Elexon shifted his weight, and Tallo swore quietly as the dragon on Hugo’s chest pushed through his armour until the raised outline of its head was prominent. It eyed the warriors malevolently, then glanced at Diamond.
Diamond placed her other hand upon its protruding forehead. “They are no threat,” she told it and Hugo, whose gaze suddenly burned with silver fire.
A shiver skittered over her skin when Hugo and his dragon both rumbled their agreement together.
Elexon and Tallo gaped, then at the same time dropped to one knee.
Keeping his arm around her, Hugo chuckled. “Oh get up, you two. I’m just learning how to control him. He’s feeling a little protective of our mate, that’s all; especially since our bond isn’t fully sealed yet.”
Diamond rolled her eyes. “Oh, that’s right, tell everyone,” she admonished, but found she didn’t really mind that much. Any fae nearby would scent that their blood wasn’t fully merged yet.
Back on his feet, Elexon placed his hands on his hips and shook his head, then smiled broadly. “Commander, she is not just your mate but far more. And I cannot call you Commander anymore because you no longer belong to that viper who sits on Valentia’s throne. Besides, you have a far more interesting title. In fact, you can pick prince or even king, once you have sealed your bond with my queen.”
Hugo stiffened and growled, his voice not quite his own. Fire flared in his eyes, consuming the sapphire blue. “Your queen? Prince? What in Chaos are you talking about? I will not seal any bonds with anyone other than Diamond. Ever.”
Tallo barked a laugh, but his voice held pure authority, one Hugo had listened to and respected all his life. “Hugo. Calm yourself. He means Diamond. Send your guardian back to sleep; he’s making me nervous. And this corridor is way too small to hold a dragon if you change.”
The dragon was actually beginning to get larger. Its head took up most of Hugo’s chest and talons had begun to raise on the back of Hugo’s hands, ready to push from his skin.
“Perhaps, it would help if I show you more of this city. Then I will take you to my father. I can explain more as we go,” Elexon said, eyeing the guardian and Hugo with an equal mix of awe, respect and curiosity.
Diamond and Hugo nodded their agreement in unison. Hugo’s armour hardened, and he kept her close as Elexon turned away.
Hugo grunted as his guardian receded.
“Trust them, my friend. They have been waiting for you both for a long time. No one will ever hurt you here,” Tallo stated, stepping behind them.
Diamond kept her thoughts to herself, but she wondered if Tallo realised how much Hugo did trust him. He would never allow the other warrior to walk at their backs otherwise.
The hallways were well lit by the strange floating sconces that flared brightly as they neared, then faded as they passed. Diamond gazed around in open-mouthed amazement as Elexon led them down wide stairwells and along busy passageways.
Looking back, he chuckled at their faces. “Welcome to Catava. This underground city has been here for nearly as long as my father has lived. My father and Prince Lexon Arjuno were more than close friends. They grew up together, they learned how to fight together. This city is where their legion of red-winged fae—the First Legion—has grown and awaits their true ruler. My father is not just fae, he is a half-wizard; he learnt to harness his red warrior magic and integrate it with his wizard traits. It’s those skills that have kept him and this city glamoured all these years.”
“What? And the Queen knows nothing of this place? After a thousand years she is completely ignorant?” asked Hugo incredulously.
“Oh, I doubt she is completely ignorant, but she has been alive long enough for truths to become stories and stories to become legend. My father says after so long it’s hard to distinguish legend and folklore from the truth. She thinks Catava is a myth. Besides, she became complacent about what was under her nose in this valley hundreds of years ago. She is arrogant. My father built her a strong army and has kept Valentia and Avalonia free from invasion. Of course she knows the rebels exist. She even knows they provide sanctuary to the green—and red-winged fae—that she wants to murder.” He glanced at Hugo. “As you know, she sends her guards to find and kill the rebels whenever she gets any information from her spies. Sometimes we get lucky and they escape; sometimes we don’t and our brothers die.”
Hugo remained silent. As an elite guard, he had been sent to kill on her orders more than once. Diamond and Elexon both knew that.
