***
Hugo kept his face completely empty, but behind that facade of granite he was raging. The girl who meant everything to him, who had become his reason for existing, was being led into a world of pain. And it was his fault. A wash of bile stung his throat when he saw Attion’s gaze hold Diamond’s. To these men she was nothing but an insect to be crushed under their boots. His arms hung lax at his sides, his fingers twitching with the need to destroy these guards and run.
Lord Commander Ream stepped in front of him and studied him coldly, then reached out and ran his finger with disgusting intimacy down Hugo’s scar. Hugo had long ago learned not to flinch from this vile male’s touch. Nauseous, he thrashed around behind his emotional wall, wanting to rip his commander’s throat out with his bare hands.
“Do not presume to show her favour again or she will indeed feel agony for your weakness.” Lord Commander Ream leaned in and added, “Your last plaything didn’t beg enough. But I’m sure the Queen will give me longer to break you both this time—if you displease her.” He shrugged and grinned and it was a truly terrifying sight.
On the outside Hugo remained emotionless, utterly still. He kept his eyes focused in front of him. Knowing it was for the best he caged his heart in shadow. Convincing everyone that he did not care for Diamond, that she was indeed just a dirty magic wielder owned by the Queen was the only way to keep her from the cruel torments of his commander.
Shaking and trying to find strength in something—anything—Diamond kept her head down, concentrating on the weight of the dragon crystal bumping against her chest. Several times she stumbled as their group headed up the wide steps into the gloom of the tower. At the head of the procession, side by side with Lord Commander Ream, Hugo had once again become a cold-hearted guard, a complete stranger. Diamond almost lost her mind, nearly giving in to her insane urge to run to him and beat her fists on his chest or scream in his face to get him to look at her—to at least acknowledge she still existed.
General Edo was being dragged, semi-conscious, between two hulking guards. How had this happened? No one had known where she and Hugo had been going…. Gods, even they hadn’t known!
The dull corridors were empty except for the occasional sentry who watched their approach with blank faces. Attion kept his hand firmly under her arm and guided her after Hugo’s hulking shadow. Lord Commander Ream kept his chin raised superiorly, his weapons glinting with every powerful step he took.
Diamond wanted to vomit. Her legs trembled so much she stumbled again, catching herself against the rough stone wall and scraping her hand. Attion tightened his fingers and dragged her back on her feet.
“Keep moving,” he rumbled.
Dazed, Diamond allowed him to lead her like a lamb to slaughter. An ache bloomed in her chest as she looked at Hugo. Power and grace incarnate. But the beauty of his armoured wings seemed diminished, their silver markings flat, dull even. It made Diamond wonder if that moment of dazzling power in the alley had been her imagination. Her shoulders slumped; maybe everything about the way he had treated her earlier had been her imagination.
“Ensure the magic wielder has no weapons concealed under that tunic…or anywhere else,” Lord Commander Ream ordered Attion.
Hugo turned his head and watched blankly as Attion grabbed her tunic and wrenched it from her shoulders, ripping her delicate shirt down the back in the process. Keeping his gaze cold and fixed on his task, Attion leaned around her torso, running his hands over her upper body, then sank to his haunches and slid his hands firmly and swiftly over her leggings.
“Take off your boots,” he instructed. Diamond complied. “Nothing,” he proclaimed.
Commander Ream dipped his chin in acknowledgment. “Commander Casimir, escort your prisoner—but I suggest you keep your hands off her when in sight of your Queen. Attion, keep pace behind. Do not let her run,” he instructed.
Diamond expelled a breath as Attion straightened and took a step away. Her relief was short-lived; his fingers almost immediately curled around her upper arm and pushed her forward. Double doors decorated with sea serpents in gilt and green jade loomed before them, heavily guarded by warrior fae. Dressed in less ornate armour than any Queen’s guard, their brown leather chest plates and green uniform marked them as palace guards. The guards quickly lowered their eyes and pushed open the heavy doors.
