Chapter 20
Diamond looked up through the shroud of shadow. Jack’s assault on Stormguaard was due in two days, but that was going to be too late to stop the Ashmea flying above their heads right now. Hundreds of them stirred the air, sending the barren trees into a frenzy. It was a truly horrifying sight.
Diamond swallowed her nausea at the number of souls that had been sacrificed to free these creatures from Chaos.
Eryanth’s hand landed upon hers. His support warmed her heart, though even Attion’s understanding look did not help the guilt that swamped her.
“We won’t allow such things to happen to other people,” Eryanth promised.
Wind tugged at their hair, blowing dust into their eyes.
Tawne cursed, a growl emanating from deep in his chest—a chest that was bare. He had been ordered by both her and Eryanth to remain a man until his wolf was needed. He had followed his orders—unwillingly. Attion had not murmured a word of protest at carrying Tawne this time. It was obvious he didn’t want to lose Tawne to his wolf either.
Diamond knew she needed to reach Erzion and warn him of the Ashmea. Her gut churned at the possibility they were too late, that Erzion might be dead, that everyone might have fallen to Griana and Erebos. Her hand tightened around the spear, feeling its solid strength. She did not allow her magic to touch it. They were to travel on foot until night fell, and the last thing they needed was a beacon in the gloom of the forest.
She looked at Tawne’s bare feet. Feeling her stare, he turned his head. “Something wrong, my queen?” he asked, his voice deep and growling.
“Yes. We need to travel on foot until night falls. I will allow you to shift—for now—but as soon as it is safe I want you back as a man,” she warned.
Tawne kept his face expressionless, though his eyes betrayed his wolf’s frustration. It wanted out, and it wanted control.
“Tawne? You are in control of your wolf. Do not allow it to dominate you,” Diamond commanded, pushing as much authority in her voice as she could.
Eryanth’s hand landed on Tawne’s shoulder.
Tawne immediately tensed, clearly holding back a snarl.
“You are our friend, Tawne, and I lost many years with you. Don’t allow your wolf to take you away from us,” Eryanth said earnestly.
Tawne nodded, his throat bobbing. “I won’t,” he agreed. In a flash, his wolf appeared. It lowered its head as if bowing then nudged each of their hands.
Reassurance, Diamond realised.
Eryanth dropped his cloak of shadow and they set off through the gloom towards Catava.
Night proper fell swiftly.
“That armour is gorgeous, my love.” Eryanth’s eyes flashed with silver as his gaze grazed over her. “But right now we need to conceal ourselves. I feel a little more subtlety is required.”
Diamond gasped. Warmth wound through her magic as their Nexus fused. Shadow infiltrated the white scales of her armour. Soon she was wearing a form-fitting suit as dark as Eryanth’s own.
She gulped as the outline of a dragon’s head pushed through on her chest. “They are watching us,” Diamond whispered.
Eryanth eyed the guardian as it studied first Diamond then him. “Good. Then they know we will try to save their world. Perhaps, in return, the guardians—and your grandmother—will help us save ours,” he growled, leaning in to make eye contact with the multifaceted eyes staring back at him.
The guardian blinked, then was gone.
Eryanth snarled and turned on his heel, stalking through the forest.
Diamond sighed, pushing away her nausea at what she walked towards. She did not want to die, but to save her people she would meet her destiny head on.
Eryanth’s shadow once again cloaked them.
Their destination, Sentinel’s cave, was across the clearing. Its entrance was no longer covered in vines, everything had died the day Diamond lost control of her magic and Erebos’ influence had ensured it wouldn’t regrow.
They stared at the ranks of Dust Devils that stood unmoving upon the cleared ground.
Shall we use our Nexus? asked Eryanth. Or your magic? You are powerful enough to annihilate all these abominations without my help.
Diamond exhaled through her nose, her lips tightening. No. If we use any magic, Erebos will know we are here.
Her fingers curled into the dry dirt. There had to be another way.
“Tawne? Is there another entrance to Catava anywhere near?” whispered Diamond. It was still incredible to her that they had been sitting so close to the hidden city when Hugo had first bought her to Valentia.