Her muscles tensed, ready to fly at the red warrior in Hugo’s defence, but he squeezed her hand and subtly shook his head. She almost snarled at him, until she saw the twinkle of amusement in his eyes at her response. Clearly, he did not see Elexon’s words as a jibe at him.
“Most of the time she thinks of us, the rebels, as an inconvenience, a group who would take anyone gifted away from her clutches. And we do. We have a thriving community of magic-wielders here.”
“Yes, but surely her spies have managed to find this place?”
Elexon smiled proudly. “Nope. My father casts a spell over all those who know of its existence. Any who try to reveal it to an outsider suddenly find themselves very confused. They have no recollection of the city or the people in it. In short, he scrambles their brain. Sometimes they come back from it minus their memories—sometimes they die,” he added quietly.
“Oh,” Diamond replied, hoping that her brain wasn’t going to be turned to mush or that she wasn’t going to drop dead any second.
Elexon chuckled. “It’s all right, my queen. My father is sworn to serve the descendants of the Arjuno line—of which you both are. He will not cast any spells upon you without your permission.”
This time it was Hugo’s turn to look wide-eyed at the red warrior. His footsteps ceased. “Me?” he inquired, the frown on his face causing his scar to twist. “You’re serious, aren’t you? You think I’m related to Diamond?”
Elexon, who had also stopped, cursed himself under his breath. He turned to face them. “I am sorry, my lord. I had not wished to tell you so bluntly about your heritage. That was insensitive. However, you have a right to know who you are. And now you do not serve the imposter Queen, I think my father will forgive me for speaking out.” He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders, though his red eyes softened when Diamond stepped forward to take Hugo’s hand.
Hugo didn’t need her support; she knew that, but she wanted to give it anyway.
“You are a prince of the Fire Mountains. You were brought here by Commander Ream as a baby. My father could not understand why the imposter Queen let you live, let alone brought you into her palace to train you as a guard. As you grew, it became apparent she was keeping you close and training you with something specific in mind. We are still not entirely sure what that is, but we are determined to find out and to keep you safe.”
“A-a prince? Of the Fire Mountains?” Hugo stuttered incredulously. “Me?”
It was the first time Diamond had heard him actually stutter. Her hand tightened around his.
“Yes, my lord. When it became apparent how powerful your magic was, and your wings settled to their blue state, my father sent out warriors to all the other kingdoms to learn more.”
He paused a moment whilst three red warriors passed them. They bowed their heads and slammed their fist to their chest in a gesture of respect to Elexon. “Lord Riddeon,” they all chanted in unison.
Elexon nodded and waited until they passed before speaking again. He looked slightly sheepishly at the couple and shrugged. “My father rules here. It makes me their lord,” he explained before returning to the matter at hand. He met Hugo’s glare. “Your mother was Queen Kilar of the Fire Mountains. She married the high born son of a landed lord to secure lands and an army in the North of her territory. It seemed she needed to protect it from border attacks with the warlords of Gar Anon. When you were a baby, your parents were to visit with the king of Gar Anon. No one really knows what happened. The
y and their guard were drugged and slaughtered at an inn. The only bodies they never found were your mother’s and yours. There were signs of blood and the footprints of a great beast near the inn where this took place, but never any bodies. The city of Salvir mourned the loss of their queen, her consort—and their young prince. The false Queen knows of the heritage of your family line. She knows you have Prince Lexon’s blood in your veins.” He took a deep breath as he scrutinized Hugo’s paling face.
“Go on,” instructed Hugo, hoarsely.
Elexon nodded, though he looked ever more uncomfortable. “The Queen has a name—Griana. A thousand years ago Griana served as a general of King Arjuno’s army, but she was greedy for more power and intent on revenge for the king choosing Lunaria instead of her. Alethia, the Goddess of Truth, was Lunaria’s sister. After Lunaria and the guardians helped banish Erebos from our lands, Alethia stayed behind. She and Lexon fell in love. Your blood is their blood, even if it is diluted by generations.” He took a breath as if weighing up Hugo’s reaction.
