We need to stop this! Eryanth told Diamond. Too many are dying unnecessarily. Princess Teya is now our ally. She wants to stop her brother.
I know, responded Diamond tightly. But only because she thinks she has a marriage alliance secured!
You’re not angry with me are you, my love?
Yes! She hissed. But we can talk about that later!
Vaalor swooped across the throng of soldiers, the down draft from his wings knocking many off their feet. A figure resplendent in white armour rode high upon his neck, balanced behind his great horns.
“Hugo!” yelled a voice nearby. It was a voice Eryanth had thought never to hear again.
Jack! Eryanth whipped his body around, his muscles tensed. Eryanth did not know or care how his onetime friend came to be here, but he would not allow Jack to betray them again.
“You’re alive!” Jack yelled ecstatically.
In one swift smooth movement, the tough-looking warrior by Jack’s side pulled another blade from his thigh and threw it.
Eryanth heard the thud as it hit someone behind him. He did not turn, merely nodded his thanks at the gold-winged fae.
“Princess, you need to stop this bloodshed,” Eryanth growled.
Eyes wide, Teya stared at him. She exclaimed as another one of her well-dressed men died with a blade in his gut.
“To Hugo!” bellowed Jack.
Eryanth soon found himself, the princess and Ilya’s cart surrounded by familiar faces.
Zane leaped in the air and landed solidly in front of Eryanth. Jack strode over, Tom and the older warrior beside him.
Zane grinned. “Hey! Surprised to see us?” he quipped.
Eryanth did not smile. “Yes,” he snarled and turned away from the regret and shame in the faces of those he had once called his friends. He inclined his head at Vaalor and the goddess who sat perched upon his neck. “You had better hope she is willing to forgive your treachery or your long trip here will be for nothing. She will burn you all,” was all he said before he grabbed Teya’s hand and pulled her towards Ilya.
Chapter 15
The ground shook and men screamed as Vaalor slammed his bulk to the scorched earth.
Eryanth could smell the stench of sulphur as Vaalor spewed fire into the air.
A warning.
Most soldiers heeded it and ran.
Some did not.
Eryanth cut down a guard with half a thought, his heart drumming against his ribs.
Diamond was the most magnificent sight he had ever beheld. Strong. Beautiful. Powerful. And his. She somersaulted down off the dragon’s neck. At the same time, she sent magic barrelling forward; she did not kill, but threw those who were brave enough to face her from harm’s way.
Prince Iberu screamed at his men. “Get up! You cowards! Stand up and fight this filth!” he roared.
“No! Stop!” yelled Teya but her voice was drowned out in the cacophony of Vaalor’s roar.
Diamond prowled forward. It was clear she was every inch the queen she was meant to be. In her right hand she gripped a golden spear. Its red crystal tip glowed a bright blood red.
Eryanth and his dragon snarled. Runes of pure light burned along it. He wished he could throw it into the sun and melt it from existence. That damned thing signified everything he feared.
Magic swirled around Diamond, setting her silver hair aglow. She whipped that magic through the air and around the prince’s throat.
Vaalor bellowed another roar, one that rippled through the ground, unbalancing even Eryanth.
Diamond’s body glowed so brightly she eclipsed the sun. A warning of her power.
Jack cursed loudly and the older warrior by his side swore viciously. All fighting stopped. Without exception, every soul left alive covered their eyes. It was that or be blinded.
Only Eryanth seemed immune. The smile she bestowed upon him had his gut tightening and his breath catching.
She allowed the light to fade.
Even the warriors from Salvir heeded her warning. They hovered nearby but none made a move to attack the soldiers on the ground.
Diamond stalked up to the prince, who now dangled three feet off the ground, his face turning blue. Around her, soldiers fell to their knees in reverence.
Eryanth ignored everyone else. Grabbing Teya’s hand, he hauled her to her feet and pulled her towards his Nexus, his soulmate. “Come, let me introduce you to the goddess who is my soulmate,” he uttered with determination. There was no way he would marry anyone other than Diamond, so it was best they dealt with that stupid pledge he had made.
