Hugo did not hold his arm out to her, he did not fancy the humiliation of her rejection in front of this crowd of people. Instead, grabbing her elbow, he gently but firmly propelled her to a table not far from the dais.
Fuming at his touch, Diamond rubbed her arm when he let go. With flushed cheeks, her bejewelled eyes only served to enhance her beauty. Hatefully, she cursed him under her breath. Jerking her, he shoved her down onto her chair, a bitter taste coating his tongue. He shouldn’t have expected anything else. He had practically delivered her to the Queen, then stood by whilst his subordinates beat her and then he, not them, had threatened to throw her in the dungeons.
“It’s not polite to call names,” he snapped under his breath, raising his eyebrows in warning.
“It is if you deserve it,” she shot back through gritted teeth, her back straight and her chin angled defiantly.
“Why? Because I brought you here? Diamond, I saved your life. Do you think there was another choice?” he asked bitterly. Instantly his magic flared to life, reacting to her stormy emotions. He growled. This was an unbearable situation. It was always exhausting hiding his magic when he was with others, and right now, trying to curb the angry waves of energy pouring from him was nearly impossible. “Do it again and I’ll spank you like the ungrateful child you are,” he fumed.
“Really? What, right now? I doubt that,” she sneered. “It would degrade you too much, especially in front of these small-minded morons—and those guards who, correct me if I’m wrong, are your inferiors. And what about your Queen? You wouldn’t dare demean yourself in front of her. Would you?” Challenge laced her voice. “No, you’ll wait until we are alone again and then attack me. Or perhaps, commander, you’ll let your friend Attion do it for you. Maybe you’ll let him do more than just grope me with his filthy hands while you grovel on your knees for your Queen,” she jeered, disgust and shame pulsing from her.
Hugo’s heart briefly stopped as he digested those words and her emotions slammed into him.
Attion had done what?! Rage fuelled a sudden surge of heat that seared his blood and pounded through his head. Hugo stared at her, his nostrils flaring as he fought for control, but he did not give in to his magic’s demand for release; instead, he mastered it, rolled it into a tight ball and thrust it inside a cage, not forgotten or extinguished but saved—for later.
Hugo took some deep breaths, fighting to keep his face neutral in the onslaught of his feelings and hers—confusion, hurt, fear—but even they were overshadowed by her rage at him. Suddenly, he wanted take her up on that scornful challenge. He wanted to show her that he did not care what any of these people thought. She did not understand that bringing her here had been the only way to save her.
In a flurry of twinkling gossamer material, Diamond twisted to face him and he released a large relieved breath, making it sound like an angry huff. Her defiance in the face of all that was happening to her lifted his heart. Her fear of him, and this court, wasn’t so great it had curbed her spirit; if anything, she was more defiant. Using his best dominant stare, he fixed a glare on her; then suddenly, out of nowhere, despite her taunts and the anger pulsing against him, he had an urge to laugh.
Even the shadow of his Queen and the sadistic Lord Commander Ream could not prevent the corners of his mouth twitching up at the thought of throwing her over his knee and spanking her perfect rear until she squealed. He cracked a wider smile when she snorted her irritation and crossed her arms over her chest, giving him the cold shoulder.
“Go to hell!” she hissed, clearly furious. “None of this is funny!”
He coughed, bringing his amusement under control. His voice softened and he gently touched her arm. “No, it isn’t,” he agreed. “But I’m not laughing at you, Diamond. I’m just happy you can still find it in you to tell me to go to hell after everything that has happened today.”
Those amazing violet eyes flicked to his and he saw her hesitant smile, then felt her desperate need to believe him. ”Are you?” she asked softly.
“I’m sorry if I hurt your arm,” he said sincerely, sitting down on the chair next to her and leaning in close enough only she could hear him now. “And I am sorry for bringing you to this palace. It truly was to save your life. I am also sorrier than you will ever know that I am sworn to serve the Queen,” he said quietly, and although he had no idea why he uttered those words out loud to her, he found he meant them with all his heart. Apologising for his Queen could get him executed on the spot. Yet it was true. Hurting Diamond was the last thing he wanted, and it was suddenly important she knew that.
