Eryanth looked up as he sensed a warmth, a presence by his side.
Lunaria kneeled and placed a hand on his cheek. It was like the brush of a breeze, real but not tangible.
“Please,” he sobbed. “She is your granddaughter, save her…” he beseeched Lunaria.
Arades let out a pained cry. Running to them, he fell to his knees. “Goddess, please, save my daughter. She has saved your world as well as ours,” he cried brokenly. “Let her live!”
“Arades, I do not have the power to grant her life, to save her from eternal damnation in the Chaos realm. The wraiths have her soul.”
“Why not!?” The words exploded from Eryanth’s heart, his grief tearing him apart. He did not care that this was the goddess, the creator of their world; he did not care that the guardians were surrounding him; he cared only for his soulmate. He thought only of their dreams, of their son waiting to come back to them. He screamed up at the sky. But it was not his voice, it was that of his guardian, rough, raw and angry.
“Because I am only a goddess. I cannot grant life to another goddess—but a guardian can.” She cupped his face and smiled. “You can save her, Eryanth,” she told him.
“Me?” he breathed, blinking tears from his eyes as he tried to process her words.
“You are her guardian, her soul bonded and her Nexus—only you can save her soul.” She smiled and looked him in the eye. “Remember your son?”
Eryanth nodded, his heart squeezing. “I do.”
“Then what will you sacrifice to keep her from the darkness and bring her soul back to the mortal world?” she asked.
“Everything,” he whispered, his chest heaving.
Lunaria glanced meaningfully at Krato.
The High Ruler lowered his head, fixing his endless eyes upon the King of Avalonia.
“Then we will accept your sacrifice. As one of my blood line, your mortal life is mine to take or return as I see fit,” rumbled Krato. “It is true only a guardian can resurrect a god. And you are her Nexus, her soulmate. Bring her soul back; save her before Chaos claims her soul forever in its darkness.”
Eryanth did not flinch as the Hugh Ruler placed a talon against his chest and pushed, piercing his heart.
It was a strange sensation to die this way, he reflected. His soul left his body.
Krato gently lowered his wounded body to the wet ground.
Eryanth gasped, the urgent need to find his soulmate burning in the energy of his soul, driving him away from the mortal plane. Around him, he saw the souls and burning energy of everyone—guardian, ghost, goddess and mortal. Next to Alethia’s silver guardian stood the glowing figure of a man with sapphire eyes. Lexon nodded at him but walked towards Erzion.
Eryanth’s heart dropped, fresh grief hitting him.
Erzion was cradled in Elexon arms.
Lexon smiled down at his friend, his eyes full of love and a deep respect. “You have fulfilled your pledge to our goddess; it is time for you to rest now,” he pronounced gravely.
Lunaria smiled and placed a hand on Erzion’s heart. “You are free,” she whispered.
Tears ran from Erzion’s eyes as he lifted his hand and cupped his son’s cheek.
“I love you, my beautiful son. But now it is your time to shine, to care for all I have built. My friend has come to take me to eternal rest, and I wish with all my soul to be with your mother. Let me go,” he whispered.
Elexon leaned down and kissed his father’s forehead. “Thank you for everything you have ever done for me, for your love, your support and your belief in me. I love you so much,” he whispered, his voice strong despite the tears shining in his eyes. “But I understand. And you deserve to be with Mahaida. You deserve peace and rest for all you have done for us and your kingdom.”
“We will meet again, my son,” Erzion croaked then he turned and smiled at Firan.
Firan dropped to his knees by Erzion’s side, clutching Erzion’s forearm. “Goodbye, my friend. It has been an honour to be in your life for so long. I will miss you but I will see you again—” His eyes drifted to Kilar. “—when my mate tires of me.” He smiled and leaned forward, placing a kiss upon Erzion’s brow and holding him close for a moment. “Rest now,” he said gently.
Kilar placed a supportive hand on Firan’s shoulder. Tears glistened in the immortal lord’s eyes.
Erzion gazed up at Lexon. “I am ready.”