Teya scowled and yanked her hand from his. “But you promised me an alliance. A marriage,” she hissed, though there was very little conviction in it. “It is bound in blood.” She swallowed hard. “Such a deal cannot be broken. Oh gods, will she kill me now?” she almost whispered, looking worried.
Eryanth had to chuckle. “No. My queen is far kinder than your family,” he answered.
Teya had the grace to flush at his words before her attention snapped back to Diamond.
“Hugo? I will guard your sister,” Jack offered. The human prince had risen and stepped closer.
Eryanth glanced at him, not bothering to hide his mistrust. No matter that he understood Jack’s previous actions, he had betrayed Diamond once—he would not be given the opportunity to do it again.
“I am Arades Gillon,” stated the older fae. “You can trust Jack’s word—and mine. We will not betray my daughter.”
Eryanth contemplated the fae warrior. His shadow slithered around the male, searching for the truth. It was true he had Diamond’s nose and mouth, but it was the utter honesty and love in his eyes as he looked at his daughter that convinced Eryanth that this truly was Diamond’s father.
He locked his mind away from Diamond lest she feel his surprise at meeting a dead man. Keeping his composure, Eryanth nodded once in thanks and headed towards his mate. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Tom and Zane exchange a glance as they turned to face the hoard of kneeling soldiers surrounding Diamond and the two carts.
The cart horses snorted uneasily at the presence of the huge dragon. Karl reached out to calm one set and Unis another as Diamond contemplated the prince.
Arades stared at Diamond with such pride and love, Eryanth inwardly smiled. He couldn’t wait to see her reaction when she realised her father still lived, that against all odds he had survived.
A sudden wind gusted over them all. Among the ranks of soldiers, wizards appeared, battle-ready with casts prepared upon their lips. Above, hordes of fae swooped in. Those from the Fire Mountains and the First Legion hovered side by side. Eryanth smiled as he noticed the blue and green skin of the mermen interspersed among the wizards.
Diamond looked around, though her face did not change. She lowered her captive to the ground and released his throat enough that he could speak. “You will cease this bloodshed right now. A greater evil is coming for us all and there is no room for greed and power games. Erebos must be stopped and we can only do that if we band our forces together.”
“Band our forces?” Iberu wheezed a laugh. “I will not join with any of you!” he hissed.
Teya’s hair gleamed in the sunlight as she lifted her chin and approached the goddess. “Goddess,” she dipped a courtesy.
Eryanth bit his lip to contain his grin.
Don’t you dare laugh! Diamond berated him.
He pressed his lips together. I wouldn’t dare. I am just so proud of you right now. Look at them all. All these people, all these powerful warriors are bowing to you. You eclipse them all, my beautiful goddess.
Diamond flicked her eyes to his. Her cheeks flushed but she did not answer; instead, she studied Teya.
“I am Princess Teya.”
“I know who you are,” interrupted Diamond meaningfully. Her eyes bored into Teya, who momentarily dropped her gaze from the power in Diamond’s.
“Good. Then you know I can be trusted above my brother. I had no allies to
help me stop him killing my father but with your help and the—er— alliance that Prince Eryanth and I sealed in our blood, I will promise to fight for our world—and not be a threat to any other kingdom.”
“You?” Iberu wheezed a laugh. “You are no leader. You are weak. A spoilt little girl whose only purpose in life is to play with her pretty things and her useless men. You cannot rule a kingdom!” He tried to yell but it came out as a croak.
Teya whirled to him. She stepped up and glared into his face.
Eryanth felt a cool breeze wash over him.
Rayan appeared as if from nowhere by his side. He looked more terrifying than Eryanth had ever seen him. As tall as he was, his head and neck were covered in tattoos, and he was bedecked in weapons and armour carved with the gods of wind and the sun.
Princess Teya studied her brother, her lips pressed tightly together.
“Need any help?” Rayan ground out of the side of his mouth.
Eryanth grinned at his friend. “Nope. But the princess might,” he said and nodded to where Teya stood. “That egotistical prick is her brother. I suspect he will need binding—specifically his unruly mouth. He has no respect for anyone. The little bastard just killed his father and was about to kill me and Ilya. If Teya hadn’t wanted to stop him, he might very well have managed it too.”
