Eryanth clamped his teeth together, his jaw muscles popping though he hid his anxiety from Diamond. Eryanth had fought Sulphurious once before, and it was that memory which had bile burning his throat. That vile creature would not get close enough to harm his soulmate. Never again would Eryanth allow such a thing to happen. His nostrils flared, his shadow swirling, already wanting to rip Sulphurious limb from limb.
From his perch high on the parapet of the tower, Sulphurious scanned the remains of the forest. With a roar, he launched upward, flapping his huge wings until he hovered above the battlements. Lining himself up, he swung his barbed tail over and over at the tower.
How do we get in there with him doing that? Diamond’s voice trembled inside Eryanth’s head.
We need a distraction, Eryanth stated. His eyes scanned the wall and the skies even as he registered Diamond’s pale face and wide eyes. Clearly, she remembered being clamped in those jaws.
He took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles.
She smiled bravely. I’m fine. I have my magic if I need it—and I have you. Together we can end him.
Yes, we can, he replied running the back of his forefinger down her cheek. But we only use our Nexus if it’s absolutely necessary. It left us with no magic for too long last time. We cannot afford to leave ourselves that vulnerable.
It was hard to hold her gaze and keep his face the picture of strength. With every second and every action bringing them closer to Diamond’s ultimate fate, his heart was dying a little. He swallowed repeatedly, his throat tight.
Ashmea were perched on the turrets of the great marble wall. Hordes of them covered the ground and even hung from the battlements like oversized bats.
He could only hope that Ilya and Vaalor would be here soon to help fight these creatures; if they didn’t, when Erebos unleashed the beasts, the world would be doomed. No human or ordinary fae stood a chance.
We need to lead them away from that turret, he stated.
I know, but how? There are so many, Diamond replied, her eyes narrowed and assessing, her anxiety fully under control again.
You must do it, Eryanth whispered into her mind.
She frowned and shook her head. Do what?
Eryanth smiled grimly. I will distract the Ashmea. Once Sulphurious knows I’m here, he will come for me. That means you can sneak in and out of the turret whilst I hold them off. You also know where the bolthole is and how to open it.
Diamond gulped. Her mouth opened then shut. Clearly, she wanted to argue with him but was astute enough to know they were out of options.
Eryanth took her face in his hands. Her skin was so soft and warm under his calloused fingers. I love you, he told her, willing her to feel that truth in the magic he wrapped around her, until it touched her heart.
I love you too, my heart.
If anything happens to me, you don’t stop. Get those keys back to Catava. Vaalor will be here soon; he will know what to do with them.
Eryanth swallowed his surprise when she threw her arms around his neck and yanked his head down, crashing her soft lips into his. He kissed her back with equal desperation, drowning in the sweet taste of her, hating beyond reason to leave her side—but there was no other choice.
I have to go.
I know. Her magic licked along his very bones, willing his soul to be safe.
Pulling away, he enveloped her in dark magic, which hid her energy from view as best he could.
Give me a few seconds to attract their attention, then run, he instructed. Be swift, my love. If you have to use your magic, just do it. Sulphurious will tell Erebos we are here and he will come for you.
Eryanth looked at the staff fixed securely to Diamond’s back. If you have no other choice but to use that, I will come for you and do all I can to help.
Diamond nodded, her silver hair catching what little light there was from Tu Lanah.
With one last chaste kiss on her lips, Eryanth leaped. He changed in mid-air and drove himself skyward.
The noise of his wings alone was enough to alert the black dragon, but then the Ashmea sensed him. Screeching, they surged into the air.
Eryanth turned his great horned head toward Sulphurious and roared, an invitation and a challenge. He propelled himself higher and away from the turret. Sensing the other guardian behind him, he flipped his silver and sapphire body over. Without a moment’s hesitation or fear, he plummeted, jaw wide and spewing the fire. The Ashmea in his path burst into flame.
The two powerful dragons collided. Their fiery eyes locking in challenge before they tore at each other’s flesh with teeth and talons.
