Rose beamed. “Well, at least getting ready and wearing this gorgeous dress will be fun, then maybe one day we can go shopping together. This is the finest city in Avalonia, after all.”
“That would be lovely, Rose. Maybe one day we will.”
Their eyes met and both girls forced a smile knowing that day was unlikely to come, but it was a nice thought nevertheless. Rose continued in a firm voice, “There are shops here that sell the most exquisite clothes. Traders come from as far away as Gar Anon to sell their wares. There are even rare silks brought thousands of miles along the silk road from the Sky Desert.”
A shadow crossed her face. “Or at least there are sometimes. Things are a little scarcer now.”
“Because of the war?” Diamond asked quietly.
“Yes, partly, and because the seas are becoming rougher with the beginning of the winter storms. Only sea captains with magic can navigate them. And as you can imagine, only those who are extremely brave or very stupid come here with magic. Besides the ice moon is unusually low, lower than it has been for years. Some of the Acolyte’s have been proclaiming it is the curse of the goddess; that she will bring the wrath of the ice moon down upon us all for forsaking her. I think that’s just scare mongering and nonsense. The goddess would never harm her people. And there are others in this city who feel the same.” Rose dropped her voice and glanced at the door. “We believe it is the Lord of Chaos who will unleash his wrath, not the goddess.” She moved in so that she could whisper in Diamond’s ear. “Do you know of the story of Erebos and Lunaria?”
Diamond shrugged and shook her head. “Only what I’ve read in history books.”
“Well, it is a long tale, too long to recount, right now. But I will speak as we brush your hair.” Rose led Diamond to the dressing table and indicated for her to sit on a stool. She picked up the silver hairbrush, running it gently through the length of Diamond’s locks.
“This world was not the only thing created with magic. Lunaria was a child of the gods and was herself created with magic, like their other children. As the children learned to wield their own magic they created many wondrous things: the stars, the moon, the sun, and the darkness of time and space in which to put them. As their powers grew they created vast new worlds; but Erebos did not care for these worlds of sunlight and souls that Lunaria and his sisters made, he wanted darkness and anarchy. As they created, so he destroyed. Lunaria and her three sisters: Alethia, the Goddess of Truth; Amnousia, the Goddess of Vengeance and Nuava, the Goddess of Love, fought for our world, one they had created together from magic. Eventually the other goddesses became tired of war and left Lunaria to fight Erebos and his armies alone. It did not end well for either of them. To protect those she loved, Lunaria sacrificed herself to her brother, and Erebos has not been seen in the flesh since he smote her down.” Rose hesitated and glanced at Kitty. “I understand there is much more to this story but I have never been allowed to hear it.”
“Why not?” asked Diamond, enthralled.
“Because it is a sacred story that is protected by my friends. All I can tell you is that there is a scroll. The Veritas scroll. It is an enchanted parchment written in the blood of Alethia. When Lunaria was killed by Erebos, Alethia returned from Eternity. In an attempt to preserve information that might help save our world if Erebos should somehow return, she transcribed the vision of Krato, the high ruler of the guardians of the gods. The Scroll of Truth cannot be destroyed by anyone other than a child of the gods or a god himself, but the Queen has it, and has banned any but her guards from seeing it for over a thousand years.”
“Then how do you know about it?” Diamond quipped, raising her eyebrows cynically.
“Very funny,” smiled Rose. “My friends have a copy—of sorts.”
“No offense, Rose, but what has that got to do with me?” Diamond was getting agitated now. Time was ticking away, and Hugo would return for her soon.
“Because it says when Erebos finds a magic wielder, a vassal, strong enough to contain his magic, he will return…to the ruin of us all, and that only the blood of the goddess can stop him.”
The reverence in Rose’s voice sent shivers down Diamond’s spine. For a moment all three girls were quiet.
“But no one thinks that’s me, right? She doesn’t think I’m a vassal for a dark god—does she? I come from the north. I’m half fae and half human—I’m nothing special….” Diamond swallowed, “I’m not strong enough to be a threat to anyone,” she whispered.
