Of course, this assassin had fought to stop that happening. In the end though, it had proven useless. The truth had come out as her mind had been delved into. It was dangerous to read a non-magic wielder’s thoughts for more than a few minutes, so he was reluctant to do it again. Jack’s grin dropped from his face, and he shook off his guilt. It didn’t matter. He would do whatever he needed to get information about why she had tried to kill his friend.
Lines etched between his brows and his lips pursed. Diamond and Hugo had saved his people and this land—and then just disappeared. He had no idea if the Queen had taken them, if they had managed to escape—or if they had eventually died of their injuries. The last time he had seen Diamond, she had been in a bad way, barely clinging onto life. He hated that he couldn’t even find Elexon or Tallo, to whom he had entrusted Diamond’s care. And the stories of Hugo’s death were mixed up, he didn’t know what to think. Some said he was definitely dead, others claimed that he had been resurrected and taken away from the wall by red-winged fae.
Jack tried not to growl. Frustration had blood pounding through his ears. It didn’t help that Master Commander Riddeon had been unavailable since the battle with the Wraith Lord had ended. Another fae commander had taken over his position of authority on the wall.
On the face of it, Jack’s own army—if that’s what the mix of soldiers, fae, civilians and newly trained ranks could be called—still worked alongside the Avalonian fae, but it was clear they operated under the orders of their own commanders now, not him.
Syhira’s voice jolted him back to the room. “I killed your friend because he is the one who will unleash chaos upon the Eight Kingdoms. There will be nothing left. Nothing,” she hissed vehemently, her eyes flashing.
Before he knew what he was doing, Jack rubbed his hands over his face, hinting at his utter exhaustion. The warriors in the room watched him with narrowed eyes. Roin and Zane exchanged worried glances with Tom.
Jack crossed his arms over his chest in an attempt to stop his hands from shaking. He had barely eaten in the past three days. He had seen his best friend die, then watched his newest friend annihilate an army of monsters with her power before she disappeared from existence. He had coordinated a battle, fought as hard as any of his men and killed without mercy.
Zane and Roin, the captain of Jack’s personal guard, had insisted on taking on some of his responsibilities. Jack had gladly delegated the clean-up of the battlefield to them. Thousands of corpses had lain rotting in the winter storms. Not just the giants and monsters, but their own men too. Many had fallen after he had led his army out of the safety of the wall and into battle. He hoped his decision had been the right one. His shoulders drooped a little, then he noticed Roin’s steady gaze soften. Like many, the ex-smithy had lost everything when Ragor attacked Stormguaard, but he had never given up or let his grief hinder his purpose.
Roin lifted his chin in a reverse nod. A gesture of support.
Right. You can’t change the past. Jack straightened his shoulders and gave a tiny nod of thanks back.
The door of the old shed swung open and banged shut, thrown about by the vicious, snow-laced wind. Jack hid his grimace. Ice and snow weren’t the only things that laced the air. The acrid stench of burning flesh and ash drifted in as well.
The pyres were a necessary evil, as was the gruesome task of beheading the dead. Ragor was gone, but Jack had quickly discovered something was still turning the fallen into walking corpses. Besides, if all those bodies were left too long, disease would run rife and kill as many people as the battle itself. Thankfully both kingdoms still believed burning the mortal body set the soul of the dead free and allowed it to travel unhindered to Eternity, meaning there was no dissent from the squadrons assigned the task of collecting the dead.
“No offence, Syhira,” he said, harshly. “But that makes no sense. If you don’t want me to hand you over to the Queen for killing one of her elite guards, then you need to be more specific.” He waited expectantly, letting the silence rest heavy on her.
Tom brushed a curly lock from his eyes and met Jack’s gaze. Diamond’s childhood friend was no longer a skinny, inept boy but a strong-featured, lithe man who had presence; he still had a kind streak and personable manner that made him respected and trusted by everyone who met him, including prisoners.
Syhira had looked to Tom several times since he had escorted her into the room.
Jack nodded and leaned back—waiting patiently.
