Expanding his lungs as much as possible, he exhaled a steadying breath. It would not take much for him to lose his self-control right now. Being half-mated was hellish when he wanted to take everything his mate was willing to offer. And she had been so willing under the touch of his fingers and his mouth.
A small groan escaped him. Stop. He had to stop.
Hugo gently shook Diamond. She would never forgive him if he kept her from the battle raging along the wall. Several giants and the first wave of Ragor’s vile army were already rocking the earth and pounding the wall.
Diamond groaned and stretched languidly, causing her hair to tumble over her face and shoulders. Her eyelids flickered open, bathing him in violet light. “Hello,” she smiled sleepily, reaching out her hand and touching his face to reassure herself he was there.
“Jack sent word.” Hugo cocked his head and looked down at her. “The watchers have counted five clutches of giants.” He paused and threw her a wicked grin to lessen the blow. “Shall we go and kill some more?”
“But that’s fifty giants,” she whispered, horrified.
“Yes,” he confirmed, blinking in surprise as she shot out of bed and flung on her ripped armour. The sight of it turned his stomach, making it hard to keep his emotions locked away from her mind.
“Would you help me?” she asked after her fumbling efforts had her throwing her hands in the air in exasperation.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped closer, but remaining detached was hopeless; by the time he had secured the leather around her body, they were both flushed.
“We should go,” she breathed.
Breaking his stare, she wrapped her hair in a knot at the back of her head. Ripped armour or not, she looked so beautiful and fierce and determined; his heart flipped in his chest.
“Wait,” he uttered, as she made to walk past him. He couldn’t let her go yet. Slowly, he turned her. It seemed she wasn’t going to look at him, so he tilted her head back with a fingertip until he could stare right into her lovely eyes. “I nearly lost you twice last night. Please, stay close to me.” He took a deep shaky breath. “I don’t think I could survive losing you three times in one day. Besides,” he added with a small smirk, “if you have to drink my blood again, I might have to take some of yours to keep us even, and then you’d be stuck with me forever.”
Tears shone in her eyes, and Hugo could not stop himself lowering his face to hers. Warmth and sweetness invaded his mouth as he kissed her. Gently, almost reverently, he teased her lips open with his tongue. A small whimper and she melted against him. That sign of surrender almost snapped his self-control. Groaning, he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers whilst he mastered himself again.
“Don’t you dare die,” he uttered harshly. “I will fight for you and for this city until I no longer have breath in my body; but if Ragor comes for you again, you fight with everything you have. You turn him into dust. Do you hear me?” he ordered her harshly.
“Yes,” she whispered, but determination shone in her eyes before he pushed her gently out of the door in front of him.
CHAPTER 52
Thuds resounded from the wall. Diamond did not slow as she leaped up the steps two at a time. Hugo kept up with her easily, revealing his strength. Being physically weak had frightened him more than he wanted to admit. It had left him and Diamond vulnerable. He had relaxed only when Elexon had vowed that he and his men would protect her. Glancing over his shoulder, Hugo saw Havron was keeping pace with them.
The battlements were mayhem. Soldiers crowded around the edge of the wall, peering down at their enemy. Crossbows were cranked, but they were a hopeless gesture. Unless the archer could aim one through a giant’s eye, the giant would not die—their skulls and hide were too thick.
Using his bulk, Hugo pushed a path through the throng of soldiers towards the wall. The stone was cold beneath his fingers as he carefully peered out. Diamond stood close, warmth radiating from the shoulder she pushed against his. Below them a giant pummelled its great fists against the ancient marble. The hulking beasts had spaced themselves out and worked in pairs. When one became tired, another stepped in.
Hugo turned, sensing someone’s presence behind him.
Elexon looked at him steadily, his fist touching his shoulder. “Commander, it’s good to see you both recovered. What are your orders?” Warriors stood in calm formation behind Elexon. It was an almost disconcerting sight among the mayhem on the wall, but not only were they highly trained, they were hiding magic—powerful magic—and had been doing so for years. Hugo wondered how many other citizens of Valentia had the skills to hide such power from their queen. Questions buzzed around his mind as he scrutinised Elexon.
