Diamond mirrored his movements, drowning in his taste. It was heaven to let herself fall into the deep well of need and desire that had been building between them for months. She forgot about Griana and the valley and the secret city—even Rose. Holding Hugo was the only thing that kept her from forgetting who she was.
Wanting to feel his hard body against hers, she splayed her fingers over his lower back and pushed herself against him. They both groaned at the contact as her wet body slipped against his skin. Diamond mewled in disappointment as he pulled away, his silver and blue eyes ravenous as he looked down her body.
“Soon, my love,” he promised in soft velvet tones.
She couldn’t respond, mesmerised by him.
“I’m going to make love to you—slowly,” he whispered against her lips as he kissed her. “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked, his voice trembling.
She was drowning in sapphire and silver fire. Sure? Is he serious?
“You steal my self-control, Diamond. I-I don’t know if I will be able to stop once I taste your skin, your body…”
“I won’t want you to stop,” she breathed, as his scent and heat overwhelmed her senses.
Hugo took a step back. His body trembled as he surveyed her.
She curled her fingers, trying desperately not to grab him and yank him back towards her. Magic brushed over her sensitive skin. Teasing. Touching. Exploring, before entwining with hers. But it wasn’t his magic she wanted. “Please, Hugo,” she whispered.
Hugo chuckled darkly. “Don’t worry, my queen. I am going to spend hours worshipping this beautiful body,” he promised. “But first, I need a bath.”
She gasped as he swung her up into his arms and strode back to the spring. He lowered them into the water. Sitting down behind her, he tipped sweet smelling shampoo into his hands and began to wash her hair. His fingers massaged her scalp, threading through the silver tresses as he lowered her backwards into the water to rinse it. Once done, he pulled her back against his wet chest and began making long languid strokes down her body.
She groaned as his fingers gently brushed the heavy swell of her breasts, teasing lower but never quite going where she wanted them. “Hugo, please,” she pleaded again, arching towards his touch and resting her head back on his shoulder.
He grinned against her neck. “Please what?” he breathed, nipping at the soft skin beneath her ear.
“I-I don’t know!” she cried, completely at his mercy as his fingers moved lower, stroking and teasing her into a frenzy. Her body writhed against his touch until she was gasping and clutching at his forearms.
With a deep growl he moved, sweeping her into his arms. He kissed her as he walked, not the gentle kiss they had shared before, but one full of hunger and need. Their tongues and teeth clashed. She thrust her hands into his hair to grab him, to anchor herself to him. Magic scorched the air as he lowered her to the bed, his kisses not letting up, as if he couldn’t bear to lose contact with her. His hot lips moved down her body, his tongue following the path his hands had taken.
Diamond was almost sobbing, his name falling from her lips over and over, more desperate with each touch and graze of his mouth. Lower he went, tasting, nipping, sucking until the touch of his tongue wound her body so tight she thought she might combust from pleasure. Hugo brought her to the edge of fulfilment so many times she thought she might die.
“Please!” she begged.
Hugo gazed up at her, his smile full of wicked possession before he lowered his head.
Then she was falling, so full of pleasure she lost any sense of who she was.
Slowly, she glided back into herself, gasping for air. But the magic zinging around them did not let up. It nipped at her naked skin. Aware now, she sent tendril after tendril wrapping around her lover’s body, stroking and touching as he had done to her.
His eyes widened, his breathing ragged and uneven. Slowly, he climbed up her body and lifted himself over her. His muscles tensed to iron as he looked down, his eyes full of silver flame. “I will be gentle,” he whispered hoarsely.
Diamond smiled up at him and ran her fingers down the muscles of his back, digging her fingernails in the sensitive scaled skin under his wings. As he groaned loudly, her hands glided down to grip his hips. She urged him forwards. She didn’t care that this may hurt, she wanted him—now.
Hugo resisted her demands. “Slowly,” he rasped, shaking with restraint. “I will not hurt you,” he insisted.