To his credit, Hugo just waited patiently for Elexon to continue.
“You know of the curse placed upon Griana by Prince Lexon?”
Diamond and Hugo’s glance met, and they nodded in unison.
“Yes,” answered Diamond when Hugo remained stoic. “She is barren.”
“Well, we believe she thinks you can break that curse, my lord. We have also heard talk of you setting her free of the shield…”
“Elexon?” said a commanding voice from behind the red warrior.
Diamond jumped and Hugo frowned. They had been so focused on Elexon that neither had seen Master Commander Riddeon approach his son.
Elexon snapped straight and turned to face his father. “Father,” he greeted. “I was informing the prince of his heritage.”
“Indeed, my son. But perhaps it would be best explained somewhere more private,” Erzion said, raising his brows and pointing out their surroundings with a meaningful nod towards the fae mingling in the nearby garden area.
Diamond realised they had been standing in the entrance to the garden talking loudly enough for those nearby to hear with their acute fae ears.
Elexon looked suitably abashed. “My apologies, father. Questions were asked and I did not wish to lie.”
Erzion smiled at his son. Clearly their respect was mutual. “I understand. My lord? My queen? Please come to my home. We can talk in private there, and I will answer any questions you have.”
His voice held such reverence that Diamond swallowed a surge of nerves. To have this powerful lord bow his head to her was overwhelming.
Hugo nodded silently. Without dropping her hand, he urged Diamond to walk by his side as they followed the now red-winged Lord of Catava.
They marched briskly along underground avenues, all lit with great balls of flame that hovered overhead. It was balmy and warm. Fae sat in groups and chatted in tranquil garden areas. Pretty trees and plants thrived in the underground city, their blossoms providing glorious colour and scents. The fae regarded Hugo and Diamond curiously as they passed. Hugo receiving the most attention; his blue wings shimmered in the light, almost as if he were absorbing it. Diamond and Hugo didn’t know where to look, overawed by the plethora of coloured-winged fae that openly walked or sat in small groups with no fear for their safety.
Green-winged fae seemed most common in the garden areas, their wings various hues of emerald, so healthy and bright as to make Diamond gasp at the sight. She had never seen green-winged fae before.
Elexon looked back over his shoulder. “Catava is a sanctuary for all coloured-winged fae. Green-winged are taught how to armour, but they mainly work in the horticulture caves, the apothecaries and the infirmary, where you have been staying,” he explained. “Gold-winged are given the opportunity to learn about their magic and work with metal ores, mostly in the armoury; they also train as warriors, and…” He looked at Hugo then Diamond. “We have the First Legion. It is an army of red-winged fae that is yours to command, my queen.”
Diamond gaped at him. It was hard to know what to say, so she kept silent. Hugo’s hand had not relinquished in its firm grip on hers, which she took advantage of to squeeze tightly. This was all so much, too much to comprehend all in one go. “Are you all right?” she asked him quietly, her footsteps slowing.
Hugo gazed down at her, his sapphire eyes glinting in the bright light. He nodded and gave her a tight, unconvincing smile.
Diamond couldn’t even begin to understand how Elexon’s news would make Hugo feel. If she was overwhelmed, Hugo must feel it tenfold. At least she knew who her grandmother was. Discovering who he was, that he had a family, only to be told they were lost to him, must be devastating.
Erzion led them through a maze of wide corridors and crossed open communal areas until they descended steps cut into a huge cliff face. Dim lights near the massive cave roof lit their way. Shadows danced, cascading glitter across the crystalline veins in the rock.
“We try to keep some semblance of day and night in the city,” explained Erzion as they walked at a brisk pace. “I cast an enchantment on the flames when I first began building the city nearly a thousand years ago. While the flames continue to burn, they will always be under the influence of that spell.”
Hundreds of lights twinkled from the small windows of homes cut into the rock. It was such a magical sight, it was hard for Diamond to concentrate on where she stepped. The lights disappeared off into the distance, hinting at the sheer size of this city. Fae flew about, dipping down and landing on the shelves of rock outside the nearest homes and disappearing inside. It was busy and the chatter and sounds of any other city filled the air. There was even music playing somewhere nearby.
