The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet

by Karen Tomlinson

  “No no no,” Erzion cried, rocking her desperately as his tears fell onto her pale skin. “I love you,” he whispered. “I will love you to Eternity and the stars beyond. And I will see you very soon,” he promised her, his voice suddenly calm. For a moment he stilled and just held her, his face buried in her hair.

  Diamond reached out and placed a gentle hand upon Erzion’s shoulder.

  Erzion nodded and whispered some private words to his beloved mate then he pulled back, placed a reverent kiss upon her bloodless lips and laid her gently on the floor.

  Diamond leaned forward and pressed a kiss upon Ophelia’s brow. “Goodbye,” she whispered. “May the goddess take your soul and the guardians guide you to Eternity.”

  “Stand back,” Erzion said, his voice suddenly strong. He motioned for them all to move away. Red magic flowed through the Red Wizard. The words he chanted were both powerful and beautiful. His red magic responded, swirling into a gentle storm that covered Ophelia’s body. Within seconds nothing remained. Not even any ash. His magic had consumed her. He fell to his knees as the agony of her soul leaving this world tore through him.

  Eryanth gripped Diamond’s hand as he watched, knowing he would feel such agony soon.

  Even amidst the bloodshed of war and devastating loss, it took Erzion only moments to gather his wits.

  The grieving lord stood tall and squared his shoulders. “Majesties, we must stop Erebos and the black dragon from destroying everything we love,” he choked out.

  “Erzion, are you sure you want to do this?” asked Diamond gently. “You can stay here and fight for your city. Stay where you can feel close to the one you loved.”

  “No. I fight by your side, my queen.” When he looked into her eyes, Erzion’s were consumed by grief and steely with determination. “I will see you end him. I am a warrior. My purpose for living has been to ensure you retake this throne, and that is what I am going to do. Ophelia will always hold my heart and soul and I will see her again, but I must fulfil my pledge to your grandmother first. You will end this war; for that, we must reach Valentia.”

  As the Red Wizard bellowed orders to his men to stay and fight for the city. The sound of more wings echoed down the tunnel.

  “Here they come again,” Attion yelled, manipulating the roots of a burned tree to wrap around the first Ashmea that attacked from above. He slammed it into the ground.

  Tawne pounced. His huge jaws fixed around its neck, ripping its head from its shoulders.

  Eryanth roared. Without a thought, he called his guardian forth. His heart rejoiced as Diamond merged her magic with his and their Nexus formed. Together they blasted out a destructive wave of power and ended the legion of Ashmea. Eryanth immediately felt the power from the gateway replenish their magic.

  When the dust settled, a red fae appeared. Elegantly, he landed behind them.

  Eryanth turned his bulky body, his markings glowing. The male was covered in blood and gore and was barely recognisable.

  Diamond stared at the red wing. “Havron?”

  Eryanth’s heart soared with joy. They had reinforcements! Jack and the Combined Army had arrived. With such an army, he truly believed they could beat the monsters of Chaos.

  Havron dipped his head and slammed his fist to his chest. “Yes, my queen.” He looked to Erzion. “My lord, the First Legion have returned with the armies of seven of the kingdoms.” He grinned. “And two more guardians.”

  Erzion’s eyes widened upon hearing Havron’s report.

  “We have retaken the north tunnel and are slowly clearing Catava, but I fear it will take months to check all the tunnels and the darkness for every threat.” He twisted toward Diamond and bowed low. “My queen, your father is leading the attack on the island city. Vaalor and Queen Ilya are fighting for the valley and King Oden has entered the palace with Prince Rayan to challenge Griana.”

  “What news of my son?” asked Erzion, hope shining in his now russet eyes.

  Havron’s mouth tightened. “I am sorry, my lord. I have no news of Elexon.”

  For a moment the Red Wizard’s shoulders drooped. He nodded then turned to Eryanth. Eryanth lowered his head to gaze with silver eyes at the Red Wizard.

  “You know who killed her.” It was not a question.

  Eryanth snarled in response.

  Erzion held his gaze, his eyes burning with anger. “Then I will trust you to avenge her, my king. Make him pay. Havron? I am going with our king and queen. You will ensure this city and the people in it remain safe.”

