Eryanth’s heart squeezed. The Red Wizard truly was weak. His glamour had failed. Even the power emanating from the celestial gateway could not replenish the magic he had used to protect this city.
The gate had a strange glow all of its own. The runes around it burned fiercely as if it were beckoning him. Eryanth growled as his dragon tried to burst free.
Soon, he told it.
Green-winged fae fought alongside a squad of red-winged fae near Erzion’s home. A growl rippled up his throat. Even as he watched, many fell, desperately trying to defend their lord against the swarming enemy.
“We have to get down there and help Erzion,” Diamond urged, turning into Eryanth's embrace as he snapped out his wings, sending armour rattling across them.
It was hard to ignore his fear for Diamond, but he merely nodded. They needed more speed than a mere fae could offer. With no effort, he pushed magic into his body, calling upon his dragon to help. It grunted its agreement and he released a deep chested growl. His body stretched and scales broke out across his brow, his fingernails clawed and his vision sharpened.
Sliding his arm around Diamond’s back, he lifted her and caught her legs. He revelled in the feel of her body against his. She was healed and no longer bleeding, and he could feel her power merge with his. It gave him hope and confidence that they could beat Erebos together, that she would not have to lose her life to end this battle.
He snapped out his massive wings and launched from the cliff. The Red Wizard’s home would take only minutes to reach. He forced his muscles and wings to move, to fly faster—but it was not fast enough.
An ear-splitting roar filled the cave. Fire spewed from Sulphurious’ gaping maw, and within seconds fae and Ashmea were incinerated.
Diamond’s agony swept into his mind as they watched Sulphurious surge towards the guardian’s gateway, the entrance to Eternity and the path to vengeance. The gate flashed, sending a wave of power outward when the dragon and the dark god disappeared through it.
Seconds later, Eryanth landed among the ashes of Erzion’s garden. The beautiful trees burned, smoke billowing into the air.
Diamond immediately vaulted from his embrace and they ran for the front door. It splintered under her magic. Heat and power barrelled down the corridor towards them.
Instinctively, Eryanth slammed up a shield, halting its progress before it could reach Diamond. “Erzion! It’s us!” he bellowed.
Immediately the power disintegrated. They charged into Erzion’s study. Eryanth stopped abruptly, fear lancing through his chest. Diamond slammed her hands into his broad back to stop her forward momentum, then peered around him.
“No…” she whispered.
Erzion lay on the floor, his head propped on Ophelia’s lap. He lifted his head and smiled weakly. “I am so sorry,” he rasped. “I have failed. The city has fallen…”
“Stop it,” growled Eryanth. “Your queen has already told you, you have nothing to apologise for.”
Diamond dropped to her knees beside the Red Wizard. She put Dragonsblood down next to them and placed a supportive hand upon Ophelia’s shoulder before taking hold of Erzion’s hand. “What can we do? Are you injured?” she asked.
Eryanth could feel her distress as her magic whipped around them all.
Erzion chuckled, exhausted. “No, I have just run out of power. Concealing Catava and fighting Erebos’ magic has used me up. For the first time in a millennium—when my queen and my beloved need me—I am useless.” He squeezed Diamond’s hand. A sheen of sweat glinted on his skin, beads running down his temples. “I will recover but not in time to stop the destruction of this city and her people,” he rasped.
Diamond lifted her other hand from Ophelia and placed it over Erzion’s heart.
Eryanth frowned as she looked up at him, her eyes opaque. Her mind opened to him and her magic enveloped him, running through flesh and blood until it awoke his guardian. Her armour pulsed with light to the rhythm of their hearts.
Erzion’s eyes widened. Ophelia’s gasp echoed around them.
A dragon pushed from Diamond’s chest, its multifaceted eyes glaring from Eryanth to Erzion. It snarled, lifted a talon and touched the jewel in its forehead. Hurry, a strange voice growled in their minds. It blinked and was gone. Come to us before we burn...
Eryanth let his magic fly free as he dropped to his knees opposite Diamond. Their magic ignited. He did not try to control their Nexus, not this time. He let Diamond take the lead.
