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

by Karen Tomlinson

  Diamond pulled out, desperately trying to figure out what to do.

  Attion. Clarissa. They could help. But what of Firan?

  Magic and spells bounced off the wall of the nearest cell. A thick iron door lay bent and twisted against the opposite wall of the tunnel.

  Firan roared, full of anger and pain. He began chanting, summoning water from the deep of the dungeons.

  The remaining wizards shouted to each other.

  A rush of air hit Diamond. Quickly she shielded herself. A deluge of water rushed by her, entering the open cell.

  Diamond ran to the gaping doorway. She stumbled to a halt just as the water parted and, like two spears, shoved themselves down into the mouths of the guards. Choking and gurgling filling the air as they drowned.

  Diamond cringed but did not back away. The men fell to the ground.

  Tears burned her eyes as she blinked and her vision changed. It was a balm to her soul to see the energy of the world again. The light of the wizards’ souls floated skyward like tiny beacons. Regardless of whose orders they followed, they deserved better than the terror of Chaos.

  May Lunaria protect your souls and the guardians guide you on your final journey.

  Firan groaned from nearby. His energy was a bright cerulean blue, shot through with ribbons of green. It pulsed, trying to heal his wounds.

  Diamond heard a gasp as he pushed his hair from his face and shook himself. Her head whipped towards that sound—as did Firan’s.

  “Firan?” a woman whispered. Chains clanked as she shuffled out of the corner of the cell. Her skin was almost translucent. It made Diamond wonder how long she had been down here in the darkness. Long black hair hung to her buttocks, cascading over her shoulders as she leaned forward, her eyes wide in disbelief. Energy swirled weakly around her. Silver shot through with shadow. Serpents reached out, so like Eryanth’s it made Diamond gasp. But it was the utter shock on Firan’s face followed by an expression of joy that made Diamond’s heart clench.

  “Kilar?” he whispered hoarsely.

  “Oh, my goddess, am I dreaming?” Kilar asked, not taking her eyes off Firan.

  Diamond could only watch as Firan stumbled towards Eryanth’s mother and, with a noise akin to a sob took her in his arms, repeating her name over and over as he held her close.

  Diamond blinked, her vision returning to normal.

  “Firan? I-I need to find help for Rayan. His father poisoned us. I will return soon, “ she promised.

  Firan barely moved. Still holding Kilar in his arms, he nodded.

  Diamond turned and ran. Her heart pounded as she sprinted on wobbling legs down the single corridor of the High Wizard’s dungeons. It was dimly-lit, and she stumbled more than once. Finding the stairs, she ran up and blasted the enchanted door clean away.

  Talib was already running up the path towards her, a squadron of men at his back.

  “Talib, do not think to stop me,” she warned. “Rayan is in grave danger; he needs help and if you try to stop me, I will end you all.” She yanked on that familiar power inside her, almost weeping at the very feel of it. Magic swirled around her arms and hands, its brightness eclipsing even the sunlight.

  Talib skidded to a halt, as did his men; dust from the path rose around their legs. Talib raised his hands placatingly. “I know. Look, I have brought the antidote. I convinced Salim to tell me what poison my father ordered him to use. We have only minutes left. He used Fire Toad venom, Queen Arjuno. It is toxic when used in its raw form.” Between the finger and thumb of his right hand, he held a tiny glass bottle. “Rayan has minutes, that’s all. Let me pass,”

  Diamond nodded, relief flooding through her as she pulled her magic back.

  “Is my father dead?” asked Talib, panting as he ran. “Did you kill him?”

  “Yes. I did,” she replied, feeling no guilt for it. “He would have killed me and ended Rayan. Did you know your father had Queen Kilar locked in his dungeons?” she asked, not sure what she would do if he had known. “Did Rayan?”

  Talib stumbled, though he did not stop. Their footsteps echoed as they ran down into the darkness.

  “No. By the Guardians, I swear it. He’s had her all these years? Here? Bastard!” he muttered, still running.