  Havron dipped his head and saluted to his lord, then bowed deeply to Diamond and Eryanth.

  Erzion snapped out his glorious red wings. Magic shot through him, illuminating his whole being.

  “Attion! Tawne! Up. Now,” Diamond ordered as Eryanth lowered a sapphire-armoured wing to the ground.

  Attion and Tawne both followed Diamond as she ran light-footedly up that wing and settled on Eryanth’s neck.

  Attion encircled Tawne’s wolf form with his large arms to hold him securely.

  The Red Wizard did not glance back to the city he had guarded for a millennium or to the home he had shared with his soulmate. Instead, with a look of utter determination, he cast. Magic infused the air and it was all Eryanth could do to beat his wings fast enough to keep pace with the Red Wizard as he used the light and wind to move.

  Chapter 30

  Smoke, gas and the stench of blood hung over the Rift Valley.

  Vaalor and Ilya screeched their anger, burning, ripping and tearing Ashmea from the sky. Their great bodies moved with lethal elegance, pursuing their enemy with a single-minded purpose. Blood and ash rained down upon them all, coating them in the horror of war.

  Diamond cast a shield.

  We will end this, Eryanth reassured her.

  Yes, we will. Whatever it takes. And if that means every bit of my soul—then so be it.

  Eryanth said nothing. He slammed up a wall between their minds before she could feel his distress.

  Her weight shifted forward, her words clear even against the roar of the wind. “Please don’t shut yourself away from me. I cannot do this without you.”

  Eryanth wrapped her in his magic. He could not refuse her; he immediately dropped his barriers. I am sorry, but the thought of losing you, even to save our world, tears me apart.

  Understanding and love filtered through their magic. I know, my love. But we cannot turn our backs on our people. This is the destiny fate chose for me. This is who I am meant to be. If my life ends, promise me you will rebuild this kingdom as it should be, she implored, her mind and thoughts clouded with grief.

  Eryanth roared his agreement.

  To his shock, his roar was answered. Not by Ilya or Vaalor but by the guardians flying from the mouth of the tunnel behind them.

  “They came!” Diamond cried out. A small keening noise erupted from her throat. “Grandmother,” she breathed.

  Lunaria and the guardians wasted no time. Lethal, despite their lack of fire, they rose into the dark sky and began ripping and tearing with magic, teeth and claws. Serpents and dragons fought alongside the red fae and the fire of Vaalor and Ilya, a newly set jewel in each of their foreheads glowing brightly.

  Eryanth slowed and bellowed a roar over his shoulder. A greeting and thanks.

  Krato answered in kind then plucked an Ashmea from the sky, tearing it apart and throwing its carcass away. His bellow rattled the whole of the Rift Valley, shaking the foundations of the ancient wall. Go! Fulfil your destiny, he urged in their minds. We will end the threat to your people. You must end the threat to your world. Your grandmother is not corporeal, she cannot end him. It is your destiny alone.

  The palace, Diamond urged.

  Eryanth turned away from the battle and headed towards the city, aware Krato and two other guardians followed closely. As they drew level with him, Eryanth’s heart stuttered. A ghostly man sat upon the back of an elegant silver dragon. Though his body and features were almost translucent
, his eyes were not. His sapphire gaze held Eryanth’s before he lifted a hand in greeting and pushed onward.

  Is that Lexon Arjuno? Diamond whispered incredulously.

  I think so.

  Erzion was right; he looks just like you…

  Eryanth exhaled a huge breath, calming both himself and his dragon. Lexon Arjuno was a hard legend to live up to.

  They watched as the silver dragon drew level with the Red Wizard. Erzion’s wings faltered but he did not stop.

  Alethia roared a greeting to him, and Lexon slammed his fist to his chest and bowed his head to his immortal friend.

  Erzion wiped a hand over his face as if he were crying before raising it in greeting as he flew.

  Eryanth felt the emotion seep from Diamond into him even as his own chest tightened at the reunion of these two friends. Pushing more magic into his wings, he kept pace with the Red Wizard and Alethia, the silver guardian and Goddess of Truth.