Despite her need, she cried out as he pushed forward.
He froze.
“No,” she shook her head and urged him on, biting her lip.
Hugo groaned, unable to resist her demands. When he was seated deep inside her, he stilled, giving her body chance to adjust. She gripped him, trying to process the new sensations swamping her body and soul.
A sheen of sweat covered Hugo’s taut body, the cut of his muscle glistening in the light of the torches. “Are you…is it…?” he asked, barely able to form words.
“Shh,” Diamond reassured him. “I’m fine,” she smiled. It was true. The pain was still there, but it quickly became insignificant. All she could feel was him, filling her, possessing her like no other ever had—or would. She closed her eyes and groaned as he slowly moved. Heat and desire soon took over, but it was clear he was trying to hold back. That was not what she wanted. Groaning his name, she urged him faster.
He was hers. Always. Forever.
“Oh gods, Diamond I—can’t…Please. Slow down,” he begged. Lowering his weight on her, he wrapped his arms under her shoulders.
She growled in frustration. She wanted to move against him. This time, scratching the sensitive part of his back did nothing. He gritted his teeth and looked into her soul.
“I want to make you mine,” he ground out, sweat running down his face and body.
Diamond instantly tilted her neck, baring herself to him. “Do it.”
It was an order, one he was willing to follow. Gripping her beneath him, he licked the sensitive skin of her neck, teasing until he wrung a desperate cry from her. Digging her nails in his shoulders and drawing blood of her own, she drowned in the heat and magic that licked along her bones. She was lost in his touch, the feel of his skin; she was helpless to do anything but let herself be devoured by her soulmate and their Nexus.
His mouth, hot and insistent, began to suck on the spot between her ear and shoulder. A sharp pinch. She gasped at the drawing sensation that seemed to pull from her very soul.
Diamond groaned as he began to move again, his hot mouth drawing on her neck in time to each movement of his lower body. Sensation after sensation had her crying out for the warrior who had stolen her heart and soul. She arched into him, following the movement of his body as his hips surged relentlessly into hers. Pleasure balled in her core, building until she could think of nothing else.
Keep your eyes open, he growled in her head. I want to watch you fall apart. You are mine, and I am yours—forever.
That very thought was his undoing. Through the connection in their minds and souls, Diamond felt his release build. That connection took them both, washing away any thoughts of the outside world.
The guardian roared in unison with them as Hugo thrust one last time. Diamond screamed as their Nexus fused. Magic seared the air, burning through their mortal bodies as pleasure crashed over them both.
Hugo slowly became aware of his surroundings, of the woman breathing heavily beneath him. Words failed him as he gazed down at her flushed face. Eyes closed, lips swollen and head thrown back—a sea of silver hair surrounded her; she was the most beautiful sight he had ever beheld.
Mine. This clever, brave, strong female is my mate, he thought incredulously. Love swamped him as her eyelids fluttered open. “I love you so much,” he told her, his voice shaking. He did not hide his tears as two drops of moisture tracked down his hot face. Making love to her had been overwhelming, nothing like satisfying his needs with any other woman he had e
ver been with.
Trying to appear in control when he was so close to falling apart, Hugo lifted his weight.
“Are you…” he swallowed hard. He had tried to be gentle, but the intensity of their joining had swept away any hope of self-control. He had needed her like he had never needed anything else in his life.
Her soft smile and the love trickling from her into him almost undid him. Hands shaking, she reached up and, with her thumbs, wiped the moisture from his cheeks.
“Are you all right? I-I didn’t hurt you? Did I?” he knew she would feel his anxiety but couldn’t seem to control the bond between them. Magic was humming through the air. He could feel their Nexus dancing and playing.
He shuddered as pleasure, her pleasure, skittered over him, raising goosebumps on his skin. She grinned and arched her back a little. He groaned.
No, you did not hurt me, she thought towards him.
I-I’m glad, he stammered back, awed by their connection.