Chapter 24
Diamond did not look up. She pumped her arms and legs and sprinted across the debris-strewn ground towards the tower. Something spattered on her arm, dark and inky in the night. Blood.
At the familiar scent of embers, her heart stuttered. Eryanth’s!
Diamond pushed away her anxiety and fixed her attention on the door of the turret. It was wide open and hanging off its old hinges. No Ashmea attacked, and she silently thanked Eryanth for his shield of shadow. Resisting the temptation to open her mind and scream for him to tell her he was all right, she leaped up the steps. Pulling up her magic, she charged inside.
Darkness greeted her.
Shadows moved and wings rustled.
With no other choice, she yanked at her power and thrust her magic into the attacking Ashmea.
They did not stop. Neither did she.
Gritting her teeth, she twisted her power upwards, searing through their armour of bone and into their flesh. With one mighty thrust, she severed their spines. They both dropped with a thud to the floor.
Diamond leaped over them.
Not interrupting her charge up the stairs, she poured magic into their carcasses and turned them to ash. By the time she reached the first floor, her heart banged painfully against her ribs.
Elexon had glamoured the hole in the wall to look like another brick. Anyone searching for anything unusual would never see it—not even Erebos. She thanked Elexon’s foresight as she skidded to a halt.
Whispering the magical words Erzion had taught her, she watched as the trigger hole appeared. She reached in, scraping her knuckles on the rough stone. The grating of the door echoed around the empty turret. Diamond ignored it and stepped inside. Magic swathed her arms, lighting the dusty little room.
Resting against the far wall stood Dragonsblood. Its blade was dull with blood and dust. This was Jack’s sword and the Oden family heirloom.
Vaalor had divulged that he had entrusted the fragments of his mother’s key to the King of Rhodainia over a thousand years ago. Jack’s ancestor had commissioned his metalsmith to forge a sword that would carry the keys until a guardian reclaimed them.
Diamond curled her fingers around the beautifully carved handle and lifted the heavy blade. Grunting with effort, she turned and ran back down the stairs.
Utter blackness beyond the turret door. Commanding her magic back inside her body, she forced herself to slow. Leaning against the cold marble wall, she peered out.
Ashmea flapped around the two fighting dragons like a flock of carnivorous birds. They dived in, tearing and attacking Eryanth’s flesh. His pained roars tore at her heart. She wanted to stay, to help her Nexus—but she could not.
Blinking away her tears, she bolted for the shadows of the storehouse. She focused her vision on the wall of the building, but her mind could only concentrate on Eryanth’s agonised roars. It was wrong, so wrong to leave him. Together they could destroy Sulphurious…
Pain exploded through her hand. Dragonsblood soared through the air only to clatter against the wall with such force the rubies broke free of their settings. A scream erupted from her throat and she clutched at her hand. A large black icicle protruded from her flesh. She screamed again as black ice crept up her wrist and forearm. It was both a familiar and terrifying sensation.
“Were you hoping to use that hand to wield a weapon t
o kill me?” chuckled a harsh voice.
A shudder of revulsion rushed over her skin. Diamond snarled and pushed enough magic into her hand that the icicle melted. She backed away whilst beginning to heal it.
Erebos’ black, fathomless eyes dropped to her injury and he laughed. “You can heal that, but how about this?”
The blast of ice-laced darkness flayed Diamond’s exposed skin, but her armour protected her body as she spiralled through the air. She cursed. She was better than this. Better than him. Breath whooshed from her lungs as her back slammed into the ground, but she retained enough awareness to throw up a shield. Flipping to her feet, she launched a counterattack. Her power lit the night, drawing the attention of the Ashmea and the two dragons.
Sulphurious bellowed in challenged.
Eryanth stuttered mid-air. It cost him dearly.
Sulphurious barrelled into his side. Razor-sharp horns speared Eryanth’s flesh before the evil dragon tossed him through the air.
Diamond gritted her teeth against the urge to scream for him. Instead, she held her shield firm and pushed back against Erebos’ assault. A storm of light churned around her, burning any near Ashmea.
