Roin and ten of Jack’s guard had their swords drawn, protecting the doorway. There were six gold-winged warriors among them.
Karl’s armour glinted, illuminated by the magic glowing from both sides. The mild tempered fae looked over his shoulder and shook his head at Hugo. “Don’t do this,” he ground out.
Karl was right. Hugo would regret this, but he would do anything to keep Griana away from Diamond.
In front of Jack’s men stood seven of the Queen’s guards.
Thorn!
He now wore the armour and insignia of Lord Commander.
Not a surprise, reflected Hugo, giving the elite guard a cold dead look. A sneer spread over the cruel guard’s face.
Griana smiled triumphantly, looking him up and down as though Hugo was her next meal. But anger also burned in her eyes, an anger so vicious Hugo felt his stomach tighten. Involuntarily, his tongue probed the roughness of his cheek on the inside. He was lost, but these men—he would not let them die for him. Steadily, he held Roin’s eye. Jack’s men would be cut down in seconds if this resulted in a fight. Roin knew that but he did not drop his guard in any way as Hugo stepped up beside him.
“Commander? What are you doing?” Roin asked, his voice calm and strong, his eyes now on Thorn.
“Roin, I am an elite guard, and the Queen is here. I must go to her. We all know I can never escape,” Hugo said, placing a placating hand on the big man’s shoulder before he stepped forwards and bowed slightly to Griana.
“Where is she?” Griana barked. Her sable cape billowed around her body, her wings shivering and sending the snow swirling in wild patterns, only to be consumed by the darkness that swathed them. It was not shadow magic like his, but an inky blackness that seemed capable of devouring anything it touched.
Hugo knew pretending he misunderstood Griana’s question would be folly. “She is on her way out of this valley,” he replied coldly. “Away from you.”
Thorn snarled and covered the ground between them in two long strides.
Hugo tried to stop the other fae, but found his magic gone and his limbs slow and heavy as he attempted to swing his swords. What in Chaos is happening to me? he wondered, fear now coating his tongue.
Griana had never been this powerful before. She had always had the ability to hold his body still, but he had always known he could fight her with his magic when the time was right. Now. I need to fight her now, he told his guardian. In turn, his guardian thrashed and bellowed, the heat of its magic burning Hugo on the inside, but it could not get out. Even his armour was fading. Instead of the impenetrable covering of scales, it had become soft and malleable.
The hilt of a sword slammed hard into Hugo’s stomach, stealing his breath just as a solid punch landed on his jaw, rattling his brain. Blood spewed into his mouth. His teeth had cut his cheek.
Roin growled, but out of sight of Thorn and Griana, Hugo wagged his finger telling the soldier not to interfere.
“You, you and you. Search the upstairs rooms,” Thorn ordered. “Kill anyone who tries to stop you,” he barked.
Keeping his anger in check, Hugo glanced at Roin. “Let them pass,” he rasped, “or they will kill you.”
Roin’s nostrils flared, his lips pursed into a tight line. Abruptly, he turned away. “I will return soon,” he told Hugo before striding off into the night.
Hugo smothered his relief. He did not want these men to die unnecessarily. A groan from the ground near Thorn’s feet snagged Hugo’s attention. Tallo! Hugo swallowed hard and looked quickly away. If his friend was groaning, he still lived.
Noting the direction of Hugo’s gaze, Griana glanced at Tallo. Evil lit her jade green eyes. “Kill him!” she barked at Thorn.
“No!” Hugo bellowed, trying to fight, to lift his arms. Anything to help his friend.
Griana snarled at his efforts. “The power of my Lord Erebos outmatches yours, Hugo. With his help, I am far stronger than you. You cannot fight me. But you can watch someone you care for die and know you brought this on him.” A sheen of sweat glistened upon her brow. Clearly whatever power she wielded was costing her dearly. “You and that goddess-born filth killed my Lord Commander and my men,” she spat. “And now you can watch one who has forsaken me die.”
Hugo thrashed against the dark power that held his magic. It didn’t matter. He had no choice but to bear witness to the scene unfolding before him. Horrified, he watched as Thorn slid the cold metal of his sword into Tallo’s chest. Tallo cried out in agony, his body stiffening, his eyes finding Hugo’s. A fierce anger shone there and, among the agony, a respect that made Hugo’s eyes burn and his heart squeeze.
