tire of.

  Another scream came from Diamond as he headed for a rocky outcrop. It was cruel, he knew, to make her think they were about to crash. Grinning widely, he threw his wings wide and halted them in mid-air. A hidden cave mouth appeared below. With perfect balance, Hugo landed on a lip of slippery rock.

  Gasping, his Nexus stared at him, totally stunned.

  “You laughed,” she whispered breathlessly from the circle of his arms.

  He cocked his head. “Yes, I did,” he agreed softly, realising it was the first time he had laughed with such glee since being a boy. Not sure what to say, he shrugged and lowered her gently to the ground.

  “This way,” he said and avoided her gaze as he stalked off in front. He pushed past a protrusion of grey rock that acted like a curtain. Inside, the air became drier, but still he shivered. Diamond’s magic wasn’t the only reason he had brought her here. He heard a gasp as she slid past the natural screen.

  “What is this place?” she whispered in amazement, gaping at the natural beauty of the cave.

  Hugo took a breath.

  Trust.

  “This is where I used to run when I was a young teenager. With my friend. His name was Tawne. When our lives got too much, I would call upon the shadows and we would escape Valentia. Even if it was only for a few hours, this is where we would come.”

  “It’s incredible,” she whispered, then turned to him.

  Hugo braced himself.

  “Tell me about Tawne?” It was a hopeful question, not a demand.

  Hugo swallowed. If he wanted to build a relationship with Diamond, he had to share things about himself—things that were both painful and filled him with shame.

  Silently he prowled down the natural steps and further into the cave. Luminescent crystals lit his way, casting a constant but gentle purple glow. They hung from the cave roof like natural chandeliers and adorned the cave walls like glittering sconces. He stopped next to a pile of old bones and ash that was almost hidden in the shadows at the back of the cave. He toed it with his boot.

  “Hugo?”

  A soft enquiry.

  Diamond had followed him across the cave, so close that her body heat warmed him. Her magic made his body tingle as it sought to soothe him. He wanted so much to hold her close, to kiss her—to be the one to make love to her for the first time. His face heated, and he expelled a shaky breath. He knew Diamond had feelings for him, but he would not take advantage of her. They could not truly be together until she knew everything about him. And that included the bite he had given her. The first step was to trust her with his past.

  Hugo gave her a grim smile. “Tawne was a trainee guard too. We were both taken from our families as babies. I have no idea where I’m from, and neither did Tawne. When the Queen says a baby has been gifted, it usually means it has been taken from its home or left at the palace gates by some sycophantic parent. I learnt this when I was a teenager when I took part in ripping poor helpless children from their mothers...” his voice shook. It took a moment to control the self-loathing that surged through him. The Queen had ordered him, but even as it had sickened him, he had locked down his heart and done it.

  “Hugo?”

  The concern in her voice as she uttered his name made his chest tighten. “When we were about eleven, Tawne found this cave by accident. He had been climbing the waterfall. Tawne was a shifter, a wolf with pale blue eyes. He was so large, his head nearly reached my chest.” Hugo stepped sideways and sank onto a smooth rock, pulling her down next to him. “We used to come here to get away from the horror of our lives, even if it was only for a few hours. The Queen already had our blood so we could not leave the valley, but we could sneak out of the city. When we were fourteen, I fancied myself in love with one of the young healers who cared for the Queen’s guards. Her name was Amy. I trusted Tawne and told him how I felt. It seemed he had a crush on Amy too. As teenage boys tend to do, we challenged each other. Our fight was brutal. Tawne could not control his wolf and often turned when he became angry. He ripped a chunk from my back but thankfully the fight was cut short by one of our captains—Tallo. We were bleeding badly, but Tawne had changed back by the time we were taken before Commander Ream. Neither of us would admit what caused the rift between us. Even though the Queen sent us to the healing quarters, neither of us admitted anything to Amy. From then on it became an exciting competition to pursue her, to see who could win her affections. We made every excuse in the book to see her, or at least I did. During training I would get injured on purpose so I had reason to visit the healers. I even threw myself off my horse once and broke my arm.” He glanced at Diamond’s face. She didn’t speak, only looked at him with her brows raised. “Amy eventually worked out what was happening. I suppose she thought it was flattering.” He coughed as Diamond smiled. Quickly, before he could change his mind he continued. It was uncomfortable sharing his life, his failures like this. “She chose me and became my first lover. It caused a huge rift between me and Tawne. As you would expect, the Queen soon found out how accident prone I had become, and it didn’t take her long to figure out why—or who I was doing my damnedest to see. At least that’s what I thought. It seems Tawne was more bitter than I expected. When she questioned him, he betrayed me and Amy.” Hugo’s voice stumbled a bit then.