  As they approached the large bridge that spanned the water connecting the mainland and the city, lightning struck the towers of the palace. It illuminated the swarm of Ashmea diving from the skies to pluck screaming people from their hiding places.

  Alethia and Krato broke away, slashing at the Ashmea with their armoured tails. Both Lexon and Lunaria somersaulted from their respective guardians’ backs. They seemed like phantoms of energy as they glided through the air and killed as they willed.

  Eryanth banked sideways. Erzion kept pace. Both Erzion and Diamond shot magic through Ashmea. Attion and Tawne clung like limpets to Eryanth’s back, helpless to do anything but watch their queen and the Red Wizard annihilate their enemy.

  In the air over the city, fae warriors from all lands fought bravely. Their green and gold wings swirled with light, their armour glinting. But they were overwhelmed. In the streets below, Hourian and Gar Anonian colours caught Eryanth’s attention. But it was the mers in their scaled blue and green armour that stood out. They pulled rivers of seawater along with them, manipulating the powerful element into weapons to end their enemies.

  Look, Diamond urged as he neared the upper level of the city.

  A clear view across the square near the palace gate showed Arades fighting alongside Teya. The pair worked well together. Teya was not as big as the fae warrior, but she held her own, especially with Uzziah and her harem protecting her back. Teya distracted an Ashmea, meeting strike after strike from all its four limbs. A blow to her thigh made her scream a moment before Arades flipped behind it and severed its spine.

  Your father is a good warrior, Eryanth tried to reassure her. If anyone can survive this battle, it’s him.

  We need to open the gate, she told him urgently. Look! Jack is in the courtyard! They need to fight together! All our forces do!

  Eryanth grunted and sailed over the palace wall. Inside, the grounds had fallen into disrepair; the vast area of grass they had used to train upon was now thigh-deep and full of weeds. In the distance, near the entrance to the queen’s tower, Jack and Rayan fought with a handful of men. Erzion shot forward and slammed his feet to the ground, sending a cloud of dust into the air. His wings shivered with aggression, and he began hacking down the enemy.

  Dust Devils overwhelmed the palace grounds. Seekers and Battle Imps charged or jumped out of the palace entrances and windows. The remaining staff ran or fought for their lives; even the Avalonian fae warriors were fighting to survive, clearly confused as to where their allegiance should lay. Once one began to fight towards the group led by Jack, they all banded together, hacking down Dust Devils as they made their way from the monsters towards the human king and his warriors.

  Eryanth swooped over their heads, wondering where Griana was. She would surely be fighting for her seat of power. And she would never let Eryanth or Diamond enter the palace unchallenged.

  “Jack!” Diamond yelled down and slipped from Eryanth’s neck.

  Panic gripped him until he saw the cushion of magic under her feet. He snorted with relief.

  “Hey! Get us down there. We need to fight beside our queen!” shouted Attion, slapping his neck.

  Tawne howled his agreement.

  Eryanth twisted his neck and snarled at them.

  Attion snarled back. “Fine!” He snapped out his wings, grabbed Tawne around his huge chest with both arms and flung them off.

  Eryanth banked round and back-winged as Attion landed and released Tawne into the fray. Diamond was already fighting near Jack and Rayan. Magic whipped from Diamond’s golden staff. It lashed through the air as she twirled it with blurring speed. Against her skill and precise movements, their enemy stood no chance.

  Rayan blasted magic to the left, Diamond to the right and Jack and his guard fought through the centre.

  Eryanth’s heart sank. Vast numbers of monstrous creatures poured from the palace and, despite the fighting skill of all his friends, the enemy was overwhelming them.

  I can end this, panted Diamond.

  No! You must save your energy to best Erebos. I will end those nearby and let your father and our army in. Get the others inside a shield. I will burn these creatures.

  Magic and gas exploded from his belly, igniting in his throat before he spewed flames into the sky and across the overgrown training lawns. Like dry tinder, it instantly ignited.

  Bodies burned.

  Some dropped down where they stood, some kept on moving, feeling no pain to hinder them. From atop the huge phallus-like tower, an earth-shattering roar shook the city. Sulphurious gripped the sloping roof, sending an avalanche of tiles to the ground. Unis and Zane dodged them.

