A Bond of Venom and Magic (The Goddess and the Guardians Book 1)

by Karen Tomlinson

  Without so much as a glance in her direction, the guard turned to leave.

  “Wait!” uttered Diamond reaching out to touch his arm before the inappropriateness of that action caught up with her brain. He turned back, eyeing her hand coldly. Her eyes widened at the sharp stab of pain in her fingers. Wincing she dropped her hand immediately. It felt like something had bitten her.

  “Yes?” he replied coldly.

  “Err…what’s your name?” she asked, suddenly feeling inadequate and foolish.

  He cocked his head, weighing her up, deciding if she was worth an answer. She squirmed under the weight of that midnight gaze. “Commander Casimir,” he replied after a few seconds.

  “Oh. Is that it? Don’t you have a first name?” she blurted before it occurred to her sluggish brain that being on first name terms with a Queen's guard was absurd, especially for a half-blood.

  “Yes. I do,” he answered, annoyance colouring his tone. “You are not in the military and clearly neither are you a full-blooded human or fae, so how you address me—by my first name, which is Hugo or Commander Casimir—is of no importance to me.” He looked her up and down, a shadow of distaste curling his mouth. “I can see why your father kept you in the northern forest. Someone like you will not fare well in the southern cities.” He looked to General Edo, who stood stoic and silent, before looking back at her again. “Valentia may be safer than the forest, but you will have no rights there, especially as an obvious half-blood. Is that still the course of action you wish to take, general? You could appeal to the prince to keep her with his people in the valley.”

  “No,” interrupted the general sharply.

  Diamond almost missed the exchange about her future safety, she was too busy trying to ignore the hurt his words caused her. Of course she was of no importance to him—to anyone. Shrinking within herself, the consuming numbness of grief and inadequacy threatened to devour her, but manners, the manners her father had instilled upon her, won out. She squared her shoulders and forced herself to form words and speak. “I will do whatever Uncle—I mean General Edo—thinks best. I—err, just wanted to thank you, commander f-for s-saving me,” she stammered even as she lifted her chin. “Despite my unimportance.”

  His face was severe enough she found it difficult to look at him. Surprise flickered in his eyes, warming them for an instant before ice settled once again. He dipped his head silently, an acknowledgment of her gratitude before launching himself elegantly out of the cave after the others.

  Diamond awoke with a start, sweat running down her spine and between her breasts. The floor underneath her was hard and cold. Panting, she tried to get her bearings. The pounding in her head made it so hard to think. Cracking her eyelids open she swiped the dampness from her cheeks and tried to pull herself together. For a moment confusion fogged her brain. Where am I?

  Then everything came flooding back. The Seekers, her father—her nightmare. A horrible place in her mind, plagued by dragons and fire and blood and monsters. Diamond stifled a sob and pushed herself upright. Focusing on anything else but those dark thoughts, she cast her eyes around the cave.

  The warriors had all returned. General Edo and Tom sat near the cave entrance, silhouetted against the firelight. A small boar sizzled and dripped juices into the flames, releasing a mouth-watering aroma that, despite her lack of appetite, made Diamond’s stomach grumble loudly. Warmth filled the cave, the glowing orange flames casting her into a veil of shadow.

  Seeing the others eating did nothing for her. Despite the emptiness that filled her, Diamond's limbs were shaking too much to get up and venture across the cave. Trying to control her trembling body and addled mind, she inhaled and pushed her back up against the cave wall. Absorbing the solid strength of it, Diamond closed her eyes and forced the disturbing dream into the recesses of her mind. Concentrating on the pain from her bruises helped distract her and, after a few minutes, her breathing settled and the shaking lessened.

  Feeling a little stronger, she opened her eyes to find Hugo sitting in the blackest shadows opposite watching her closely. Obscured in the gloom of the cave his eyes only glinted, but she had no inclination to look at him. Instead she cast her eyes at the spit over the fire and pushed a hand against her aching belly. Not knowing if she was hungry or just sick with grief, she closed her eyes again. Memories of her father’s gentle voice filled her mind.