Lexon reached out a hand. Erzion took it—or his spirit did. Erzion looked back once at his son then whispered to Eryanth, “Save her.”
Together, Erzion and Lexon dissolved into the ether.
“Go!” roared Krato, opening a swirling vortex. Eryanth was pulled in, lost in the darkness and frigid wind. He saw a light far below. Bright and beautiful it beckoned him, pulling on his soul.
Their tether, their Nexus.
Wraiths clawed at Diamond, dragging her farther into the abyss. She fought, kicking and hitting out at their shadowy forms.
Eryanth roared, willing her to fight harder. By the blood and fire in my veins and the magic of our souls, I will not let you go, he vowed and released an almighty explosion of magic that drove the wraiths away into the darkness.
Eryanth tugged on their bond, yanking hard over and over, pulling on her soul until he heard her scream his name and saw her flail her arms and legs.
Yes! Fight! he ordered, joy filling his heart. Pumping his wings, he spiralled down through shadow and ice to reach her falling soul.
Diamond reached out.
He slammed into her, wrapped his arms in a vice-like grip around her waist and pulled her to his chest. He pushed his magic into Diamond’s soul, winding it into her energy, gifting her his strength and power.
Eryanth? You came for me, she stated incredulously.
Of course. I love you. I will tear the heavens and realms apart for you, to bring you back to my side. And this realm cannot have you. It could not hold me, it could not keep our son and I will not allow it to have you!
Oh gods, I thought I’d lost you forever, she whispered, her spectral arms wrapping around his waist. My heart is yours eternally. And you are right, this place shall take no other loved ones—not ever.
His heart constricted as he looked into her stunning violet gaze and listened to her beautiful voice in his head.
She smiled and pulled on his soul. Their Nexus fused, the energy of her soul bonding with his in a huge surge of power.
He bellowed with ecstasy and joy. Power surrounded them, a vortex of white light infused with sapphire and silver. Together they forced their Nexus through the Chaos realm, ripping it apart. Light exploded, its force taking every last shred of darkness with it, wraiths and agony as well. The souls trapped in purgatory were untethered—granted the freedom to complete their final journey.
Within moments, Diamond and Eryanth were floating among the beauty of the stars.
They watched their magic recede and the sparks of those unhindered souls float away towards the calm and peace of Eternity.
One little orb floated alongside them. Its beauty stole Eryanth’s breath.
“Mahaida?” Diamond whispered brokenly.
The orb touched her face, morphing into the ghostly form a beautiful woman.
Tears fell from Diamond’s eyes as Tanelle cupped her daughter’s face and smiled. She dropped a gentle kiss upon Diamond’s lips then gestured to the fading vortex of light that led to the mortal world. “You must go back. They need you both,” she breathed. “Tell your father I will always love him, but I am happy he has found love again.” Her gaze went to Eternity as if drawn there. She forced her gaze back to Diamond’s face. “I love you, my beautiful girl. Now go and be happy, raise your family and protect your people. We will meet again one day,” she told her before gently kissing Diamond’s lips once again. Bestowing a smile upon Eryanth, Tanelle disappeared, her ethereal form dissipating until it was once again an orb that floated away through the stars.
The sound of the guardians chanting
echoed through the ether, calling them home.
Together, Diamond and Eryanth looked wistfully to where the other orbs of light were going.
Do you really want to go back to our kingdom? Eryanth asked gently, his eyes burning with silver flame and filled with love. Despite what Tannelle had said, he would stand by whatever decision Diamond made.
Her shining violet eyes regarded him solemnly. We have much to rebuild, so many lives we can help repair. My father, your parents, our people, our friends; they all need our help to heal—as we need theirs. Besides, our son deserves a chance at a mortal life, she added with a smile.
Through the vortex of light, the guardians’ chants became more insistent until it seeped into Eryanth’s soul, tugging upon his guardian.
Voices echoed around them, Rayan, Attion, Elexon, they were pleading for him and Diamond to return. But loudest was Arades, begging his daughter to come back.