Erzion stepped onto a ledge and spread his wings. He pointed to the far distance of the cave at a brighter group of lights. “That is where we are heading. My home. That part of Catava is where the red-winged army is based. My lord, will you bring my queen?” he asked Hugo, but bowed low to Diamond.
She swallowed, almost embarrassed by his genuine respect. This situation felt bizarre.
“I am not a lord,” answered Hugo, his voice stilted. “Hugo, will do.”
Erzion cocked his head and regarded Hugo thoughtfully. Then a small smile curled his lips. “My apologies, you are correct. You are not my lord, but my prince. Do you remember when I first met you?” he asked.
Hugo nodded. Surprisingly he huffed a small smile.
“Indeed,” grinned Erzion.
Diamond instinctively tensed, her magic flaring protectively when Erzion suddenly had a knife pressed against Hugo’s neck. He had moved so quickly she didn’t even see him. But instinct told her Hugo was not in danger. Not here. Not from any of these warriors. She reined in her magic. Still, she watched the legendary Red Wizard like a hawk.
“Ever since I first saw you in that training yard and warned you to guard your heart, I have wanted to use your title. I knew straight away you were a descendant of my closest friend, one who even after eons still fills my heart with his memory. I loved him and I served him, until my pledge to the goddess unwound our destinies. You are his descendant and a prince, an heir to the throne of the Fire Mountains and of Avalonia, albeit not as directly as your Nexus,” he bowed and straightened, turning his powerful gaze upon Diamond.
Hugo watched him, his face now as emotionless as it ever had been.
Diamond hated that expression. He was pulling himself away, protecting his heart.
“How do you know about our Nexus?” Diamond breathed when it became obvious Hugo was not in the mood to answer.
Erzion gave a smile, his eyes twinkling. “I have lived a long time. I have seen and experienced many things. I can feel your magic merging and charging the air around us with your combined power. There is only one bond that can do that, my queen,” he answered. “Now, I don’t know about you, but I am starving, and if we are late for dinner, Ophelia will have my hide. Let’s go. We can discuss more in the privacy
of my home.”
Erzion and Elexon both stepped off the ledge, immediately becoming air-bound.
Hugo silently held out his arms.
Diamond gladly stepped inside his embrace but could not ignore the confusion in his eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his cheek. A small gesture of support.
Hugo carefully stretched out his wings and followed the two red-winged fae. Tallo brought up the rear.
Diamond was inordinately pleased she had been able to heal Hugo’s wings. It was certainly a long walk from the healing quarters even to this ledge, let alone down the hundreds of steps to the floor of the cave and Elexon’s home.
Below and around them the lights of Catava twinkled. It was impossible not to stare at the homes and garden areas, at the streams of water that cascaded from the higher echelons, falling into sparkling pools below.
Hugo landed smoothly and lowered Diamond to the ground.
“I’ll wait here,” Tallo informed them, nodding a greeting to the guards on duty by the entrance to a large garden.
Absentmindedly, Hugo nodded to his friend before he met Diamond’s gaze. He shrugged those big shoulders and inclined his head. “Shall we?” he asked.
Diamond gazed at the home that had been built away from the rock face. Warm light glowed in its windows, inviting them in. The magic surrounding Erzion's home felt heavy—almost oppressive. Diamond swallowed and ignored the churning in her stomach. Something with powerful magic was hidden here. She rubbed her arms, keeping her own replenishing magic tightly under control.
When she indicated she was ready to enter, Erzion led them into his home.
Once inside a comfortable-looking office, the Lord of Catava turned to his son. “I believe you have somewhere else to be, Elexon,” he said meaningfully.
Elexon swallowed hard, blew out a long breath and gave a nod. “Yes. Thank you, father.” He turned towards Diamond. “I will return to you tomorrow, my queen,” he said, dipping his head and placing his fist to his chest in respect. “Prince,” he said to Hugo, repeating the gesture, then strode purposefully for the door, back ramrod straight.
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