  In the gloom at the end of the corridor, Rayan lay still, his face frighteningly pale. Talib skidded to a halt and dropped to his knees. “Come on, brother. You have to fight this. You have to live. I need you,” he implored, clearly not caring who listened. His fingers trembled as he tipped the tiny amount of viscous purple liquid into his brother’s mouth and held his jaw closed.

  Diamond heard a sound to her left.

  Firan was swearing, sweat running down his temples as he tugged on the chains that secured Kilar to the cell wall. It seemed the High Wizard had given her enough freedom to reach her pallet and the hole in the floor that smelled like a latrine, but she could not reach the door. There was a washstand with a hairbrush, a pitcher of water and a crude stack of shelves holding undergarments and books. On the pallet lay a notebook and an ink pen. Beside the bed were stacked reams of full note books. Other than that, the space was crude and bare, lit only by a small oil lamp.

  “Firan, let me see,” Diamond requested. Her magic was clamouring. She knew how to free this woman, whose face was so like Eryanth’s it was disturbing. Granted, her eyes and jawline were more feminine but it was obvious that this was his mother. Diamond kept her mental shield deliberately strong. If Eryanth knew his mother was alive and here, she wasn’t sure what he would do and Ilya needed his help. She hated herself for it but she would not tell him—yet.

  “Who are you?” Kilar breathed, her eyes wide and fixed on Diamond. “You look like my true queen, who sleeps under the mountain.”

  “I am your son’s mate and Queen of Avalonia,” Diamond answered. “I am daughter to Tanelle, your queen, and granddaughter to Lunaria, goddess of Creation.”

  “You are Tanelle’s daughter?” she asked incredulously. “But how? She was still sleeping under the mountain when I was taken.”

  Firan stepped back. “It’s true, Kilar. Much has happened since you vanished from our lives. I know about Eryanth. I know you gave birth to our son. And he is magnificent, a guardian and warrior to rival any. He is with Ilya right now. They have gone to save Salvir from ruin.”

  “Ilya? Eryanth?” She lifted her hands to cup his face. “He is alive?” Tears lined Kilar’s eyes. “And Ilya too?”

  Firan swallowed and nodded.

  “How did you find out about him? I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. I couldn’t… I didn’t know what to do…”

  “My love, it is fine. There is no need to explain. It was difficult for both of us back then. But no longer. We will be together from now until Eternity takes us,” he vowed.

  Kilar nodded, her eyes upon Diamond. Kilar’s skin was scarred where she had been burned repeatedly.

  Diamond inspected the iron chains. “Queen Kilar, the chain is going to become hot, but I will do my best to protect you from my magic,” Diamond told her.

  Firan fixed her with his intense eyes, a small smile curling the corners of his mouth. “You took my son’s blood again.” It was a statement, not a question.

  “Yes,” she answered, her face heating a little. “Why?”

  He grinned. “I thought it might work. When he took your blood the first time, he ingested your magic. You are Nexus.” Firan shrugged. “When you took his blood this time, your magic has reconnected with your centre—your soul,” he explained. “Your magic is growing again. Soon your Nexus with our son will reform, then you will be able to fight together, to merge your magic into a power greater than either of you can possess alone.”

  Diamond swallowed the ache in her throat. Her bond with Eryanth had rekindled her magic. “Let’s free you, Queen Kilar,” she suggested, wanting to leave, to find that spear and return to Eryanth’s side.

  “Just Kilar will do, my queen,” Kilar said ruefully. “I believe my
daughter is queen of my homelands now, and I do not wish to usurp her.” She turned to Firan. “I have somewhere else I wish to be now. Too much of my life has been wasted down here,” she whispered, sadness darkening her eyes.

  “We will make up for it, Kilar. I will explain everything that has happened once Diamond frees you from these chains,” he reassured her.

  Diamond nodded and kneeled next to Kilar. She hooked both of her forefingers through the shackle around Kilar’s ankle. Closing her eyes and ignoring the burning of her own skin, she tugged gently on her magic. It responded to her command. She did not allow it to get out of control and guided it through her fingers into the metal that bound Kilar. The High Wizard’s enchantments attacked her, fighting her magic. His enchantments were no match for the ancient power in Diamond’s blood.