Diamond’s dress sparkled like it was peppered with bejewelled raindrops when she turned toward him and held his gaze. Captivated, he could not look away. For a few seconds they stared at each other, lost to the people around them. Her head tilted to one side as she scrutinised him. Without thinking he pushed his magic against her, caressing her and willing her to feel the truth of his words. Her cheeks flushed and her throat bobbed.
“I believe you are, Hugo. In which case I forgive you,” she declared with quiet dignity, then smirked coyly at him. “But only if you promise not to throw me over your knee and spank me in front of all these lords and ladies.”
“Alright,” he breathed, swallowing his relief. “But only for tonight and only if you behave.” Eyes glittering, he cocked his head and released a throaty chuckle. “Otherwise I will whisk you away where we are alone, throw you across my knee and spank you until you beg me to stop,” he drawled, delighting in her flustered reaction.
Seconds ticked by as he pinned her with a meaningful stare. His heart pounded as her emotions raced from doubt, to embarrassment, to anticipation before her face lit with a dazzling smile. His heart stopped. What a strange sensation to make someone happy, to make them smile…. Hugo caught his breath and tucked that beautiful image away in his heart.
“Fine,” she agreed breathily. “I’ll behave—for now.”
Still flushed, she dropped her eyes and gave him one last shy look through her lashes before turning away to talk to Tom, who sat next to her.
No longer distracted by Diamond’s flushed cheeks, Hugo blew out a breath and, still smiling, glanced up. Then froze. Jack glared at him and the Queen’s green eyes regarded him with cold speculation.
Stupid! Stupid!
Hugo had not smiled or relaxed like that in front of anyone since he had been a child, and never in front of his Queen. Jack’s glare said it all. How could I have been so heedless of where I was? Kicking himself he forced his blank gaze to briefly meet his monarch’s. With his heart thumping fearfully in his chest, he bowed his head in respect. Did I just condemn Diamond? Shapely, full lips twitched in the merest smile but it was that icy immortal gaze, fixed upon Diamond, that sickened Hugo. Predatory and utterly focused, it was the look a cat gave a mouse before stalking it, pinning it and devouring it until nothing but a pile of bloodied bones remained.
Chapter 36
The dinner seemed interminably long. Jack caught Diamond’s eye and gave her a supportive smile, then levelled his attention back to General Edo. Despite Jack’s presence, Diamond’s insides were churning. Being stuck in this hall was awful. The hateful glances from strangers, the Queen sitting elegantly poised on her dais, the guards; it was all becoming too much. Her eyes darted around nervously, not trusting anyone, not even Hugo.
He served his Queen.
The food arrived, beautifully presented and cooked to perfection. It was certainly more extravagant than anything Diamond was used to. Soups and terrines, followed by succulent roast chicken and vegetables. It smelled wonderful, but Diamond just nibbled.
Hugo frowned sideways at her. “Aren’t you hungry?” he asked shortly, as she pushed a lemon tart around her plate.
She sighed, wondering that he asked such a stupid question, given her situation. “Not really. To be honest, the thought of eating makes me feel sick,” she responded tightly.
The look he gave her was steady and asse
ssing before he grunted and turned his concentration back on his own food. Diamond had noticed how little he ate as well. He kept on glancing under hooded brows at the Queen. It was hard to keep up her cheerful responses to Tom’s good humour and ignore Jack’s frequent glances without begging them both to help her.
A bone deep weariness invaded her body and mind. She stifled a yawn behind her hand, her eyes blurring as she stared at her cream covered dessert.
“Have you finished?” asked Hugo, so close his warm breath fanned her cheek.
She gave a start. “Err—yes—thank you,” she said guiltily, blowing air out of her cheeks. Had she really been slouching forwards, almost asleep?
“Stay awake,” he warned her. “The Queen will consider it insulting if you fall asleep in her presence, and you absolutely cannot leave until she gives you permission.”
Diamond took a sip of water, leaving her wine glass alone. She nodded, trying to shake off the exhaustion that made it so difficult to concentrate. Her eyelids began to close. Under the table a large hand squeezed her leg hard enough to send a ripple of pain up her thigh and startle her awake.