Tom squatted down in front of Syhira, his eyes level with hers.
Zane gripped his sword but, other than the tightening in his jaw and the possessive flare in his eyes, he showed no sign of his feelings.
Jack silently commended him. If one chose to mate with another soldier in the Rhodainian army, nothing could interfere with their responsibilities and ability to do their jobs—or they would be thrown out. Jack didn’t have time for lovers’ spats or fae possessiveness, especially not in his own guard.
“Listen, Syhira. If Hugo is a threat to the Eight Kingdoms, then we need to know how and why. We thought he was dead, but something tells me we were wrong. He has completely disappeared, and none of our soldiers have seen his body, not since it was returned to the wall. The warriors who brought him back have also disappeared. If he’s not dead, then we need to find him. Please, if what you say is true, then help us ensure the safety of everyone—in every kingdom. We will be forever in your debt if you do.”
Syhira contemplated Tom, weighing her options. Her throat bobbed. “Will you guarantee I can leave here alive to re-join my ship if I tell you what you need to know?” She bit her bottom lip with her teeth. “I have someone I need to return home to.”
Tom did not look at Jack, but Jack surreptitiously nudged Tom’s lower leg with his foot. Affirmation.
Tom’s face softened. He knew this woman responded to his kindness. “Syhira, you know before we can guarantee anything, you have to tell us the truth—all of it. You have entered another kingdom and committed a murder—or at least tried to. That is a crime punishable by death in any land. However, my prince is honourable. He has not harmed you thus far. The effects of a magical mind-read are not pleasant, but they are brief and temporary. All we want is information. We have fought hard for both our people and the Queen’s, and we want to keep them all safe,” he answered gently. “Those bodies burning out there are not just the enemy, they are our people; they sacrificed themselves to give others the chance of freedom. Please help us make sure their loss is not in vain.”
Gods, he’s good, thought Jack. I ought to have him as my chief interrogator, or perhaps negotiator.
Syhira’s eyelids flickered shut. She squeezed them tight before snapping them open. “Fine,” she muttered.
Jack didn’t let the triumph show on his face.
Tom dipped his head and released a relieved breath. “Thank you, Syhira.” His eyes twinkled with triumph when he turned his head. “My prince,” he addressed Jack formally. “If Syhira cooperates fully, will you allow her to be released? And perhaps…” he added, squaring his shoulders and lifting his chin as though asking Jack a question he may refuse. “Allow Syhira to be more comfortable? It may help her concentration—and memory—to loosen her bonds and allow her limbs movement?” Tom suggested with the perfect amount of compassion on his face.
Jack allowed a tight smile to stretch his lips. “I will consider it. However, much depends on the information she gives and its usefulness. I will allow her hands to be bound more loosely and moved to her lap. Her ankles however stay bound to this chair, other than to answer the call of nature.” He looked at Unis, the female fae warrior who stood at the far side of the room. He then deliberately speared his gaze into Syhira’s. “And Unis will accompany you for that.”
Syhira smirked and winked at Unis but only rolled her eyes at Jack. “You done with your demands, prince?” she asked, unable to hide the sarcasm in her words.
Jack swallowed his chuckle at her attitude.
Clearly this woman did not like being ordered around, but what was interesting was that she gave into kindness, as if she didn’t know quite what to do with it. She had instantly caved under Tom’s kind words and tone. If Jack ordered or pushed, Syhira didn’t back down, only pushed stubbornly back.
He watched thoughtfully as Tom instructed one of the others to get Syhira a drink of water, then proceeded to untie her hands before binding them loosely in her lap. She smiled her thanks as Tom handed her a metal cup. With her bound wrists still bound, she gulped the water down. Once done, Tom took the cup, nodded encouragingly and then patted her shoulder as he straightened.
“Thank you for helping us, Syhira,” he said, before stepping back.
Zane’s eyes shone with pride as Tom winked at him and smirked.