  ***

  “Daddy, why did all the warriors have gold wings in that faery tale? I don’t like gold, blue is my favourite colour. I want to see a warrior with blue wings….”

  Her father chuckled. “Blue wings don’t exist; fae only ever have red, gold, green and pearlescent wings, or pearls as we call them. But remember only golden-winged warriors live in Avalonia now—just like the story tells you.”

  “Did the bad lady kill the fae with pretty wings just because she didn’t like their colours?”

  “No, my little jewel, she killed them all because their magic can make her stronger.” Her father looked and sounded so sad. “Fae magic that was once mighty in this kingdom now dwindles so low that only the strongest fae can be taught to use it.”

  “Where did magic come from, Daddy?”

  “Long ago Lunaria, the goddess of creation, gifted the fae with magic. She gave us four levels: red to wield fire and heat.” He settled her into bed. “And just like fire, red-winged fae are powerful and not to be trifled with. Their temper is as quick to blaze as the fire and heat they command. Green is the colour of fae who can create and control flora. They can encourage life to flourish and make excellent healers. Then there are gold-winged fae, who just love the gleam of metals—any metals. In my home in Rhodainia they were by far the most common fae but not the only ones. Some could even pinpoint metallic ore through the ground. In Avalonia fae can only force the metallic elements of their magic to armour their wings. Then there is the weakest and gentlest of our race, the ‘pearls’, who have very little magic of their own. It is said that as soon as the wicked queen took the throne of Avalonia she ordered any child born with magic above gold killed at birth.”

  “Oh.” That answer had been far too long and Diamond had lost interest. “When will I grow wings? I want red magic, or maybe pretty gold magic, then I can be special and strong like you, Daddy.”

  He had smiled and pulled the bedclothes around her, tucking them in tightly.

  “Diamond, you do not need magic to make you special, you already are. And you do not need wings to fly because jewels like you can soar right across the sky all by yourself. Have you ever seen a shooting star?”

  “Yes, Daddy,” she replied gravely.

  “Well, you are just like them. One day, when you are grown up, you will soar right across this world and leave a blazing trail behind you…and you will not need wings to do it, my sweet girl.”

  “Really….” she gasped, snuggling down into the warmth of her familiar bed.

  ***

  “Here,” said Hugo, pushing a bit of bark piled with meat toward her folded hands. Diamond jumped. “You need to eat,” he said tersely.

  Her mouth dropped open before she took the offering and placed it on the ground beside her. A Queen’s guard did not serve a half-blood food. Diamond swallowed nervously, not used to being near someone so heavily armed—or so big and imposing. Another surprise, he lowered his bulk next to her and stared at the meat, then her. A silent command. Sighing, she picked it up again. His shoulder rested only inches from hers, making her fully aware of his proximity. A strange warmth bloomed inside her, as if her body were reacting to the closeness of his. Feeling smothered, she shuffled sideways.

  “What did that vile creature tell you? Why is the lord of the Barren Waste Lands hunting you?” Hugo asked, keeping his gaze forward.

  “I don’t know,” she lied, not taking her eyes off the succulent pile of meat. Lying had never been her strength, and the food was a good excuse not to look at him. Her father had always been able to sense any lie she uttered, so she
was not well-practised in the art of deception. Besides, this warrior was in servitude to a wicked and cruel ruler. Can I trust him?

  Despite the delicious aroma, Diamond really did not feel like eating. Instead she dared a sideways glance. Her eyes alighted on the jagged white scar that marred Hugo’s face. It caught and held her attention. Something told her changing the subject away from her lie would be safer. If one immortal ruler wanted her necklace, maybe his Queen would too.

  “Would you tell me about Valentia?” she ventured nervously. He had seemed so cold earlier—but for a reason Diamond was at a loss to understand, he had brought her food and now sat inches from her half-blood body. Maybe he was feeling benevolent and would be willing to answer her questions.

