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

by Karen Tomlinson

  Finally the ancient Queen spoke. “Indeed. Well, you have illustrated your…unwavering adherence to my rules once again, commander. As I heard you point out, I did not expressly order these guards to harm my prisoner, merely apprehend her. I wish time to consider what to do with a half-blood who contains enough vulgar magic in her veins to flatten a forest. And it seems you do, as always, have my best interests at heart.”

  The Queen’s attention shifted to Diamond’s naked back. The weight of that ancient gaze had Diamond trembling under Attion’s bulk.

  “You will attend me in my chambers and more fully explain your actions against your brothers, Commander Casimir.” Her voice became contemplative. “But even I am beginning to think this half-blood may be very, very useful to me after all,” she mused.

  There was another pause as the Queen turned to consider Hugo. Diamond’s shoulder screamed in pain along with her ribs as Attion shifted his considerable weight against the arm he had wedged up against her spine. Shame and horror filled her in equal measure when his fingers brushed lightly down the curve of her ribs and waist. She realised no one else was paying her any attention. It was impossible to cry out or fight pinned to the floor as she was. Relief flooded her limbs when he snatched his hand back.

  The Queen spoke again, her voice thoughtful, though still icy. “For now the girl may stay in these quarters and enjoy the hospitality of my palace—which she will not leave. You will ensure she has two experienced guards at all times. They will report back to you, Commander Casimir. You are now her gaoler. Ensure she is healed well enough to attend dinner this evening. I want my court to see the benevolence of their Queen toward such a creature. It will please some and confuse, if not anger, others,” the Queen stated with a satisfied smirk. Silk rustled and the oppressive atmosphere lifted as the immortal glided from the room.

  Attion lifted his weight from her back but Diamond could not get up. Agony grated along her ribs as she slowly rolled onto her side, hugging her knees and warily watched Attion heave the other guard to his feet and drag him from the room.

  Silence settled.

  Hugo stared at the doorway, eyes narrowed and head cocked to one side. Diamond could not, dared not, move. Her body began to shake uncontrollably. All her father’s stories suddenly made sense. The small brass carriage clock ticked away the minutes.

  Eventually Hugo deemed it safe to close the door. A metallic lock clicked into place. Quickly he returned to her side, dropping to his haunches. “Diamond? Oh gods. I am so sorry. I didn’t want this…. I never should have brought you here, but you—”

  “No. You shouldn’t!” she spat. “But you did. You are one of her men. You knew what she would do to me.”

  He looked at her hopelessly, his mouth opening and closing like he wanted to say something, but the words would not come out.

  “Why?” she whispered again, tears running down her cheeks. “Why didn’t you leave me in the forest? At least there I stood a chance of surviving.”

  Magic tingled along her skin, seeking to soothe. “I—”

  A banging on the door stopped him from answering and he withdrew instantly.

  “Miss? Let me in. Are you alright?” Rose anxiously cried.

  “Let her in, Hugo,” ground out Diamond. She didn’t want anyone else to see her like this, but Rose was the only one who could help her now. Agony burst across her ribs with each shuddering breath she took.

  Hugo nodded curtly, his face shutting down completely. Diamond found she did not care. Striding to the door he unlocked it and yanked it open.

  “The Queen wants her healed enough to attend dinner this evening. This is your responsibility, Rose. Do not let me down,” he snarled, leaning into Rose before she got more than two steps through the door.

  Diamond wanted to defend her new friend, who paled and stared up at Hugo with wide, frightened eyes. Diamond curled her fists, wanting to punch that snarl off his face. “Leave her alone!” Diamond barked.

  The poor healer blanched even further as she took in Diamond’s ripped robe and curled up posture on the floor.

  “Your guards will station themselves outside this door,” Hugo informed Diamond curtly, his eyes narrowed as he looked at her window. “Do not try and run. There will be guards outside too. Rose, make sure she is dressed suitably for dinner. I will return to escort you to the dining hall.”