Jack pretended not to notice as their fingers brushed. He was pleased the two were now set to be mated. Zane had pursued Tom with an unrelenting fervour. As soon as the battle with Ragor was done and the two had realised the other still lived, they had asked Jack’s permission to perform the fae mating bond. Of course, Jack had agreed and had given his blessing. He would never dream of keeping apart two people who loved each other.
Tom moved back into Syhira’s eye line.
Jack realised he was giving her silent support and encouragement. His friend was indeed a manipulator, in a soft and gentle way. A dangerous enemy to have, but an excellent friend, reflected Jack.
Syhira’s voice cut through his thoughts. “I was sent here to kill the commander as you call him, because he has shadow magic.”
“How does that make him dangerous? He is no more of a threat to us than any other magic-wielder,” pointed out Jack.
Syhira stared hard at Jack. “You really have no idea who he is, do you?” she asked softly, a frown creasing her brow.
“No. Why don’t you tell me?” Jack suggested as he hardened his voice, straightened his spine and crossed his arms over his leather-encased chest.
“He is the missing prince of the Fire Mountains. His magic and heritage make him strong enough that the Queen will want him as a pawn in her game of power.”
Jack barked a laugh and dropped his head before looking at her again. His eyes twinkled, and he hid his relief. “Is that it? You killed him—or at least tried to—because he has magic and your king is worried about him serving the Queen?”
“No!” Syhira barked impatiently. “You don’t understand.”
“No, I don’t. Enlighten me,” he ordered sharply, “because this is growing tiresome.”
She looked him right in the eye. “Your friend is the one who will set free Erebos, the ruler of Chaos. He is the one who will destroy this world if he is not stopped.”
Chapter 5
“You know, what happened wasn’t entirely the prince’s fault,” Ophelia pointed out, her gaze disapproving. “My love, you should not have introduced him to Firan without warning. You must have known what would happen. Goddess, the last time Hugo saw him, Firan had been gifted Hugo’s mate as a prize.”
“Enough,” Erzion muttered wearily, his shoulders rising and falling in a huge sigh. “I agree I could have handled this better, but Firan assured me he had no desire to upset either of you,” he added, placing his palms on the table in front of him.
Hugo had threatened to rip out Firan’s throat if he even looked at Diamond, and before the powerful Red Wizard could intervene, a wall of shadow had sent the immortal lord crashing into the cave wall. Erzion had eventually talked Hugo into letting Lord Firan go.
But not before Hugo had growled, “Chaos will burn with fire before I speak calmly with the son of a bitch who threatened to abduct and use my mate as a broodmare!” His dragon had pushed through the armour on his chest, his scales stretching as his size increased; they had even covered his face, much like Lord Firan’s did above his brows, but he had listened to Erzion and let Firan go.
Firan had seemed stunned by the dragon, or perhaps the change in Hugo’s appearance. Firan no longer tried to apologise or persuade them to listen, he had merely nodded at Erzion’s plea to leave and turned on his heel, disappearing back through the door.
Now, Hugo stormed toward Diamond. She halted him in his tracks, her magic creating a barrier between them. It broke her heart to see the shock on his face as she stopped him from reaching her.
“Let me in,” he growled. “He might return, and you are still weak. I will not let him take you away.”
His anger and anxiety burned her skin and thrust into her mind. Hugo’s reasoning had become skewed by his instincts. She looked at him as Ophelia placed a hand upon his shoulder. A gentle gesture of support. Surprisingly, Hugo did not pull away, but took a calming breath then nodded his thanks at her.
“Hugo, I am honoured you are protective of me, and I understand why, as I am sure both Erzion and Firan do; however, I am not completely helpless. I am able to defend myself, even if my magic is still recovering. We have no idea why Lord Firan was here. If he was a threat, I’m sure Erzion wouldn’t have let him in the city, let alone into a room with us. And now you have not only insulted Erzion by not trusting him but attacked the ruler of another kingdom. That is not the way to win allies, only garner enemies.”
Diamond sighed at his darkening face and plonked herself down on the nearest couch. She was tired, but she needed to tackle this now. Hugo was a dominant male fae, and she had to assert her authority and independence if she really will be queen and rule this kingdom. It was true she needed his support, but she wanted his trust in her ability more.
