Rayan sighed. “If I thought you meant that, I would not be so persistent—but we both know you do not. I only wish to chase away a little of the grief in your heart. Perhaps to see you truly smile again one day,” he said quietly.
Diamond peered up at his rugged face. He wore a shining gold-embroidered tunic and his arms were crossed over his broad chest. The engraved dagger handles and sheaths upon either side of his waist symbolized his wealth and stature. His loose white hair gleamed, coloured a strange yellow by the glowing fires, his teeth shining straight and white in the night as he smiled ruefully.
A handsome man, indeed, she thought.
His heavy, white brows drew together, which gave away his true worry.
Diamond shuffled sideways a little on her rug to accommodate his large frame as he sat beside her on the ground.
“We have been travelling through my lands for nearly six weeks. We will hit the edge of the Sky Desert tomorrow and will have at least another four weeks of travel until we make it to Ion Kugat. I have been giving much thought to your safety whilst in my homeland.” For a moment he looked uncomfortable. He shuffled as if nervous.
Diamond felt her own anxiety build. It was disconcerting to realise his cheeks were slightly flushed. Absentmindedly, she plucked a leaf from the ground and began shredding it.
“Please consider my next words carefully.” He looked at Attion, the mask of a cold leader back in place for a few seconds. “Do not take offence, warrior, at my next words. I mean them with the utmost respect for your queen.” The wizard prince turned to Diamond and took a deep breath. “If you come before my father without something to offer, he will kill you immediately just for looking like your mother. At this moment, you have nothing to bargain with; however, if you arrive as my betrothed and, with it, the promise of a vast kingdom of wealth, he will certainly listen,” he said, looking at her seriously.
Her mouth dried out.
Attion growled, the sound deep in his chest.
Diamond silenced him with a sharp look. This was not his choice to consider; although Rayan’s proposal was not one she wanted to have to contemplate, it made sense. “As my betrothed, would you be bound to ensure my safety whilst in your lands, even if your father does not agree with our union?”
“Of course,” Rayan replied, holding her gaze.
Diamond refused to acknowledge the magic that was thickening the air between her and Attion. His wings flared wide, green swirls lighting up the darkness. Thankfully, he respected her wishes and remained silent.
Diamond cocked her head, her heavy braid falling over her right shoulder. She regarded Rayan steadily. “Would this be a temporary arrangement whilst I try and unite the kingdoms, or do you wish for something more permanent?” she asked, keeping her voice even while her stomach churned.
Rayan jutted his chin forward, a small movement Diamond had noticed he did when he was feeling uncomfortable or impatient. “I—am not sure. I, err, hadn’t considered much beyond keeping you safe from my father. Though I care for you deeply already. And you’re not too bad to look at,” he added, with a mischievous smile and a shrug.
Diamond licked her dry lips, unable to stop her answering smile at his humour. It was easy to see the merit in such an arrangement. Even so… “Rayan, would you give me time to consider your offer? I am heir to a large and powerful kingdom. I am not saying I do not trust you but now my mate is—gone...” she almost choked on the words but she had to be realistic; she was eligible to form a union with another. If that meant more power and strength to fight Erebos, she would have to consider it. “I have to ensure any match would be of benefit to my people.”
“Of course,” interjected the prince. He coughed to clear his throat, then continued. “I realise how recently you suffered the loss of your soul-bonded—and your child. It would not need to be a physical relationship between us,” he said, earning another growl from Attion. “I also know you have to ensure a beneficial arrangement. I have my own army of wizard warriors who are loyal to me—not my father. Of course, my force cannot rival my father’s numbers but, nevertheless, they are mine.”
“So I would gain more men and an alliance with the High Wizard? If there is no physical side to our match, what do you get from it?” Diamond asked, her eyes narrowed upon his face.
He met her gaze, his face serious, though his eyes sparkled with mischief. “I get freedom from my father’s choice of bride. He has already chosen a daughter of one of the Wizard Lords, a woman I have met twice in my life, just before I left to assess the threat at Stormguaard. She is awful, a spoiled, self-centred shrew whose only wish in life is for more power. I do not want an arranged marriage to a woman I cannot abide. If you agree to become betrothed to me, it will be beneficial to us both.”