Hugo clenched his jaw so hard his teeth creaked. Pain seared his soul as he watched his friend and mentor die, utterly powerless to do anything.
I should be guarding him, not failing him like this. He does not deserve this! I am sorry. Hugo sent Tallo a silent promise, His death will be by my hand alone, and it will not be quick. His guardian growled in agreement.
Tallo nodded as if hearing his promise then looked up at Thorn and grinned, his teeth covered in blood. “You stupid—bastard,” he coughed violently, blood splattering his waxen face. “You have just—sealed—your death warrant. My king—will make—your death—slow—and painful.” Tallo met Hugo’s eyes once more, his eyes conveying a deep love and respect, before they glazed over, and the light of his soul faded.
“No!” Hugo yelled, his voice breaking as Tallo’s body went lax.
May the goddess save your soul and guide you to Eternity, my friend. Thank you for being the only one who ever gave a shit about me, for being there when no one else was. Hugo did not bother to hide his tears as he prayed for his friend, hoping the goddess would save a special place in Eternity for Tallo.
Thorn placed a foot on Tallo’s chest and pulled out the blade. A smug smile crossed his face.
“I will kill you for that,” Hugo promised, pushing every bit of hatred and threat he could into his voice. “One day when you are least expecting it, I will enter your nightmares and rip your mind—your very soul—apart from the inside out.”
Thorn’s face fell for a moment before his bravado returned. “I’ll be visiting you in your waking nightmares first, traitor,” he retorted.
Hugo didn’t doubt it. No matter. He would carry out that promise for Tallo, even if it took him past Eternity, even if it meant entering Chaos itself to avenge the male who had taught him so much. He would carry out that promise for the fae who had been his only friend in the years of loneliness after Tawne had been taken.
Soft flakes already covered Tallo’s body, like a thin veil. Hugo stared at the dark stain spreading across the pure white snow. He shuddered. He was no stranger to death. The goddess knew he had dealt enough killing blows in his time, but he had never before cared for anyone who had died. His breathing hitched. It was agonising to think the fae lying on the ground would never rise again, never spar or laugh or banter with him ever again.
Hugo looked away, his body tense enough to snap. For long, excruciating minutes the only sound Hugo could concentrate on was the booted feet stomping around inside the tower.
He hoped that Attion would have the sense to stay away.
There were no shouts of surprise or scuffles from inside, nothing to suggest any resistance at all. Clearly Elexon had hidden them both well.
The elite guards reappeared empty-handed but before he had time to feel relieved, Hugo found his legs collapsing as one of the guards stomped hard on the back of his knees.
“Where is she!?” bellowed Thorn into Hugo’s face, his eyes swimming with a strange kind of madness.
Hugo’s gut clenched. If Thorn and Griana got hold of Diamond, they would break her—thoroughly and painfully. He could only hope Elexon would keep her safely hidden and somehow get her back to Catava and Erzion’s care.
“I don’t know,” Hugo answered, keeping his voice and face devoid of the hatred that burned in his soul. His guardian thrashed against th
e darkness that sequestered it. Hugo urged it on, hoping it would break free; it snarled, telling him it would try.
Griana half smiled, half sneered as she looked between Thorn and Hugo.
“Bullshit!” snarled Thorn, his face puce with rage now. “I can smell her all over you. That sweet, sickly female smell she has. It’s disgusting! She has used you, manipulated you—and you have let her. You are a lying, bastard!”
Hugo did not see the blade until it was too late. It flashed as Thorn thrust the serrated iron dagger into his shoulder. It tore through his muscle and sinew in a blaze of agony.
Hugo choked down a pained growl.
Griana smiled, triumphant as Thorn twisted the blade. The noxious metal burned and ripped at Hugo’s flesh until he was unable to stop his roar of agony. Blood spurted from the jagged wound in a crimson shower as Thorn tore the blade free, causing maximum damage.
“Do you think the bitch will come running if I keep on making you scream?” Thorn snarled, his surface emotions back under tight control, but Hugo could see the malice and excitement in his eyes.