  “I am not going to eat with you and that-that—”

  “Careful, Diamond. She is still my Queen. For reasons that are beyond me she has allowed you, a magic wielder and a half-blood, to live and enjoy the hospitality of the palace. Do not force my hand. Contrary to your belief, I don’t want to have to throw you in the dungeons—or kill you,” he said, staring down at her.

  “Surely as a filthy, magic wielding, mongrel bitch, I should just eat in my room and not taint the pure blooded in this palace,” she hissed, humiliated and hurt by the names he and the other guards had used.

  Hugo’s face was impassive, his tone unyielding. “No. Dinner is served in the great hall at seven every evening. The Queen will attend with Jack, and clearly she wants you there too. Do not make the mistake of thinking it was anything other than an order,” he warned.

  Diamond tried to sit up but couldn’t. Her eyes burned with unshed tears and only gritting her teeth stopped her from crying out. Rose immediately ran to help her but Hugo reached her first.

  “Don’t touch me.”

  He just scowled and hoisted her up into his arms. Ignoring her protest he carried her to the bed and, with complete and utter gentleness, placed her down. That care nearly tipped her over the edge, but she held her tongue, more confused than ever by his contradictory behaviour.

  “Rose will find a way to heal you, and I will return at six forty-five to escort you to the dining hall,” he informed her.

  Diamond’s shoulders slumped. There was no way out of it. Fear shuddered down her spine. This could either be a dinner or just an opportunity to heap public humiliation on her in front of people who clearly abhorred magic. But Jack will be there, she reasoned, hope flaring in her heart. Maybe he or General Edo would help her escape this nightmare.

  Hugo’s eyebrows drew together into a frown. “You will be sitting with me. Not with Jack,” he said coldly.

  Diamond tried to hide her dismay and shock. Can he tell what I’m thinking?

  “And don’t try to access your magic. If you so much as touch it, I will know. I have discretion with my orders, so please don’t force me to violence. Neither you nor Rose will tell anyone else why you have these guards—or what happened here today.” Menacingly he took a step closer, then slowly and deliberately looked around. “This is a nice room. If I feel I can’t trust you,” he turned his attention to Rose, “…or your loyalty is put in to question, the palace dungeons will become your quarters—for both of you. It’s not a nice place to be—dark, reeking cells full of murderers and traitors. Think about it.” With that, Hugo turned and strode out of the room, slamming the door without a backward glance.

  Rose watched him leave then stared at Diamond. After a few moments she pressed her lips into a tight line, becoming the efficient healer once again.

  “Right. Stay there, and don’t move until I get back. The only thing that will heal your rib in such a short space of time is an Acolyte potion.”

  “A what?” rasped Diamond, confused, sick to her very core and ready to pass out.

  “The Acolytes are healers…magical healers. They are the only ones in this city allowed to openly use magic. They are religious zealots who worship the Lord of Chaos.”

  Diamond shuddered. “I thought the Queen killed all magic wielders.”

  “Oh, she does…unless she wants something from them.” The words lay heavy between them, but Diamond wasn’t thinking of herself, she was thinking of Hugo. Rose wrinkled her nose and continued. “They are chosen and brought here as children—like the Queen’s guards. Kids mostly don’t know how to hide their magic, or even that they sho
uld. Sometimes they are dumped at the palace gates, or their own parents report them to the city guard. Fancy your own parents willingly handing you over to such a life—disgusting!” she uttered. “I normally avoid the Acolytes; they have their own section of the healers’ wing, and for years have been using the main temple in the city. Their Prevost answers only to the Queen and Isla Norr. Most of the acolytes are power hungry and cruel and abuse their positions. But I know one that will help us. He will have a potion that will work. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Before Diamond could tell her not to go, Rose practically ran from the room. Silence settled around Diamond like a heavy blanket. She released a shuddering breath as she wondered what the immortal monarch wanted with her. Whatever it was would be horrible and likely painful. Rubbing her side did not erase the feeling of Attion’s unwelcome touch nor prevent fear skittering down her spine at the thought of ending up in some dark, damp, stinking dungeon.

