Gliding over to a stone bench, Diamond lowered herself down. “Come,” she said patting the seat beside her. “Sit with me for a while. I wish to talk with you.”
“I’m afraid I don’t sit and do small talk, Queen Arjuno. I prefer to keep my attention on the room.”
Diamond smiled, her heart thumping despite her calm demeanour. “I know, which is why I brought you out here. Now, please—sit,” she said again, her voice deceptively soft.
The general merely clicked his heels, his face turning to stone. “I believe I will leave you to your wine and return to watch the machinations inside. Goodnight, Queen Arjuno…”
“How is Adrian? Does he like to have you here in the city with him?” asked Diamond, her voice a little sinister.
General Thir halted. He turned, his movements now deliberate and slow. His eyes full of fury and hate, he glared into her blank face. “How do you know of Adrian?” he asked darkly.
Diamond allowed contempt to colour her voice now. This arrogant, hypocritical prick thinks he is better than everyone and he’s breaking the very same law that got Talib punished, Otekah sent into slavery and effectively killed Otekah’s daughter. Bastard!
“The Hotlanders are not the only ones with spies, general. Your affair with an Ionian man was sold to me by one of your own people who, in my opinion, should use this information themself. However, they chose to give it to me. Now, if you wish for your love affair to remain secret and kept from your High Wizard, I need you to do something for me.”
General Thir snarled viciously. Death looked back at her from his cold grey eyes. “What makes you think I won’t just kill you? I could make your body vanish with a simple spell. None of your warriors would find you, not even your king.”
Diamond’s stomach almost rejected the delicious wine from her belly at the sheer promise in that statement. “Because I have two of my warriors with their arrows aimed directly at your heart. Oh, and your prince is just over there,” she pointed out, indicating the barrier to the left of them where Rayan lounged, a young and beautiful woman in his arms. “Something tells me he dislikes you as much as you do him. If I scream, we both know he will come running and if you try to seal my mouth shut, my mate will sense my distress.” Her eyes narrowed, thankful for Eryanth’s reputation as a shadow demon and guardian. “And I’m sure you don’t want him to visit you in the darkness when you least expect it. Besides, how are you going to explain the death of the heir to this kingdom? Any aggressive move towards me and you will die. Your secret will also be spread through the streets of this city and given to the High Wizard,” she informed him coldly.
General Thir weighed up his options. She hoped she had been convincing enough. Of course, there were no warriors watching her other than Rayan. If Eryanth had discovered the plan she and Rayan had hatched, he might have tried to stop her or put himself in danger too, and she could not allow that. Her fingers edged to the dagger she had hidden on her right thigh. Through the layers of silk, her weapons were invisible but she had positioned her skirts in such a manner she could lift them if necessary and pull that blade in seconds.
“Fine,” he spat. “What do you want from me?”
Ah, his reputation comes first. Diamond smiled and stood, though she kept an arm’s length away from him.
“I can use my spells even if I can’t reach you,” Thir snarled.
“Hmm, I know,” replied Diamond. “But this far away means my archers arrows can still pierce your chest if they see you try.”
Nostrils flaring, he stood and waited expectantly.
“Take me to Otekah. We are going to free him.”
“What!? No damned way!” he hissed, his eyes wide.
“Yes, general. Unless you’d like me to go right now to the High Wizard and let him know of your precious Adrian,” she cooed.
“Bitch,” he snarled.
Diamond merely smiled, even though inside she hated herself for doing this. “I have been called far worse in my lifetime, general. Now move, before I lose patience.”
“Fine.”
Diamond followed just behind him, now clutching her dagger surreptitiously in her hand.
They headed across the patio, right by Rayan.
“Oh, general, it’s good to see you have made friends with the young queen. Pray tell, where are going with her?” He winked down at the young girl, whose cheeks were decidedly flushed and an adoring look in her eyes.
Diamond felt almost sorry for her. She’s definitely heading towards a broken heart, she thought.