She rubbed her face with her hands. She just wished this hadn’t happened in front of anyone else. The tingle of magic against her skin increased tenfold as Hugo protectively tried to wrap his around her. “Hugo, I know we are bound in many ways, but you have to learn to control yourself when you’re near me. You know that.”
Hugo’s eyes turned black. “Diamond, I don’t care if you are the queen of this city, this kingdom or the whole gods damned world! First and foremost you are my mate, the only person I love, and I will protect you however I see fit. I refuse to put you in harm’s way—”
“You have no choice. I will make my own decisions about where I go, what I do and who I see. You have to control yourself—” she gulped not wanting to resort to these words and hardly believing they were coming from her mouth, “—or we will never become fully mated. I want you by my side. I really do, but I cannot allow you access to any political or strategic meetings if you can’t control your urges or trust me to make my own decisions. You are an experienced warrior, a good one; don’t lose sight of that because of your baser instincts. I do not want to be the reason you throw away your identity as a warrior.”
“Ha! What identity? I have no idea who I am meant to be anymore. Killer, warrior, prince, king, lover? What am I, Diamond? Because I don’t know.”
Diamond swallowed, her heart hurting for him. “I don’t know, either. Perhaps this is an opportunity to change, to become who you want to be. What I do know is that I love you; you are my chosen mate. We can figure the rest out together.”
At her words, his eyes reverted to sapphire blue and silver.
She dropped her magic and let him step forward.
His fists and jaw clenched in unison but he didn’t touch her, only his magic nipped at her skin.
“But,” she added, “you need to respect that I have my own identity and my own strength. I annihilated an army and killed the Wraith Lord—alone. I can protect myself.”
He sighed heavily, clenching and unclenching his fingers. “I’m sorry. I know you can. I just...” he shook his head and heaved another breath. Weariness caved his shoulders. “Never mind. We can talk later. I’ll be outside with Tallo.” He turned to Erzion. “If you trust that slimy bastard and Diamond still wants me to talk with him tomorrow, then I will do so. But if he even twitches in the wrong direction, I’ll end him,” he warned before striding from the room.
“I’m sorry,” Diamond mumbled to the coup
le staring after Hugo and at her. “I’ll try and talk to him about listening to Lord Firan, though Hugo has a lot to deal with right now. I can’t vouch for his temper if Firan says something stupid.”
Ophelia chuckled. “Don’t worry, Lord Firan is more than able to defend himself against your mate if need be. Despite the reputation he has as a cruel leader, he is a very understanding soul. I think that’s why he did nothing today; he didn’t want to make things worse,” Ophelia said.
Diamond snorted, “Understanding? He bought me for the price of an armada.”
Ophelia looked at her and raised her brows. “Did he? Are you certain?”
“Yes,” Diamond said, her voice icy. “He was there when my friend was killed. He bargained with the Queen—for me…so he could…” she swallowed her distaste. “Mix my blood and heritage with his own,” she finished.
“My queen, have you not thought that maybe he was lying? That he may have other reasons for wanting to get you away from Griana?”
“No, Ophelia. Why would he do that? He had never even met me before then.”
“I don’t know why; that’s his story to tell. All I can say is I have known him all my life and so has my husband. For Erzion that is a very long time to know someone. And if Erzion trusts him, maybe you and Hugo should,” she advised quietly.
Diamond smiled weakly, trying to process Ophelia’s words. The lady of Catava’s version of Lord Firan was not the version Diamond and Hugo had grown up with.
Erzion pushed his chair back and stood. He looked exhausted by the events of the evening.
“Majesty? Perhaps we should continue our discussion tomorrow. I have to check on Firan and explain that Hugo will see him soon. Ophelia, will you ensure our queen and prince have an opportunity to eat and have everything else they need?”
“Of course,” Ophelia answered.
Her soft gaze followed him as he placed his arm across his chest and bowed low to Diamond. He paused and his throat bobbed as if words were stuck there. His eyes shone wetly before he nodded and turned away.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 74
