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

by Karen Tomlinson

  “Will you come with me?” she asked tentatively, nerves churning in her stomach now that she had found the courage to be alone with him.

  His throat bobbed. He looked at her intently before replying, “Of course.”

  Eryanth cautiously placed a hand in her lower back and guided her to their tent. In silence they removed their footwear, or Diamond did, Eryanth’s just disappeared. Their feet sank into the rug, which lay on top of the fine sand in the centre of the tent. They settled themselves on the red and gold silk cushions strewn upon the floor.

  Diamond felt the tincture begin to burn through her blood. It was true she had suffered this vile healing process before; but even so, it was hard to remember to breathe though the agony as the potent liquid battled the infection in her shoulder.

  Eryanth muttered a vicious curse as a wave of nausea hit her.

  She couldn’t help but give a gasping half laugh. “Are you sure you don’t want me to close our bond?”

  “Don’t you dare,” he grated, sweat beading on his upper lip. “We will suffer this together.”

  “Why?” she asked, swallowing down the bile that burned her throat. “You don’t need to suffer too. We both know you can block your mind from mine if you wish,” she panted, her palms slapping against the thick rug covering the floor. The rough pile scratched her skin as her fingers curled, her arms rigid as she blew out a breath between her pursed, dry lips.

  “Goddess save me, this stuff better work for you or I’ll kick Attion’s arse,” he muttered while inhaling deeply, clearly trying to combat the nausea he was experiencing with her.

  Diamond chuckled. “You are part shadow demon and part guardian, not to mention merman and fae. Surely a dead toad isn’t going to get the better of you, is it?” she teased.

  He raised his brows then grinned. “There’s the Diamond I know,” he said. “No, my queen, no toad is going to get the better of us.” Without another word, he pushed upward and left the tent. His deep voice rumbled as he spoke to Elexon.

  Diamond smelled the cooking fires and the heady perfume of burning oil as the tent flap blew open, then winced as the flesh on her shoulder itched and burned. Dizzy now, she rested her forehead on her bent knees and breathed through the discomfort. The rustle of silk and a warm hand on her arm told her Eryanth had returned. She lifted her head and smiled weakly.

  “Here, have a drink,” he offered as he knelt down beside her.

  Gratefully, Diamond took a swallow. “Goddess, that’s heaven,” she groaned as icy water washed her mouth and throat clean of the lingering bitterness of the tincture.

  Eryanth chuckled, his eyes sparkling. “Rayan is an arrogant and overconfident prick most of the time, but he is useful for some things,” he quipped. “It took him but a moment to ice this water for you. Now, perhaps you should lay down?” he suggested.

  Diamond didn’t argue. Together they adjusted the cushions. After removing her travelling robes, she relaxed onto her side.

  When she was settled, Eryanth leaned over her. “May I?” he asked, indicating her shoulder.

  Diamond nodded. Goosebumps shivered across her neck and back as his fingers gently moved her silver hair aside. He helped her take an arm out of the oversized tunic Rayan had given her, pulling it down off her shoulder.

  “It still looks red, but I think it is beginning to heal,” he murmured.

  Diamond nodded then groaned as another wave of nausea crashed through her.

  Eryanth lay down on his side and took her hand. There was no need for words of comfort; it was enough to feel his warm skin against hers and the gentle touch of his magic caressing her bare skin and winding through her hair.

  An hour passed before the burning in her blood and the agony in her shoulder began to recede.

  Eryanth was running his fingers soothingly through her hair when his ministrations paused. “There, it’s easing now,” he commented with a sympathetic smile.

  Diamond nodded and returned his smile. “About time. Remind me not to take Attion’s advice next time,” she grumbled, pushing herself up. She tried to peer over her shoulder to check the wound but couldn’t see a thing. “I’m sure he did this to us on purpose.”

  Eryanth looked thoughtful and then grinned. “Hmm, I think you might be right. Perhaps he was pushing us to spend time together.”