  “Go on,” Diamond encouraged quietly.

  “Amy was dragged to the throne room. In front of me and the other trainee guards, she was beaten without mercy—by Ream. A lesson to us all about what would happen if a guard chose another female over the Queen. Afterward, the Queen used magic to break Amy’s body. One bone at a time. She tortured her for hours, then gave me a choice: knock her into unconsciousness or let her suffer her pain. I couldn’t do it, may the goddess forgive me. I let poor Amy suffer because I was weak and couldn’t smash my fist in her jaw.” He blanched. “The Queen laughed in my face.”

  Hugo stared at the floor, bile burning his throat. Revealing his biggest failure as a male, as a potential mate and protector, made him quiver inside. Diamond may loath him after this. Without meeting her eyes he continued. “Commander Ream drove iron bolts through my wings so I could not armour them. Then he beat me until I was too weak to fight. They...” he took a deep breath and tried again. “They made me watch as Commander Ream and some of the other guards raped Amy. She pleaded for me to help her, but I could do nothing. If I had knocked her out, they may have spared her from such treatment.” His voice was but a whisper, full of self-disgust and pain. “Amy was barely conscious when the Queen threw us in the dungeons together. She wanted me to see the damage, the suffering I had caused. Between them, her and Commander Ream, they had broken Amy.” For a moment Hugo could not speak. He took a long deep breath and loosed it slowly. “All the time we were locked in that cell, Amy begged me to help her, to kill her. It was too late; I could do nothing. The Queen had me trussed in iron so that I could not move. I was useless. All of it, all of Amy’s suffering was my fault.” He raked his fingers across his tightly braided hair, catching and loosening a few dark silky strands.

  “What happened after?” urged Diamond, her throat bobbing. Her small fingers enfolded his, her magic reaching out to soothe him.

  “That night, Tawne attacked the guards and ripped a bloody trail to the dungeons. He freed us. I picked up Amy and ran. Tawne refused to follow us, he knew they would be able to track him, so he led them away. I don’t know even now how we managed to escape, the goddess or some benevolent deity must have helped us that day. I was you
ng and not strong enough to fly with us both, not with damaged wings. I had grown up hiding my gift, but the darkness and shadows were always my friends. I used them to screen us from the palace guards, to form a shield that kept Amy’s pain from their ears. Shadows can become an illusion, so I used them to blend into my surroundings, just like I do now. When we were out of the city, I brought Amy here. I waited a few days for Tawne, but he never came. Amy got sicker and sicker.” He gulped at the awful, dark memories. “She lost her will to live. Every time I went to touch her, she cowered from me and cried and cried. I couldn’t do anything for her. I was utterly helpless. I made the decision to leave her, to hunt for herbs that would ease her pain. I never made it back. The Queen knew I hadn’t left the valley. Some elite guards found me at a nearby farm, stealing food. You don’t need to know what happened next, but it was months before I made it back here. I did not see Amy again. Tawne had been captured and was tortured alongside me. Neither of us gave up the location of this cave. When the Queen was done with us, she gave Tawne to Commander Ream. I can still remember the defiance on his face as they dragged him away. He and Amy paid dearly for being my friends.” His fingers drifted to his scar. “Before the nightmare ended, the Queen gave me this.” He heard Diamond swallow. “To remind me every day what would happen if I ever allowed myself to care for someone again.”