“Stay. Awake,” Hugo ground out between gritted teeth. “She will punish you, and me, if you fall asleep.”
Diamond blinked hard and nodded. “Sorry,” she whispered, not daring to look up at the fae Queen. Despite Hugo’s mood changing like the wind, the last thing she wanted was to get him in trouble. He kept his hand resting on her leg. She should push him away. But the warmth of his touch seeped through the delicate material of her dress into her skin. It was a strangely proprietary move for a Queen’s guard. Intimate and hot, his large hand curled around her thigh. Her senses honed in on that touch. Struggling, Diamond made herself listen to Tom, forcing out answers to his questions.
Keeping her body upright took such an enormous amount of effort, and it wasn’t long before the muscles in her back began to shake. She swallowed her nausea, a light sheen of sweat breaking out on her brow. Suddenly the weight of Hugo’s hand disappeared.
The Queen had summoned him. Power evident in every step, Hugo approached the dais. Bowing gracefully on one knee, he lowered his head before his mistress. Minutes ticked by. Shame burned on Diamond’s cheeks for Hugo. The Queen continued to ignore him. Other people in the hall began to glance his way, many sniggering cruelly. Diamond fixed their faces in her mind. Jack was staring at Hugo, his face tight, clearly uncomfortable for his friend. General Edo, looked away, his face as hard as his grey eyes. The Queen, however, did not seem in the least bit bothered about causing Hugo such humiliation and carried on her conversation with the scarred, tough-looking warrior fae who sat to her right.
At that moment Diamond hated the Queen and this simpering court, so much she wished for control of her magic so she could turn them to dust. Seeing such a proud and fierce warrior be so submissive and treated with such contempt sickened her to her very core. Confused, her attention flicked from Hugo to the Queen—and found the glittering green eyes of a reptile fixed upon her. Diamond’s heart jumped at the satisfied smile that curled the Queen’s rosy lips. Remembering what had happened in her room, Diamond immediately dropped her gaze, her panicked breath catching in her throat.
The Queen was doing this to Hugo on purpose—for Diamond’s benefit. Diamond stared down at her tightly clasped hands, not daring to look up again. Breathing rapidly, a familiar light-headedness swamped her. It didn’t matter why. The weight of that ancient gaze crushed Diamond’s exhausted body. Not sure how to help Hugo and paralysed by fear, Diamond tried to control her emerging panic. Diamond’s thoughts became muddled, her brain foggy. Voices drifted around her, just snatches of conversation. Tingling numbed her fingers and lips, spreading until even her teeth felt numb. The clatter of cutlery and the chink of glasses made her head spin. It was an effort to remember her father’s calming techniques, his gentle deep voice….
Breathe….
Gods, she was going to faint or vomit. Or something. An instant later her chair was pulled out from behind, nearly toppling her off. Hugo’s hand slipped under her arm catching her.
“Say your farewells. You have Her Majesty’s permission to leave now,” he said stonily.
Diamond didn’t want to look at his face, even her tired, panicked mind could pick up the tightness in his voice. The ire pulsing from him made her skin tingle. She mumbled a goodnight to Tom, who happily carried on chatting to the young soldier at his side. Diamond did not have time to bid farewell to anyone else, including Jack, before Hugo was marching her out of a door at the side of the room. Her guards fell in step behind them.
Fuzzy headed and clumsy, Diamond tripped over her own feet several times as Hugo paced along the corridors. His jaw was clenched, distorting the jagged lines of his scar. To others he might look emotionless but Diamond knew him now. The fury coming from him was almost too much to bare. Hot tears pricked her eyes. She wanted to turn back time and return to the forest. At least there he had let himself care for her.
Exhausted, Diamond ignored her better judgment and craved being held by him again, not pushed away. Blinking away her hurt, she focused on keeping up with his long strides. They passed from the well-lit, glass-roofed corridors of the main palace into the ancient stone ones. Hugo kept up the fast pace, marching down a long set of worn stone steps, not waiting to see if she was close behind him. Half way down Diamond got her satin-covered foot caught and tripped over the hem of her beautiful dress.