“I am showing her highness some of the palace gardens.”
“Oh, really? How delightful,” purred Rayan. The girl missed his eyes hardening to chips of ice.
Diamond did not.
“Which gardens? East, west—or the courtyard? I only ask in case her mate wishes to know about her wellbeing. He is very, very protective of her.”
Thir’s nostrils flared at the not-so-subtle warning in his prince’s voice. “No harm will come to her by my hand, your highness. This tour is by her request.”
“Ooh, Prince Rayan, the gardens sound like such fun. Will you take me there too?” the girl simpered, flattening her hands on his chest.
“Not tonight. In fact, I have somewhere I need to be,” he said, extricating himself from her hold. He did not look remotely bothered by her disappointment. “Head back to the party, erm?” he looked at her and raised his brows.
It was all Diamond could do not to cringe.
“My name is Sabrina,” she said through clenched teeth, scowling at the prince.
“Right,” he answered, flickering his attention from her back to General Thir. “Well, head back, Sabrina. I’m busy now.”
With a huff, the girl spun on her heels, flicked her long brown hair over her shoulder and flounced away.
“Enjoy the walk, Diamond. Though you know I would gladly show you around the palace myself,” Rayan said.
“I do, but you are a busy man and the general is so good with his sword and magic. I’m sure I will be safe,” she smiled.
With a small smile at Rayan’s tight face, Diamond followed the general into the shadows.
Chapter 8
Eryanth tracked Diamond as she left with the stone-faced wizard. The touch of a woman’s long warm fingers on his jaw made him withdraw in surprise.
Reanne smiled coyly. “It seems I get to keep you for a little longer.” Her gaze narrowed thoughtfully on the glass doors through which Diamond had just exited. “Your queen looks rather preoccupied with the general right now,” she commented. “She has her pick of powerful men, does she not?”
Eryanth grabbed her wrist none too gently and pulled her hand from his face.
She winced, then smiled. “I like my men to be a little rough. It spices things up,” she whispered conspiratorially.
Eryanth resisted the urge to shove her away. “Who is that general?” he asked instead.
“Oh, you mean the man currently alone in the night with your mate?” she enquired, malice in her eyes though her tone was light.
“Yes, that one,” rejoined Eryanth, forcing a tight smile to his face. Gods, he hated these simpering fools with their power games. He couldn’t help but wonder if she would be fawning over him if he still had an ugly scar ruining his face and was merely a guard, not a king of one kingdom and prince of two others.
Reanne smiled. “And what will you give me in return for such information?”
The sway of her hips against him was disgusting.
Eryanth stepped back enough to put air between their bodies. He hated the feel of another woman touching him. Shadow leaked from his fingers as he pulled her hands from where they rested against his chest. He held her thin wrists and squeezed just hard enough to make the smile slip from her face. “How about I don’t break both your wrists or visit you in the shadows when you least expect it?” His face no longer held any politeness. “Now tell me who he is and then go and find someone else to ensnare. I’m not in the le
ast bit interested.”
Outside, cooler air brushed Eryanth’s face. He glided silently through the night. The shadows deepened as his magic leaked into the darkness, obscuring his presence.
Using their tenuous bond, he searched for his mate but her mind and emotions were locked down tight. He likened it to hitting a stone wall with his magic. His heart raced. Diamond had learned to be fiercely independent. She would rely on no one to achieve her goals, and that included him. His heart raced as anxiety flooded him.
Reanne had said General Thir was a force to be reckoned with. A man with a cold heart, who was loyal to his High Wizard.
Fear coiled in his belly. It had taken him too long to track Diamond through the vast palace grounds. He inhaled the scent of sweet summer flowers again, her unique smell leading him on.
Eryanth prowled to the edge of a large courtyard and halted. This was at the far eastern wing of the palace where Reanne had told him the dungeons were located. With a warrior’s eye, he assessed his position.