“Let me think on it, Rayan,” Diamond replied softly, biting her bottom lip to stop her outright refusal.
Rayan nodded. “Of course.” His face took on a contemplative look. “I am also quite adept at glamour. Perhaps we should consider a spell to alter your appearance slightly? If you do not look so like the images of your mother, which I have seen in ancient tomes, my father may be more inclined to listen to you.”
Diamond felt her stomach tighten with anger. She had never met her mother, but her father had always been so proud of Diamond’s likeness to her. There was no way she would pretend to be anything other than herself. “Rayan, I will not change my appearance to suit your father. Perhaps you should be looking at this situation differently. Convincing your father of the danger to your homeland is as much your responsibility as it is mine. Perhaps you should impress upon him that he will no longer have his lucrative trade routes or the power he has enjoyed for so long if his people, his kingdom, falls to Erebos. If I am in danger here, I should leave you and go to the Fire Mountains where I am almost certain Queen Ilya will listen to me.”
Rayan sat up straight and stared at her, his face grave. “I’m afraid you will not be allowed to leave. Like I said before, my father knows you are here. The best I can do is broadcast that you are under my protection.”
Diamond’s silver eyebrows dipped. There had to be a way other than marrying Rayan. She just couldn’t do it, not after being soul-bonded to Hugo. The very thought made her queasy.
Griana traded for Silverbore with the Ice Witches. It was just as valuable as gold. She bit her lip. She had to secure those trade routes.
“I promise I will consider your proposal, Rayan,” she said sincerely, although she knew in her heart she had made already made her decision.
Rayan pushed himself up and bowed slightly at the waist. He gave her a ghost of a smile and walked back to the main campfire where he sat staring into the flames, seemingly in no mood for partaking in the dancing going on around him.
Rayan gave her the space to think by not mentioning his offer through the following days. It did not escape Diamond’s notice, or Attion’s, that Rayan was more attentive and more courteous than ever. He helped her down off her horse when they stopped. He stayed close by her side and invited her to dine with him each night. It wasn’t an altogether unpleasant experience. Rayan was good company and did not push her for an answer.
Diamond sighed, leaning back on the red silk cushions. Her belly was full and, after training for nearly two hours with Attion and Tawne, she was exhausted. Moving made her limbs shake but at least it eased the stiffness in them. The incense wasn’t helping her heavy eyes, either. These past nights her dreams had been haunted by silver and sapphire eyes and the joyous feeling of soaring high in the sky—as though she were flying over the jungle and the blue sands rather than traversing it on horseback.
A sudden uncomfortable tugging inside her chest had her sitting upright, rubbing at it.
Rayan frowned. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yes, yes—I think I overdid that lovely spiced meat,” she said, avoiding his assessing stare.
Rayan placed his wine down upon the low table. “Diamond, I know you are avoiding my offer, but
if we are to be betrothed, we need to make it more real in front of other people.”
Diamond straightened her legs and leaned back on her elbows. Her stomach muscles protested. “I know. I’m just…”
“It’s perfectly all right,” he answered with a rueful grimace. “I wouldn’t want to be betrothed to me either. I’m a grumpy and impatient bastard.”
Diamond giggled. “Yes, you are, but you’re kind of nice to be around at times, too,” she said, cocking her head. “I can’t accept your proposal, Rayan,” she said quickly, raising her hand before he could speak. “Though, perhaps in the interests of self-preservation and peace among our kingdoms, we should enter into a temporary arrangement.”
“Oh? A pretend betrothal then?” replied Rayan mischievously.
Diamond smiled. “No, prince, a trade agreement.”
“Fine,” he sighed, somewhat ruefully. “If you truly want to miss out on this,” he teased and gestured to himself. “Are you absolutely sure, your highness?” he asked, grinning now.