“Hells teeth!” Diamond uttered, distracting Hugo from his thoughts. She cursed loudly as the wall vibrated beneath their feet.
Cocking his head, Hugo watched as his Nexus stilled. Steely determination crossed her features. He waited, swallowing his reaction to pull her away from danger. Instead, he reached for the calm and detachment that had protected his heart for so long, and hid the fear that twisted his stomach into knots. She was the best hope this valley had.
“I need your help,” she declared.
Hugo simply nodded. He would fight for her until his last breath.
Indomitable heat pulsed against his blood cells right into his very soul, his bones aching to stretch and reform. The dragon’s desire for release battled against Hugo’s will to contain it.
He hoped he could do it again, that he could summon and control the guardian in order to help her. The shift had been extremely painful, but if he could master it, he could help Diamond travel the entirety of the wall. Together they could annihilate the giants. In his fae form he was too vulnerable, too easily killed by an arrow. But as an armoured beast he’d be Diamond’s protector, her guardian—he could even try to summon fire.
A splintering sound and a roar cleaved the air. Around them, soldiers shoved Elexon’s men in an attempt to get to the wall. Stronger, bigger and with magic to aid them, their wall of armoured-winged protectors did not budge. Hugo silently thanked them. He tracked Diamond’s horrified gaze to the shield above. A tiny fracture had appeared, causing a wave of panicked shouts and yells.
“Look!” cried a soldier, his attention not on the fracture but the forest. He gestured frantically towards the smouldering trees.
Hugo leaned forward. Squads of Battle Imps, aided by grotesque Seekers, dragged huge rope ladders through the trees. The giant below huffed a deep chuckle. Not caring if he squashed the monsters under his feet, he grabbed the ladder and pitched it. Iron grappling hooks sailed towards the battlements. The first attempt failed, but the second didn’t. It clattered into place among loud shouts from the panicked men.
The stench of fear was thick in Hugo’s nostrils. As he looked around he realised that most of these soldiers were no more than farmers and lay men who had only received minimal training. They would fall apart if the enemy breeched the wall.
“Release it!” ordered a familiar voice.
Reese.
Diamond’s old squad immediately complied, but their efforts were in vain; the iron hooks were too heavy for a man to lift and the fae could not touch them.
“Burn it!” bellowed Elexon, taking charge. “Burn the ropes! Now!”
Reese repeated the order, and men ran for the torches.
CHAPTER 53
Diamond raced for the ladder, gathering her magic. She pushed men aside, aware her guard of warriors kept pace with her, holding the throng of soldiers back. With no time to explain her actions or consider theirs, she blasted the iron grappling hooks. They melted into nothing and the ladder plummeted to the ground.
Breathing hard, Diamond turned to find Hugo right behind her.
“We can do this,” she said urgently, “or we can at least try. All these people, whether they are Avalonian or Rhodainian, they need a chance,” she added, sweeping her hand across the dark valley towards th
e island city. “He’ll take their souls. You know he will. We can’t let that happen. Our magic.” She deliberately tugged on their bond. Hugo’s body jerked and he snarled slightly. “We can do this together,” she told him, reaching for his hand. “But promise me you will not shift. The Queen cannot find out what you are.”
The shield crackled. The ominous split spread a fingerbreadth down towards the wall. They both knew that if the shield fell, Ragor would sweep in, but worse: with no shield, the Queen could get out.
Hugo brushed loose strands of silver hair from Diamond’s face, his eyes as dark as the night around them. The tightness of his face told her how unhappy he was. Straightening his shoulders, she felt the heat from his body when he stepped so close she had to tilt her head back to look at him. Both of them were fully aware that Sulphurious could be waiting in the shadows, ready to incinerate them or pluck them from the air.
