Diamond tried to hold in her distress at the scene. Then she saw a familiar form on her knees, weeping at the side of a boy who could not have been more than fourteen. Diamond slowed and gently touched the healer’s shoulder. “Clarissa? Are you all right?” she asked gently.
The healer jerked away. “This is your fault!” she hissed. “Erebos came here for you. You killed all these people! You killed my brother,” she sobbed, lifting the dead boy’s hand and clutching it to her tear-stained cheek.
Diamond felt the blood rush from her face. Did I? If she had been alone, none of these people would have died. If Erebos came again, it would be better for everyone if she were alone. If she left, all these people would be far safer.
Feeling sick, she gazed at the distant sand dunes.
“Don’t even think about it,” rumbled a deep voice from behind her.
Diamond swallowed. Eryanth. He had followed right behind Tawne and Attion.
Her heart banged against her ribs at the thought of him knowing what she was thinking. “I’m sorry about your brother, Clarissa,” she said quietly, hating that she was the cause of so much pain. “Attion, stay and help Clarissa. Then heal as many of the wounded as you can,” she instructed, her eyes pleading with him not to argue.
Attion glanced at the healer’s distraught face before he nodded. His wings remained armoured but folded down into his back. He prowled away. At one time he would have been the last person Diamond would have asked to support a grieving soul, but things changed. Her gaze snagged Eryanth’s. Approval shone in those eyes, but she turned and continued through the destroyed camp.
It shouldn’t have meant anything, that spark of praise, but it did.
Thankfully, the tent had escaped the worst of the fighting, giving them some respite from the relentless sunlight. The group of wizards, fae and humans waited in silence, watching Rayan cast a spell. Tension simmered in the air whilst the tent poles snapped straight and the canvas was pulled by an invisible force into position.
Diamond almost sighed with relief when it was done. She could feel Eryanth’s gaze on her back. The heat from his body burned her still-bleeding skin as he stepped closer, outshining even the blazing sun.
A soft wad of cotton pressed against her shoulder.
She winced. During the battle, Attion had healed her but it had been superficial at best. Her skin had burst open again whilst she fought.
“Sorry,” he said, wrapping a length of cloth tightly around her. “You should see a healer before we begin talks,” he warned.
Diamond wanted to lean against him, to heal her heart and confess what had happened to their child, but she could not. Instead, she contented herself with shifting away from him, only to feel a small nip of magic on the back of her neck. It wasn’t painful, though the shiver that travelled down her spine was uncontrollable. A tendril of gentle warmth slid around her middle; another caressed her skin, almost pulling her backwards. Despite the empty space in her soul where her magic had once simmered, Diamond still felt that magical touch. She swallowed hard, her eyes fluttering closed. Gods, she had missed the feel of his magic. It took every bit of her self-control not to cry, to throw herself at him. Another caress, over her heart this time. With that touch, her thoughts cleared. Then she felt it, the truth of who he was. She felt him inside her mind, her bones—her blood.
Amazement, hope, but most of all a deep, deep love melted into her soul.
Diamond’s heart squeezed. Her mind went blank, and she stumbled. His hand shot out to steady her. She grasped it, holding on for all she was worth.
He really was her mate, her soul-bonded.
She swallowed away her tears, her hand drifting to her lower belly. What will he say when he finds out I lost our son?
Nostrils flaring, she refused to look at him, trying to sort through her confusion and dread. She could not face explaining what had happened to her or face telling him she had felt every moment of the agony he had suffered, that she had felt it every gods damned night—not yet.
Ilya and her guard were behind Eryanth, patiently waiting to enter the tent. “Is everything all right, majesty?” Ilya asked, her eyes darting from Eryanth to Diamond.
“Yes, yes, it’s fine,” Diamond replied, trying to stop her voice from shaking. “Please, you go first. I-I just need a moment,” she breathed and indicated the open flap of canvas.
Another nip, this time on the side of her neck, right on the scar Hugo had left when he had sealed their mating bond. She took a breath and turned to face him.
“Please, stop,” she entreated as the others entered the tent.
