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

by Karen Tomlinson

  Attion prowled to the front of Ream and cocked his head, smiling at the pain he saw in the Lord Commander’s eyes. “I felt you straight away, Diamond. You should really know better than to seek me out near the Queen,” he scolded gently. “She felt you too. It’s why she sent him here. You can guarantee she is forming her guard right now. I also know she will be seeking the assistance of her provost.” A cold smile curled his lips. “The toad-like woman, as you liked to call her,” he recalled.

  Diamond ignored Ream as he thrashed and tried to scream, fury and disbelief burning in his eyes.

  “The woman who looks like a toad is the provost of the Acolytes?” she asked incredulously.

  “Yes,” Attion replied. His eyes roamed down Ream’s body.

  The Lord Commander’s face was almost purple, his mouth gaping like a grounded fish. Even his arms hung slack by his side now. Only his fingers, clawing weakly at the empty air, gave a sign that he had any life left in his body.

  Attion’s gaze stopped at the commander’s groin where blood ran freely, soaking his leggings and dripping onto the green floor. Cold satisfaction burned in his eyes. For a few more seconds he watched it drip, then slowly he pulled a dagger from the sheath on his muscled thigh. Face and eyes as cold as ice, he lifted his blade and stepped forward. There was no need for him to speak as he drew it slowly across the Lord Commander’s neck; he never blinked, as if he didn’t want to miss a moment of his abuser’s pain.

  Diamond tried to feel guilty at being responsible for ending yet another life. But she couldn’t. Ream’s soul was a dark, hideous thing. She hoped he would rot in the agony of Chaos, that he would suffer, over and over. She would never regret her actions this day. He deserved every bit of pain his ending brought him. She allowed his body to fall to the floor. It landed with a heavy thump.

  Utterly still, Attion stared at the corpse. A frown creased his brow. “He was nothing,” he whispered, almost to himself. “He is nothing, just a mortal fae. Not the invincible monster he was supposed to be.”

  “Attion.” Diamond grabbed his hand, feeling sick at the lost, vulnerable look on his strong face. “Come on. We are here to help our friends—to get Rose back. Then we must leave. All of us. You are coming with us,” she said, pulling her magic back inside. When he didn’t move, she grabbed his arm and yanked him across the room towards the door behind the throne.

  Hugo materialised out of the shadow near the main doors and dropped his shield. The bodies of the two guards came into view.

  Attion blinked at Hugo. Then his eyes cleared a little and, although the devastation in his eyes didn’t disappear, it cleared a little. “Shadow demon,” he greeted, nodding his head. “Good to see you’re alive. I’d heard you were dead.” Then he looked at Tallo and nodded his respect. Attion’s eyes widened as he saw Havron’s wings. “What the …?”

  Hugo stepped forward.

  “Attion, meet Havron. He is a red warrior—and a friend.”

  Attion raised his brows, then shrugged. “What’s one more magic-wielder to me? Seems I’m destined to be surrounded by them,” he muttered, but the relief in his eyes as he looked at Diamond, then Hugo, belied his flat tone.

  Diamond wondered if killing Ream would actually bring Attion relief—or if it would bring more pain and memories back to haunt him.

  She didn’t have time to consider it further; Elexon burst out of the metal studded door and skidded to a halt. Sweat covered his brow and blood trickled down behind his ear.

  Diamond’s heart nearly stopped. In his arms was a ragged, filthy bundle.

  Rose!

  “What in the hell are you doing here!?” Elexon roared. His eyes glowed with red fire, his armoured wings snapping open.

  None of them missed the way he pulled Rose into his chest. Her eyes were open, staring at Elexon’s face as if frozen. Her face was bruised, and she was covered in dirt and filth, her dress torn to rags.

  Diamond held in her tears. She wanted to run over, to help and comfort her friend; however, by the look on Elexon’s face, he would not allow anyone else near her.

  “We’ve come to help you get out,” Diamond answered calmly but firmly.

  “You!” he growled at Tallo and Havron. “You two are going to need some damned good reasons for bringing them both here! Are you insane!” he hissed, striding closer, until he registered Attion’s presence.

  He pulled Rose even closer and snarled viciously at Attion. “What are you doing with an elite guard?” he snapped at Diamond.