  His eyes drifted down. Diamond’s fingers were gripping his so hard as to cause him pain.

  “I’m so sorry, Hugo. I-I don’t know what to say.” Her warmth seeped into his damp clothes as she shuffled closer.

  The sympathy in her eyes was like a weight bearing down on his soul. He didn’t want her pity, he only wanted her to understand. Shaking himself, he squared his shoulders. “I just wanted you to know, to understand…” his voice trailed off as she leaned in and brushed her lips against his cheek.

  “Thank you for trusting me enough to share your past,” she whispered. “I can’t begin to understand what horrors you have been through.”

  He inhaled, then wished he hadn’t as her scent filled his senses. His voice was impressively steady and strong as he addressed her, not even a hint of the emotions raging through him at that moment. “I still have more to tell you. But not yet,” he said.

  “When you are ready,” was all she said.

  Hugo felt his heart swell. There was no judgment in her eyes, only understanding. Bringing her hand to his lips, he swiftly kissed it. “This is also the ideal place to re-acquaint yourself with your magic,” he said briskly, completely changing the subject.

  “W-what?” she stuttered.

  Pushing away the ghosts of his past, the grin he gave her was genuine. “Up. Now. These crystals will absorb any magic you throw out, and I’ll help you with the rest. No excuses,” he added, holding up a hand as she opened her mouth to speak.

  Chapter 38

  Diamond allowed Hugo to pull her to her feet. The revelation of Amy and what she had suffered clattered through her brain. Though it made her sick to her stomach to think of Hugo being forced to stand by helplessly and watch, to carry such harrowing memories. Her heart was heavy with sorrow for him. Capitulating to the Queen was not cowardice, it was the only way he knew how to keep those he cared for safe. And Tawne. She didn’t know him, and never would know him, but she still hoped his nightmare in Commander Ream’s company had been short.

  Diamond squeezed Hugo’s hand and held on when he went to drop it. They stared at each other. In that moment, Diamond vowed to destroy the Queen; for Hugo, for Amy, for Tawne, for Attion, for Rose, and for everyone else whose lives had been destroyed by her evil.

  Hugo cleared his throat as her magic tugged at their bond, fuelled by her vengeful thoughts. His voice sounded rough when he spoke.

  “There it is,” he said, cocking his head. “That beautiful magic. Now, don’t hold back. Don’t restrain it. We are nearer the wall, and the effect of the shield will have lessened. It’s time to see how all our magical fights have helped with your control.” He gave her a wolfish grin and tugged hard on her chest.

  “Hey! Stop that,” she gasped.

  “The Queen believes you have no ability inside the shield. All she wants from you is to blast Ragor and his army into oblivion. She does not care if it kills you and all the men on the wall when you do it. But sheer power may not be enough to best an immortal like him. You have to be able to wield your magic with control, without the influence of the shield. So today is where we find out if your training has given you that control.” He chuckled at the anxiety on her face. “Honestly, it’s safe here, these crystals absorb energy. It’s why they glow.”

  “You’re serious,” she whispered.

  His face hardened to granite and his persona changed to that of lethal Queen’s guard. “Summon your magic,” he ordered. “You need to feel its strength and control it. You need to own it and be its master—before you meet Ragor.”

  Diamond knew better than to argue with him. Besides, he was right. Shying from her magic was not an option. Closing her eyes, she grasped the ember of power he had tugged to life. It flooded through her body, sending crackling heat and light surging through her blood and licking along her bones. The sensation was overwhelming. Panic gripped her, sweat beading her brow, when she realised she had summoned it with little effort. Her breathing quickened.

  “I can’t!” she cried out, fear of losing control, of burning Hugo just like last time, stole her reason. Her chest tightened until she couldn’t breathe. The cave. The walls. They were closing in. Blackness sparked at the edge of her vision.