  Diamond’s stomach tightened. She swiftly slammed down a barrier against their connection. Gods save me, she thought, taking in his sparkling eyes, his perfect smile, the square set of his jaw and his smooth deep golden skin. She had not studied him closely since they had left the battlefield; she had avoided looking at him at all, but right now she could do nothing but stare. Her heart was doing somersaults in her chest.

  The grin fell from his face at her continued and silent regard. “What’s wrong? Why have you closed our link?” he asked, clearly worried.

  Diamond flushed. “N-nothing. Erm, I just—” she coughed, not sure what to say. Even though they were mated, she felt suddenly shy with him. He was so stunningly gorgeous that he stole her breath.

  “I know,” he suddenly blurted out, taking both of her hands in his while searching her eyes with his own. “I know about the baby—our son. I know you lost him, but you need to know it wasn’t your fault. It was—fate. If he hadn’t died, I would not be here…”

  “Wait. What?” she asked, frowning in confusion.

  Eryanth took a deep breath. “I need a drink,” he muttered, not meeting her eyes. He stalked over to the low table laden with food and drink and grabbed a wine skin. Tipping it, he took huge gulps.

  Diamond’s brow creased at that sign of his distress. She had been selfish, concentrating on her own pain. Not only had Eryanth been through hell to return to her, it seemed he carried enough guilt of his own. She stood, her bare feet sinking into the sand underneath the carpet. Standing in front of him, she peered up and studied his tight features.

  He expelled a breath through his nose and promptly crossed his big arms over his chest, refusing to look at her.

  “Hey,” she said, trying to ignore the cut of muscle beneath the soft silk of his shirt, which pulled tightly over his biceps and shoulders.

  No reply.

  “Look at me,” she demanded softly.

  Reluctantly he did so, though his lips were still pressed tightly together.

  “Perhaps it is time to be honest with each other about what happened? And I know you don’t want to but then you can tell me what you know about how I am to end Erebos.” She swallowed hard when he nodded. “I know there is a weapon; a spear. Otekah told me of it.”

  Eryanth's scowl darkened at the mention of it. “There is. The Veritas scroll was very clear that Lunaria's heir needed to be the one to wield it.”

  Reaching for his forearm, Diamond tugged. He uncurled his arms and allowed her to lead him by the hand back to the cushions.

  Diamond didn’t let go as she tugged him down beside her. His throat bobbed as he studied their joined fingers. Taking a breath, Diamond broke the heavy silence. They needed to discuss other things before they dealt with looming shadow of her end. “I didn’t know I was pregnant,” she started. “I had missed my monthly cycles; if I had thought about it, I might have even realised I had forgotten to take the Moonsbane Ophelia had given me but I just never gave it any thought. I guess I didn’t want to acknowledge the possibility I could be carrying your child.”

  “Why?” he croaked, his brow furrowing.

  Diamond gave him a watery smile. “Not because I didn’t want to. I was scared. I had just lost you and it was too painful to acknowledge I would have to cope on my own; that despite everything that was happening to us, I had been irresponsible. So I ignored it and hoped it wasn’t true.”

  “Diamond, it was my fault too. I should have reminded you take that Moonsbane. I saw it, I even picked it up the morning after we sealed our bonds—but I didn’t say anything. I loved the thought of you carrying my child. I still do. I was going to remind you—then
I became distracted and it was too late. Jack, Griana—Erebos…”

  Diamond squeezed his hand. “Perhaps we both need to take responsibility for forgetting, but I was the one who assumed the changes in my body were due to being under so much stress. I didn’t find out for certain until it was too late. I was fighting Ream…”

  “Ream!?” Eryanth breathed, his eyes wide. “But Ream is dead. Attion killed him.” He shuffled until he was on his knees facing her.

  Magic nipped at her skin, informing her of his distress.

  “Please, tell me everything that happened to you, leave nothing out.” It was more an entreaty than a demand.

  Diamond nodded.

  Eryanth breathed a sigh of relief almost as though he had thought she might refuse. “Thank you—but first I have something for you.”

  In Eryanth’s hand sat her mother’s necklace. The tiny black dragon seemed to glare at her accusingly.