  “He is my friend, just as you are. And I will not abandon any of my friends. We need to stick together,”

  “I don’t care. Keep him away from Rose. Bastards like him did this to her.” He sent a blast of red magic barrelling towards Attion.

  It was met with light and shadow. The shadow merely absorbed the red power from the air.

  “Elexon! Stand down. This is not Attion’s fault.”

  “Like hell it isn’t! I’ll kill every single one of you bastards!” he snarled at Attion.

  “Me included?” asked Hugo, his voice cold. “It was my failure that landed Rose here, not Attion’s. And I have always been an elite guard. Just like Attion.”

  “Elexon, we can talk about this later. The most important thing now is to get Rose home,” Diamond said.

  A glance at Attion showed him staring at Rose. It shocked Diamond to see deep remorse in his eyes, understanding the horror she likely had suffered. She gulped when she realised it was reflected in Hugo’s eyes. And that was guilt there too.

  “I-I did not hurt her. The Queen kept me away. I wasn’t allowed down there. I had no choice,” Attion affirmed hoarsely.

  It was Hugo who put a supportive hand on Attion’s shoulder. “It’s all right. We believe you.”

  Attion’s shoulders dropped, but he nodded slightly at Hugo.

  Diamond met Hugo’s gaze. She swallowed, hoping he read the thanks in her eyes. Both his and Attion’s lives had been destroyed by Griana. Only they truly knew how the other felt, what it meant to be forced and manipulated into a course of action they neither agreed with nor wanted.

  Anger burned in her heart. Enough. This is Griana’s fault.

  “Elexon! You will treat Attion with respect. Save your vengeance for the false queen,” barked Diamond. “Tallo and Havron are here on my orders. You will not punish them for it.”

  Elexon swallowed, took a deep breath and nodded. “As you wish, my queen,” he answered, still eyeing Attion suspiciously.

  “Where did you find her?” asked Diamond, walking up to Rose.

  “She was on the deepest level. It is the worst level. The cells are only crawl spaces with no light, very little air and no sanitation,” ground out Elexon, his eyes flicking accusingly to Attion again. “If I find out you took part in any of her torture, I will burn you from the inside out,” he growled.

  Attion did not falter at the threat. “I did not,” he asserted again, meeting those red, burning eyes.

  Elexon remained silent, but his wings flared crimson. He did not hide his anger or distress, only turned his big shoulders away from Attion, cutting him out.

  “Were there any others down there?” she asked Elexon.

  “Not that I saw,” he answered curtly.

  Attion’s wings quivered, despite his steady voice. “No. There are no others,” he confirmed. “The Queen had her last three prisoners, some green-winged fae, brought up to the throne room yesterday. She ordered all but the guards she has bitten to leave. The fae will be dead now.”

  Hugo’s disgust and anger shivered through their magic.

  Diamond resisted the urge to reach for his hand, almost glad for the wall he kept wrapped around his emotions. “Oh,” was all she could answer. She stepped forward, wanting to talk to Rose.

  Attion held her back. “No,” he said quietly. “Leave him.”

  Diamond regarded Elexon’s clenched jaw and the red magic gathered around him. Attion was right. Elexon was not going to allow any
one else near the woman he loved, not yet.

  Chapter 9

  Hugo swallowed his fear for Rose. He knew what happened in those cells, how the Queen treated her captives and wore them down. It sickened him to think of what Rose had likely endured. “Come, let’s get out of here,” he urged.

  Diamond indicated to the other warriors to walk ahead of Elexon whilst positioning herself at the back. Hugo understood she wanted the other males in front of Elexon; the other warrior was determined to protect the woman he loved. They all understood that uncontrollable urge, even if they had never experienced it.

  Ignoring her silent order, he walked around her. He was also protecting the one he loved, whether she liked it or not.

  She scowled at him.

  Hugo merely raised his brows and tugged on their Nexus. He hid his smile when she rolled her eyes at him.

  Tallo strode ahead, leading the others back towards the passageway on the far side of the throne room.

  Hugo snarled down at Ream’s bloodless corpse. He had wanted to be the one to kill the cruel bastard. But Attion… He swallowed his sorrow for the guard who had become his friend. At least Attion had taken a little revenge on the male who had abused him.