  Diamond snarled and summoned a shield, protecting their group.

  Sulphurious glared down at Eryanth, his eyes burning with hate and anger. His orange underside began to glow.

  Erebos floated in the air next to the black dragon, his robes snaked around him. He pointed down to Diamond then smashed his hands together. A wave of shadow blasted out just as Sulphurious launched from the tower.

  Diamond held her shield. It protected their friends but those mortals still surviving in the city were not so lucky. The shadow blast hurtled across Valentia and sent people flying through the air, smashing their breakable bodies into hard surfaces. Erebos exalted as more and more souls were reaped, feeding his power.

  Eryanth was tossed through the air. Debris bounced off his armoured scales, but he fought to regain his equilibrium. Once steady, he rose into the air, flapping his massive wings. He raised his flaming eyes.

  Sulphurious stretched his neck and lowered his head.

  Eryanth snarled, determined to end the larger dragon.

  No! The gate. Please! Diamond beseeched him, pointing desperately to the cloud of winged creatures who darkened the skies.

  Eryanth’s blood ran cold at the sight. Even worse, in the distance Dust Devils had formed columns of fast moving dirt and were heading towards the bridge. An army of humans, wizards and fae stood ready to protect Valentia, Fetu at its head, but it would not be enough.

  Eryanth’s heart sank. There were just too many for even the combined forces to triumph over.

  “You think you can beat me!?” roared Erebos, pointing at Diamond. “You are nothing! My sister could not win against me and neither could those beasts you believe are your saviours. Give your souls to me and I will be merciful!” he yelled, his voice booming across the city and the valley for all to hear.

  The answering roar of defiance from the guardians sent shivers of pride down Eryanth’s spine, as did the bellowing roar of thousands of mortal voices.

  None would submit to the dominion of darkness and terror.

  Eryanth eyed the closed palace gates. He knew how thick they were and found he didn’t care. His guardian snarled in agreement. Forcing his wings to move faster and faster, he shot towards the gates, spewing fire towards them. They flamed seconds before he charged through the burning mass of wood and metal. The surrounding stone wall burst apart, setting the captured Ometons free. The huge snow beasts r
ampaged through the mass of fighting men, not concerned with who was in their way.

  Momentum took Eryanth onward, and he crashed at full speed into the houses and abandoned restaurants across the square. Rubble exploded, sending a cloud of dust into the ever-darkening sky. Knowing he had no time to recover, he pushed upward, shook the dust and debris from his scales and launched skyward again.

  Ashmea descended upon the city, swarming towards the palace.

  Desperately, Eryanth unleashed his fire, burning them in droves.

  Over the valley, the guardians swirled and dipped and clawed and ripped the Ashmea apart. Lunaria fought alongside Krato to stop the lower reaches of the city from being overwhelmed. Lexon fought atop Alethia to clear the middle reaches. But it was not the sight of their magic that caused Eryanth to falter.

  Closing in on the battle, almost halfway across the valley, was another vast airborne army.

  At is head was a beautiful purple and blue dragon and upon its back was his father and Elexon.

  Eryanth bellowed a loud screech. A cry of greeting—and of war.

  A solid object suddenly hit Eryanth so hard it sent him hurtling from the sky back into the ground. The pressure did not let up. A huge weight pressed down upon him, crushing his lungs. Pain swamped his body as talons ripped into his scales. He thrashed out with his magic, curling it around Sulphurious, yanking at his bulk. Simultaneously he stabbed with spears of shadow at Sulphurious’ scales.

  Sulphurious snarled down at him, acid saliva dropping into Eryanth’s face.

  Eryanth whipped his head back to protect his eyes, realising too late that was what the black dragon wanted. He could not even roar as huge jaws clamped down in his neck and tore at his scales and flesh. Try as he might, he could not dislodge those jaws.

  Sulphurious dug a talon into the flesh around the ruby key but it was fused in Eryanth’s bone, part of him now. His lungs burned and his vision faltered. Fear spread through his soul as he realised he was dying. His Nexus would be alone. With every last bit of strength and magic, he stabbed and twisted and clawed at the larger dragon, loosening its hold on his neck.