I will only use enough to give him his power back, Diamond informed him.
I know. Just save enough for us to fight with. He looked down at Erzion’s pale face, then frowned as he recognised the fear and grief in Ophelia’s eyes. Erzion needs his power to fight alongside us, to be there for his family. He deserves that much for all he has given.
Diamond nodded. “This might sting a bit,” she warned the Red Wizard.
He only had time to grimace before magic flooded his body.
Eryanth felt their Nexus pushing through Erzion’s blood and bone, searching out the remaining spark of his magic. Diamond poured more and more into the wizard.
Eryanth’s heart pounded and he grabbed Diamond’s hand. This was taking more than either of them had envisaged. He had never appreciated how vast Erzion’s power was. “Diamond,” he growled a warning. She needed to keep her magic—their magic—to fight Erebos.
“Ahhh!” Erzion yelled and shoved their magic from him. He panted squeezing his eyes shut before snapping them open. They burned with red fire. “Goddess above!” he whispered, hoarsely.
“Erzion? Are you…? Can you use your magic again?” asked Ophelia, gripping her mate’s hand anxiously.
The smile Erzion gave his mate squeezed Eryanth’s heart. He hoped that today would not see the end of that love. Fear hit him, stealing his breath. He slammed his mind shut to his soulmate and pulled his magic away.
He too could lose his love—his very reason for living.
Diamond raised her brows and cocked her head.
Eryanth could only smile tightly. Avoiding those deep violet eyes, he held out a hand for Erzion. Erzion grinned and took it. Eryanth yanked him to his feet.
“Erebos and Sulphurious entered the gateway. We—I—failed to keep the keys from him,” Diamond informed the Red Wizard.
Erzion extended his wings, armouring them whilst he brushed himself down. He turned his burning eyes to Diamond. “I know. You must go after him before he can bring destruction to Eternity. Krato spoke through you,” he gestured at Diamond’s armour. “You must go to him. The Guardians of Eternity do not have fire to fight Sulphurious, and they cannot harm Erebos; they are unable to harm any god, they can only protect them. Even one as evil as him.”
Eryanth bent and picked up Dragonsblood. He sheathed it on his back.
“How do we break through the gateway?” Diamond asked, holding out her hand. In her palm a small ruby glinted, its broken edges rough.
Erzion took it between his finger and thumb. “I always wondered what it would feel like to hold one of these rubies,” he mumbled. The jewel looked like a third eye as he held it up to study it. It pulsed angrily. “The gateway. Now!” he urged, running down the corridor and out through the broken door.
Eryanth barrelled along behind him, Diamond and Ophelia bringing up the rear.
The clash of metal and boom of magic exploding echoed around the gigantic cave.
“The First Legion who remained here are fighting in every entrance and tunnel to protect this gateway. We will make sure you can return when the time is right. We will protect it for as long as we can.”
They skidded to a halt in front of the pulsing arc of jade-like stone. Its runes grew brighter as Eryanth laid a hand upon the solid structure.
“My king. Your guardian,” Erzion rumbled.
It was not a request.
Eryanth took a few hasty steps away from them and set his dragon free. Within seconds, he was staring down at his beloved and t
he Lord and Lady of Catava through his dragon’s eyes. Eryanth commanded his beast to lower his head.
Erzion began to chant, his wings, eyes and hair flaming with red magic.
Through his dragon, Eryanth understood those strange words. A shudder rippled through his massive body.
Erzion threw the ruby upward, carrying it forward with his magic. The ancient chant—the one the High Ruler had commanded he remember a millennium ago—lent the precious stone more velocity. The tiny fragment slammed into Eryanth’s forehead with such force he staggered, rearing on his hind legs. He crashed back to the ground, bellowing as sheer agony coursed through his body. The jewel grew and embedded itself in his flesh and then bone. He shook his head, then his great body, trying to rid himself of the discomfort.
Runes burned brightly upon the ancient gate and the stench of magic and death scorched his nostrils. He looked at Diamond, meeting and holding her eyes. Our people are dying. If there is no Eternity, their souls will be sucked into Chaos. We must stop him.
