Jack open his mouth to speak, then snapped it shut as her tirade continued. He didn’t even notice that Arades and Eryanth had stopped talking and were both watching with undisguised amusement.
“You have no right to decide what I will or will not do! You might be a prince or a king or whatever you call yourself now, but you are not my keeper. I do as I please!”
“Lyana, you can’t. It’s too dangerous—”
“This whole bloody world is dangerous!” she hissed back at him. “Going with Syhira and Fetu doesn’t guarantee my safety.”
“But—”
She held her hand up to silence him. “No. I will go where I choose.”
“Fine!” Jack shouted back, suddenly losing his cool. “But you are not coming with me. I do not have time to worry about your safety, not when I have a campaign to run.”
“Oh, please, why do you think I want to come to be with you? You’re so vain it’s sickening. Maybe I don’t want you, Prince Oden. Maybe I’m going to keep company with someone else,” she hissed. “Either way, it’s none of your business.”
They stared at each other. Eryanth and Arades wandered away to give them some privacy. Jack appreciated the gesture but it seemed Lyana wasn’t bothered in the least about keeping her voice down. Jack had never seen her so riled up. He hated it.
He blew a long steady breath from his lungs. Yet again he had managed to hurt someone he cared about, though he knew Lyana would be better off without him. He just couldn’t offer her what she deserved. Not now. “Lyana, you belong with your family. Your brother needs you. Syhira needs you—I don’t,” he said as coldly as he could whilst his heart screamed that he was a liar.
Tears pricked Lyana’s eyes before pure fury illuminated them. She jabbed a finger into his chest.
Jack involuntarily stepped back, his lips pressed tightly together, his jaw clenched.
“Yes, I see that very clearly. How silly of me to have thought our friendship meant anything to you. Of course, the great and charming prince doesn’t need some lowly kitchen maid following him around, does he? No. I understand, Jack. I do. You want to push everyone away, just in case they leave you anyway. That’s your idea, isn’t it?”
Jack’s anger ignited. “No! It isn’t that at all. Your family need you…”
Lyana narrowed her eyes. It was as if she could see into his soul.
“No. They don’t. But fair enough, there are others who do want my company—who are brave enough to be open and tell me what they want, to say they want me,” she finished, turning on her heel and marching away.
“Hey! What does that mean!?” he yelled.
“None of your business, prince,” she retorted without turning around.
Jack shuffled in his seat, twisting to look to where Lyana rode. Deep lines etched his brow.
“You know, you’re giving yourself away, searching for her like that,” commented Diamond.
Jack scowled at her. “I’m not searching, I’m just checking where my guard are.” He was checking for his guard; well, one guard in particular. Karl. Jack now wished he could change his orders to keep Karl at the rear of their party.
Diamond sighed. “Jack, you can fool yourself if you like but you can’t fool us,” she said, indicating Eryanth and her. “Lyana is young, but she knows what she wants. You hurt her.”
“I know, but it’s far better to do that now. I can’t offer her anything, Diamond. And we have a war to fight against Erebos. I can’t focus if I am worrying about her safety. Even if we both live through these next weeks, what do I have to give her? My city is in ruins, my wealth is gone and I have to rebuild my kingdom. She needs someone who can give her the love and attention she deserves—and that isn’t me.”
Diamond contemplated him, her face deadly serious. “Then let her move on. Stop looking for her and torturing your own heart. I know you carry too much guilt for things that have happened in the past, and I know you are frightened of messing up again. But if you’re not ready to commit to someone like Lyana, leave her alone. Let Karl and her see if they can make a go of things.”
Jack swallowed the bitterness in his mouth at that thought. “I am,” he ground out and spurred his horse forward at a canter.
Jack watched Eryanth place a gentle kiss on Diamond’s lips. His heart stirred with jealousy; he wanted that kind of love and closeness with another.
Eryanth stepped away, grinned and winked at Jack.