We have to leave now or it will be too late, he commented.
Diamond smiled up into his face, then leaned in to kiss his lips. I know, she whispered. And I have a message to deliver. Take me home, my love.
Eryanth needed no prompting. He let her go, his guardian bursting forth. He soared through the starlit sky before gently wrapping his front talons around her torso. Carefully, he held her to his chest where the fire in his heart burned.
She was his, he was hers and together they would rebuild their home and their hearts.
He released a bellow, shaking the very foundations of time and space. In unison, the other guardians roared out—bringing them both home.
Chapter 34
Diamond’s chest burned and her stomach throbbed. She released a groan. An insistent rumble vibrated through her head and pulled her back to consciousness.
“Eryanth?” she croaked, forcing her eyes open, wanting only to touch her soulmate.
At the sound of her voice, the guardians simultaneously roared their triumph.
Attion smiled widely, his green eyes sparkling with joy as he pulled back his magic. “Right next to you, my queen,” he told her, raising his eyebrows and nodding.
Eryanth’s huge head hung over her, his sapphire and silver eyes regarding her anxiously.
Diamond blinked, trying to clear her vision. He looked ethereal, there but not there. She lifted her arm, trying to reach him, but her fingers passed straight through.
“W-what’s happening?” she breathed, trying to swallow against the sticky metallic blood left in her mouth.
A strong arm wrapped around her shoulders, helping her to sit up.
Diamond immediately looked down at her chest and abdomen. There was no pain. It was hard to stop her fingers from trembling as she felt for holes in her white armour and found solid skin beneath. Her wounds were gone.
“Your Nexus healed your mortal flesh as well as your soul,” Lunaria informed Diamond softly. “Your armour will repair itself and, if you ever need it again, it will protect you against any mortal attack,” Lunaria told her gently.
Diamond stared at her grandmother, then turned her head and smiled, realising it was her father who had helped her sit up. “I have a message for you from mother,” she told him, her voice thick with emotion.
Arades’ eyes widened and his throat bobbed. “Well, when you are healed, you can give it to me,” he croaked. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Warm lips kissed the top of her head. “I am so happy you survived this.” He hesitated and took a deep breath. “But Eryanth sacrificed his mortal life to save you. He had to die to reach Chaos and save you. You need to help his body accept his soul once again.”
Diamond’s heart squeezed, her full attention falling on Eryanth’s prone body.
His ghostly guardian lowered his head. I cannot return until Krato summons me back, he told her. I need you to awaken my body, my love.
Diamond struggled up, mud and blood squelching under the soles of her boots as Arades and Attion shadowed her over to where Eryanth lay.
Krato began to hum, a sound that reverberated through the air. The other guardians’ voices melted into his, shaking the pile of rubble that had once been the palace, and vibrating the ground with the force of their song.
I love you, Eryanth repeated as his guardian began to fade, pulled into the ether by the guardians’ chant.
Diamond gulped and nodded. I love you to, whatever happens, my heart belongs only to you.
The silver flame of his eyes was the last thing she saw. Shaking, she fell to her knees, sinking into the mess of ash and water, blood and mud next to Eryanth’s body. With trembling hands, she stroked his blue-streaked, sable hair from his pale face.
“Please,” she whispered brokenly. “Come back to me. I don’t want to do this alone,” she told him, pushing her weakened magic into his cold flesh. She felt for his energy, that spark of life—of his soul—that was forever bonded with hers. A tear trickled from her eye, stinging as it trailed down her cheek. It wasn’t there.
Suddenly, the guardians stopped humming and swaying. The silence was almost painful after the noise of battle.
“Open your soul,” instructed Krato, his endless eyes compelling her to obey him.
Diamond closed her eyes and just felt.
A cool wind caressed her skin, carrying the smell of the sea, dust and blood up her nostrils. The sound of the aftermath of battle reached her ears. She did not try to block it—but embraced it. She would work tirelessly to repair the damage done by Griana and Erebos. The familiar scent of her father calmed her, reassuring her. Mud cooled her lower legs and the taste of her own blood lingered in her mouth.