But Tawne did not answer. He whipped his body round, changed and launched into the air, fangs bared.
Seekers and Battle Imps came rushing through the twisted and burnt trees, surrounding them.
Tawne clamped his jaws down and ripped the head off the nearest Seeker.
Attion swore and released a barrage of green magic to the right. “There is nothing alive under the ground for me to command!” he yelled. “Majesties, you must use your magic! It doesn’t matter now. Erebos knows you are here! There are too many of them for us to fight without it!”
Diamond and Eryanth exchanged a look. She didn’t need to read her lover’s thoughts to know he agreed. Before their magic could merge, huge white cats emerged from the mouth of Sentinel’s cave. They charged forward their growls and battle cries rattling the air. Diamond gripped Eryanth’s arm, excitement coursing through her.
Trajan led the charge. His eyes narrowed on a Battle Imp a split second before his huge body leaped. The seven-foot tall monster did not stand a chance. Trajan dwarfed him. It spun, trying to fling the great cat off its back. Trajan merely clamped his jaws tighter and ripped its head clean off, spraying black, inky blood over his white and black fur.
Diamond watched in awe as the pride of Water Leopards worked together, taking out their enemy. Tawne fought amongst their ranks but Attion fought alone with blades and magic, his face in warrior mode, utterly blank and cold.
Diamond and Eryanth did not need to lift a finger.
A movement across the clearing caught Diamond’s eye.
The Red Wizard nodded his head. He stood with his arms crossed over his armour-encased chest. His red eyes glowed, and his hair shone. Despite the exhaustion in his face, he smiled a welcome that lifted Diamond’s heart. It was such a relief to see him alive and well that her legs trembled. She hadn’t realised the worry she’d had buried deep in her gut when she had left him and her people to fight alone.
Whilst the others fought around her, she took Eryanth’s hand and together they walked across the clearing.
Without missing a beat, not caring a jot for protocol, she slipped her arms around Erzion’s waist and hugged him tightly. Eryanth grinned and grabbed Erzion’s hand.
“Erzion? Gods, it’s good to see you,” Eryanth breathed.
“I am so sorry we couldn’t return sooner,” Diamond whispered into Erzion’s armour-covered chest. The heat flowing through it warmed her cheek, his power tingling her skin.
“It is good to see both of you,” Erzion responded gruffly, allowing himself a moment to hold her before he pulled back. “Come,” he said. “Trajan and his pride will end these things. None will be left alive to tell the dark god of this entrance.”
Diamond looked back, reluctant to leave her friends.
“My queen, the cats live for these moments. They kill with a viciousness that parallels none—including Tawne’s,” he informed them. “They will not stop until all these creatures of darkness are dead—not even if you order it. They have seen too many innocents die these last months to be reined in. I no longer try to control them.”
Diamond swallowed at the weakness she heard in Erzion’s voice.
“Erebos has been hunting down Catava. I have managed to hold off his magical probing and he has not yet found us, but I am nearing the end of my strength.”
Diamond pulled away, her heart squeezing.
“I am glad you are here, majesties. The time of war is upon us, and I cannot do this alone.”
Diamond pulled back but grasped Erzion’s hand tightly. “You don’t have to,” she replied. “We will soon have thousands of troops: wizards, fae, human, shifters—even more dragons to help. And I have this,” she croaked, tears filling her eyes as she lifted the spear.
Erzion’s throat bobbed and he briefly closed his eyes. When he opened them, both hope and devastation looked back at her. He nodded. “Then let us go and prepare,” he croaked.
“Tawne! Attion! With us!” bellowed Eryanth. He offered no apology for recalling her men. “You need them for protection,” he said when she raised her brows.
“No, I don’t,” she answered and yanked up her magic. She let it fly. In but a few moments the remaining enemy were just ashes. The Water Leopards looked around in confusion, some snarling at being cheated of their prize.