Diamond ran forward and placed a kiss on Ophelia’s and then Erzion’s cheek. They both gaped at her as she ordered, “You both fight for as long as you can. Hold on for Jack to arrive with our army. They are coming. Every Kingdom will fight for our survival and their own. You will not have to do this alone.”
“How do you know he will come in time?” Erzion asked, unable to stop the sadness entering his eyes.
Diamond smiled and tapped her chest. “The High Ruler sees everything. He has told me,” she stated, then turned and ran light-footed and agile up Eryanth’s armoured wing and climbed up to sit behind the silver horns gracing his head.
Gently, Eryanth nudged Erzion and Ophelia aside with his snout. Ready? he asked, glorious heat burning his insides as he coaxed his internal fire to life, even as his heart filled with dread.
In answer, Diamond touched him with her magic. As I’ll ever be…
The ruby burned brightly as Eryanth said a prayer to the goddess—and leapt.
Chapter 26
The kaleidoscope of light was blinding. Colours zipped by them at incredible speed, invisible forces trying to pluck Diamond from Eryanth.
Diamond gripped Eryanth’s silver horns like her life depended upon it. Underneath her thighs, his body pulsed with strength and a magic she had not felt before. It was as if the gateway was feeding his power. She gasped as her hands slipped on the smooth metal of his horns.
Hold tightly, my love. Not long now. I can see the end of this.
Diamond squinted her eyes. She could see no end to the light.
Ready your magic. We are nearly there.
Diamond swallowed hard and did as he bid. Eternity had to be saved, for the sake of every soul.
As her magic thrashed with joy at being summoned, Diamond hoped that the gods and goddesses were powerful enough to fight alongside the guardians for the safety of Eternity. Perhaps when they emerged through the other side of this gateway, it would be over and Erebos would be dead.
As that thought formed, they were thrust into a huge cave. Large torches floated around the walls, illuminating the huge cavern.
Eryanth slammed his taloned limbs into the stone, skidding to a halt.
Before Diamond had time to take a breath, fire came barrelling towards them. She thrust out her magic, commanding it to shield her but Eryanth met it with fire of his own, holding it at bay.
Through the flames she could see the bloodied bodies of two dragons upon the ground. Tall plinths of rock had toppled sideways, some split into nothing more than rubble. Erebos had surprised the guardians and killed at least two of their number.
Sulphurious increased his efforts as Erebos shot ice towards the other dragons.
The biggest creature Diamond had ever seen fixed his gaze upon her. A voice rumbled around her head. We cannot kill him. Only you or your grandmother can but your magic is weak here. This is the reason the guardians exist. We can destroy every other foe, but we cannot destroy the very thing we were created to protect. His teeth bared and he snarled at Sulphurious. Erebos is stopping us from ending Sulphurious. It is that evil creature who will make Eternity burn.
Go! I will deal with Sulphurious, Eryanth snarled to Diamond.
Diamond did not hesitate. She gripped the staff, pulled it from the scabbard on her back and vaulted down. As soon as her feet slammed into the hard rock, she squeezed it in her grip. Even though she was ready for it, the sting of the spear’s barbs made her hiss. Runes glowed down its shaft. In the blink of an eye, the staff sprang to twice its normal size and the crystal tip pushed out, pulsing dangerously as Diamond’s blood seeped into its heart.
The guardians shielded against the storm of ice shards and shadow Erebos threw at them. They snapped and snarled but were unable to launch their own attack.
As Erebos pushed the guardians backwards, Sulphurious concentrated upon Eryanth. The black dragon knew where the greatest threat lay.
Fire and magic exploded from the warring pair, rushing toward her. Before it hit, Eryanth raised a shield around her. She did not look back but sprinted across the cave.
Keeping up his assault on the guardians, Erebos spun.
Diamond had a split second before a shower of ice spears descended upon her. This time she needed no shield. She commanded her magic and they disappeared into a shower of sparkling water droplets.
It was then she realised the ice had been a distraction.
Erebos laughed as she screamed.