The dark god increased his attack, a look of sheer purpose on his now perfect, if pale, face.
Diamond fought and fought, her magic exploding against his. She panted and screamed, incinerating any Ashmea that dared approach.
The stutter came too soon.
No.
A bolt of fear shot through her. She screeched to hold onto her power—to hold Erebos back.
Eryanth roared in her head. I am coming! Hold on! Please.
But it was too late. Erebos was pushing Diamond backwards. As Diamond drained her power, Erebos sucked power from the dying of Valentia, eating soul after soul. One step at a time, he forced her closer to the edge of the Rift Valley cliff.
With one last surge, he pushed.
Diamond met it with everything she had, screaming her anger and frustration.
Their magic exploded and the sheer force of it sent her spinning through the air. Instinctively, she yanked on her Nexus.
Eryanth immediately gave her access. Diamond gathered air and magic around her body and halted her tumble. With that same mix, she cushioned her landing and immediately cut the connection to Eryanth. She would not leave him weak.
Erebos ceased his magical attack and disappeared into shadow, only to reappear near Dragonsblood. The rubies glowed angrily as Sulphurious dove downward, slamming his hind talons into the ground near his master. Erebos grinned and winked as he reached down and plucked one glittering gem from the ground. He sent a tendril of shadow out to reach the second.
“No!” Diamond yelled. With all her might, she blasted him away, keeping up her onslaught. Her heart thumped, dread filling her soul as she sprinted to the remaining ruby.
“You will not stop me!” bellowed Erebos.
Shadow and ice exploded against her armour, once again tearing through her exposed skin. Agony saturated her, driving her to her knees. Her palms hit the ground, warm blood from her face and neck splattering onto the back of her hands.
Laughing, Erebos turned and ran to Sulphurious.
Through her fuzzy vision, Diamond heard his words.
“It is time to seek vengeance, my friend,” he crowed. “This child will not stop us.” Shadow swirled under his feet, lifting him in the air.
Sulphurious lowered his great head, presenting his scaled forehead to the god. Erebos slapped the tiny ruby fragment between the dragon’s horns. Sulphurious roared just as the stench of burning flesh assaulted Diamond’s nostrils.
“Do not fear, little goddess. Once I raze Eternity, I will return and we will finish this. Now that I have the gateway and a key, I must leave you.”
Fear froze her limbs and mind, wondering if Erzion’s power was broken and if Catava fallen. Tears burned her eyes. All she could do was stare after Sulphurious, who disappeared into the darkness.
Eryanth!? Oh gods, please—where are you?
An answering roar lifted her heart. Diamond shakily stood, not sparing the time to heal herself.
Eryanth changed mid-air, his sapphire wings glowing with rivulets of fire as he landed. His face was dark as he took in her lacerated and bleeding skin.
“He has a key! Oh gods! And he said he has a gateway—which means Catava has fallen!” she blurted, panic making her voice shake.
“Diamond, heal yourself. You cannot fight at full strength if you are bleeding.”
“No! I don’t have time!” she panted, her voice rising. Her magic burned across her skin, trying its best to heal her, but she was too weak. She knew it and so did her mate.
Eryanth scowled, his nostrils flaring. “Don’t. I can feel your weakness. Fighting such a powerful god is not the same as fighting Ragor or annihilating an army of Dust Devils. His magic is ancient and he will drain you of yours—just like Griana did.” He looked over his shoulder as an Ashmea landed behind him. “We will return to the crystal cave and I will heal you. We need to leave. Now!” he bellowed as he flipped into the air and landed behind the monstrous creature. Two efficient strokes with his blades ended it.
He ran back towards Diamond as she grabbed Dragonsblood and swept her into his arms. Without pause, he sprinted to the cliff edge. She closed her eyes as he launched into the air, her stomach dropping as gravity pulled on her.
Darkness swathed them, his magic licking along her bones and offering itself to her own.