“Stop what?” he murmured, leaning close enough his breath warmed her lips.
“Just. Stop. I need to concentrate,” she uttered. “I can’t deal with us yet.”
He contemplated her for a moment, then his massive shoulders shifted as he cupped her face with one big hand. His blue and silver-scaled armour moved with his body. Her breath caught in her throat, though she did her best not to show it. That unique covering of scales and silver metal was just as stunning as she remembered.
Eryanth’s mouth quirked just a little, enough to show he could see and feel the flush now highlighting her cheekbones. “I understand, my love. More than you know. I have no wish to distract you from these alliance talks, and I promise I will not touch you again, not until you are ready to talk to me about what has happened over the last months.”
Eyes stinging, Diamond spun away. Her chest expanded, and she released a calming breath before she entered the tent.
Inside, Rayan’s bed of cushions had been haphazardly pushed to one side; in the centre of the tent stood a table of blue glass. The stench of magic, trapped by the heat and lack of a breeze, burned her nostrils as she inhaled.
Around the table sat five high backed glass chairs.
“We are expecting another at our table very soon,” purred the High Wizard.
Rayan watched Eryanth enter the tent behind Diamond, clearly not interested in who would be joining them. A small frown creased the wizard prince’s brow. He sent a questioning look her way.
Diamond gave him a reassuring smile, signalling not to be concerned about her.
Rayan smiled his understanding.
“Would-be queen, take a seat,” instructed the High Wizard.
Diamond bristled.
Ilya countered, “High Wizard, this is no would-be queen. She is the granddaughter of Lunaria, the Goddess of Creation. She is heir to the throne of Valentia—”
“Pff,” the wizard interrupted, making a dismissive gesture with his hand. “It doesn’t matter. She has no kingdom, no throne and cannot guarantee those northern trade routes.” His ice blue eyes rested upon Diamond. “The last I heard, Griana still sat upon the throne of Avalonia. She has been my ally for as long as I have ruled these lands. Tell me why I should ally with a would-be queen when I already have agreements with an ancient and very powerful one?”
Eryanth didn’t wait for Diamond’s reply; he merely placed his palms on the smooth glass table, leaned forward and said in a commanding voice, “Because, as I said before, my queen is the only one who can kill Erebos and stop him. I have read the words of Alethia, the Goddess of Truth in the original Veritas scroll. I have seen how Diamond can kill the Lord of Chaos. Negotiating this alliance is of far greater importance than any trade route. Griana has allied with the Lord of Chaos to harvest souls for him—to feed him,” rumbled Eryanth. “That means Griana will betray you if it means she can rule our world as his queen. You, High Wizard, are an immortal as powerful as her. You will be one of the first to die,” he stated, his voice cold enough to make Diamond shudder.
He stood between Ilya and Diamond. He straightened and crossed his arms over his scale-encased chest. A mist of shadow curled around him, his obsidian eyes scrutinising the man opposite.
The High Wizard ignored Eryanth’s words; instead, he sneered, no fear in his face as he dipped his head to both women. “It seems you are uns
ure where your loyalties lay, warrior. Are they with the would-be queen or your sister?” His gaze moved deliberately between Diamond and Ilya, then he contemplated Eryanth. “So who exactly are you? Do you even know? A warrior in servitude to the heir of the goddess or a prince of the Fire Mountains? And why should I listen to you? Ah—ah…” he said, holding up a finger before Eryanth could speak. “That question can wait. We have company…” He grinned widely.
The tent flap went flying as someone barged in, bringing a flurry of blue dust with them and causing the guards to draw their weapons.
Eryanth growled a warning and, in an instant, stood before the intruder.
Diamond’s stomach clenched.
Firan grinned widely, showing his perfect teeth. “Not too late for the talks, am I?” he asked, grabbing either side of Eryanth’s shoulders.
“Not at all,” Eryanth replied, his smile wide and joyful. He even allowed the other male to embrace him.
Diamond gaped, unable to mask her surprise. The last time these two had met they had come to blows. In unison, they turned to face the High Wizard.