  “Where did you find this?” she whispered. Slowly, she reached out and dragged her forefinger along its ridged back. At her touch, the crystal pulsed brightly in Eryanth’s palm.

  “Erzion. He never put it in the vault. He wanted to give it you, but Griana captured both of us before he could.”

  “Oh,” Diamond breathed. The Red Wizard was full of secrets and surprises. She swallowed hard. This was the only piece of her mother she had ever had.

  “Here,” Eryanth said. He placed the necklace over Diamond’s head. Slipping his warm hands under her hair, he pulled it all free of the chain until the crystal and dragon nestled between the curves of her breasts. Eryanth’s eyes grew dark, his gaze scorching as he grazed it over the exposed skin of her cleavage. Slowly, he raised his eyes to hers. “There, it’s back where it belongs,” he observed, his voice gravelly.

  “As are you,” she said, taking his hand and placing a kiss upon his fingers.

  The joy on his face stole her breath.

  “Yes, I am,” he agreed before his face became sombre. “Though I should like to tell you how you and the sweet baby we made together saved my soul.”

  They talked long into the night, both forgiving each other for actions and situations that had been beyond their control. The camp became quieter until only the low voices of the guards could be heard.

  The temperature had dropped drastically, and she was still feeling the after-effects of the fire toad tincture. Eryanth sat beside her, staring at two shadows that stood silent and unmoving by the entrance to their tent. They both knew it was Elexon and Attion. A moment later a ghost-like shadow prowled by the side of the tent. Tawne. Voices rumbled and Elexon wandered away to sleep, his watch over.

  “It is strange to see Tawne again,” whispered Eryanth, a small frown marring his brow. “Still, after everything that has happened, it is a blessing; one I am thankful for.”

  Diamond smiled and leaned into him as he put his arm around her shoulders. “You should spend some time with him. Talk to him about what happened when you were both imprisoned by Griana. Find out why Erzion did what he did.”

  Eryanth sighed. “I should. I don’t even have it in me to be angry with Erzion any longer. He always has a good reason for his actions.”

  “That is very true—or so it seems.”

  Diamond bit her bottom lip. She did not want to know but she knew she had to. “Eryanth? Did the Veritas scroll reveal how I am to use the spear?”

  His body stiffened and, although, she no longer possessed any magic, she felt him withdraw from her. When he looked at her, his eyes were black, just like they always were in times of stress—when he was protecting his heart. His big shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath as his expression darkened.

  “All I know is what was written in the original Veritas scroll. Erzion has always had it. The one he gave the Queen—I mean Griana—all those years ago was a copy. A clever one but a copy nonetheless. Her scroll did not mention the weapon the descendant of the Goddess must use to kill Erebos. She knows nothing of it.”

  Diamond nodded. “Otekah knows of it. Even Firan knew something of it.”

  Eryanth frowned.

  Diamond leaned in and ran her fingers over his furrowed brow. “Do not be suspicious of your father; he did not know much, only that the Fire Priests had a weapon that belonged to me. And don’t forget, he saved me before he put his own life at risk trying to find you.”

  “Hmm,” grunted Eryanth. “He did. I’m afraid the scroll revealed nothing about how you would use that weapon. Only that it needs your blood to reach its full power—and that it is the sole way of ending Erebos. To kill him it will consume all of your blood and life energy." There was a moment's silence. His face remained dark. “So how do we find the spear now that Otekah is a prisoner of the High Wizard?”

  Diamond smiled tightly. She had an idea but not one that her soul bonded would necessarily agree with. “Oh, I have every faith I will be able to negotiate Otekah’s release with the High Wizard.”

  Eryanth smiled back as he touched her face with gentle fingers. “You have grown so much from that anxious girl I first met,” he rumbled.

  Diamond cheeks flushed under the pride and love in his sapphire eyes. “You mean the girl who could not breathe through her anxiety attacks?”

  He shrugged. “Yes.”

  “Well, you have also changed, my love. You are no longer that cold warrior who hides his heart from others.”