  “Diamond?”

  She focused on him, on that rough, bass voice.

  “You can do this. Believe in yourself. You will not harm me.”

  Diamond stared into his eyes. Sapphire and silver flames encircled with shadow. But deep inside his gaze held something else. Belief? Her heart tightened as her body relaxed. He believed in her, now she had to believe in herself. He had been pushing her hard to control her magic. If she could master it in training, she could do it now.

  Nodding to indicate she understood, Diamond controlled her breathing, exhaling as she allowed her body to relax further.

  “I want to try something,” he said, in a husky tone.

  Strong fingers turned her around. Diamond felt him step close behind her, his body heat seeping into her as he gripped her shoulders. Her eyes fluttered closed as his breath fanned the shell of her ear.

  “Think, Diamond. Remember how you felt when we fought side by side in the forest. Remember your anger, your fear. You fought for yourself, for Jack, for me. You believed in your magic. You gave it freedom, and it protected us all from Sulphurious. It razed demons to dust. It might be the only thing that can save you—and me,” he hissed. “Don’t fear what is part of your soul. Become master to your magic, and it will respond,” his voice was a low rumble, his proximity making her shiver as he gave a tug on their bond. “If you can’t command it, we will all die next time.”

  Magic ripped up from her core. Diamond cried out, her hands shooting back to grip at Hugo’s legs. She needed to hold him, any part of him, to keep her grounded. She breathed him in, filling her senses.

  “You used your magic to save me. Your magic knew it was my match, even then.” He hesitated, then took a deep breath, gripping her harder and pulling her back against him. “Diamond, we are meant to be together, and no matter what happens or who tries to tear us apart, our Nexus, our magical bond, will always be there. Only death can break it,” he whispered, sending shivers rippling from the top of her head down through her body.

  “Let me in,” he whispered in her ear, his lips lightly grazing the skin under her earlobe.

  Diamond felt all her barriers melt away. Under the pressure of his hands, her skin tingled until warmth spread through her. Heat and magic crackled in the air, sending silver sparks flying into the shadow that surrounded them. Joyously, their power entwined before Hugo pushed his magic gently through her skin. It seeped inside h
er, wrapping itself around her bones. Such a glorious feeling of belonging swamped her, more intimate than anything she had ever experienced. Diamond gasped, revelling in it. Her breaths quickened to short gasps, even as a delicious ache pooled in her core. A groan escaped her lips.

  Hugo growled, lightly grazing his teeth on her neck. His breathing became harsh as his fingers gripped her hips hard enough to be painful.

  Diamond didn’t care. Tilting her head back, she arched her neck, inviting the attention of his mouth. Another moan escaped her as his tongue flicked out, exploring, tasting. Fighting the urge to turn around, her fingers dug hard into his thighs. She wanted him so badly. Now. Here in this cave.

  “Hugo, please,” she moaned, not caring that she was begging. Fae. She was half-fae, and right now her need for him was soul deep and burning.

  “No,” he hissed. Swearing under his breath, he stepped back until cool air caressed the back of her neck. “Focus,” he panted, his voice hoarse. The scent of his desire made her head swim.

  He wants me as much as I want him. That thought alone nearly stole any reason she had left.

  “Remember how you called your magic to save me. That focus and determination. I need you to do that right now. Remember, Diamond, and let my magic guide yours.”

  Diamond gasped as she felt him open his soul to her. His memories filled her. The forest, the Queen—the throne room. Fear and anger, and utter desperation slammed into her, awakening memories of her own that she wanted to forget: General Edo’s blood dripping down her arm and between her fingers, her father’s ravaged body as he pleaded with her to run. Diamond quickly forced those memories away, gladly falling back into Hugo’s.

  He was in the forest, surrounded by monsters, fighting so hard to keep them alive. To keep her alive. All the rage and fear she felt from Hugo’s mind was amplified in her own. She embraced their bond.

  And magic seared her soul.