Chapter 9
The walk back to their rooms was so tense Diamond almost caved in and begged for forgiveness.
Eryanth was clearly furious with her.
Letting her emotional guard down was as easy as pulling open a curtain. She hissed with frustration when a wall of utter blackness met her.
He glanced sideways, his teeth clenched and the muscles of his jaw standing out.
Fine! Diamond set her jaw, peeved that he had blocked her. She did not need to explain her every move to him, especially not if her plans were intended to keep him safe.
Two First Legion warriors guarded the door to their rooms. They placed a fist upon their chests and bowed their heads. Eryanth nodded to them both, as did Diamond.
She swallowed hard as Eryanth opened the door and stood back for her to pass. He dismissed Elexon, who had followed them at a respectable distance, before his eyes followed her inside. Her gut squeeze in anticipation and defiance. She was ready to defend her actions.
The door slammed shut and, before she knew it, she was scooped from the floor.
Eryanth marched into the bedroom and threw her on the bed.
“Why are you hatching plans with another prince and not me?” he growled, arms crossed over his chest. “You should not put yourself at such risk. You have responsibilities to everyone, not just me.”
Diamond stared up at him, tempted to explain; but part of her rebelled at the idea of explaining any of her reasons and actions to him, not to mention the demand in his voice. “You are not my keeper,” she retorted. “I don’t have to explain anything to you.”
His face darkened further, but it was the hurt that flashed through his eyes that caused her to flush in shame.
“No, I am not your keeper. I am your soul bound mate. Does that not mean anything to you?” he grated through his clenched teeth.
“Of course it does!” she protested.
“Then why go to another with your secrets?” he questioned, his voice raised.
Diamond sighed, trying to calm the sick feeling in her heart. “I only meant to protect you. I did not want you to become involved and risk you getting hurt—or worse.”
“Wait! What?” he asked incredulously. “We’ve had this conversation before, Diamond, when you came to find me at Gorian’s inn. I am a gods damned warrior! I do not need your protection. I am supposed to protect you, not the other way around, but I can only do that if you let me.” He swore as his guardian pushed against the silk of his shirt and rumbled its displeasure. Within seconds the shirt was torn open, the fiery eyes of a dragon fixed upon her. Eryanth muttered and yanked the silk off, throwing it in a pile in the corner.
Diamond swallowed at the sight of his bare chest. Honed from training and coloured a rich golden brown from the sun, he was a sight to behold. She gulped, trying not to become distracted. She raised her eyes to his. He was right. She had not considered her actions from his point of view. It was cruel to keep him ignorant of her plans. Just as she was irritated at not being allowed entry to his emotions, it must be far worse to have no idea what she had been doing or where she was.
He crossed his arms over his chest and scowled.
Diamond sat up then climbed off the bed.
Eryanth watched but didn’t try stopping her.
She stood in front of him. “I’m sorry,” she breathed, cupping the side of his face with her hand.
His eyes narrowed, his arms crossed.
“I have become used to managing by myself. I know you are a far better warrior than I am, but I truly did not want you to get hurt … or for you to try to stop me from doing it.”
“Why did you set Otekah free?” he asked, not reacting to her touch or words.
Diamond hid her disappointment. Part of her had expected—or rather hoped for—instant forgiveness, for him to just forget and not ask about what she had done.
His eyes turned black as he waited for her answer.
Diamond realised he thought she might not divulge her plans to him, that she did not trust or respect him enough to tell him.
“I had to. Otekah knows the whereabouts of my grandmother’s spear.”
Eryanth swallowed. “Why did you plan this with Rayan?”
“What makes you think I planned it with Rayan?”
Eryanth quirked a dark brow at her and maintained his icy warrior’s demeanour.
Diamond sighed. “Fine. We planned it together. Rayan is Otekah’s friend. He trusts Otekah above his own father. He knows I need to find the spear and that Otekah needed to live to show me where it is. The only way was to reach one of the High Wizard’s men, one who had enough power to gain entry to the High Wizard’s dungeons.”