  “General Edo thinks the island city will be safer for me than this forest, but you don’t. It’s where you’re from, isn’t it?” She made her voice sound in control and steady, even though asking this emotionally shutdown warrior a personal question felt awkward and unnatural. Then again, she didn’t know what else to say to distract a killer whose blades gleamed with every small movement he made, a male who was sitting so close she could feel the heat radiating from his body.

  Hugo leaned his forearms on his bent knees, his leather armour creaking as it strained against the expanding muscles of his back and shoulders. He turned, angling his head slightly, surprise flickering in his eyes. Diamond absently noticed he had dressed the wound on his neck.

  “Yes.” He hesitated, clearly deciding whether or not to continue.

  Diamond wondered how often he was asked to speak about himself. Probably never, she surmised, attempting an encouraging smile. It seemed neither of them was socially practised.

  Hugo turned his attention back to the flames. “I was raised in the guard’s quarters in the palace, so Valentia is my home. The general is right in a way. The island city will be safer for you than the forest. But, like every town and city, there are monsters and demons of a different sort lurking in its shadows.” He looked at her.

  She gulped at the warning in his eyes. “Why hasn’t Ragor attacked the city?” Diamond asked quietly.

  “Oh, I think there are many reasons. For one, the size of his army is too big to travel swiftly. They also seem intent on attacking every town and village in their path. Any souls who have not fled are being hunted down by the Wraith Lord’s troops. It seems Ragor wants to kill as many as possible and possess their dead bodies to swell his ranks. He consumes their souls, then turns them into monsters.”

  A ripple of disgust shuddered through her body. “But what can he want with so many souls?” she whispered.

  “Devouring the energy of a soul is like a drug to Ragor, especially when they die fighting and screaming.”

  Diamond trembled at his words. “But surely even Ragor can only feast upon so many souls before he will glut himself and explode from the inside out?” she asked with a grimace.

  Hugo huffed, an unexpected smile twitching his lips and twisting his scar into something hideous that even the gloom of the cave could not hide. “Now wouldn’t that solve all our problems?” he muttered, glancing at her. The smile slipped away as if it had never been when he registered where her eyes rested. “Consuming the energy of a soul is his sustenance. It makes him stronger—but only for a short time, then he needs more.”

  He faced forward again. Silence fell between them but Diamond stayed quiet; somehow she knew he was not done speaking yet.

  “When Ragor escaped the wards holding him inside the Barren Waste Lands he fought to reach Stormguaard. King Oden battled him for years on the borders between Rhodainia and the Barren Waste Lands. But then the king disappeared. That left Prince Oden alone to rule. One by one his generals were assassinated or ambushed, and Jack’s army slowly disintegrated around him until he had only young and untried commanders. I was sent there by my Queen with several fae legions to help him. But I think we all realized it was too late. Jack, Prince Oden, was only fifteen when Ragor attacked. It didn’t end well, as you know. Saving as many people from Rhodainia as possible became the prince’s priority.”

  His eyes took on a distant look. “Ragor’s army of the dead moved faster than anything I had ever seen before. They travelled as if moved by the wind. The grasslands of Rhodainia are dry and dusty in the summer months, and although we had prepared, it made no difference. Each of Ragor’s dead soldiers used the dusty ground to transform into a swirling column of dirt, into Dust Devils. Even the most experienced soldiers struggled to fight them.”

  Does he mean himself? she wondered. It didn’t seem appropriate to prompt him, so she sat quietly—waiting.

  “Dust Devils are impossible to kill—until they reform back into the husk of the man or fae they once were.” His head twisted and he looked at her.

  She wondered why he was telling her this—telling her anything at all—after what he had said earlier.

  “The farther north the Wraith Lord invades, the damper the ground becomes. When grasslands turn to forest, Dust Devils can no longer transform. That and the combined forces of Jack and the Queen have slowed Ragor down. But even that hasn’t been enough to stop him. The prince has withdrawn his troops to concentrate on defending the Rift Valley wall, whilst the Queen continues to destroy his forces in smaller campaigns. Survivors are escaping wherever they can; many are going north thinking they will avoid the conflict, but the Rift Valley and Valentia are still nearly full to bursting. So many souls will only continue to entice Ragor. I expect he will attack the city this winter.”