Diamond coughed away her smile at his response and sat up straight again, trying to maintain a professional, queenly demeanour, which was hard with him grinning at her like that. “Oh, I’m sure I’ll manage,” she answered dryly. “Though, I should really like your help persuading your father to see the benefits of an agreement with me. Griana has never offered him the northern trade routes, has she?”
“No, and I know how much it has always angered him.”
“So if I were to offer him such a lucrative deal, it might help our cause?” she asked.
“Yes,” Rayan agreed. “That is definitely the way to secure my father’s help—for now,” Rayan smiled, his eyes softening as he looked at her. “I hope my offer of betrothal did not offend you,” he said apologetically.
“No, Rayan, not at all.” Her eyes drifted to Attion. “Though I can’t speak for my warriors.”
Rayan chuckled. “It’s a shame you said no. It would have been fun to see your warrior’s face if you said yes. He already looks like he wants to break my jaw, just for asking.”
Diamond rolled her eyes. “Leave Attion be. He is a good friend and guard. He is also dealing with a huge change in his magic. Becoming a green fae must be confusing for him when he has been a gold wing all his life. Now he has gone from being a destroyer to wanting to heal things and understand the nature around him.”
Rayan bit his lip thoughtfully. “There is a company of healers travelling with us. Perhaps you should assign a proportion of his time to working with them. You will not need his sword as much from now on.”
“Oh?” Diamond lifted her eyebrows in enquiry.
Rayan smiled. “No, because I am taking a vow to protect you. You will now be by my side and have my sword. And that is how it will stay until you have reached an agreement with my father and you are safely on your way to the Fire Mountains,” he said. Rayan grasped her hand in his. “This might sting a bit,” he warned. Musical words fell from his lips and he closed his eyes. The air between them warmed.
Diamond gasped. A sharp pain, like a bite, stung the inside of her wrist. When he let go a small gold star marked her inner wrist.
“There. Now you are under my protection until such time as you leave my homelands. A wizard’s vow cannot be rescinded, Diamond,” he said gravely.
“If he gets that close to you again, I’m going to break his jaw,” muttered Attion, aggrieved by Rayan’s constant presence by her side.
Diamond gathered her patience. “Attion, you know why he’s doing it. He is not being disrespectful to my bond with Hugo. We have a business arrangement, one I have created for our mutual benefit.”
“Hmm, really? Please don’t tell me you believe he will actually stand up to his father and protect you if the High Wizard threatens you? Surely you aren’t that naive anymore?”
It was hard to resist the urge to rub her aching temples. This had been an ongoing argument for the past three days. “Yes, Attion, I am that naïve. Or perhaps I am just a little more generous with my trust than you,” she answered.
“Yeah, and look where that got you with your last prince friend,” Attion retorted.
Her lips tightened into a thin line at the mention of Jack, though she had long since forgiven him. He had been manipulated by Griana, just like Hugo. He had lost his father and his home, and Diamond knew he had been trying to protect his people. Besides, she missed her friend.
The stink of horses and the smell of magic saturated the air as Diamond reined in her horse and stared down at Attion. Around them, the young wizards were already casting spells to set up camp.
“Are you spending the evening with your new best friend?” Attion growled, not bothering to conceal his irritation.
“Yes, I am,” she retorted, too tired to play silly games. Both he and Tawne would need to adjust to the idea of her and Rayan spending time together. She knew it was innocent enough. “Attion, just go and study with the healers for a while. Rayan will ensure my safety, and Tawne is nearby. I will expect you back by my side in the morning.”
Attion’s nostrils flared, but he nodded curtly and stalked across the large camp, soon lost in the melee of guards and wizards, fires and sand.
Huge blue dunes rolled away into the encroaching night, as imposing as any mountains she had ever seen. Above her the sky sparkled with a million bright stars. They dusted the heavens with such beauty it took her breath away. She shivered in the plummeting temperatures and wondered if one of the flickering jewels was her mother or her father looking down upon her from the playground of the gods.