The blue stone courtyard was worn by the passage of horses and men. Buildings loomed in the darkness. Barracks. They were hard to mistake, no matter the kingdom. Many small windows glowed, hinting at how many of the many rooms were occupied.
There must be hundreds of men here, Eryanth realised. What the hell is Diamond thinking?
Two sentries marched from the darkness to his right. Discounting the courtyard as her possible route, he headed down the pitch black pathway. The guards shuddered as he walked right past them.
“Did you feel that?”
“What?”
The first man rubbed his arms peering into the darkness where Eryanth stalked onward, searching for his mate, following her scent and his instincts.
The sentry saw nothing but shadows. “There’s nothing there,” he muttered.
“Nah, it’s fine. I guess all these strangers has spooked everyone. Even you,” said the other.
“Yeah, I guess. I don’t trust them. Damned foreigners in our sacred city. Shouldn’t be allowed. Don’t know what his lordship is thinking,” grumbled the first guard.
Eryanth grinned to himself. Nor should you trust any of us, my friend.
The small pathway continued. Eryanth kept his footsteps careful, quiet. Strangely, this path was not well lit. Orbs provided only the bare minimum of light needed for sentries to make their rounds. It was as if the High Wizard did not want attention drawn to this pathway.
After another ten minutes of walking, Eryanth had to decide which path to take: back where he came from or follow the one that now curved towards the barracks.
His brow furrowed. Diamond’s scent was stronger than ever right here, but she would not head back into the barracks—would she?
Just as he was about to retrace his steps, there was an unmistakable shift of air. Its warm touch caressed his hair and face. He pulled on the shadows and stepped off the path, cloaking himself from view.
To his utter shock, a doorway opened from the ground at the side of the path. Smooth and noiseless, the glass panel slipped sideways. From the depths of the earth, he saw a man step out. A man whose dark skin and clothes made him difficult to distinguish. However, the glint of metal in his forehead did not.
Eryanth felt an urge to laugh and growl at the same time.
The little minx has arranged a rescue mission.
The next person out was not Diamond but General Thir. He stood stiffly as Otekah held a dagger to his throat.
With his fae hearing, Eryanth could distinguish the words of Ionian Otekah hissed. He had no idea what it meant but the general nodded then twisted his head to watch Diamond climb lithely out of the doorway.
Eryanth could feel the man’s wrath. It sent his magic into a protective storm and his dragon snarling. Not wanting Diamond to feel his magic, he reeled it in.
“Thank you for your assistance, general,” said Diamond, keeping her tone soft. “I trust you will go about your normal business and forget about our night-time walk.”
General Thir just stared.
Diamond cocked her head.
Eryanth waited. He would not have given the general such trust. He frowned at sudden internal conflict. Would he, should he end the general? Once he would have done so without remorse; now he wasn’t so sure.
“General, do not test me. I will ruin your reputation and your standing with your lord. I will ruin your precious Adrian, and I will ruin you if you breathe of Otekah’s escape to anyone. Remember, the shadows are always watching,” she warned before she ran into the darkness with Otekah.
Eryanth remained completely still. He wondered if Diamond knew how right she was.
General Thir remained utterly still, contemplating the darkness.
Eryanth did not like the fury in his eyes. After a moment, the general turned on his heel and marched back towards the barracks.
Eryanth reluctantly let him go. His guardian grumbled, not at all happy.
I know, my friend, but our mate has seen fit to let him live. We cannot act against that.
His guardian huffed before urging him to head back to the palace and find her.
Using the shadows, he jogged swiftly back towards the brightly lit section of the palace where the party was still in progress. Diamond’s scent was easy for him to follow this time.
Eryanth had given Elexon orders to stay at the party and watch for Diamond. If she returned alone, he was to shadow her and ensure she safely made it back to their rooms.
Eryanth was about to step from the shadow when the sound of soft creeping steps behind urged him into their dark embrace once again.