Hugo stepped in front of Diamond, his face blank. Pain tore her heart at the sight of his black fathomless eyes. Less than an hour ago those eyes had held concern in their sapphire and silver depths. Diamond stared ahead, unable to force herself to look at him.
Pink marble steps led down to a large room tiled in sea green marble. It looked like an expanse of glittering water. The opulence of the throne room stunned Diamond. Gold and jade sea serpents curled down each of the eight fluted columns, spreading their scaly tails up and across the vaulted ceiling above. They shimmered like living beasts, brought to life by the sunbeams glaring through the high windows.
Two dual headed serpents stood guard at the far end of the room. Their emerald eyes glittered in their golden heads and seemed to fixate on Diamond.
Diamond had only a moment to feel insignificant in the face of such grandeur before the weight of the Queen’s hostile glare lit upon her. Heat licked along Diamond’s bones, her magic rising to protect her. Suddenly unwilling to cower, Diamond straightened and moved her eyes around the room. Ignoring her magic was the only way to prevent it from breaking free. Taking a leaf from Hugo’s book she deliberately kept her face blank and forced her magic back down inside.
At least twenty people sat behind a long table placed on one side of the throne. As one they studied the dishevelled young woman standing atop the entrance stairs wearing ripped clothes, with a swollen cheek and bloody bits of cloth binding her lacerated wrists.
Diamond tried to swallow, by now her mouth was so dry it was nearly impossible. Then her heart sank further. There would be no help or compassion from these people. All these staring faces had the fair complexion and brown hair associated with the Avalonian people; not one looked remotely like Hugo, with his honey bronze skin and blue black locks; and not one looked anything like Diamond with her large violet eyes and waves of silver hair.
Only three female fae graced the table, their gossamer pearlescent wings floating gently behind them like a beautiful butterfly’s. Diamond had always thought pearl wings so very pretty and had spent most of her young childhood wishing and pretending that she could fly. The irony didn’t pass her by. She was hated for being half-fae but had none of their useful traits: no wings, no sharp hearing, no acute eyesight. The only things she did have were her father’s grace of movement and delicately pointed ears.
Disgust flitted over the face of one of the older females. Overweight as she was, the expression wrinkled her face so much her chin disappeared under the oversized collar of her yellow silk gown. She looked ridiculous. Like an overdressed toad, Diamond decided, matching the woman’s disgust with her own.
Many of the faces at the table showed hate or revulsion. Diamond stared them down. A murmur rippled through the group and they mumbled under their breath at her audacity. The Queen balanced her chin lightly on the back of her fingers, her elbow on the arm of the throne and her green eyes glittering with malicious amusement as she watched Diamond’s display of defiance. Clearly she was enjoying the scene being played out before her.
This beautiful Queen had a heart and soul of ice. She was nothing like the goddess of creation, who had gifted immortality to the rulers who had fought to save their world and people from Erebos.
Diamond curled her lip, taking in the loathing on the faces around her. It seemed the gift of immortality had become a curse of insanity, which had seeped into the mortals surrounding this viper. The Queen had taken hundreds of years to destroy the memory of her benefactor, waiting until all those who had known the goddess as their queen, and King Noan Arjuno as her devoted mate, had faded into legend. Slowly but surely she
had warped the minds of her people until they worshipped only the dark god—until they believed he would be the one to give them eternal life after death. A belief that had driven her people to hate and intolerance.
Hard-faced council members and high ranking warriors scrutinised her. Diamond fought the urge to grip the front of her sheer blouse. Thanks to Attion the garment hung loosely from her shoulders, almost revealing her before these strangers. Hugo grasped her arm and gently but firmly urged her down the steps. Let these sycophants look upon her in judgment, but she would not be ashamed, not of her blood or her body. Lifting her chin, she snarled at her audience.
Then Hugo raised his voice enough that everyone would hear his words. “When you reach her grace, you will kneel. Three weeks ago you broke the Queen’s laws by using magic. Today you insulted her benevolence by escaping. Because of you, two of my brothers were killed. Now you must await her judgment.”