  Hugo frowned. “What happened to your head?” he asked Elexon, noting the blood and swelling just above the warrior’s right ear.

  “Rose hit me with a piece of rock,” Elexon growled, but there was a note of pride in his voice.

  Rose opened her eyes. “I d-didn’t know it w-was y-you,” she whispered hoarsely.

  “Shh, I know,” soothed Elexon, pulling her closer.

  Hugo met Diamond’s eyes, and she smiled. Relief shone in that smile. Rose still had the will to fight for her survival. Elexon knew that too. He looked over his shoulder and met Hugo’s eyes, a small smile pulling the corner of his mouth. Hugo smiled back and nodded, turning his attention to Diamond as she approached her friend. Elexon did not allow his protective instincts to kick in. Diamond was his queen. With gentle fingers, she stroked Rose’s matted hair back from her face.

  “Rose? It’s me, Diamond. Elexon is going to take care of you now. No one will hurt you again. We are taking you home,” she whispered, planting a gentle kiss on Rose’s cheek.

  Elexon nodded gratefully to Diamond. Rose started to shiver uncontrollably. Elexon swallowed hard, worry shadowing his eyes.

  “Go,” urged Diamond.

  Before they took another step, a huge force rocked the air, sending the enamelled doors exploding inwards. A figure blasted green magic into the room. Shot through with veins of darkness, it was a hideous thing.

  “Kill them!” screamed Griana.

  Hugo summoned his magic and sent a wall of shadow hurtling towards her and her warriors. Following closely in its wake, a wave of red flame crackled. Havron stepped up beside Hugo, his eyes glowing.

  Griana’s magic pushed against them both. Laughing, she fixed her eyes upon Havron. With a flick of her wrist, green magic attacked them both.

  Hugo’s muscles bunched as she began to destroy his magical shield. As Attion had feared, Hugo realised she had fed on the green wings. Gritting his teeth, he absorbed her magical onslaught as best he could.

  Havron screamed as a spear of dark green magic attacked, thrusting into his shoulder; but he fought it, blasting the first wave of elite guards with fire. They screamed as they burned, their skin blistering. The darkness struck, again and again, piercing more of his flesh. In seconds, his magic stuttered and he fell.

  “Havron!” Hugo yelled.

  Hugo slammed up a wall of sapphire-laced shadow in front of them both.

  Forced to retreat, Griana screamed her frustration.

  “Diamond!? We’ll never get out the way we got in! Blast a hole in that far wall!” Hugo yelled. He spared only a moment to look at his Nexus, focusing on repelling Griana’s bombardment

  Diamond’s eyes glowed. Grabbing Elexon’s arm, she pulled him over to the opposite wall. His eyes burned like hot coals as he glanced hatefully at Griana’s screeching face.

  “No,” Diamond ordered. “Vengeance will come for her one day—but not now. We need to get Rose out.”

  The red warrior nodded.

  “Attion, Tallo, get Havron and cover our backs. Take down any warriors who get past Hugo’s shield,” Diamond instructed.

  They followed her order without question. Attion ran to Havron and yanked him to his feet. Tallo cursed as Havron’s wounds pumped blood from his body. Quickly, he ripped his tunic off and bound the wounds.

  Hugo did not falter; he kept his shield in place as he stretched over his shoulders and pulled his twin swords.

  The first warrior to fight through Hugo’s shield screamed and collapsed, yelling as Hugo consumed his magic. Again and again Hugo sucked in the power of the guards. Bodies piled up on the floor.

  Behind him, Diamond blasted the outside wall of the throne room.

  Hugo ears rattled, and he coughed the dust from his throat. Glancing back, anxiety tightened his gut. Despite her power and heritage, he could feel her magic was still weak, and these walls were ancient; thick layers of marble and granite designed to withstand time and magical attacks. Her attack had cracked the wall but not broken through. If he dropped his shield, Griana would kill them all; if he didn’t, they would be trapped anyway.

  The guardian inside him roared. A reminder.

  “Diamond!” Hugo yelled.

  When he weakened his shield and threw his magic towards hers, she was ready. Their magic instantly merged.