Eryanth snarled viciously at the guards. Hesitantly, they lowered their weapons.
“High Wizard, please accept my apologies for the lateness of my arrival. It seems you have all fought a grievous evil whilst I have been gathering my forces.”
“Lord Firan,” the wizard greeted tightly. “It is always a pleasure to see you,” he lied smoothly. “Now, who is this warrior to you? The last I remembered, your reputation was one of isolation, intolerance and violence. Why would you travel so far from the ocean to be here? Is he your lover?” he asked, looking at them both with disgust.
“Kalib Orage, as bigoted as you have always been,” Firan replied with a good-natured chuckle.
Even in the stifling heat of the tent, the Lord of the Wetlands looked cool and collected. His entire appearance was perfection. His armour seemed moulded to his taut and elegant torso; thousands of tiny silver and blue scales hugging the contours of his muscles. They covered his whole body from his silver-armoured boots, right up his neck to his jaw and down his arms to his fingertips, where the back of his hands were protected by a bone-like substance. His blue hair hung loose around his shoulders, and the scales covering his brow were as beautiful as Diamond remembered.
A jolt of recognition hit her. Her jaw dropped, and she could not speak as she stared at these two warriors standing shoulder to shoulder, as tall as each other—shockingly similar, yet so very different. Diamond’s heart squeezed. She could feel the love between them.
Firan’s deep blue eyes sparkled. He lifted his chin and addressed the whole gathering proudly. “This is Eryanth Firan Arjuno.” He looked at Ilya, then bowed and addressed his next words to her, not the High Wizard. “And though this may come as a shock to you, young queen, my words are not a lie. Eryanth is my son, and your half-brother,” he informed her.
“What?” Ilya breathed, her eyes flying from one to the other. It was her warrior, Ugan, whose touch on her shoulder halted the questions about to fall from her mouth.
Eryanth smiled broadly at Firan.
Diamond had never seen him look so proud. Emotion choked her throat, making it difficult to swallow. She realised then how much of each other’s lives they had missed in the long months they had been apart.
The High Wizard exhaled sharply, his face twisting. “Well, family reunions will have to wait. Would-be queen, it seems you have lost a warrior,” he said, almost too smugly before turning to Firan. “And you have gained an heir, Lord Firan. So now it is clear where your loyalties lay, Prince Eryanth. Shall we begin?”
Diamond swallowed her disappointment as Eryanth followed Firan. The air shimmered. Within moments they both wore similar silken blue shirts and loose pants in a material that flowed with their movements.
Diamond gulped. She found she could not tear her eyes from Eryanth. Have I lost him to Firan?
A gust of wind blew the flap of the tent open, carrying in the stench of blood and death. With it came the sound of screaming and moaning, amidst the sobs of the grieving.
Diamond balked. This is too much! How many sisters, sons and brothers have to die today? “No,” she said strongly. “We need to leave this place. We have no idea how long it will take Erebos to return and bring his army of Ashmea. I will not sit by whilst the injured suffer and the dead have not been shown the respect they deserve. They gave their lives to fight the evil that came here for me,” she said, her voice thick with grief for those lost lives. “We need to see to them first. We have already embarked upon forging an alliance. As sovereigns of four out of the Eight Kingdoms, our word to continue is our bond. We will finalise our alliance in Ion Kugat, with your agreement, High Wizard.”
The attention of all these powerful sovereigns fell upon her. She pushed her tired muscles straight, her back aching and her wound burning. The agony in her shoulder was the least she deserved for bringing such death here. Maintaining her upright posture, she turned to Rayan, though everyone in the room could see the effort it cost her. “How do you honour your dead?” she asked quietly, swallowing her pain.
Rayan slid back his chair and stood. He did not tower over her like Eryanth, but he still looked down at her. His icy blue eyes held respect; she found her cheeks flushing under his gaze. “We should bathe them, then bind their magic in their bodies with a death cast. It will tie their magic to their souls and give them the power to make it to Nirvana; Eternity, I think you call it,” he told her.