“Oh, she doesn’t want to destroy the vassal. You have to remember that she worships Erebos and has spent the last thousand years brainwashing the weak, sycophantic minds of many of her people into worshiping him too. No, the problem is once the vassal has been found, the Queen is powerful enough to bring Erebos back to this world.”
Diamond froze as voices echoed through her bedroom door. Rose pulled away, her head cocked. After a moment all became quiet. A guard change.
“But as you say you don’t exactly seem the type for the Lord of Shadow to covet. Still, don’t let on you know about that scroll—to anyone. The knowledge might get you killed. Right. Let us forget that story for now and get you ready for dinner. If you are to stick one in the eye of our illustrious Queen tonight, you must look your best.”
“Must I? She might throw me in the dungeons or execute me for daring to look nice,” Diamond muttered, taking Rose’s cue to change the subject.
“I doubt she’ll throw you in the dungeons,” said Rose, grimacing. “She could have done that earlier. No, she wants something else and to get it, I think she needs you whole and healthy—for now at least. Come on, I want to make sure you rival her perfect beauty, then we can show that idiot of a commander what he’s missing!”
Diamond felt her cheeks heat at that comment but held her tongue.
“Kitty’s an absolute genius at this. Let’s get started,” Rose said, taking charge and ordering Diamond to stand and take off her robe.
Diamond kept her face blank as they dressed her, embarrassed beyond measure at being helped into her underwear and the tightly fitting, blue boned corset. She briefly felt a jolt of unease that her benefactor knew her size so well. But then Kitty slipped the dress over her head, and she forgot to worry about that.
Diamond gasped. It was beautiful. The delicate material caressed her bare skin like a warm summer breeze, floating in gossamer folds around her legs and ankles. Thankfully the bodice and three-quarter length sleeves covered most of her bruises. Kitty pulled the laces tight down the back, accentuating Diamond’s small breasts and the tiny curve of her waist. Diamond balked, trying not to pay attention to her lack of curves. So much for rivalling the voluptuous Queen, she thought bitterly.
“Ouch,” she muttered as Kitty yanked and pulled, before fastening the laces in a bow. Her newly-healed rib protested but Diamond completely forgot about her discomfort when she looked in the dressing table mirror. Her hands shook as she ran them reverently down the dress. She had never dreamed of owning, or ever wearing, a dress like this.
Nerves roiled in her stomach. Diamond’s experience of large gatherings was limited to town hall festivities in Berriesford, not a banquet hall in a palace surrounded by lords and ladies; these people who would be staring at her, hating her for what she was and the magic in her blood. She lifted her chin. She would walk in that room at Hugo’s side, with her head held high; she would not cower from the mighty Queen or anyone else—no matter what they did to her.
Kitty plaited and wound her hair into a pattern of beautiful swirls at the back of her head, leaving some to hang in waves down her back. The quiet maid adroitly fixed the stunning hair comb among a nest of silver curls. It glittered prettily as Diamond moved her head.
“Well, I suppose you deserve to preen a bit. You look incredible.” Rose laughed as she laid out an array of kohl, powders and lip rouge.
At a blank look from Diamond, Kitty smiled. “Would you like some help with this too?” she asked gently, he
r soft blue eyes twinkling.
Diamond nodded gratefully. “Yes, please. I’ve never worn cosmetics before.”
“Of course. Here, let me show you.” Kitty artfully covered Diamond’s bruises with cream and powder until they were virtually invisible, then went to work on her eyes.
When she had finished, Diamond slipped on the low-heeled satin shoes and surveyed herself in the full length mirror. Her jaw dropped. This wasn’t the same person she had seen earlier that day. Despite being far too thin, she actually looked pretty. She beamed at Rose and Kitty, who smiled back.
“Well,” said Rose with a satisfied smile. “You will certainly rival Her Majesty. You look stunning.”
Diamond blushed as a loud knock resounded on the bedroom door.
Hugo went still and gaped wide-eyed. A strange kind of elation filled Diamond at his unguarded expression, but her confidence and pleasure were short lived. Snapping his jaw shut, his face became unreadable. At his withdrawal, her elation crashed in splinters around her.