She twisted her fingers through the coarse hair of her horse’s mane. It was impossible not to think of her recurring dream of Hugo. Nearly every night she felt a deep sensation of urgency, of flying towards the one that meant everything to her; and each morning, she awoke sweating and breathless, and not at all rested.
I hope you are still out there somewhere, my love, she prayed to him. I hope that you have not perished, that your precious soul has not provided sustenance to Erebos. Remember that the darkness and the shadows were once your friends. Please fight him. Please survive for me. When my soul is freed from my mortal body, when I die, I will find you, she told him, closing her eyes and doing her best to ignore the image of his rugged, scarred face and beautiful eyes.
A sharp and sudden tug upon her chest had her gasping and leaning forward. It took several deep breaths before it settled enough she could breathe normally. Confused at the familiar feeling, she swung her leg over her saddle and dropped to the ground. Another tug. She staggered towards Rayan.
Concern instantly coloured his expression. “Do you need a healer?” he asked, taking in her paleness and the sweat beading her upper lip.
She shook her head. “No, I’m fine,” she lied. “Just tired. Perhaps if I lay down?” she suggested, accepting his arm to enter his tent.
Rayan guided her to a pile of blankets, silks and cushions that created his bed. The tightness in her chest felt so strong she was beginning to pant. Slowly she lowered herself down and laid back, not caring where she was or whose bed she slept in. She vaguely heard Rayan order a healer to be fetched.
Another sharp tug had her crying out, then as if of its own accord, her body sat up. She looked at Rayan, fear and surprise warring for supremacy. She had not wanted to sit up. Diamond shook her fuzzy head. It was impossible to think straight right now. She wanted to lay down, but her body was moving.
A face appeared before her. “Diamond? What is it? What’s wrong?” Attion growled. Anxiety laced his voice.
Diamond tried to speak. Panic exploded through her. My voice! She had no voice. Her mouth was not moving. Tears pricked her eyes.
A young woman peered around Attion’s armoured green wings, her brown eyes more curious than worried. “What is it?” she asked him, though her attention remained fixed to Diamond.
“I am not sure,” he answered, his hands firmly but gently holding Diamond’s upper arms as she stood.
The woman’s lips pursed, and she narrowed her eyes. “I think it best we give her something to help her sleep. Something about her feels...wrong,” she said. “There is something pulling on her—shadow—and something else...I’m not sure what it is,” she breathed, shaking her head as if clearing it. She looked to Rayan as if asking permission.
Yes! Diamond screamed silently. Help me! Her heart lurched. She had felt this before. Once, when Hugo had taken control of her mind and body. The image of General Edo’s face burned her memory, his blood hot on her skin.
“Do it, Clarissa,” ordered Rayan at the panic in Diamond’s eyes.
Attion snarled at both of them, his wings flaring wide. “No!”
“Attion, I know you are trying to protect her, but she is my friend. She is under my protection. I will not harm her. You can stay with her all night until she wakes, but we need to stop this. Something, a spell or enchantment, has taken control of her. We need to break its hold on her mind.”
Attion’s gaze pierced the wizard prince then Clarissa, a glare that promised death if they were lying.
Clarissa charged from the tent.
A beloved voice in Diamond’s head was calling her, dominating her, until all else faded from her conscious mind. She had to go to that voice, to find her love. He was back. He had survived the darkness.
Strong but gentle hands grabbed her arms and shoulders. No! She had to go. He was calling for her.
Rayan began to chant.
The hands let go.
She began to walk but bumped up against a wall. No! Her fists banged against it. Sparks flew. Magic surrounded her in an invisible prison. She wanted to scream. How she missed her own magic. This cage would have been nothing for her to break through. Anger rushed through her at Rayan’s betrayal. You will not stop me going to him! she raged silently, her eyes flashing.
Attion swallowed, his face distorted on the other side of the cage as he added his own magic.
Diamond’s fingers wandered to the mark on her left breast. It wasn’t wholly visible under the thin layer of material she wore, but it burned like hell.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 97