Diamond shrugged at the look of reproach on Eryanth’s face. “It doesn’t matter. Like Attion said, Erebos already knows we’re here. Now he will look for us and leave Jack alone,” she pronounced as she followed the immortal Lord of Catava into the darkness of Sentinel’s Cave.
Chapter 21
The silence on the ship was unnerving. Hundreds of men stood armoured and ready to disembark. Jack couldn’t help but wonder if the other ships were just as quiet. None wanted any sound to carry across the water to herald their arrival to the monsters that inhabited the streets of Stormguaard.
Ilya and Vaalor flew high above the dark shroud of clouds that enveloped the ruined city, awaiting the signal from Master Dervin.
First Jack needed to breach the castle and cause confusion from within. He cringed at the squeak and grind of the pulleys and ropes as the rowboats were lowered to the waves and men began climbing down. Across the armada, others did the same. The fae could fly but only without armoured wings; the magic that marked them when they armoured would be like thousands of beacons lighting the sky.
Jack nodded at Arades, who was to carry him. Before the general could grasp him around his chest, a soft voice stopped them. “Wait! Please.” Lyana’s voice was a harsh whisper.
Jack nodded at Arades, who respectfully stepped away.
“What is it?” he asked, keeping his face blank though his stomach was flipping uncomfortably.
She twisted her hands together and bit her bottom lip.
Jack couldn’t help himself. He hated to see her so anxious. It was so unlike her. His fingers curled around her hands. “Lyana, I have to go,” he said gently.
“I know. I just… be careful. Please,” she whispered, her eyes huge.
He gave her a watery smile and dropped her hands. His throat was too tight to speak, unwilling to tell her battle wasn’t like that. It didn’t matter if you were careful, death was always just a missed strike or a slip of the foot away.
The leather and light metal plate of his armour creaked as he twisted away from her.
“Everything alright, Jack?” asked Arades quietly.
Behind Jack’s back where he couldn’t see, Lyana blinked. Her face dropped and she turned and walked away.
Jack swallowed at the use of his given name. This was his friend and mentor speaking now, not his general. “No, everything about this whole pissing situation is wrong,” he answered honestly, his voice tight as Lyana said goodbye to Karl, who glanced at Jack nervously.
“That it is, but tonight we start to put things right again—then maybe you can forgive yourself and let Lyana into your life,” Arades said, his words soft enough only Jack heard them. “Before you lose her.”
Jack grunted, not trusting himself to speak.
Arades said no more, only wrapped his arms around Jack’s chest and lifted them into the night sky.
Hundreds of airborne troops and rowboats headed to the docks of Port Garrison. Arades headed up the coast, followed by Jack’s guard. Master Dervin flew alongside, soaring high before diving back to them. He was to be their messenger.
“You ready, highness?” asked Arades, shouting above the song of his wings and the wind.
Jack narrowed his eyes against the wind, studying the cliff face. “Yes,” he replied, then clenched his jaw. He was. He wanted his home back, and he owed his people a safe kingdom.
About half a mile away, a spear of rock jutted out from the cliff face. The entrance to the ancient tunnel was behind it. Arades had apprised his warriors of its size and the angle at which to approach; nevertheless, he slowed and back-winged until Zane and Tom, Unis and Roin, Karl, Somal, Gunnald, Vico and a few others hovered nearby. “Single file. Fifteen seconds apart. Quick halt,” Arades ordered.
The warriors nodded, clearly understanding.
Jack blinked away wind driven tears as Arades approached first. Waves crashed against the rocks, saturating them both. Within seconds a small cave appeared. This was a secret entrance, the location passed down through his family and the royal guard for hundreds of years. It was an escape route, one that had saved both him and Eryanth when they had needed to run for their lives from Ragor. It was invisible to passing boats because of its position and impossible to reach on foot. Jack peered down. The sheer force of the waves crashing on the rocks would pulverise any human swimmers, and fae avoided the water where they could.
Jack tensed his stomach muscles and lifted his knees. He braced for a rough landing.