All Hugo said was, “Good, you’re ready. Let’s go.”
Clearly cross, Rose thrust her hands on her hips and frowned. He stubbornly ignored her stare. Deflated and confused by the ache in her chest, Diamond couldn’t meet the sympathetic eyes of her new friends. Quickly bidding Rose and Kitty a good night, she followed Hugo out of the heavy wooden door into the dimly lit stone-flagged corridor. Feeling suddenly silly in her pretty dress, Diamond scowled at his back. She shouldn’t have expected any reaction other than indifference from him.
Expected? No. Hoped? Yes.
Tears stung her eyes. Oblivious, Hugo marched in front.
Two Queen’s guards flanked them. It was an alarming experience having ruthless killers at her back and Hugo ahead. Walking swiftly, he led her up staircases and down corridors until she was dizzy. Utterly lost, she tried to match his long stride. He did not look at her again, just strode on ahead expecting her to keep up. After days of inactivity and weeks of starvation, Diamond’s heart began to race uncomfortably; by the time they reached the more illuminated part of the palace and music reached her ears, she was breathing heavily and shaking with fatigue.
“Hugo. Please. Slow down,” she panted, a sheen of sweat covering her brow. “I need to rest.”
Hugo turned and nodded to the guards at her back. They stepped back, watching her like hawks. Diamond leaned against the wall, trying not to throw up. Hugo’s shadow loomed in her peripheral vision, but asking him for help was out of the question. Clearly he had dropped any pretence of caring about her. Pursing her lips she deliberately avoided his continual regard.
“Here,” he said eventually, holding out his arm to her. “Let me help you.”
“No,” she ground out between clenched teeth. Glaring defiantly at him she pushed herself off the wall. “It’s clear where your loyalties lie, commander. I don’t need your help.”
“Diamond—please, just take my arm.” His voice sounded softer now, his eyes concerned.
“No. You’ve made it very clear you don’t give a shit about me, Hugo,” she spat bitterly. “I am nothing to you, even after everything we’ve been through,” she replied, swallowing her tears, and lifting her chin.
His hand reached out. “Diamond….”
“Well, who do we have here?” interrupted a voice from behind her.
Diamond’s stomach flipped. “Jack!” she breathed in a rush of air.
So happy to see him—to see anyone other than Hugo—she ran to him, ignoring the glares of her gaolers. Jack’s guards stiffened but he just waved a hand at them and they stood back.
“Hey!” he laughed, opening his arms as she almost bowled him over.
Diamond wanted to cry with relief. He looked so handsome, so strong and actually happy to see her. He was an anchor in a world spinning with unknowns and fear.
Disentangling himself from her desperate grip, he held her at arm’s length. His twinkling brown eyes inspected her thoroughly, his gaze roaming down to her satin-clad feet, back up over the length of her twinkling gossamer dress. Heat radiated from her cheeks by the time he’d finished his inspection.
“You look—wow.” Jack shrugged as if at a loss for words. “Stunning.” He held her hands gently. “And so much better than you did this morning. You really worried us there for a while.”
“Sorry,” she smiled sheepishly. It was ridiculous in the circumstances but Jack’s compliments made her glow inside.
Hugo’s face was thunderous. ‘Do not tell him of the Queen,’ his gaze snapped in no uncertain terms.
“And as much as I would happily stand here all night and hold you, we have to go in that room for dinner. So? Shall we?” Jack said, placing her hand in the crook of his elbow.
“Err….” Diamond looked nervously at Hugo. Dark eyes glittered in a face that resembled carved granite.
“Oh, Hugo won’t mind if I steal you away for a while—will you Hugo?” Jack drawled, winking at the Queen’s guard, but Diamond did not miss the challenge lacing his words. Something passed between the prince and the Queen’s guard in that moment, but Diamond did not care.
Not daring to look in Hugo’s direction, she clung to Jack’s arm as they approached the giant double doors of the dining hall. Two smartly dressed servants pushed the heavily carved doors open.
Diamond stared in awe. On each gilt door a green and red sea serpent coiled through a breaking silver wave, staring fiercely at whoever dared approach. The servants bowed low to Jack and stayed low until Hugo passed them.