  His eyes transformed, becoming a sea of sapphire and silver. They drifted down to study her lips. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. “My love?” he croaked.

  Diamond bit her bottom lip and nodded. “Yes. You will always be my love. You have my heart and my soul. Nobody—not even the god of Chaos—can change that.”

  “Good,” he growled, slipping a hand into her hair and cupping the back of her head. His other hand came to rest over her waist until his fingers curled around her curves and held her.

  Diamond’s gaze didn’t waver from his as he leaned in slowly, as if he thought she might pull away, might refuse him. But she did not. She could not.

  Instead, she held his gaze—his gaze that never failed to ensnare her. Silver flame flared across his sapphire eyes, its light flaying her soul, seeing everything she was, her strengths, her weakness, her fear—and still it grew brighter.

  Eryanth stopped when their lips were almost touching. “I have thought about this for so long. Feeling your lips, your body against mine; feeling my soul touch yours once again. This want kept me alive. You kept me alive. I love you so much, more than anything in this world or beyond. Nothing will ever keep me from you—not even death could manage it.”

  At the lightest touch of his lips on hers, Diamond’s eyes fluttered closed. Her heart stopped, her soul sang and glorious heat washed through her body. Her eyes flew open when there was no further contact.

  He was studying her, his gaze hungry, a small predatory smile on his lips.

  Her rapid breathing dried her throat.

  “What do you want?” he whispered, his voice heavy with lust.

  She leaned in and kissed him lightly, revelling in the way his muscles tensed. “I want to feel these lips on mine,” she whispered, kissing him again, her fingers winding into his silken hair.

  He groaned and pulled away, just a little. He studied her, his eyes narrowing, assessing. “Diamond, I want to tear the clothing from your body and make you mine again, but I will not push you too fast. Are you truly ready for this to happen now?” His hand left her waist and brushed gently down her hot cheek.

  Diamond stared at him. Reality crept through her mind, cooling her desire enough for rational thought. They were about to make the same mistake. She had no Moonsbane, no protection. She could not go through being pregnant—not when she knew she would likely die in the coming war.

  Slowly, she shook her head. “Moonsbane,” she whispered. Her eyes darted around the tent, her gaze landing anywhere but on him. So much for being a responsible adult. They should be discussing the weapon that could kil
l the dark god; instead, she had allowed her fae nature to take control of her. At least Eryanth had the sense to stop and think.

  She cocked her head to listen, then groaned, a pained smile on her face. There were the sounds of others talking and moving, the sound of fires crackling—and the sound of people making love—drifting into the night.

  Eryanth smiled, understanding in his face though his eyes remained dark. “It’s fine, my love; we can wait until we have some Moonsbane and we have far more privacy than this.” After a quick, chaste kiss, his hand eased from her hair and he sat up.

  For a few minutes they sat in silence, their breathing returning to normal as they listened to the shuffling and moaning of others.

  Eryanth grinned as Diamond covered her ears. “Gods, does Rayan have no shame?” she whined.

  “Apparently not,” he chuckled and shrugged. “We are fae. None of our warriors, and it looks like none of the wizards, have fragile sensibilities when it comes to sex.”

  “Ah, just stop,” she beseeched him. “Just because I’m fae does not mean I want to hear my friends at it every night.”

  Eryanth bellowed a laugh at that. “You don’t have much choice, though I could think of many ways to distract you from the noise,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

  Lord help me, if he keeps looking at me like that, no amount of judgement or teasing from Attion or Rayan or anyone else will stop me from renewing our bonds. Despite her thoughts, Diamond threw him a warning look but a wide smile stretched her lips. “Yes, you could, but I will not have my friends listening to us that way. It’s just wrong,” she repeated with a giggle.

  He let a big sigh escape his lips. “Gods, being close to you and not touching you is going to be worse torture than being in Chaos,” he stated ruefully.

  Diamond gave him a seductive smile and touched her fingertips to his warm lips. “I didn’t say you couldn’t touch me. But just think how perfect it will be when we have our privacy again and can make as much noise as we like...”