Arades bellowed with effort as he glided through the entrance, snapped his wings taut and almost halted mid-air. He dropped, Jack’s weight causing them to land heavily. Arades managed to stay upright and pulled his wings in. He ran a few steps, then Jack jammed his heels into the ground to help stop their forward momentum. Arades threw his front leg out and let go of Jack, who fell forward and rolled before landing back on his feet.
“Smooth,” grinned Arades.
They both stepped back out of the way as Unis landed. Roin was a heavy weight, a huge man who even a female warrior fae could not hope to hold and land. As soon as her feet hit the ground, she let go. They both stumbled forward. Arades stepped in to halt Unis’ momentum but Jack lifted a brow. There was no way he was going to halt Roin.
Roin fell forward, rolled over the ground and stopped at Jack’s feet.
“You may rise,” Jack jested.
Roin groaned. “Funny,” he muttered, peeling himself up as the others landed with far more decorum.
Jack glanced around the cave. His brows dipped. He inhaled, drawing his swords at the same time the others did. “Someone’s here,” he stated.
“Find them. Now!” barked Arades to Karl and Zane.
Zane snarled and ran into the darkness, Karl hot on his heels.
A high-pitched squeal echoed around the cave. They returned minutes later, Zane grasping the scruff of a young and naked boy’s neck. The boy was skinny and covered in dirt. Wide-eyed, he stared at Jack, then Arades, but there was defiance in that look. He kicked at Zane, then went to bite him.
“Hey! Pack that in, you little—”
“Zane! Stop! He’s scared,” reprimanded Tom.
Zane scowled at his mate but stopped.
Jack hid his smile at Tom’s control of Zane and stepped up to the child. “Who are you?” he asked. “And how did you get down here? These tunnels are secret.”
The boy scoffed. “I swam.”
Jack lifted a brow. “You swam? You are not strong enough to swim through those waves, only fae can reach the cave mouth and only if they know what they are looking for, otherwise it’s impossible to see.”
The boy’s eyes turned almost predatory.
Jack inhaled and stepped back, though he couldn’t say why.
“Yeah, well, I’m stronger than I look. Now let go of me,” he snarled at Zane.
Zane laughed. “I will when you tell us the truth about how you found this place. No one can swim through those waves and survive. So how did you get here?” He shook the boy.
“Stop shakin’ me!” the boy yelled, kickin
g out at Zane.
“Answer me then,” Zane demanded.
“I am answerin’ you!” the boy growled. His eyes were no longer a soft brown but had turned wholly black.
“Shit, he’s possessed by a demon!” Zane exclaimed, shoving the boy away and drawing his sword.
“I’m not!” the boy shouted. His body began to morph and change. His bones cracked, his yell turning to a pained growl. His spine stretched and hair sprouted over his legs and back. He was still smaller than Arades but now the whole group could see what he was.
“A gods damned Seeker!” breathed Unis, pulling her sword.
“Wait!” snapped Jack, just as Roin reached out and pushed Unis’ sword to the ground. “So you’re a shifter; that doesn’t explain how you got here—or why,” Jack pointed out.
The boy whipped his grotesque head towards Jack. He snarled then stomped on his bent hind legs towards the cave entrance and gestured at the sea.
“You swam like that?” Jack asked.
“He would be strong enough to survive the waves in that form,” agreed Arades.
“Fine. Change back. We won’t harm you,” Jack told the boy.
The boy screamed through gritted teeth as his body reverted back. Even the hardened warriors of the group cringed at the sound of bone snapping and reforming.
“What’s your name?” asked Jack.
The boy had regained his breath and stood straight, totally unabashed by his nakedness. “Simeon.” The boy’s eyes narrowed on Arades. “You’re nearly as big as them fae who set me free. D’ you know them?” he asked almost hopefully.
Arades lifted a brow and glanced at Jack. “Free from where?”
“The other castle. The one with that nasty fae queen. She was gonna whip me. She made a pretty girl choose between me and killin’ some old man. But there was a warrior there too. I could see he didn’t wanna whip me or the pretty girl…”
“Wait! You’re the prisoner that escaped the Queen’s dungeons?” Jack exclaimed.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 122