“What did Rayan have on the general?”
“How do you know Rayan helped me sway the general?”
“Because you would need leverage on someone like Thir.” Eryanth stepped forward and slipped one big hand around the back of her neck, his fingers spearing her hair and gripping her in place. “Besides, you are part of my soul, my love; you cannot hide anything from me or my shadow.”
“Rayan only gave me…” Her words faltered as he leaned closer, the coldness gone from his eyes.
“You know what? Tell me tomorrow. I don’t want to talk of Rayan or generals or anyone else right now. In fact I don’t want to talk at all…” He lowered his mouth to hers.
Diamond fell into his kiss. This was far different from the sweet kisses and restrained touches they had shared in the last weeks. Now there was no restraint—for either of them.
Eryanth moaned and hooked his fingers into the waistband of her beautiful skirt. The fine material was no match for his strength. It ripped away to leave her standing in her leggings, boots and corset. “Too many clothes,” he mumbled against her lips, not stopping his assault on her mouth.
Diamond surrendered to his touch, his tongue sweeping against hers. Her hands travelled over his hot skin, his tattoos glowing under her ministrations. The ties to her bodice tore as her mate yanked it from her body and threw it sideways, all while kissing her.
His magic caressed her back, her ribs, her waist, nipping and stroking where he willed. She groaned as his hand found the soft skin of her breast.
Deep inside her, the empty place that had once held her magic ached fiercely. How she wished she could touch him with more than her hands and mouth.
Eryanth dropped to his knees and gazed up at her as he held her hips. “I love you. I will always love you, no matter what you do,” he whispered, almost as a pledge.
She watched as he deftly removed her boots. Holding her gaze, he slowly slid her leggings off. A sigh escaped her as he began worshipping the skin of her thighs with his mouth.
Diamond swallowed, relieved she had had the foresight this time to swallow down the Moonsbane Rose had given her.
His hot mouth trailed over her skin, finding her centre. He kissed, tasted and nipped until he drove her to the point of madness.
She wound her fingers in his hair, groaning with frustration when he moved up her body, feathering kisses up over her flat belly and breasts until he reached her mouth.
“You have no idea how much I want to worship this beautiful body,” he whispered, making her shudder with delight and expectation as he trailed his fingertips over her hot skin. “These past weeks have been torture,” he rasped, but the way he looked at her, with such love and tenderness, had her breath catching in her lungs. “Are you sure you are ready for this—for us? I will stop right now if you are not.”
Diamond nodded and smiled, pulling him into a sultry kiss that answered his question. “I have taken the Moonsbane, my love. I want to feel your body against mine. I want you inside me as we re-forge our soul bond.”
Eryanth kissed her back—hard. He swept her from the ground and lowered her to the bed.
The silken sheets were cool and slick against her burning skin.
Eryanth’s movements were almost desperate as he tore away the rest of his clothing
and lowered himself to her. His shoulder muscles tensed as he held himself above her, his hands on either side of her head. “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice thick, a silver flame alight in his eyes. A faint outline of his dragon appeared on his chest before he suppressed it.
In answer, Diamond bared her neck to him. “Yes.”
Eryanth lowered his head but whispered, “Not yet, my love.” He licked her skin, making her shiver. Then he pulled back, claiming her mouth instead. Their eyes remained fixed on each other as he pushed himself inside the warm grip of her body. “Gods, I thought I would never feel you like this again,” he breathed shakily.
“I want to take your blood. Please...let me taste you again,” she begged him, finding it hard to speak at the tide of sensation washing through her. Her hands found his hips, urging him to move faster, harder—until their heavy breathing and moans filled the room.
Diamond felt her insides coil as if ready to burst and curled her nails into his skin.