Shadow pierced her exposed neck, stabbing again and again. Diamond felt Eryanth’s magic shoot through her as he sensed her distress. Her heart pounded, dread shivering across her skin. Her magic forced Erebos’ darkness to retreat. Blood pulsed from her wound.
Erebos threw back his head and laughed and laughed. “Look at you. All of you. Such power, yet none can stop me,” he yelled at the guardians, pointing a finger in their direction. Another storm of shadow and ice assaulted them. With a sweep of his hand, he directed an attack upon Diamond.
She gritted her teeth against the pain in her neck and channelled her magic through the spear. Her power stuttered. Anxiety shot through her heart.
No! Eryanth immediately roared, forcing some of his magic into her, lending her the strength to fight and heal herself too.
The cave rattled as Eryanth spun and slammed the barbed end of his tail into Sulphurious, sending the black dragon barrelling into the wall. Eryanth gave him no time recover before he attacked with magic and shadow.
Diamond could not watch the two dragons. She could only have faith that her soulmate would triumph—or at least hold the larger dragon at bay.
Erebos did not ease up on his onslaught, either with her or the guardians.
The High Ruler, Krato, was thrashing and pacing, trying to push past the dark god’s magic towards the two dragons. Diamond understood he could end Sulphurious if he could only get past Erebos.
Before she could launch another attack, a blanket of darkness descended upon her, blocking her sight and freezing her limbs.
A surge of panic hit her. Her dreams had once been like this. She had been frozen by the dark god, her limbs and mouth rendered immovable as he fed upon her soul.
No. It will not happen again!
She lashed out with the spear, tearing through the darkness and ripping it aside.
Across the cave, Eryanth and Sulphurious duelled, burning the air with their fire and magic. And though this placed seemed to drain Diamond’s power, Eryanth’s seemed to have burgeoned.
Diamond did not dwell upon her situation; instead, she hurled her remaining power outward. In desperation, she pulled on her Nexus, balling the mix of darkness, sapphire and light in the air before hurling it with all her might towards her enemy’s chest.
Erebos’ eyes widened as he realised the force of her onslaught. It was clear he did not expect such a powerful attack.
Sulphurious roared. Red eyes burning with fury, he rammed his head into Eryanth’s side, piercing through h
is armoured scales. Fire spewed from his black jaws, aimed at the waiting guardians as his master’s magic faltered under Diamond’s last attack. They could do nothing but shield against such a storm of flame.
Eryanth dragged himself up. He was no longer armoured.
Fear lanced her heart when, bleeding and battered, he launched forward.
Sulphurious snarled and batted Eryanth’s smaller form away with his tail, sending the fae colliding into the wall.
“No!” Diamond screamed, realising she had done this, she had made him weak by using their Nexus. I’m sorry, she cried, feeling her magic falter once again.
His silver eyes opened, and he snarled at her as she took one limping step towards him. Don’t! he ordered.
Her distraction cost her. Agony lanced her whole body as shards of ice pierced her now soft armour. The spear fell from her bleeding hand, clattering to floor. Her legs collapsed and she landed in a heap.
Erebos sprinted forward. He reached out for the spear but found it gone.
It flew through the air, slapping into the palm of the awaiting goddess. “You will never claim this spear!” Lunaria screamed. “It will be the end of you!”
“No! I will destroy this place. I will destroy you, and I will destroy the spawn of your body!” Erebos screamed as he vaulted upward and somersaulted onto Sulphurious’ back. “Go!” he ordered, pointing up.
Sulphurious spewed fire around the cave, forcing the remaining guardians out through the arched entrance. Erebos sent spears of ice into Eryanth’s flesh, keeping the sapphire guardian immobile.
Eryanth managed to bat two from the air before one hit its mark.
Pain instantly shot through Diamond’s own shoulder. “No!” she cried out.
Sulphurious roared and beat his wings, his long neck extending upwards.
It was then Diamond noticed the cave had no roof. Two great moons glared down from the endless stars. She panted, the edge of her vision darkening. Her magic fluttered inside her soul, too weak now to help. Deep sapphire eyes flecked with silver flame met hers. They narrowed in determination.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 126