  Kilar hissed and Firan gripped her hands in his. Within seconds the metal fell away. Diamond repeated the process on the other ankle—and Kilar was free.

  For a moment she stood and stared at her ankles. “I’m free!” she whispered. Then she looked at Firan, flung her arms around his neck and said it again and again. “I’m free. I’m free. I’m free...”

  Diamond’s eyes burned, both overjoyed at finding Kilar and furious that this woman’s life had been stolen from her.

  “I am glad you found what you lost,” she said to Firan before rushing back to Talib and Rayan. “Rayan!” she cried, running to where he sat nursing his head.

  He lifted his head from his hands. “Oh gods, I am so sorry, Diamond. Thir completely took me in. I’m such a bloody fool! I should have known my father would test me like that.”

  “Do not blame yourself, Rayan. How could you know?”

  “No! My stupidity nearly got us both killed!” He raked a shaking hand through his unbound hair.

  “But it didn’t,” she soothed him.

  “Queen Arjuno is right,” agreed Talib. “Put this behind you. We have to get you well again and decide what to do now.”

  “Rayan, I need to go to Otekah. I have to find the spear before I can re-join my Nexus,” Diamond told him.

  “You have your magic back? That’s fantastic! Brother, I need three horses and supplies enough for a week.”

  “No, you don’t,” said a deep voice from behind them.

  Otekah strode down the corridor. “I will take Diamond. Where we are going is not for you, my prince. You need to recover your magic and your strength.”

  “Otekah, I told you to stay away,” Rayan admonished sharply.

  Otekah grinned, his teeth bright. “I know, but the desert wanted me to return. It tugged at me here,” he said, banging his chest. “It warned me to return.” He toed the pile of ash that had once been Kalib Orage. A grim smile curled his lips. “It seems you did not need my help though.” He contemplated Diamond. “Your magic has returned, majesty. It is time to seek out the spear.”

  Diamond nodded, swallowing down her dread at what she might face. “Rayan, I need to go with Otekah. Ilya and Eryanth will need help to secure Salvir. We need to show united strength to the King of Gar Anon. Somehow we have to persuade him we can all work together to beat Erebos. Would you organise our armies? Use Elexon and Attion to your advantage and lead our strength to Salvir. I will join you there.”

  Rayan looked to Talib, clearly unsure whether he should leave.

  “Brother, you need to go. You are a warrior, I am not. With the help of the council, I will protect our kingdom and ready our troops for war. We will wait for your return and instruction, but we will be ready,” he promised.

  Rayan grasped his brother’s proffered hand and let Talib help him up. He took some steadying breaths, leaning over his knees before straightening. “I will go, Diamond. My wizards and I will use the wind. We can use enough enchantments to take our combined forces and be in Salvir in three days.”

  Diamond nodded. She turned to Firan, who helped Kilar over the rubble. Both Rayan and Talib eyed Kilar warily.

  “Queen Kilar, I cannot express my apologies enough for what my father did to you. I-I don’t know what to say,” professed Rayan gravely.

  “Just Kilar. I have not been a queen for many years.” Kilar smiled. “And I thank you for your apology, prince, but I harbour no ill will to either you or your brother. Kalib made his own choices. He told no one other than his general I was down here.”

  “How did you end up his prisoner?” asked Talib.

  Kilar sagged against Firan, clearly weak. “I came to him for help after my husband and guards were slaughtered. I saw the fae warriors take my son as the poison they had given us worked its evil. But my guardian fought it and gave me enough strength to change. I followed them across Gar Anon until they came into your father’s borders. I did not care about Kalib and our feud, I just wanted to save my son. I entered your lands but had only crossed a few miles when your father captured me. His spells worked easily on me as my guardian was exhausted and too weak to fight. Kalib knew about Griana’s warriors—and he let them go. He let them take my baby,” she whispered, her voice thick with remembered grief.

  “But you will see him again soon,” Firan reassured her, rubbing her back. He turned to Rayan. “We will go with you to Salvir, prince.”

  Rayan gave a nod.

  “Come, my lord,” said Kilar, touching Firan’s face as if reassuring herself he was really there. “I have not seen the sun for eighteen years. I should like to feel its warmth awaken my dragon and taste freedom once again.”