Rayan raised his brows and studied Teya speculatively. A leader weighing up a potential threat—or perhaps an ally.
“I have far more purpose and vision for our kingdom than you or father ever had. And these useless men as you called them—my harem—are my protectors.” She gave a derisory smile. “They kept me alive, brother dear. They protected me and fought for me and each other. Where are your guards? Oh, that’s right. My useless men killed them—to protect me and our future.”
Prince Iberu leaned forward, a sneer upon his lips. “Do you really think the men in the council or the commanders of this army will take orders from you? You are a pathetic woman! You are brainless and have never even seen the inside of a strategy meeting, let alone have the intelligence to understand such things.”
“Enough!” roared Diamond. Her violet eyes fell upon Rayan. “Prince Orage, kindly bind this man’s voice and his body. He is of no use to us with such a small mind and overly large mouth.”
A blue hand fell upon Eryanth’s shoulder as he chuckled at Diamond’s response to the prince. The touch was cool, even through the scale of his armour. He did not jump. He had felt the calming presence of his father approaching.
“Son,” greeted Firan with a warm smile, though his eyes quickly took stock of the situation.
“Father,” Eryanth nodded back. He wanted to hug Firan he was so pleased to see him, but now was not the time for such things.
Rayan stalked up to Diamond and gave her a low bow, then faced a seething Prince Iberu. His eyes burned with hatred at his sister and now Rayan.
“Who are you?” Iberu hissed. “If you harm me in any way, if you side with my useless sister, I will kill you,” he growled, his eyes wide with fury. Spittle ran down his chin and he thrashed against Diamond’s magic.
“Brother, just stop. You killed our father out of greed. You were willing to kill another monarch and invade her lands—all for glory and power. I am willing to pardon your actions and start anew, if you will accept me as your queen and pledge to fight alongside me—alongside all of us—for the safety of the world. I need your blood oath, witnessed by all these rulers.” She took a deep breath, clearly hoping her brother would not refuse. “Do you agree, Prince Iberu, or would you rather forego your freedom and be bound until we return to Ducat, where you will be incarcerated in the dungeons?”
“Never,” Iberu hissed and spat in her face.
Teya recoiled, staggering backwards as she tried to compose herself. With a shaking hand, she wiped her cheek.
Rayan steadied her, a look of disgust upon his face as he watched Iberu’s behaviour. “Are you alright?” he growled to Teya.
Teya gritted her teeth, schooling her features into a blank mask. She nodded. “I wanted to give him the chance to follow me. I didn’t really think he would; but still…”
Rayan cocked his head to study Iberu. Even Eryanth was impressed by the coldness in Rayan’s blue eyes. They were like chips of ice. “You should follow your sister. She is right; your life would be much better served as a warrior than a prisoner.”
Iberu sneered. “I don’t know who you are, but do not pretend to understand anything between me and my sister. You know nothing about us. My sister is not capable of ruling a kingdom. If you aid her in this treason, when I escape—and I will escape—I will become your worst nightmare. I will destroy everything you have ever cared about, I will...”
Rayan contemplated Iberu with no expression whatsoever. Musical words left his lips, magic swirling around his arms and body until his armour shone brightly. “Really?” he interrupted Iberu’s tirade, lifting one white brow. “Well, I am Prince Rayan Orage, and I am your biggest nightmare, right now, not in the future,” he stated.
Magic immediately encompassed Iberu, sealing his mouth and binding his arms and legs so the prince fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
Rayan’s magic held the other man completely rigid, but Iberu’s eyes—they held such a burning hatred as they looked from Teya to Rayan, Eryanth almost reached for his sword. He had seen that sort of expression before, on Ream’s face and then Thorn’s before he killed Tallo.
Teya’s face paled but she kept her head up and looked at Rayan. “Thank you for your help. But he is my brother. Do not hurt him.” Both her voice and her eyes held a stark warning.
Rayan regarded her, his face grave. “As you wish, princess,” he acceded. “But I feel you may regret being so forgiving.”
So did Eryanth.
“Who says I have forgiven him anything. If he is to be punished, I will decide when and where—not an outsider of my kingdom,” Teya said superiorly.