“I promise. And we can do anything—together. The goddess has blessed you with her magic and me with a guardian,” he rumbled, his arms snaking around her waist. For a moment he lifted her and held her close, as if needing to absorb the very feel of her. It was easy to let the softness of her body mould to his. He inhaled deeply, his lungs expanding, breathing her in.
Diamond closed her eyes and prayed to Lunaria to keep him safe. She returned his embrace, holding onto him just as tightly whilst burying her cold face against the warmth of his neck.
Elexon stood back, motioning for the others to do the same. Some warriors faced out, some in. A wall of armoured wings once again protected them from the eyes of the army around them.
Elexon’s eyes and wings glowed red, rivulets of golden fire marking him. Diamond thought he looked truly magnificent, ablaze in the darkness. Even Hugo seemed stunned.
“We will fight from here. Our magic should be strong enough to weaken a giant.”
“No!” ordered Diamond. “You cannot. We don’t know who we can trust. The Queen…” her voice faltered.
“Diamond is right. We need to discuss your magic—and many more things. But do not reveal yourself to these men—not yet. The consequences are too steep.” Elexon looked from one to the other. His eyes swam with discontent, then he gave in and faded into a warrior with golden eyes and wings. “Of course, my lord. My lady,” he said in acquiescence, and dipped to one knee, fist over his chest.
Surprised, both Hugo and Diamond watched as the other warriors followed their captain.
Hugo did not wait for them to stand before he readied himself for flight. His wings stretched wide, silver whorls glowing brightly across them, then sparking down the exposed skin of his neck. He pivoted Diamond around and clasped her firmly around her waist. Gripping her tightly, he bent his knees and propelled them skyward.
Diamond stiffened as the shield zinged against their bodies. Her fingers clawed against his forearms, fighting the gravity that endeavoured to pull her from his grasp. His wings thudded against the air as they went higher and higher.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered reassuringly in her ear.
Diamond turned her head as far as she could, a look of pure trust in her eyes.
“I know,” she told him.
Up they went. Judging they were high enough, Hugo hovered right below the grey, rain-filled clouds. There was no sign of the black dragon.
“Are you ready?” Hugo asked, his jaw clenched.
Below them grotesque giants slammed their fists relentlessly into the wall.
Diamond answered by smiling wickedly, no trace of fear on her face.
Moving against hers, Hugo’s body shifted, bones stretching and wings expanding until they were partially covered with scale.
Caught unawares, she uttered a stream of curses into the sky. Then she grinned widely, elated by the prospect of flying faster for longer.
“Well, you made me promise not to shift into a dragon, but said nothing about partially changing.” He grinned.
Their magic intertwined. That bond—deep, strong and unbreakable. Before Diamond could do more than gasp, Hugo roared, “Now!” in her ear.
Her stomach was left behind as he threw them headfirst toward the giant nearest the cracked shield.
Cold air blasted her face, numbing her cheeks. Their speed was frightening, but Diamond trusted her mate to keep them safe. Hugo rolled sideways, and the first whoosh of arrows passed them by. He levelled out, and she quickly regained her bearings.
It seemed almost too easy to summon her magic, especially when weaved with her Nexus. Confidently, Diamond released a blast of white-hot power from her outstretched hands. The giant screamed as she burned its legs down to the bone.
Hugo banked, flipped them over and took her back in to finish the monstrous creature off.
More arrows glided towards them as they retreated. Diamond flinched as fletching almost touched her outstretched hands. Rapidly, but with breath-taking grace, Hugo soared skyward. More arrows fell uselessly back to the scorched earth.
“That one!” Diamond said, pointing towards a giant who was pummelling the wall near Jack.
Hugo gave her a squeeze to say he understood—and dived.
They worked together like this until the sun dropped from the sky, flying up and down the wall, despatching giant after giant. Soldiers and warriors gaped at the speed and destructive power of their attacks. Even the fae had not seen one of their own fly so impossibly fast and with such skill. Hugo and Diamond spoke only when necessary. Hugo’s silver-veined shadow enveloped her, keeping her warm and focused, lending her strength. Hours passed as they flew to where they were most needed, killing giant after giant.