Another wave of sensation washed over them as their magic entwined and danced mischievously. An involuntary groan slipped from them both. The guardian hummed in approval as their magic burgeoned before he pushed his own power into the mix.
I. Can’t. Control it, Hugo panted, his voice rumbling through her mind.
I don’t want you to, Diamond replied, already moving her body again.
Hugo could only moan before he gave in to the urging of his guardian and the movements of his Nexus.
Chapter 12
Hours passed, and the blue-green torches of eternal flame burned brighter than ever all throughout Catava.
Hugo stirred. Something had awoken him. He breathed his mate’s scent. He couldn’t help but grin smugly. He pulled Diamond closer, spooning her body against him. His heart and soul would always belong to her, no matter what.
I will do my damnedest to deserve her love, he thought, lightly kissing her shoulder. He carefully slid his arm out from under her, holding in his groan of reluctance. He needed to relieve himself. Diamond did not stir as he climbed off their bed.
Hugo grinned widely. It was not surprising. He had heard rumours that mating whilst in the urge was intense, but Hugo had never experienced anything like the emotion and power that had consumed them both. Magic hung heavy in the air and he wondered, whilst puffing out his chest, if the people nearby had felt their joining too.
Highly likely.
He chuckled to himself, envisioning her embarrassment when she realised that.
Diamond stirred, but she did not wake. She had been shaking and on the verge of passing out when they had finally sated their need for each other. His body stirred at the direction of his thoughts. Shaking his head and grinning widely, he padded naked to the bathing room, the ancient stone floor warm and smooth under the soles of his feet.
After relieving himself, he eyed the spring. The temptation to feel the hot, steaming water against his skin was too much. Sighing, he lowered himself in, keeping his head under the surface for far longer than he should. He had always wondered at his ability to do such a thing, even swimming didn’t frighten him like it did other fae. The day he had plunged into the lake with Diamond he had simply pushed his magic into his body, pulled his wings inside his skin and used his feet much like a fish’s fin to propel them both from danger.
Hair plastered to his face, he broke the surface and wiped water from his eyes, huffing loudly. It was just another thing to make him different, to ensure he didn’t fit, even with the fae in Catava. Yes, there were red—and green-winged fae, human magic-wielders and even shifters here, but none could change into a dragon—and none had blue wings or scales at the base of them. He sighed. It didn’t matter what he was. Diamond had accepted him, and she was right; he could remake who he was.
A smile stretched his lips. Who cares if I am a prince of a distant land? He was her prince. His good mood sobered as he wondered about his true family. He had almost throttled Lord Firan before giving the male time to tell them what he knew of Hugo’s mother.
Hugo had behaved badly, and he knew it. Diamond had been right to berate him afterward.
As he finished bathing, he decided he would seek out Erzion and apologise for his behaviour. Perhaps Firan was still here and would be willing to divulge what information he had about Hugo’s mother.
He pushed aside the strange feeling in his chest at the thought of even knowing who his mother was, let alone if she might still be alive. Hugo grabbed a soft towel, eager to return to his love.
Their magic was still playing, the ebb and flow of it constant as Hugo dried himself. Even his guardian seemed settled and sated.
He closed his eyes, concentrating on twisting and shaping his magic. It was mere seconds until soft, silky clothing covered his body. Amazed, he looked down. A grin spread over his face then he closed his eyes, a slight crease furrowing his brow. Silk turned to hard scale, which turned back to silk several times before Hugo stopped.
Amazing!
Dressed in a loose, deep sapphire shirt and slacks with scaled black boots, Hugo strode back into their room and knelt next to Diamond.
He eyed the little phial on the bedside stand with a rueful frown. Moonsbane. He knew what it was, of course. He wished he could destroy it. The thought of having a child with Diamond made his heart swell with joy and his stomach flip uncomfortably. He knew nothing about being a father; it wasn’t as if he had a role model. The nearest he had come to any males worth looking up to were Tallo and Erzion, and he considered the gold wing more a friend than anything else. He supposed the immortal Master Commander was the only male authority figure he respected and would take note of.