“Enough!” barked a commanding voice from behind Thorn and Griana.
Jack strode towards them, Roin by his side and a whole legion of fae and men at his back. Their weapons clattered, the faes’ wings glinting with golden armour. They were ready for battle.
Jack’s brown curls had been cut short, and he was dressed in grimy armour, dirt smearing his face.
Hugo could see the exhaustion etched on his friend’s pale face and felt his guilt surge at leaving Jack to deal with the aftermath of the battle.
Jack marched forward, the jewels shining in the carved handle of Dragonsblood. He drew his sword, his gloved hand covering the rubies from sight.
Hugo tried not to let his relief, his hope, at seeing his friend show.
Jack’s eyes raked over the scene, resting briefly on Tallo, then glancing over Hugo. Relief flooded the prince’s eyes. Teetering on his knees with blood pumping from his shoulder, Hugo knew why. Diamond was not here.
On a nod from Jack, Roin once again blocked the entrance to the tower. Griana was now surrounded and outnumbered.
“Majesty, Hugo is your guard, and I cannot stop you from taking him, but clearly Diamond is not here. You will leave without her.” Jack’s voice was full of command; there was nothing unsure or weak about him. It seemed he would fight to protect Diamond and his authority on this wall.
Hugo’s respect for Jack soared.
“You will not search this turret again,” Jack stated.
Griana looked the prince over insultingly. “Do you really think you can stop me, little prince? These men will rip yours to shreds in seconds if I give them the order,” she said contemptuously.
“Maybe so,” growled Jack. “But you have made a strategic error. As of this morning my men outnumber yours ten to one on this wall, and right now they outnumber you and your guard by thousands. No matter how many of them your guard kill, no matter if you kill me, the others will take you down. And if you do try to kill me, Gunnald, my best archer, will put an arrow through your eye. Not just any arrow, but one that even you and that shadow leaching from you cannot stop. You are not the only one with magic in this valley, Griana,” Jack informed the so-called queen coldly.
Griana’s eyes widened.
“What? You think I don’t know who you really are? What you really want? You are not the only one with spies. You may have the larger army, Griana, but you will die here tonight if you try to find Diamond,” Jack warned.
Hugo felt rough hands jerk him off the floor and haul him across the snowy ground. Hard fingers dug into his flesh. Hugo fought the pain in his shoulder and the blood loss sapping his strength.
Jack did not move. Hugo could even see the human prince’s worn, black boots as he blocked the path of Hugo’s captors.
Hugo forced his head up.
Jack’s face was tight, his eyes burning with frustration and reluctance.
Let them take me. Keep her safe….anyway you can…
Hugo knew Jack understood his silent message. They had spent far too much time together for him to miss the pleading in Hugo’s eyes.
Griana chuckled spitefully as she noticed their exchanged. “Oh, I see; you consider this poor excuse for a warrior a friend. Well, Prince Oden, do not mourn his loss. He is not, and never has been, your friend. It was his hand that slit your father’s throat and left you an orphan all those years ago.” Griana laughed. “It was the commander’s first kill…he initiated himself on your father’s blood. He enjoyed watching him die,” she ground out in a harsh satisfied whisper.
Jack paled, his eyes flying to Hugo’s.
Hugo held his gaze, pouring all his regret and sorrow into his eyes. “Jack—I had—no choice. They were torturing—him…”
He got no further as Thorn’s fist connected with his jaw.
“Do not speak!” Griana raged.
Shock and hurt flashed across Jack’s face, but his arms did not falter; he held Dragonsblood steadily in front of him. Griana stepped back, glee in her face at Jack’s expression.
The atmosphere boiled around the group of warriors. Jack’s men held their ground, all of them waiting for the order to strike down the enemy at their door. They had all lost their homes and loved ones when Stormguaard fell, and they itched for revenge against the one who had killed their king; however, Hugo had flown for hours, slaying giants with the goddess who had saved them and this valley.
Jack’s eyes narrowed, burning with rage and hurt. He stared at Hugo’s pale face. Without another glance at Griana or Thorn, he spun lightly on the ball of his foot and struck at Hugo’s neck.