  He swore viciously, feeling how weak she truly was. He glanced at her and saw that a sheen of sweat covered her brow and that she panted heavily.

  Griana screamed at her warriors. Attacks surged on all sides. Calling upon his magic and his guardian, Hugo moved like the wind. He fought Griana’s warriors even as his magic lent his Nexus the strength to blast through the remaining stone and into the winter night beyond.

  Attion and Tallo fought alongside him to protect Havron, who did his best to burn their attackers.

  The storm surged in, battering them all. Hugo didn’t care. Ice-laced wind blasted his hot skin. He could only hope the storm would protect them from the guards Griana likely had surrounding the tower. Knowing it would cost him his life to check, Hugo did not look. His swords glinted as he struck down his enemy, crunching through flesh and bone until blood covered him. These were all the Queen’s elite guards, all without the magic to armour after running through his wall of shadow. Hugo deliberately blocked their faces; he knew most of them.

  “Hold!” screamed Griana as Hugo twirled and thrust his blade through the belly of yet another fae. Her elite guard immediately stood back, their faces blank and eyes stormy and dark.

  Attion glanced at Hugo.

  Hugo nodded. “Go,” he ordered.

  Attion quickly sheathed his blade and, pulling Havron’s arm around his shoulders, dragged him away. “Get out of here,” he barked at Tallo, who stood by his side clutching his sword.

  “Don’t fight her alone,” Tallo growled before he ran after the others.

  “Do you really think I am going to allow those traitors and that female to escape?” Griana taunted. “Come back to me, Hugo. Serve me once again and I will make their deaths quick and painless. Choose her and I will make sure every single one of them suffers. Her worst of all.”

  A blast of red flame rushed over Hugo, slamming into the shield of jade and darkness Griana held in place. He felt his guardian’s glee as he absorbed that blazing magic into himself.

  Elexon quickly incinerated what was left of the golden-winged elite guards, alive and dead.

  Griana screeched with rage, using all her power to keep up her shield.

  “Run!” bellowed Elexon.

  Hugo turned and sprinted towards the darkness of the night.

  Diamond was outside, sharp bursts of light blasting from her hands, burning the arrows that rained down from the skies.

  Elexon sprinted out behind Hu
go amidst the wild screech of Griana’s anger. Rose swayed on her feet next to Diamond, holding together the remnants of her dress.

  Hugo didn’t pause but ran to his Nexus and grabbed her around the waist before launching skyward. Elexon followed with Rose, who curled herself around Elexon’s body.

  Attion launched into the sky, strain evident on his face as he lifted Havron higher from the ground. Tallo caught up to him. Working together they lifted the heavy warrior into the raging winds.

  Arrows fizzled and turned to ash against Diamond’s shield, but Hugo could feel her magic pulling more and more on his. A bead of sweat ran down her temple.

  “Come closer!” he bellowed to the others. They got as close as their wings and the turbulent wind would allow. Hugo led them up into the night, higher than the utmost pinnacle of the Queen’s tower. A legion of elite guard followed closely.

  Hugo gritted his teeth, fighting the storm. His muscles burned and shook. He could see only one way out of this. Diamond’s magic was weakening despite using their Nexus, and Elexon could not use his whilst carrying Rose. “Stop!”

  His team complied.

  Attion and Tallo hovered nearby panting; their neck muscles knotted with effort. Havron was fading in and out of consciousness, becoming a dead weight. Elexon hovered close by. Waiting.

  Hugo prayed this would work. “When Diamond drops her shield, I will create panic and chaos and hide us with shadow. But we need to dive through them. Go where they least expect.”

  Elexon looked down. “I understand, prince,” he said and whispered in Rose’s ear. Rose looked down, clearly terrified. Even in the darkness her bruises stood out starkly against her pale skin. She wrapped her limbs tightly around Elexon, her eyes wide.

  Diamond grunted with effort, and Hugo’s guardian growled his anxiety.

  “Tallo! Attion! When I grab Diamond, dive!” Hugo yelled, against the howling wind and freezing rain that soaked them.

  They exchanged a glance and nodded, though they clearly knew it would be practically impossible whilst holding Havron’s deadweight.

  Hugo prayed Diamond had absorbed enough strength to keep her shield up while he pulled his magic back.