“We do not have time for such niceties,” ground out the High Wizard.
Rayan briefly closed his eyes as if willing himself to be patient. “Yes, we do, father. If we all work together, we can honour everyone’s dead,” he replied. “And still be gone by dusk.”
Diamond turned away from the dangerous glint in the High Wizard’s eyes as he looked between her and Rayan. Her palms were slick with sweat as she turned to Ilya, hoping the High Wizard was not about to seal her mouth shut or worse for influencing his son to question him. Another cry of pain nearby sealed her resolve. “Queen Ilya? Did you lose any men today?”
Ilya turned to the human soldier who shadowed her. “Lord Protector Ugan?”
Ugan’s dark eyes moved briefly from the High Wizard to glance at his queen. Clearly he did not trust the ruler of the Southern Hotlands. “Commander Viran has not yet reported back our exact numbers. Our captains are tallying our dead, my queen. But yes, we suffered the loss of many human soldiers. Our fae warriors fared a little better with the help of our guardian.” He held her gaze for a moment, and Diamond wondered at the secret smile he gave her.
“Thank you, Ugan.” Ilya turned to Diamond.
“That creature was yours? Are you like your kin? Do you shift into one of those hideous beasts?” the High Wizard spat in disgust.
“High Wizard, I realise you have an old feud with one who was my ancestor and queen of the Fire Mountains, but we are no longer enemies unless you make it so. I am willing to honour a peace treaty until such time as our alliance is forged and this war with Erebos is done. When we are successful in banishing the Lord of Chaos for good, we can renegotiate how we continue our alliance. However, do not for one moment think I trust you. I do not, nor should anyone here. That said, the preservation of our world is far more important than my personal thoughts on you. And do not think to try and cast against me. It will not work.” She cut him a look and her eyes burned with golden flame. “Yes, I am like my brother. I can become a dragon, though there is one vast difference between our dragons. I can burn you and your lands to dust if you try and hurt any of these people—or their men. Do I make myself clear Lord Wizard?” she growled.
Ugan coughed to cover his amusement.
Ilya merely stared at the High Wizard. His fury was evident in the whitening of the skin around his mouth and the flare of his nostrils, not to mention the utter hatred burning in his eyes. Spine ramrod straight, he turned to Rayan.
“I will leave
you to clear up this mess as you see fit. I will not remain here. Bring these people to my city, but house only the would-be queen in my home, the rest are to stay in the east wing.”
Rayan frowned but nodded. “As you wish, father.”
The sovereign alliance bowed their heads as the High Wizard left.
There was the zing of magic and the sound of the wind. By the time the rest of them exited the tent, the High Wizard and his warriors had disappeared. It was clear the wizards did not need horses to travel.
Rayan regarded Diamond steadily. No matter, she dismissed her curiosity, she would ask him about it later. There was no time to waste.
Diamond turned to Ilya. “Queen Ilya, what are your death rights? Is it something we can do to honour them?”
Ilya smiled. “Yes, majesty. Ours is much like yours. We burn our dead to free their spirits, though our warriors must enter the care of my brethren, the guardians, bearing their weapons. They must be armed to fight off the spirits of Chaos should they try and steal their souls.”
Diamond nodded. “Then we must begin. Elexon? Havron? Gather your men. You will work alongside Rayan and help them ready their dead. I will find Attion and Clarissa and help where I can with the wounded.”
Elexon hesitated. “But, my queen, I am here to guard you. I cannot do that if you send me away.”
Diamond cocked her head. “Commander Riddeon, I have managed to survive quite well without you for the past months. I can manage again now. If it reassures you, know that I have Tawne by my side…”
“And me,” interrupted Eryanth. “But perhaps, my queen, you will excuse Elexon from his duties for a short amount of time? There is another person nearby who will be able to help with the injured and the dying.”
Diamond spoke before she could stop herself, even as she wondered who he meant. “My queen?” she queried, her voice sharp with the bitterness of losing him again. “Surely your allegiance has changed. You stand by your father’s side now, Prince Eryanth, not mine.”
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 101