Without food and drink or rest, both became utterly depleted. Fatigue swamped their limbs but still they fought on; they fought until freezing rain fell and cruel winds buffeted their tired bodies, driving the cold deep into their bones.
CHAPTER 54
Together they surveyed the wall whilst hovering barely below the grey clouds. Hugo felt Diamond shiver, though she did not complain. Now was not the time to voice how proud he was of her; instead, he held her close. There was very little magic left in him, but what he did have, he would gladly give to boost her own.
They hung over Master Commander Riddeon’s section of the wall, which gave them a reasonable view of the whole structure. Diamond made a satisfied noise in her chest when she realised there were only four giants left.
“This is getting too dangerous,” Hugo muttered, his voice gravelly and harsh. “It’s getting too dark to see properly, and I am too tired to sense their arrows now.”
“All right, just one more pass. We can clear that one from near Commander Riddeon. That leaves one giant in their section.”
“So be it,” Hugo answered, trying not to show his reluctance. Narrowing his eyes, he peered down to where Erzion Riddeon’s men were firing on a particularly big giant who pounded the wall with a fierce rage, roaring loudly with every beat of its fists. Gruesome remains were scattered about the base of the wall. The stink of burnt flesh and blood reached Hugo. Ragor’s army of monsters swarmed over huge severed limbs and leaped easily up onto, then over, dismembered torsos.
Hugo ignored the realisation that the army on the wall was not making even a small dint in the numbers of the enemy. The Rift Valley might very well fall in the next few days, giants or no. Wolfmen and Seekers were using their fallen as a ladder, working with each other to pile up the remains of the dead. Soon they would breach the wall. Unless Jack risked bringing his army out, or—he swallowed his apprehension—he could summon his guardian—and try and burn them all.
“No,” Diamond whispered, reading his mind, which had bloomed open in his anxiety. “Not until all is lost, and he breaches the wall. We are both too weak, even our Nexus is spent. We must get back and talk to Jack and Commander Riddeon. We need to plan.”
She was right. Instinct told him he would not be strong enough to shift without replenishing his magic. His focus immediately turned to Diamond. A violent shudder racked her musc
les as she tried to ready herself. Hugo kissed her hair, hiding his worry.
“One more time,” he breathed, vowing he would then return her to the wall.
Sleet fell, stinging their faces and saturating their clothes. Even Hugo’s fingers and toes were numb. Diamond’s shudders turned into constant shivering.
Throwing his wings wide so they caught a gusting airstream, he pulled her in tight, then plummeted. As they got closer, Diamond summoned her magic. Hugo could feel it mingling weakly with his own. It became obvious he still had more left than her. He pushed his shadow into her white light, feeling the gratitude in her magic as he did so.
His eyes snagged on a large fissure in the marble wall. Their target was pounding his fists over and over into the same spot. Dismayed, Hugo realised how close Ragor was to destroying the wall. That distraction cost him. A sudden gust of wind caught his wings and threw him violently off course right when Diamond unleashed her energy. She swore as it missed the giant, blasting the ground at its feet instead.
“Again!” roared Hugo, flipping them over and making a second dangerously low pass.
With a yell of determination and exhaustion, Diamond burned a hole right through the giant’s chest. The stink of burning flesh filled Hugo’s nostrils as its carcass fell with a thunderous crash, squashing enemy soldiers beneath it. The army on the battlements cheered triumphantly, increasing their own efforts to thwart the droves of rotting corpses that pushed forward.
Within the circle of his arms, Diamond trembled. Hugo banked sharply toward the wall, his muscles screaming with fatigue.
Beyond them the forest was steeped in shadow. It was too dark to see arrows released by the creatures below, and he was too tired to fly high enough to miss them. Setting his jaw, Hugo beat his wings against the drag of the wind, aiming for the nearest part of the battlements. He had to bring her back inside the shield.
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