She breathed. In. Out. Her heartbeat steadied. Her hand rested against Eryanth’s heart, willing it to beat once again.
Krato made a low rumble in his chest and placed a talon over the wound he had inflicted earlier. A blue effervescent energy flowed into Eryanth.
Awaken him, Krato urged, his voice echoing around her mind.
Tentatively, Diamond released her magic. Overjoyed to be free to search for its mate, it surged through Eryanth’s flesh. Joyous, Diamond’s energy found Eryanth’s and tugged so hard power exploded from them in a haze of light and shadow, knocking everyone except Lunaria and the guardians off their feet.
“Diamond?” Eryanth whispered.
Diamond’s eyes fluttered open and she found herself staring into a sea of sapphire blue and silver.
Eryanth bolted upright and reached for her.
With a cry of joy, she launched herself from her knees into his arms and held him tightly, never wanting to let him go.
Around them their friends stood up.
“We did it,” Eryanth whispered as he cupped her face and kissed her gently.
Rayan rolled his eyes. “Gods, when will you two get a room?” he complained.
Lunaria shot him a frown.
Rayan immediately lowered his eyes. “Sorry,” he murmured contritely.
Eryanth rested his forehead against hers. “I love you,” he murmured. “But we have a kingdom to rebuild.” His eyes grew brighter and his smile wider as he realised the truth of his own words.
Diamond’s heart soared and their magic played as they pushed themselves to their feet. Standing side by side, they looked at their friends, the people who had helped save both their own world and Eternity.
It was then she realised who was missing. She turned to her father, noticing the blood covering his clothes and skin. It took but a moment for the icy fingers of fear to clench her heart. She gripped Eryanth’s hand, her next words heavy on her tongue.
“Where’s Jack?”
Chapter 35
Diamond sat by Jack’s bedside for days. She willed him to wake up. And she wasn’t the only one. Lyana seemed unable to leave. Together they kept a vigil; if Diamond wasn’t there, Lyana was.
The guardians had long since returned to Eternity with her grandmother. The thought of her mother and grandmother together made Diamond’s eyes burn. Those brief moments with her mothe
r had been so precious. Diamond would never know her mother’s mortal self, but she knew beyond a doubt that her mother loved her and they would meet again—one day. A smile curved her mouth.
A dragon’s roar reverberated through the ship’s hull. This ship had been where Arades had brought his injured king before heading back to find her. After that, Jack had become too ill to move.
Lyana met her gaze and smiled, raising her brows. “Your king has come for you, Queen Arjuno. I’ll be fine with Jack while you go to your meeting. You must look queenly for such an event.”
Diamond sighed and looked down at her friend. It was true, she did have a meeting with her king. As her primary general and the Lord of Catava, Elexon would be present too. Tonight they were to sign a peace treaty between the Eight Kingdoms and talk about rights to trade routes.
“It doesn’t seem right to do this without Jack,” Diamond commented to Lyana.
Lyana’s eyes flicked to Jack’s face. “I know, but he trusts your father to make decisions, and he would not want this opportunity to be wasted because of him.”
Diamond took Lyana’s hand. Her skin was warm and dry, but the princess could not hide the way her hand trembled. “What will you do—if he doesn’t wake?” she asked gently.
Lyana squeezed her eyes shut. “He will,” she whispered.
“Lyana, I love Jack. He’s my friend, but Clarissa said he should have woken by now. You have to accept the possibility he might not.”
No!” Lyana hissed, snatching her hand back. “He will wake up, I know he will.” She gave Diamond a forced smile. “He was always telling me how he would have no time for us because he had to rebuild a home for his people. They were all he fought for—his people and his kingdom—never himself.” She swallowed hard, her eyes shining with tears. “I won’t give up on him—and neither should you.”
Diamond’s heart went out to the Hourian princess. She was younger than Jack by four years but never seemed it. Perhaps that is what her childhood of uncertainty had gifted her—an old soul, Diamond reflected.
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