A figure jogged up to a nearby low wall and reached behind a thick bush, causing its ghostly white blooms to release their heady perfume.
Eryanth grinned.
He almost wondered if Diamond would go back to the ball dressed in the figure-hugging leggings and that excuse for a bodice she wore. It would certainly raise a few eyebrows. He couldn’t decide if he liked her better in this tough sexy outfit or with her queenly robes. His grin was still in place as she wrapped the swathes of silk around her trim waist, fastened the material together and patted her hair back into place. Taking a couple of deep breaths, she made her way back to the bright lights and noise of the party.
Eryanth followed, still smiling.
Eryanth nodded to Elexon. The red-winged fae nodded back. He had positioned himself on a raised section of the room, which also had a bank of glass doors that led into the gardens. He titled his chin, indicating Diamond’s location.
Diamond had already lost herself in the throng of finely dressed guests. She was laughing with Talib as the younger prince whirled her around the dance floor. Diamond’s cheeks were slightly flushed and her eyes bright. Raised on a dais, the High Wizard looked on with a neutral expression but his eyes were like flint.
Eryanth schooled his features into a cold mask. He did not trust the High Wizard in the least. The sooner these talks were over, the better. He strode over to the twirling couple as the music changed to a smooth, steady tune. He gave them a perfect bow. “Prince Talib, could I steal my queen from your arms?” he asked, though they all knew it was not a request.
Talib smiled and returned a small bow before wandering into the crowd.
Diamond smiled prettily at Eryanth and slid her hand into his, placing her other hand upon his shoulder.
That guileless expression was almost too much. Eryanth swallowed his laughter but did not hide his smirk. The innocence in her face did not fool him at all. He leaned forward. “So, my queen, what have you been up to since you left me at the mercy of Rayan’s awful betrothed?”
She gazed up, widening her eyes. “Oh, you know, talking, dancing—having fun,” she smiled.
Eryanth quirked a brow, “Oh, my love, I do know. I also know what you are wearing under this skirt,” he added, looking her over as if he could see beneath it.
She flushed a little and worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “How do you know what
I’ve been doing?” she asked, her eyes darting a little anxiously to the High Wizard.
“You cannot hide from the shadows, my love—especially my shadows. I will always find you. And you should be worried about the High Wizard; he is neither stupid nor trusting, no matter how innocent you appear to be.” He tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear. “He will learn his prisoner has escaped.” His words stirred his own anger, especially as it hit him how much danger she was now in.
“He will not know it is me,” she answered. “General Thir is too bothered about his reputation to risk destroying it for an Ionian prisoner,”
Eryanth pulled her closer. He could only hope that was the case. “How many people do you think have access to the High Wizard’s private dungeons?” he hissed in her ear.
Diamond swallowed hard as realisation hit.
“Exactly. He will find out.”
Silence settled. He watched her lips press together, her shoulders tense and her eyes drift to the High Wizard.
“I am very angry with you right now, do you know that?” he asked, distracting her from her thoughts by nipping her neck lightly with his teeth. “You have put yourself in danger. And you chose to hide it from me.” Anger filtered through their bond from him to her and it was hard to keep his magic contained.
Diamond pulled back, her attention focusing solely on him. “Perhaps we should discuss this somewhere else?” she answered tightly.
“I agree,” he growled in her ear.
Eryanth followed her as she made her way to the High Wizard and his sons and bade them goodnight. Eryanth did not speak. Rayan’s eyes caught his. He held that icy blue stare, trying to curb his fury. That look spoke volumes. Diamond had hatched her plan with the prince. He felt any residual amusement at her escapade turning to a slow burning anger. His chest tightened. What would the wizard do if he discovered his son’s treachery? Then he made himself relax. The High Wizard clearly coveted his eldest son. The way he had come to protect him in battle was enough to show that. And there was the vow Rayan had taken. No, the High Wizard would not hurt Diamond, not if it meant his son would suffer.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 110