Diamond whipped her attention from the seated council. Lips pressed together, her contempt switched to Hugo. She had not run today, and he knew it. It seemed being kidnapped was not an excuse his Queen would care to hear. She lifted her wrists in front of his face, wishing she could slam both fists into his face. Everything he had said about helping her, about never leaving her, had been lies. He was a coward. A gods damned coward! Concerned only with protecting himself.
“You know that isn’t true, you lying bastard!” she hissed.
Hugo just looked at her. Impassive. Unreachable. Before she could utter another word his large hand pushed her forward. They both knew it was pointless for her to fight or argue. The emptiness in his face, the utter change in him back to emotionless guard destroyed Diamond’s will to fight. There was no hope of getting out of this.
Unless…unless he was pretending. Unless he really was going to help her.
Tentatively she reached out with her magic, her control only just good enough to grab at his arm, before she felt it slipping. She could do no more or that power would break free.
Nothing. No reaction at all.
Her magic dissipated like mist on the wind. With each step closer to the dais, Diamond felt her anger ebb away, hopelessness taking its place. The Queen’s green eyes glittered as if she felt that creeping defeat. Diamond’s stockinged feet dragged silently on the expanse of green tiles as they approached the dais.
***
Hugo pulled her to a stop and looked down pointedly.
Gritting her teeth, Diamond forced herself to kneel in front of her monarch, for that is who this Queen was. Diamond had been born in Avalonia. Looming above her, sitting poised on the throne was her Queen.
Hugo stood silently by Diamond’s side. But now that powerful presence meant nothing, even his magic was absent. It hurt to kneel on that cold, hard floor.
“Magic wielder, I understand you are quite recovered now from your time in the forest?”
Diamond almost laughed. Is this insane female serious? The forest? Diamond could hardly remember the forest. Blood dripped from her wrists down between her fingers, her face throbbed and her heart had just been ripped apart by the guard at her side. In an act of defiance, she spat blood out onto the tiles at Hugo’s feet and glared up hatefully at him before resting her eyes back on the Queen.
“Yes,” she bit out.
“That is good,” the Queen said pausing thoughtfully.
Diamond waited, trying to appear brave even as fear skittered down her spine.
“So why did you run from my hospitality this morning? That was very rude of you after I have been so kind and generously allowed you to remain in comfort in my palace,” she scolded with lethal calm. Diamond tensed waiting for the axe to fall. Then suddenly a bright smile lit the Queen’s face. “Never mind, I have a way for you to compensate me,” she said and dismissed the subject with a flick of her hand.
Diamond blinked away her shock. The Queen’s tone was now that of reasonable, benevolent leader.
“We—that is, myself and the council members here,” she gestured expansively to the overdressed toads at the table, “have been discussing your future and how to ensure the safety of my people whilst you are here as my guest.”
Guest? Diamond’s anger flared at the injustice of that remark but held her tongue.
“As I am sure you remember, despite the comforts you have enjoyed at my expense, and let us not forget the attention you have demanded from my guard,” Diamond tensed at the inflection on that word, “there is still a war being fought against the Wraith Lord. I expect you know Ragor is an ancient enemy of mine. What you don’t know is that he has always coveted this city and now he is determined to claim it—and my other possessions.”
The Queen’s attention levelled on Hugo, the air becoming oppressive with magic, ancient magic tainted with a deep seething anger.
Disgusted by her Queen’s hypocrisy and frightened by the sheer force of that power, Diamond ducked her head, twisting to look surreptitiously at the council toads. They too shifted uncomfortably in their chairs, rubbing their arms and faces. They were restless and edgy but clearly had no idea why.