  As familiar as her heartbeat, the tingle of a panic attack crept from the tips of her fingers up her arms and across every part of her body. Gasping, the walls began closing in, crushing her. Breathe, breathe, she told herself over and over, trying to expand her lungs against the pain of her cracked rib. In…out…. Remembering her father’s calm voice was bittersweet but it helped.

  Rose returned about half an hour later but did not comment on Diamond’s pale face or shaking hands. For a while Diamond did not even notice she was back. Her concentration was utterly focused on keeping her hands still and her breathing steady. Her father had often reassured her she would grow out of her attacks, and she had not had one in the months leading up to his death. Now, since her life had gone to the rats, they were out of control—just like her life.

  Diamond had lost any sense of power over her destiny. With cold hands she gripped the folds of her robe. She had to start mastering her emotions again. She had to. Otherwise she would not endure whatever the Queen had in mind for her.

  Rose clasped a small bottle between her finger and thumb and held it out. Inside swirled a thick green slime that seemed to pop and bubble like it was alive. A small tendril of grey vapour curled from the bottle neck. Diamond wrinkled her nose as the smell of stagnant water and something vile wafted by.

  “What in the name of Erebos is that?” she asked in disgust.

  “The foul tincture of a petrified fire toad, but—” Rose added quickly at the look on Diamond’s face, “it will heal your bones in an hour—so come on, just take it.”

  “Is it safe? It looks like it might grow legs and wriggle around my insides,” Diamond muttered warily.

  Rose snorted. “No, it won’t grow legs, but if the toad hadn’t been petrified by the Acolyte, a pin prick of its slime would poison you. Your eyes, your nose and your mouth would leak blood until you choked. So chop, chop, bottoms up and all that.” The healer grinned and put her hands on her hips in a threatening manner.

  Diamond grimaced and tipped the slime into her mouth. It fizzled and popped as she swallowed.

  “Urgh! That’s worse than the mouldy yellow berries I had to eat in the forest,” she grumbled.

  Rose thrust a glass of water at her and made Diamond drink that as well. That done, Rose found Diamond another robe then lay next to her on the bed and held her hand.

  “This is going to hurt,” she warned.

  The healer wasn’t wrong. Diamond panted and sobbed through the next few hours. Rose stalwartly held her, comforting her with murmurs and gentle touches. In turn Diamond gripped onto her new friend like an anchor, lost within a whirlwind of anxiety and pain. Eventually, with Rose’s calming touch and soothing words, Diamond settled. As the hours passed, the pain in her ribs dulled to an ache. Exhausted she fell into an unsettled sleep until Rose gently shook her to say she had to leave for her other duties.

  “The guards were already outside when I came back earlier,” Rose informed Diamond quietly. “I don’t know what the Queen wants from you, but I’ll do what I can to help you.”

  Diamond tried and failed to swallow the lump in her throat at the sincerity of Rose’s words. A single tear rolled down her cheek. “Thank you, Rose. But you have already helped me enough,” she said wiping it away. “I don’t want you to get in to trouble because of me,” she said softly.

  But Rose just gave a small smile. “Try and rest some more. I’ll be back later and we’ll get you sorted for this dinner.”

  Diamond got up and listlessly sat by the open window watching people meander around the immaculate gardens. Around lunchtime, one of her guards opened her door. She shrank back against the wall as he stepped in to watch a maid bring in a tray of food. The older woman didn’t even try and hide the disgust on her face as she banged the tray down on the nearest surface before walking out without a word.

  Diamond wondered if everyone she met from now on would hate and fear her. Diamond’s fingers found her throat as her breathing hitched. Anxiously she grasped her necklace. Tonight was going be truly awful. Not hungry in the least bit but determined to build her strength back up, Diamond hobbled to the tray. The food was surprisingly high quality—for a prisoner. Fresh bread, cheese and chicken. It was delicious but Diamond couldn’t force much down. Her stomach was no longer used to large amounts of food, and coupled with the fear gnawing at her belly, she began to feel queasy after a few mouthfuls. Pushing the tray aside she went back to her vigil on the window seat.