Diamond pulled her magic back and let it drift away into the sky. She walked to Rayan and kissed his cheek. “Thank you,” she said. “For coming, and for keeping your promise to bring the others.”
Rayan smiled. “Anything for my friends,” he said, looking to Eryanth too.
Eryanth tried to maintain his cool as she turned to him. They had been apart only for days but it felt as though weeks had passed.
“My love,” she greeted him. Then she surprised the hell out of him by wrapping her magic around his neck and pulling his head down. In one hand she clutched the spear but her free hand wrapped around the small of his back, pulling him closer—and she kissed him. Right there, in front of thousands of people.
Eryanth swallowed his surprise and kissed her back, trying not to lose himself in her. He slipped his hand around the curve of her waist, pulling her closer.
When she pulled away, he grinned from ear to ear.
“Gods save us!” muttered Rayan. “Can’t you get a room?”
Diamond chuckled. “Hush now, prince. I’ve had to suffer your antics for weeks, you can deal with one kiss, surely?”
“Yes, but it’s not me who’s kissing someone, is it?” he complained. “I’m jealous.”
Diamond laughed and gestured to Teya. “Perhaps princess—or should I say Queen Teya— will oblige you?”
Teya’s mouth pressed into a tight line. “No,” she answered sharply, her amber eyes flashing with fury. She whipped her head to Eryanth. “You sealed a blood deal with me for marriage. You lied! You cannot break that seal,” she stated.
“I am sorry, Teya, but I did not promise you my hand in marriage. I cannot. My soul is bound to my queen.”
“But you promised me a royal marriage, Prince Eryanth. Don’t you know what you’ve done?” she hissed, her eyes darting around the soldiers nearby as they began to shuffle at her agitation.
Diamond gasped as Jack strode closer, Arades at his side. Diamond made to run to her father, who shook his head despite the tears now lining his eyes.
> Eryanth watched her war with her heart and her responsibilities. Lightly, he brushed her hand with his forefinger. Support—and a reminder to maintain her control of this situation. Eryanth looked Teya in the eye. “I repeat, I promised you a royal marriage, not marriage to me specifically,” he told her darkly.
Teya lifted her chin. Despite that small gesture of pride and defiance, her eyes expressed her worry. “You should not have promised something you cannot deliver. Now you have condemned our kingdoms to war.”
“Wait, what deal?” asked Jack, looking from Diamond to Eryanth to Teya.
“We mixed our blood to seal a royal marriage, in return for my help stopping my brother and saving Queen Ilya,” Teya explained, her voice tight.
Jack looked at Teya then Diamond. “Diamond, Hugo. Perhaps I can help? I have much to atone for. I will offer a royal match to the princess, if it settles this dispute and ensures peace between our kingdoms.”
“You?” exclaimed Teya, eying Jack with disdain. “Who are you?”
“I am Prince Jack Oden, heir to the throne of Rhodainia…”
“Rhodainia!” exclaimed Teya. “But how in the hell would you run your kingdom from my city? I would not give up my home and lands. The whole purpose behind this was to have an alliance with a prince from a neighbouring kingdom, one who can guarantee peace with his lands and people and bring his own army to support me. I thank you for your offer, Prince Oden, but it helps me achieve nothing of import to my people.”
Eryanth almost felt bad for Jack as he flushed at her rebuttal.
Rayan regarded them all silently. His eyes drifted to Teya, then to the tall man who guarded her back. His eyes scrutinised the man’s clothes and then the faces and attire of all of Teya’s harem standing behind her, weapons ready and their eyes and stance alert. His eyebrows dipped slightly then he looked to Diamond. His eyes softened before he met Eryanth’s gaze. He rolled his eyes and sighed heavily.
Eryanth felt his gut tighten as the wizard stepped forward.
“Princess Teya, I am heir to the Southern Hotlands. In fact, my father is dead, so I am now the High Wizard. I have no desire to rule my kingdom and would prefer my brother to take the mantle for himself. I offer my hand to seal this marriage deal. I do, however, have conditions. My first is, I will not be like them,” he nodded to the men at her back. “You will not control me or dress me in pretty clothes.”
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