Eryanth stopped. He grinned as she protested. “Shhh,” he whispered. Balancing on one hand, he lifted his wrist. His second set of teeth gleamed as he bit the soft skin. Lowering back down, he leaned on his elbow to keep his weight from crushing her and laid his wrist over her mouth.
Diamond did not hesitate. She wanted to feel that coppery warmth bathe her mouth and bask in his power as it burned through her veins. She was desperate for that connection to him. Clamping her lips to his skin, she took a deep draw. He hissed. Her eyes flew open but it was not pain she saw in his face but a raw, feral hunger that caused her toes to curl and her muscles to tighten around him.
Eryanth groaned, beginning to move again. “Gods, you feel. So good,” he breathed raggedly.
Diamond smiled but kept sucking. She tipped her head sideways, baring her neck as he began to draw deep panting breaths, his tattoos burning with flame and his eyes alight. Diamond registered the sharp sting of his bite in the sensitive skin of her neck. Unable to suppress it, she moaned against his wrist.
Eryanth did not stop, he merely moved harder and faster. Diamond matched every roll of his hips with her own, their movements frenzied and wild. Sweat coated their bodies, the scent of him filling her nose, the taste of him flooding her mouth.
Eryanth began to draw on her neck; not softly, but almost desperately. He was marking her, claiming her as his again—and she loved it.
Magic swirled around them, touching and nipping her naked skin until the sensations in her body and soul became too much. She unlatched her mouth from his skin and screamed his name as pleasure exploded through her body, sweeping her away. Her fingers curled into his back, her nails drawing blood as fire burned through her body, touching even that barren place in her soul where her magic had once lived. As she cried his name, his body became rigid, his tattoos burning as he roared deep in his throat, not letting go of his hold on her neck as his own climax gripped him.
Slowly, Diamond drifted back into her body. She winced as he withdrew his teeth from her skin. He began laving her wound; the healing properties in his saliva soothed the small punctures until there was little left but a red mark and a bruise.
Love and wonder shone in his eyes as they stared at each other.
Diamond kissed his lips then smiled impishly. “Wow,” she breathed.
Eryanth grinned widely. Oh, I think that deserves more than a wow.
Diamond gasped, then threw her arms around him. I can hear you inside my head again.
And I you, my love, he answered.
He rolled his bulk off her. Smiling and sated, she shuffled into his side. He put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. Resting her head on his chest and a hand on the ridges of his abdomen, she allowed her eyes to close.
I love you, Eryanth whispered down their bond, holding her tight and kissing her head. More than anything in this world or the next. We are blood-bound, and I will love you with every shred of my shadowed heart and soul until time itself ceases.
Diamond’s heart squeezed, the enormity of the love she felt for him stealing the breath from her lungs. “I love you too,” she managed to say as she held him tightly.
Now that her body was sated, her mind began to worry. She took solace in the knowledge Rayan had taken Otekah to safety, and she doubted that General Thir would want to destroy his sterling reputation by giving her up to the High Wizard. She bit her lip and prayed they would make it through these talks quickly so they could leave before the High Wizard learned of his prisoner’s escape.
Get some sleep, my love. You are safe for now. My shadows will alert us to any dangers nearby, Eryanth rumbled, clearly feeling her anxiety.
Diamond nodded and smiled against his warm skin.
He kissed her head and lay quietly. Soon his breathing became regular and peaceful.
Diamond rubbed her chest where something deep inside her burned. She wrapped her fingers around her crystal necklace and whispered a gentle prayer to her mother before closing her eyes, a smile upon her lips.
Chapter 10
Diamond bolted upright in bed at a loud banging at the door. Her hair was in disarray, and she clutched the sheet to her naked skin. Her body ached and felt sore in all the right places.
Eryanth stood next to the door, grinning at her. His dark eyes gleamed with lust and satisfaction, conveying he knew why she winced. Do not fret, my love, he reassured her. The shadows are my messengers. I am ready for our visitor.
He stood wrapped in armour, his swords upon his back, ready to greet whoever it might be.