Hugo coughed and spat blood onto the snow, but he did not flinch from Jack’s blade. He was willing to accept a quick death at Jack’s hand for his part in ruining the prince’s life and kingdom. A quick clean death was more than he deserved.
“Agree to leave now or I will separate Commander Casimir’s head from his shoulders and have my men fill your precious guards full of arrows.” To prove his point, the prince twitched his head slightly and an arrow slammed into Hugo’s lower leg.
Hugo yelled with agony and surprise.
Jack curled his lip hatefully. “You deserve worse, you two-faced, lying bastard. I hope you enjoy your time as Griana’s pet. I hope she makes you suffer—over and over,” he snarled, allowing his blade to slice through Hugo’s skin, drawing blood.
Inside, Hugo’s dragon was going wild, trying to reach the sword that was so close to killing its host. Even through the fog of pain and blood loss, Hugo could feel its desperation to touch Jack’s blade.
Jack turned his attention back to Griana. “Leave right now or whatever you have been planning for him will be over. I will slice him apart,” he said in an icy voice, his grip on Dragonsblood solid and the blade unwavering. Jack’s hate and anger rolled off him in waves.
“So be it, prince. Take your blade from his neck. I will take my guard and use him as I will. You can find the little whore for me,” Griana told Jack, her lips curling derisively as she stepped forward, threat in her every movement.
Gunnald, Jack’s eagle-eyed archer, was positioned with a direct trajectory to the false queen. He took aim, a sure grip on his bowstring, his strength true and his gaze steady. One slight twitch and Griana would die with an arrow through her brain.
“Do it,” rasped Hugo, praying the archer would hear, that he would loose that arrow right into Griana’s eye.
Gunnald’s gaze did not even flicker at Hugo’s hoarse demand. He remained completely focused on his target, his bow glowing with the strange runes upon it. If he had heard Hugo, if he had registered the blue-winged fae’s voice, it did not show.
Hugo shook his head to clear the sluggishness of his thoughts. Shadowy men flanking Jack then came into focus. All had their weapons out.
Shame and guilt squeezed his chest. Zane, Tom, Karl, Roin—all friends he had fought beside, and all now aware of the depth
of his deceit. They no longer looked at him with respect but with coldness and hate. They were not interested in Hugo’s reasons for killing their king, only that he had—and that he had lied all these years. In their eyes, he deserved to die. And if he suffered beforehand, so be it.
A wave of dizziness overcame him. No. He would not pass out. He had to somehow convince them Diamond was not guilty by association. But those precious words would not form on his tongue.
Griana continued to address Jack, clearly not caring about Gunnald or Jack’s threats. Perhaps her dark god could either prevent or bring her back from death, mused Hugo as he teetered on the edge of consciousness.
“Why should I hunt Diamond down? She has done nothing but help my people,” Jack replied.
“Because if you want those very same people to survive the remainder of winter in my lands, prince, I want her—before sunset tomorrow.” She paused, giving a half smile, half snarl. “Kill me now and Erebos, my true god, will avenge my death before the sun rises in the sky.” She stood tall and smoothed her golden hair over her shoulder. “Bring her to me—or you and all of those pathetic leeches in this valley will die. Do you understand? All of them; every man, woman and child will be slaughtered. Is a half-blood who has given her heart and soul to another really worth that to you—prince?” Griana asked, evil satisfaction lighting her eyes.
Jack’s face remained a cold mask as he dropped his sword from Hugo’s neck, looking like he’d been punched in the gut. “Fine, take your toy away.”
“Jack—please…” Hugo tried to beseech him, to beg him not to give Diamond up.
But as Jack glanced down there was only disgust and hate to see before the prince looked away.
Hugo’s skin was pale, beads of sweat trickling down his neck and freezing upon his skin as they dragged him through the throng of soldiers towards the edge of the Rift Valley cliff.
Almost naked now, his armour reduced to a gauzy covering, the icy wind and snow razed his skin. Agony ripped through his body as his legs dragged over the snow, the guard next to him not caring if he kicked or caught the protruding arrow. Blood streamed from his wounds, turning icy where it ran down his body. He began shivering violently, utterly drained of strength; even his guardian had stopped fighting to get free.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 81