He held in a groan of embarrassment. He would definitely seek out Erzion today. He needed to apologise to him and Ophelia—and Lord Firan. Feeling like an idiot for his overprotectiveness, he smiled ruefully at the reason for it.
Her silver hair was like pure silk as he brushed it back from her face, running his fingers through it to get rid of the knots.
She moaned with pleasure. “Mmmm, that feels good.”
Temptation won. He leaned in. “I can make it feel even better,” he whispered.
Her smiling lips were a breath away when he cocked his head. Before the person outside had time for their fist to fall upon the door, Hugo was moving.
Who is it? she asked.
“Elexon,” said Hugo aloud, trying to calm the possessive ring in his voice.
Diamond went to throw the covers back.
“No!” he barked. “Just—stay there. I’ll see what he wants.” Hugo waved his hand in front of the door, and the shield of shadow that had kept it sealed disappeared.
Diamond scowled. “You sealed it?” she asked.
Hugo grinned wolfishly and winked at her. “Oh yes, there was no way I was letting anyone disturb us last night.”
Diamond’s face flushed scarlet, and he couldn’t suppress a chuckle.
A fist banged upon the door just as Hugo reached it.
“My prince,” greeted Elexon, his voice strained.
Hugo frowned at the man’s pale face and dulled red eyes. He looked exhausted. Hugo also noted Tallo was not on guard duty and had been replaced by another. Not fae, but there was something familiar about his scent and his features. Hugo narrowed his eyes, but the man kept his gaze and his face trained away from Hugo, continuing to scan the corridor.
“I am sorry for disturbing you, prince,” Elexon said, looking uncomfortable, clearly a situation that only got worse as he inhaled. “Oh gods, I didn’t realise…” he immediately dropped his gaze.
“What is it, Elexon?” Hugo growled, bracing himself for bad news. Since last night, Griana would have been wreaking havoc in the valley looking for them, or… “Is it Rose?” he asked, his stomach sinking.
“No, prince. Rose is resting now. Both my mother and I have been with her on and off all night. No—it’s Griana; a message has arrived from Prince Oden.”
Elexon lifted his gaze, then immediately
dropped it. His shoulders slumped. “Apparently, Griana recognised me last night. A spy sent word. She knows who I am, who my father is. My father has been declared a traitor. He can no longer walk freely among the fae army. He wishes to discuss our strategy with you both.” Elexon did not lift his gaze but his voice was strained.
“So it has started,” Hugo mused. “Elexon, war with Griana was inevitable. Rescuing Rose has not caused this situation. And remember, this is what your father has been waiting a thousand years for. This war will enable him to keep his promise to the goddess. Lunaria has been waiting for her heir to return—and return she has.”
Elexon nodded.
“I had hoped to take Diamond away from here, but our heritage makes that impossible. Neither of us are willing to leave this kingdom to the Queen’s mercy.”
“She is not the queen of Valentia. I am,” declared a voice behind him.
Hugo looked over his shoulder and saw her, resplendent with their bed sheet wrapped around her like a gown, her hair wild and cascading down her back, her vivid eyes fixed intently upon him.
Yes, every inch a queen, he thought proudly. My queen. Feeling their magic beginning to dance, his body stirred.
Elexon gulped and bowed his head, dropping to one knee. The other guard followed his actions immediately.
Hugo raised his brows but remained silent. It had not escaped his notice that the guard had almost turned to face them. He eyed the kneeling man suspiciously. He couldn’t shake the feeling the male was familiar, though he was not fae.
Later, he decided. Elexon would not put someone he didn’t know on guard. He must be trustworthy. For now, Diamond had to decide how she would expect her warriors to show their respect. Kneeling like Griana preferred did not show respect, only subservience.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 79