Diamond swallowed hard. Who is it? she asked. Had the High Wizard discovered his missing prisoner?
A messenger of the High Wizard. No one we know.
Oh? What does he want? Diamond glanced to the window. Dawn was staining the sky, but the sun had yet to rise fully. It was early.
Eryanth huffed a laugh and quirked an eyebrow at her. I can only read your mind, my beautiful queen, no one else’s.
Diamond blushed at the heated look he gave her.
Quickly, she flung back the covers and padded to the bathing room.
Eryanth’s tone was deep as he spoke to the messenger, but it was impossible to decipher any specific words. Steam curled up to the roof as she drew a bath. It was wonderful to have the luxury of running hot water. She lowered herself in. Knowing she had no time to linger, Diamond scrubbed herself clean. Eryanth soon joined her in the bathing room. He leaned against the doorframe, his gaze unwavering.
Diamond smiled, though it was impossible not to squirm under his attention.
“We have been summoned urgently by the High Wizard,” he said as he devoured her with his eyes.
Diamond’s grin slipped and she swallowed.
“Do not worry. I will not allow him to hurt you—no matter what he may have discovered.” He picked up a towel and held it up for her. “Come. Let’s go and get this over with.”
The High Wizard impatiently tapped his fingernails against the huge glass table top when they arrived.
Diamond took a breath as panic squeezed her chest. She marched over the glittering, mirror-like floor, her mouth dry.
Ilya sat in a glass-and gold-backed chair, lounging comfortably and sipping on frosted lemonade, as did Rayan and Talib. Ilya’s gaze rested for a moment on the bright pink scar Eryanth had bestowed upon Diamond’s neck.
Diamond raised her chin and met that powerful gaze steadily. She would not hide the bond she had with Eryanth.
Ilya smiled. “Good morning, Queen Arjuno. Brother,” she added, winking at Eryanth as they took a seat next to her at the long table.
Eryanth grinned as everyone looked at the telling sign of their bonding. “Where is my father?” he asked, glancing around the room after returning Rayan’s wide smirk.
“I have sent for him, but it seems he is not in his rooms,” Rayan supplied, who looked resplendent in a highly embroidered tunic and loose pants. His tattoos were in full view and his hair was pull back into tiny and tight braids down his bac
k. He bore no weapons save a curved dagger in a sheath strapped across his broad chest. “Perhaps he has visited his men?” he added with a frown at his brother.
Talib sat upright next to him. He shrugged distractedly. “Perhaps,” he agreed, his eyes following the movements of a dark-skinned servant boy.
Diamond and Eryanth exchanged a look.
Do you think Rayan is right? Diamond asked.
Since arriving here, Firan’s mood had been dark. He had not attended the ball last night, and it seemed he would not be here for these talks either. Diamond’s eyebrows dipped in thought. Firan knew how important they were; he would not miss them unless he had to.
A heavy feeling of dread fell upon Diamond’s shoulders. Firan had once alluded to losing something precious that he thought he might find in Ion Kugat. Maybe he had gone in search of whatever it was—at the expense of this alliance.
Maybe, growled Eryanth. We will continue without him, but as soon as we are done, we must find him.
Of course. He will be fine, she offered with more confidence than she felt. Her fingers reached for the glass of lemonade the young man placed in front of her. She took a mouthful then swallowed, almost groaning as the delightfully ice-cold liquid rolled across her tongue and down her throat.
“If the Lord of the Wetlands does not deign to join us, then we will begin without him. I have urgent business to discuss,” barked the High Wizard. He nodded at the door guards.
The heavy doors were flung open, and two bloodied, dirt-stained figures were shoved across the floor of the room.
Diamond tensed, snatching her fingers away from her glass.
Their boots left smears of sand across the pristine tiles. Their hands were bound by spells, and they looked to be yelling behind their sealed lips. Strangled sounds filled the air along with the hiss of rapid breathing through their nostrils.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 111