  Diamond stared at the pile of meat in her hand, dread tightening her belly. Nowhere was truly safe.

  “Don’t worry, Valentia’s ancient magic shield will slow Ragor and his army down. He will not break through easily,” Hugo informed her in a mildly condescending and irritating tone.

  She nodded but wasn’t naive enough to be convinced. Ragor was as ancient as that shield—it would not stop him forever. “I know about the shield,” she answered, her voice sharper than she intended. “I am not completely ignorant just because I’m a half-blood. I can read and write and everything,” she bit out, then took a breath. His prejudices were not entirely his fault; besides, his assumption she would be illiterate was hardly unique.

  “ My…father,” she nearly choked on that word, “told me tales of Valentia and the Queen, though I am not sure what was true and what he made up to entertain me as a child. What will happen when Ragor reaches the Rift Valley wall? Surely he will put siege to the city and starve everyone to death. It would be far less effort for him than a war, wouldn’t it?”

  Hugo raised his eyebrows slightly, causing his scar to stretch.

  Did I say something wrong?

  “You are remarkably well informed—for a half-blood,” he commented, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Diamond gritted her teeth and tried not to let his remark hurt. “Ragor wants to gather souls, and to do that he needs to be nearby when the slaughter begins.” He shrugged his big shoulders before continuing, “But no one is sure if that’s all he wants. Devouring a soul’s energy immediately after death is an insatiable need for him. It makes him stronger—but only for a time. And Ragor is a wraith who has been starved of souls for thousands of years. Now he gluts. When he arrives at the wall with his army, none of us will have time to starve.”

  Diamond shuddered at the implications of Hugo’s words. Even if the wall kept Ragor out and, by some miracle, he gave up on Valentia, the rest of Avalonia would be destroyed. “Why, though? What does a powerful lord of darkness desire once he has devoured all the souls in Avalonia? What is left for him?”

  Hugo frowned as though he didn’t really want this conversation. “The other kingdoms across the Rough Sea, I suppose.”

  “So why aren’t people from Valentia fleeing? Why isn’t the Queen allying with the other kingdoms and planning for an attack? Valentia’s an island city; surely there are boats or ships or something that can get people out?!” Diamond exclaimed. It was ludicrous to keep
so many people under the constant threat of eternal torture at the Wraith Lord’s hands.

  “The Queen has discouraged her subjects from leaving. Did you know that Ragor was once Lord Commander of the armies of Erebos, the God of Chaos?”

  Diamond shook her head.

  “Well, he was. And my Queen is as ancient as Ragor. She has fought him and defeated him before. She knows how his mind works. Valentians have confidence she will defeat Ragor. They believe in her, and have every faith the shield and their Queen’s eternal power will protect them from harm—as do I.”

  Diamond couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing; not only did those last words sound somewhat forced, but surely people weren’t so blindly trusting as to believe their ruler was going to save them—that one fae queen was powerful enough to keep them safe against an invading army of dead things.

  “But the shield is thousands of years old. Every book I’ve ever read, every story I’ve learned as a child, says it is there to protect the Rift Valley and Valentia from the fire of the guardian’s, not to stop an invading immortal or his army.”

  “True, but most people in Valentia have chosen to forget the shield’s reason for existence. Remember, dragons have been gone from Avalonia for at least a thousand years. Even if tales and rumour suggest they have been seen in the Fire Mountains.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “If you try and bring a long-dead body back into Valentia, the shield will turn it to dust. Therefore, the theory of our Master Commander is it will stop soulless creatures, like Dust Devils, from entering the city. To get his army into the Rift Valley, Ragor will have to destroy the wall and the shield. The mortal prince’s city, Stormguaard, fell because there was no shield.”

  “Did many die?” Diamond whispered, almost afraid to ask.

  “Yes.” His voice was hard. “Thousands of innocent people perished and many more had their souls ripped from them in those final moments when the city fell…the prince and I saw too many suffer before we escaped.”