  In the middle of the gardens a large fountain spouted from the stone figure of a woman in a long flowing dress. The water’s tinkling tune soothed her frayed nerves. Diamond closed her eyes and inhaled the subtle scent of roses. Soon her exhaustion tugged her into a deep sleep.

  Diamond nearly fell off the window seat when Rose came bustling back in. Following closely on her heels was a maid with dark blonde hair and gentle blue eyes.

  Outside, long shadows crawled over the fountain goddess, swathing her in a cloak of darkness. Diamond shivered at the sight despite the warmth in the air. Above the palace the late summer sky burned with fire. It was hard not to feel humbled by such an amazing sight, a true reflection of the power of the goddess. In the background the little carriage clock chimed telling her it was five-thirty.

  “This is Kitty,” Rose informed Diamond, sitting down next to her, poised and with her back straight. Her eyes were sharp as she met Diamond’s. “She will be your maid from now on. Her duties include ensuring your room is clean and tidy and helping you with your personal care if you need it. We have…err…mutual friends outside the palace. You can trust Kitty. If you need me she will find me…day or night, do you understand?” Her voice was heavy with meaning. The healer got up and nodded to Kitty who was carrying something in her arms.

  Kitty smiled a friendly, “Hello.” Then she pulled off the cotton cover to reveal a beautifully embroidered pale blue dress. The fabric was soft and so light it floated through the air as if disturbed by an invisible breeze. The white flower embroidery and tiny crystals were so delicate they did not weigh the material down, only twinkled like raindrops in sunlight as it moved. For Diamond it was hard to tear her eyes off such a beautiful thing. There were other items of clothing too, including a blue shawl, silk undergarments, a boned corset and pretty shoes that matched the dress.

  Diamond gasped and immediately blushed at the sight of the undergarments, which were far more expensive and sensual than any she had ever seen, let alone owned. “Goodness! Where are all these from?” she asked incredulously.

  Rose smiled broadly, a proper smile that lit her face and warmed her brown eyes to melted chocolate. “It seems you have a benefactor. This was delivered from Malloy and Son.” She rolled her eyes. “That has to be the most exclusive boutique in the city. There were instructions for all of this to be delivered to you so that you can wear the dress for dinner tonight. Whoever it is also sent these.”

  She gestured to the other items a breathless-looking older man carried into the room and unceremoniously dumped on the bed. He left without a
word. There were clothes boxes and parcels, boots and a new thick black cloak. Smaller paper wrapped packages sat among the pile. One had a red satin bow. Rose picked it up and peered at the label.

  “This one says ‘for this evening’ on it,” she told Diamond, holding it out expectantly.

  Diamond took it. With shaking fingers she undid the bow and pulled off the packaging. Inside a small grey box sat a hair comb. It was a stunning piece of intricately formed silver. Vines and flowers inlaid with glittering amethysts. Diamond had never seen anything like it.

  “Wow!” muttered Kitty and Rose in unison.

  “By the goddess’ good graces! Who would do such a thing?” blurted Diamond, completely baffled as she tried to think who it could be. With shaking fingers she peeped inside another paper package to find hair pins and cosmetics.

  Rose shrugged, then grinned. “I have no idea, but after what happened earlier we aren’t going to worry about that. What we are going to do is make you the prettiest girl in that dining hall tonight, if only to stick one very large middle finger up at the Queen…oh, and every other small-minded imbecile in her court.”

  Despite all her fears, Diamond couldn’t help but give a wry smile. Oh, how she would love to arrive poised and beautiful like a true court lady and not cowering like a dirty half-blood peasant to be stared at and cursed. Carefully Diamond reached out and touched the soft material of the dress.

  “I’ve never owned such beautiful things before….” she whispered reverently.

  Rose gave a snort of disbelief. “Sorry, but I can’t believe someone who looks like you has never worn a pretty dress before, even if you haven’t had such expensive jewellery.”

  Diamond flushed, embarrassed. “Well, I haven’t,” she countered, a little defensively. “My father never had the money to spend on things like pretty dresses. Our clothes were for wearing and working in, not partying….” her voice petered out as she thought of her home and her father.