Jack watched in awe as his friend launched skyward and instantly morphed into a huge sapphire and silver dragon. It was impossible not to gape as his friend’s silver tattoos caught fire. Eryanth beat his huge wings, shifting hot air and dust as he rose into the sky.
Diamond laughed at Jack’s expression, and Arades cursed under his breath as Eryanth spread his wings and, with one last look back at Diamond, soared into the sky.
The Ashmea they had seen weeks ago over the Najet River seemed to have disappeared, but everyone agreed it was prudent to have the guardians protecting the sky and keeping watch.
Rayan grinned. “Gods, that’s one hell of a trick,” he quipped, pulling on the reins of his spooked horse to bring it back under control.
“Jealous, my prince?” scoffed Teya, sitting bolt upright on her own sleek black mare. “Don’t worry, I won’t think less of you if you can’t shift into such a magnificent beast.”
Rayan narrowed his icy eyes on her. “I don’t really care what you think of me, princess. Our marriage is a business arrangement. You will never know what sort of beast I’m capable of becoming, and I don’t much care what your party tricks are either.”
Teya almost snarled back. “Be careful with your tone, prince. Wizards may have magic, but magic can always be taken away. I learned many things by watching my father and brother, so you would be wise to temper your insults and attitude towards me,” she advised coldly.
Rayan merely curled his top lip and gave her the cold shoulder.
“So,” Diamond piped up a little too brightly as Eryanth roared from the skies above. “Teya? Where do we meet with the rest of your commanders? We have much organising to do before we can set sail. And all these men will need food and rest.”
Jack looked down at his hands, smiling at her diplomatic attempt to distract the princess.
Teya dragged her furious attention away from Rayan.
“We will make our way to Gallows Quay. It is on the outskirts of Ducat and my main naval base. There is plenty of room in the hill slopes above it for all of our armies,” she said, trotting to the front. “I will travel ahead and warn my naval commanders of your arrival.” She nodded her head to the legion of soldiers in front. “My army will lead you there.”
Before Diamond could speak, the princess was galloping off with her harem following on her heels. A cloud of dust rose.
Jack coughed and waved it away. “Gods, she’s going to be a handful, Prince Rayan. I hope you don’t regret your decision to agree to a diplomatic match,” he chuckled.
“Yeah, so do I,” growled Rayan before he urged his horse after the group.
Jack couldn’t help but flick his attention to Lyana, who stared coldly at him from her place by Karl’s side. Jack quickly pulled his attention away. It would do neither of them any good to pursue that course. Pretending he couldn’t feel the weight of her gaze on his back, he relaxed back in the saddle and viewed the city scape below him.
Their column of men, carts and horses were making their way down a steep mountain road towards the sprawling city of Ducat. Whitewashed buildings lined the coastline and dotted the undulating lands that led down to a huge bay. A beautiful sandy beach lined one side of the bay, with the other side holding the quay. Ships crowded the bay, awaiting orders to dock and pick up their quota of supplies and men.
Jack sensed the remaining mermen getting agitated. Clearly, they wanted to return their natural habitat. Eryanth had taken command of the mer army since Firan had stubbornly said he would not leave Kilar. When Diamond had ordered El
exon to travel north and try to garner support from the Ice Witches, Kilar had quickly offered to take him, saying it would take too long and be too tiring to fly. They had left over a week ago.
Jack hoped they were safe.
It took another two hours before the huge Combined Army reached the outskirts of Ducat.
Jack’s eyes widened as he took in the appearance of the Gar Anonians. It seemed a place of extremes. The women wore all manner of garb; short skirts, long skirts, bare arms or even bare breasts, or coverings from head to foot. The colours of the clothes were varied and beautiful. The men generally wore loose, calf-length leggings and sleeveless vests, or nothing upon their chests.
Jack snorted at the rapt expressions on the faces of his men. His immediate guard were close, followed by some of Reese’s soldiers. Jack wondered briefly if the fae messenger had found Reese, who was protecting the ships and temporarily coordinating the commanders of the Hourian ships that had escaped Orai.