“Take what you need. End them,” he ordered. “But do not invoke our Nexus fully—not yet.”
Diamond nodded. Closing her eyes, she opened her soul, taking what her mate offered. His power swamped her. Her fingers dug into his arms at the sheer force of it. Using her body as a conduit, she sent his power barrelling outward to slash at their nearest enemies, severing their spines. They fell like dead leaves from the sky.
We have to return to Catava. He is heading to the gate, she told Eryanth.
I know, he returned grimly, but you cannot fight him—not like this. You need to be at full strength.
But it will take me too long to recover! she declared, fretfully.
No, it won’t.
She felt Eryanth’s determination so did not question his words further. Cold wind whipped at her hair and clothes, roaring in her ears and cooling the blood on her skin as he propelled them through the night.
Before long he back-winged. His muscles contracted, bunching solidly under her fingers.
The sound of tumbling water reached her buzzing ears. Fine spray covered her already cold skin, soaking her hair and sending watery rivulets of blood dripping from her nose and arms.
By the time Eryanth landed on the lip of the crystal cave entrance and lowered her, she was shivering violently.
Eryanth stepped around her and grabbed her hand. “Come,” he growled.
Diamond allowed him to pull her into the cave itself, feeling his anxiety. Before she had time to blink, he let her hand go and spun towards her.
She did not flinch away as his lips stretched back revealing a set of sharp blue teeth. He bit down on his wrist, then slipped his other hand into her hair, cupping the back of her head. “Drink, my love. Please. Take my blood to replenish yours and heal yourself.”
Diamond nodded and took his arm in her hands. She stepped back into his warmth and placed her cold lips around his bleeding wound. Hot skin slid under her lips. She groaned and gripped his arm, clamping her lips and teeth onto his flesh. From the first draw and swallow, heat caressed her bones, flooding her with a heady mix of power, magic and need.
“Heal yourself,” he whispered in her ear, trailing desperate kisses across the delicately pointed arc of her ear.
He allowed her to drink for a minute or so, then gently pulled her mouth from his skin, knowing they would both become lost on the very feel of their souls merging if he didn’t stop her.
His teeth were still out and his eyes were burning with need, his b
ody rigid as he stared down at her. Their panting breaths filled the cave.
“Heal yourself, my love,” he requested again, his gruff voice sending shivers down her spine.
Diamond closed her eyes and pushed her magic into the lacerations Erebos had inflicted. In seconds she was healed, but more importantly her magic was zipping joyfully around her body, escaping to playfully wind itself through Eryanth’s.
She swallowed the sweet, salty taste of his blood, trying to clear her mind, but it coated her teeth and tongue and she felt him everywhere.
He rested his forehead against hers for a moment as she commanded her magic to release him. It did so reluctantly and wound down inside her.
One large arm wrapped around her lower back, and one hand stayed wound tightly in her hair. Eryanth pulled her into his body and held her as though he never wanted to let her go.
“We should leave,” she whispered into his chest.
Eryanth’s eyes flashed with silver as he withdrew. He released her before he curled his hands into fists and snarled. Turning on his heel, he stalked across the cave and into the shadows.
Chapter 25
They ran.
Eryanth did not look behind him. He could feel Diamond sprinting to keep up.
Catava was in uproar. People were running scared, trying to find anywhere to hide their loved ones. Those fit and able carried a weapon, whether it be a sword or a simple stick, ready to fight for their city and their survival.
Eryanth wanted to scream at them to run, to get out, that a stick would not help them. He had felt the touch of Chaos upon his soul, and his heart bled for what these people would suffer when the Ashmea found them.
At first, as they darted around fae and human, Eryanth had ordered the frightened souls to find the crystal cave and get out, but he knew there was no escape, not really. The Rift Valley was swarming with Ashmea and the other monsters who served Erebos.
Side by side, they ran down one of the main tunnels and skidded to a halt on the precipice to the huge main cave. Above them the city lights were dim, only a flicker in the darkness, nothing like the bright orbs Erzion had commanded for a millennium.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 125