  Diamond swallowed the ache in her throat as Firan’s arms closed protectively around Kilar. He held her for a moment and whispered words meant only for her before he pulled back and they left the remains of the High Wizard to the ravages of time.

  Chapter 12

  Diamond swiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and let the mild dizziness settle. Travelling by the light of the sun was nauseating, though she had to admit it was the fastest she had ever moved. Otekah had melded them within the light beams, taking only mere moments to reach their destination.

  Grinning, Otekah passed her his water skin. “Here. If you need to vomit, just turn the other way, Queen Arjuno.”

  Diamond rolled her eyes. “Will you please just use my name?”

  He raised his brows. “No, you are a queen and should be addressed as such.”

  Diamond took a swig of water, then breathed deeply as her stomach settled. “Gods, you are as stubborn as an ass.”

  Otekah’s grin widened. “So I have been told.”

  “So, where exactly are we?” Diamond asked, taking in the amazing view in front of her. Warm winds whipped at her loose fitting robes and set the sand whispering as it was blown about. She hooked her fingers into her headscarf and pulled it down.

  “The Three Sons,” replied Otekah. “I have never been in the cave where the spear lays, but I do know there will be a challenge of your right to enter.”

  Diamond gazed at the three massive and active, snow-capped volcanoes. The tundra between the blue dune they stood upon and the base of the volcano was covered in ash and the uneven spread of hardened lava rock. The area was devoid of life. She shuffled and pulled her scarf back into place as the sun burned the top of her head.

  Blowing air from between her lips, she took another swallow of water. “What sort of challenge?” she asked. Her stomach was doing somersaults, anxiety threatening to muddle her thoughts. She calmed herself, not wanting to lose her control of her mind like she used to. She reinforced her mental barriers. Eryanth needed to concentrate on his own safety, not sense her distress. Her necklace pulsed with heat, scorching her skin. Reaching down inside her robes, she pulled it out. It illuminated as if glad to be free of confinement.

  Otekah glanced at it, his brow furrowed. “Wasn’t that dragon holding the crystal between its claws?”

  “Yes,” Diamond said, looking down. She gasped. Otekah was right. The Dragon was now curled protectively around the rough stone, its small detailed head twisted in such a way it seemed to be staring
right at her. Diamond felt her magic stir as she brushed its head. “Well, let’s go,” she instructed Otekah, squaring her shoulders.

  “One more leap of light, then,” commented Otekah before he grabbed her hand and the colours of the universe streaked by.

  Devout of faith, loyal of heart,

  Fate requires a sacrifice,

  Conclusion of your destiny.

  Cast pure light in the blood of fire,

  Take a leap of faith, free the spear,

  The chosen and guardians’ sired.

  “What does that mean?” Diamond asked as she peered up at the words carved into the rock.

  Otekah blinked. “I’m not sure. My father used to bring me here when I was young, and I have returned every year on the summer solstice when the sun is at its zenith. When I asked, he told me that these words are for the descendant of the goddess, and I was not meant to understand them. All I needed to know was where to bring the goddess’ heir should they ever return.”

  “Oh, well, I have no idea either.” Diamond bit her lip, worry snaking itself around her gut. Breaking riddles was not one of her strong points.

  The mouth of the tunnel yawned in front of them. Tucking away her fear, she took a step into the gloom. Their boots crunched on layers of ash blown in from outside, their footsteps echoing as they made their way down the tunnel into the bowels of the mountain. Diamond called upon her magic to illuminate their way. The tunnel became smaller and smaller until the pair were crawling on their hands and knees.

  “Is this the right tunnel?” Diamond wheezed as she lowered herself onto her belly.

  “Yes, there is no other,” replied Otekah.

  Rock scraped the skin off Diamond’s arms as she inched forward, uneven spurs digging into her body on all sides. Her lungs burned with each breath, the heat now almost unbearable. Sulphur hung heavy in the air. Sweat dripped down her face and neck, and her hair stuck to her. Thoughts of the sheer amount of rock above them had panic gripping her. She paused, taking deep breaths, just as she had learned to do when anxiety threatened to swallow her whole.