The mermen assigned to Fetu were to propel the ships back down the Najet River to the ocean and lead them to the Wet Lands where they would meet the rest of the fleet.
At the thought of Hourian ships, Jack resisted looking back to where Lyana rode.
Aromatic spices drifted up his nose, making his mouth water. Instinctively he inhaled, his stomach growling. He looked around for the source of that smell. Only then did he note the animosity upon the faces of many of the watching locals. Clearly they did not like or feel comfortable with the number of foreign troops in their city.
Jack didn’t blame them, not when the world was such a violent place and people could not be trusted.
Sighing and wishing for a world of peace, he plodded down through the vibrant streets, the descendant of the goddess by his side.
“Welcome to Gallows Quay, your majesties,” Uzziah greeted them. “My queen bids you join her in the command centre.”
Jack flung his leg over his horse and dropped stiffly to the ground. He groaned as pain shot up his legs and buttocks and into his back. Sweat trickled down his spine and his temples. He pulled at the material of his shirt that stuck to his damp skin. What he wouldn’t give to feel some cool rain on his face and smell the fresh sea winds of Rhodainia.
He scowled.
Diamond looked fresh as a daisy. Her stunning white armour gleamed as she stalked over to him, a sympathetic smile on her face. He tried to ease his body without it looking like he was suffering so badly. After weeks of either travelling by foot, ship or being flown by fae, he was unused to horseback. It had taken nearly four weeks to travel from Salvir to Ducat and his body did not like it.
Arades chuckled as he landed next to Jack. “Don’t worry, highness. No more horses until we reach our homeland shores,” he advised.
“Thank the goddess,” Jack mumbled, wishing he too had wings. His eyes drifted to Lyana, wondering how she was faring, then wished he hadn’t. Karl had dismounted and was lifting her down from her horse. Huh, what does a simple fae warrior think he can offer a princess? he thought uncharitably. Love, attention and stability, you idiot, he answered.
Diamond kept her grip on the golden staff as she linked arms with him. “Come, Jack. Leave them be. We have more pressing things to organise.”
“I know,” sighed Jack, taking a last glance.
The ground under their feet shook as Ilya and Eryanth gave a warning roar. Men yelled, and there was a moment of panic among the soldiers of Teya’s army, who had never seen a dragon before. The two guardians changed in the blink of an eye and landed elegantly in their fae form.
Around them people gaped in awe, some even dropping to one knee.
Eryanth strode right up to Diamond, his chest bare and his tattoos burning.
Jack withdrew his arm from Diamond’s and stepped back. The heat his friend exuded made it impossible to stand too close. Eryanth kissed Diamond hard on the lips, causing Jack to roll his eyes, though he couldn’t help but grin. He was happy they had this chance to love each other.
Eryanth grinned back at Jack and winked, then he raised his hand to Vaalor, who roared from above. The massive beast banked out over the bay.
“He will keep watch for the Ashmea whilst we organise this exodus of men and ships,” Diamond told Jack as the three of them headed into the large stone building.
Jack watched Vaalor for a moment, wondering if Sulphurious still searched for Dragonsblood. His hands went to the two small, curved swords resting in the belt around his waist. He longed to feel the weight of that sword again; he missed its familiar presence and he knew that in the future he would need it more than he ever had. I promise I will make use of it, he vowed to the memory of his long dead father. Maybe that sword will be true to its name and help me slay Sulphurious.
As the cool gloom of the building’s interior swallowed him, Jack could not stop himself glancing back at Lyana, only to curse as their eyes met. Quickly he looked away and marched inside after his friends.
That night, Jack allowed the music from the campfire to lull him, but he could not sleep. The air was cooler by the coast; the salt such a familiar scent, it made his heart hurt, but it was still hot. He was on edge at the thought of his home and how it must be utterly destroyed by now. He pushed away thoughts of that last day, the day his city fell, when he had escaped the giants and Ragor’s troops alongside Hugo.
He swallowed hard as his stomach flipped then tightened at the thought of repeating that defeat. He suddenly felt totally inadequate. Even if he reclaimed Stormguaard, he needed to figure out how to keep it and rebuild his kingdom for his people.