“I don’t know where that guardian came from. The last guardian I heard of was rumoured to be seen in the Fire Mountains…supposedly a servant to their imperial family. “
Diamond’s heart clenched. What does that mean? Do dragons still exist? Maybe it was only on this side of the Rough Seas that dragons were believed extinct. The Queen did not shift her green eyes from Hugo as she spoke. “Was it hunting for you, I wonder, magic wielder, or something else entirely? Did it burn my fleet to ashes because of you? Or to try and keep what it wants from escaping across the Rough Seas?” Her voice became contemplative, a frown creasing her normally perfect brow. Cocking her head, she did not drop her attention from Hugo, almost as if he were the answer to her question. Minutes ticked by and no one made a sound.
Hugo did not react. He may as well have been made of stone.
Diamond remained on her knees. Unmoving. Trembling. Not daring to move.
The Queen slowly shifted her scrutiny to Diamond. Silence. Crushing, terrifying silence. Even the toads at the table did not dare mumble.
Against her tender skin the crystal heated, as if sensing that ancient, malevolent glare. It began to glow, clearly visible now through the sheer material of her blouse. Diamond winced, as something sharp scraped her skin, almost as if the dragon clutched the crystal tighter.
Immediately the Queen’s attention dropped to Diamond’s chest. Shock and elation burned through those green eyes as she beheld the glowing jewel. In fact the eyes of all those at the council table were staring at Diamond’s chest. Her cheeks burned. Instinctively she clutched the crystal, bunching the sheer material of her blouse in her fist. It had been so stupid to wear such a see-through garment.
Ragor had unleashed his Seekers on Berriesford for this necklace; now everyone could see it. Dread filled Diamond’s soul. The look of desire the Queen’s face said she would kill for it too.
Squeezing her fist tight, Diamond winced as something sharp pierced her finger. Diamond knew every dent on the black metal chain and fierce dragon that held the clear crystal. What is so special about it that two immortals desire it so?
The Queen’s body was graceful, her movements feline as she pushed herself out of her throne and stalked toward Diamond. A dress in shades of shimmering green gauze and lace clung to her every curve, accentuating her exquisite beauty; the perfect swell of her breasts, her slim waist and her shapely long legs. Golden hair fell in waves over one shoulder; on her head she wore a simple circlet of gold adorned with a single large emerald, and glorious golden wings glinted as she stretched them before folding them into her back.
Fingers of fear crept up Diamond’s spine. Run. Run. Run. Screamed her instincts. But the guards who protected The Queen would catch her or loose a swift blade into her back before she had any hope of reaching the door.
The power and energy radiating from this wicked woman became more pronounced with
every step closer. Her ancient and forceful power clutched at Diamond, invading her senses. It fought to suffocate her, to dominate her own pathetic ember of magic. The Queen glided closer, her hips swaying alluringly, a satisfied smirk on her face. Diamond resisted the urge to shrink into a ball on the floor. She swallowed, not daring to move.
Hugo remained frozen as his Queen approached. The thought of this female’s magic touching and entwining itself with Hugo’s sent a shudder of revulsion through Diamond.
It was a shock to realise Hugo could do nothing, that he was not as strong as he seemed. He was emotionally weak, weak and scarred from so many years of servitude and abuse; he had absolutely no idea how to resist the summons of this manipulative immortal.
Diamond’s chest caved. She was on her own in the face of this overwhelming onslaught of grace and power. Like everyone else in this room, Hugo was just a puppet. Diamond’s heart thumped against her ribs. Close enough to touch, the Queen prowled around Diamond and Hugo. A predator surveying her prey. It seemed even the room held its breath, waiting for what was to happen next.
“Stand up,” ordered the Queen, her voice soft, threatening. Challenging green eyes flicked to Hugo as Diamond scrambled to comply.
The Queen took the last step needed to reach Hugo. Not bothering to disguise her sensuality, her smile widened as she swept a derisive glance across Diamond’s pale, bruised face and slowly let it travel down the young woman’s body.
Diamond did not try and stem the humiliated flush that swamped her face. But for the first time in her life she forged steely determination, and controlled the panic squeezing her chest.
A Bond of Venom and Magic (The Goddess and the Guardians Book 1) Page 28