The world tilted. Crying out, she missed how quickly Hugo uncoiled his body and snatched her arm.
“Ouch!” she shrieked. Tiredness and pain overwhelmed her. Hot salty tears tipped from her stinging eyes and dribbled down her cheeks. It had to be her fault he had found himself in such a humiliating situation in the dining hall. It was the only reason he would be so angry with her. She tried to turn away from his dark glare but he was too swift.
He grabbed her shoulders spinning her back towards him, swearing so quietly that only she could hear.
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly, her lip trembling. “I didn’t mean to get you in trouble. Are you going to put me in the dungeons now?” she hiccoughed.
He sighed heavily, running a hand over his burnt face, looking nearly as tired as she felt. “No,” he said shortly, glancing at the guards with an unspoken order. They didn’t move. He snarled, taking one threatening step toward them. Reluctantly, they dropped back far enough not to hear him speak. Then his voice softened as he guided her down to the bottom of the steps. “I know what my orders are, Diamond, and I have never defied one. It would be foolish of me to begin now…for many reasons; but I will do my best to keep you from those dungeons and keep you safe as long as I can.”
Unable to contain her relief, her tears turned into shuddering sobs. Hugo stepped sideways so the Queen’s guards could not see their faces.
“You really are exhausted—and frightened, aren’t you?” he asked, his voice and sapphire eyes gentle now. “Not even when you fought a mighty dragon, or were starving and at death’s door in that dead forest, did you cry like this.”
“That’s because you were with me,” she whispered before she could censor her response. His eyes widened slightly, but Diamond was too tired and too emotionally worn by the day’s events to regret her words.
“This dinner was a really bad idea. I still can’t work out why she ordered you to go,” he said with a hint of concern in his voice. “You should be resting.”
His free hand moved as if to caress her face but dropped almost immediately, his fingers curling into a fist. Her guards, his men, were still watching, even if they couldn’t hear.
“Yes, it was a bad idea—but it wasn’t as if either of us had a choice.” She shrugged and attempted a watery smile. “At least I got to see everyone else. Besides, I wouldn’t have gotten to wear such a pretty dress if you hadn’t made me go.”
His scar twisted, showing his teeth; but rather than being repulsed, Diamond relished it. It meant he was givi
ng her one of his rare smiles. Tipping her head back to look up at him, she smiled in response.
“Come, let’s get you back to your room. You need to get some sleep and recover. Maybe tomorrow we will discover what the Queen wants from you.”
Diamond swallowed and nodded, but she didn’t really want to know.
They turned a corner and the long shadowed corridor tilted alarmingly. Exhausted, she swayed unsteadily into Hugo. In an instant she was cradled in his arms, resting her head gratefully on his broad chest and absorbing his warmth.
The further he walked through the corridors, the less frequently the sconces glowed. Dim stone corridors passed by until Hugo’s footsteps slowed and she realised they were back. His muscles tensed as he readjusted her weight and leaned forward to open the door. A curt order for the guards to stay outside, and the lock clicked shut behind them.
Silence fell; Diamond faked being asleep. Waking would mean leaving the security of his arms.
“Diamond?” he murmured, his voice deep and resonating through his chest. “You’re back.”
She snuggled closer and, for a moment, curled her fingers into the leather covering his upper arms.
She could hear the amusement in his voice as he said, “I know you’re awake.”
Sighing she lifted her head as he strode further into her bedroom, his footsteps muffled by the rug.
“You need to get undressed and into bed,” he informed her as he let her legs drop to the floor.
Diamond couldn’t support herself. Her knees wobbled from exhaustion and the sheer headiness of his magic’s gentle caress. Of their own volition her feet closed the gap between them and her body swayed up against his, revelling in that solid wall of strength.
“You can help me undress,” she murmured, resting her forehead against his chest. Unfastening all those laces and small buttons by herself would be impossible, said the voice of reason. “Or I could just stay here,” she breathed, her heart clenching as it hit her how much she wanted the warmth of his powerful body against hers. There was nothing she could do to stop her body melting against his, so close she could feel his heart beating its fast rhythm. Her mouth dried out as she dared to peer up into his face, and placed her hands on his hips.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 22