Sighing, Jack sat up on the edge of his bunk. Sweat beaded on his bare chest and ran down the muscles of his chest. He looked at his shirt but couldn’t face putting it on. Wearing his loose leggings was all he could stand. He ran a hand through his sweat-damp air. The tent was stifling. He needed air.
Feeling for his boots in the dark, he pulled them on then strapped his weapons to his waist. He flung back the tent flap and stepped out, filling his lungs with the salt-laced stink of men and horses.
Roin and Karl stood on guard duty.
“Everything all right, highness?” enquired Karl.
“Oh yeah, just great,” growled Jack, taking his worries and irritation out on the fae who, by all accounts, had what Jack desperately wanted and could not have—Lyana.
She’s too young, he grumbled to himself, not allowing his brain to register Karl was actually older than him. And he has time to spend with her, you don’t, he muttered.
“Sorry, Jack, what was that?” asked Roin, his thick brows meeting across his broad forehead.
“Nothing,” sighed Jack. “I just need some air,” he answered and began walking towards the quay edge.
Striding away, he missed Roin and Karl exchange a glance but he was aware they kept pace with him. There was little point telling them he needed space to think. They would do their job and protect his back regardless, even if he tried to send them away.
The sound of the ocean was music to his ears, a familiar and soothing melody. He stood at the edge of the quay, peering at the large shadowy shapes of the huge galleons that undulated on the black water.
Teya’s naval capacity was huge, her armada reaching one hundred forty ships. Along with those that had escaped from Houria, the fleet was well over two hundred ships strong.
After the assault on Stormguaard was completed, Jack was to take ultimate command of the fleet and the thirty-five thousand or so men and fae warriors. Ugan would command the troops from the Fire Mountains. A mer commander designated by Eryanth would lead the mer troops. Much to his surprise, Rayan had delegated rule of the wizard army to Talib, who had joined them earlier today, and Teya would command her own troops. Rayan and Jack were to conduct a more subtle attack on Stormguaard.
Jack swallowed the nerves and bile that burned his throat. This isn’t like last time, he told himself. I have support. I have an experienced general and a wizard warrior to help me make the right de
cisions.
Breathing in through his nose and out through his mouth, he calmed his nerves. The weight of his responsibilities almost crushed him.
A cacophony of screeches from over the mountains broke into his thoughts and sent instant shivers down his spine.
Vaalor spewed fire into the sky, his flame illuminating the gleaming, dark armour of the Ashmea as they dove for the building where Diamond and Eryanth slept.
Jack pulled his blades. So too did Roin and Karl right before one of the creatures landed before them, barbed blades clutched in its top two claws.
It lunged at Jack, but Karl jumped in front. “Highness! Run!” he shouted.
“Piss off, I’m not running!” Jack bellowed back.
Karl began to block the monster’s strikes, unable to answer. Jack ran behind it as Roin stepped in to help Karl. Their blades clashed against the Ashmea’s, sending sparks flying.
The neck, remembered Jack. As the Ashmea lunged at Karl, the boney armour over its spine parted. Jack took his chance and jumped on its back, clamping down with his thighs around its bone-encased torso. He drove the point of one blade down through its flesh. It squealed. Before Jack could blink, he was thrown through the air. His teeth slammed together as his head hit the ground, stunning him. He vaguely registered Karl hacking the Ashmea’s head off.
Roin bounded over and clamped his hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Highness, are you all right?” he yelled.
“Yes,” Jack croaked. A huge dragon exploded from the roof of the building in front of him, its neck alight with silver fire.
Eryanth!
The sapphire and silver dragon bellowed fire from his mouth, incinerating the nearest gathering of Ashmea.
Jack blinked, trying to clear the fog from his skull as heat seared his skin. “Lyana!” he shouted at Karl, suddenly fearful for her. He needn’t have worried.
Diamond ran from the ruined building, Lyana close behind.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 120