Jack turned his head and smiled down at her, his eyes reflecting the glimmering light from the chandeliers that hung from the vaulted ceiling. Her fingers gripped his silk-covered arm nervously.
“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine,” he reassured her, completely unaware of her predicament as he patted her hand. “Come. There are some people here who are desperate to see you,” he said, watching with amusement as General Edo spotted them and strode down the hall.
Diamond gaped. The general wore ornate metal and leather armour emblazoned with a dragon. Jack’s sigil. His jaw was clean shaven and his wings glinted impressively. He was like a force of nature approaching, and she couldn’t help but smile. The general’s grey eyes widened as he took in her appearance, but he greeted his prince first, bowing smartly to Jack.
“Good evening, Highness. Our seats on the dais are ready when you are.”
When the general turned his attention back to Diamond, she was a little surprised by his reserve. He did not kiss her or hold her; she was not a child anymore, she reasoned.
“Well, young lady, I see you are recovered. That is good—we all thought you might die,” he said with an edge to his voice that caused Jack to frown.
“Err, thank you—unc—I mean, general,” she replied and smiled at him. “The healers have been amazing. And it’s good to see you looking so well too. Your new armour is very impressive. You look nothing like the man I knew who lived in the woods.”
“Indeed. Well, that is how it should be now that I have re-joined Prince Oden,” he answered with a tight smile.
Maybe he is just tired or worried, she reasoned, confused and hurt by his aloofness. She tried again. “And I’m so glad to see you unharmed. I wondered if you had made it….” her voice petered out, distress stealing her voice.
Jack smiled understandingly and patted her hand but the general turned his head away. “We did—all of us, because of you.” Jack was obviously trying to reassure her, but his eyes narrowed slightly at his new general.
Diamond wasn’t entirely convinced they had survived because of her, more likely in spite of her. She knew her magic had killed Ragor’s soldiers but she had no idea what had happened after that. All she could remember was Hugo’s eyes as she had burned him. Did I really ask him to kill me? Her head throbbed. It was all so hazy.
Jack gave her a bright smile, so she fought her anxiety. He was studying her intently, like he often had in the forest.
“Do you kno
w what happened to Tom?” she coughed, clearing her throat uncomfortably.
“Who me?” chimed a familiar voice from behind.
She whipped her head around and exclaimed with relief. Tom looked pale but otherwise healthy. As she chatted and caught up with her friend, she did her best to ignore the threat hanging over her head and the staring, hateful faces that followed her progress around the room. Needing the support of someone, Diamond clutched tightly to the arm of the mortal prince.
Hugo was having difficulty keeping his face blank. Diamond was holding onto Jack’s arm like it was a lifeline. What is Jack doing?
Any pretty, well-bred girl in this room would fall at his feet; there was no need to heap such attention on Diamond. Hugo’s chest tightened as Diamond glanced at him fearfully. Being who and what he was often shamed Hugo, but he always hid it, always pushed it away. This time he couldn’t. The remorse and guilt he felt at biting her—at bringing her here—was breaking him in two.
Stifling a sigh he stood back against the wall, watching as her guards scanned the room. They were standing a respectful distance away but close enough to stop her if she somehow became a threat. Hugo’s teeth clenched and unclenched, his scar twisting enough to garner glances from those nearby. For a moment he distracted himself by staring at them until the overdressed fools nearly pissed their breeches and scurried away.
He quickly found the two Queen’s guards again. They hadn’t moved. His shoulders relaxed minutely. The fae he had grown up with hated him for the favour their Queen showed him. He should be dead. They all knew he had magic but none of them, not even Lord Commander Ream, knew what it was. He only ever used his darker talents when his Queen forced him, but even she had no idea how dark those magical depths went. Bile burned his throat and he thrust those thoughts away.
It would not take much for these guards to find an excuse to hurt Diamond. Word would already have circulated through the tower after what he did to Attion and that other prick. Not for a second did he think his Queen or his ‘brothers’ believed he didn’t care about the girl from the north.
A Bond of Venom and Magic (The Goddess and the Guardians Book 1) Page 20