“Diamond?” he whispered, delighting at the goose bumps that appeared on her skin when his breath fanned her ear. Daring her wrath, he couldn’t resist brushing his lips in a feather light kiss under her earlobe. She gave a secret smile and stretched her neck back invitingly. It was such an unconsciously sensual move that his body stirred in response. He swallowed hard. Gods, it was difficult not doing it again and again.
“Diamond?” he repeated, his voice huskier than before. His mouth burned to trace kisses along her exposed skin.
Murmuring, her eyes fluttered open. Confusion fogged their depths for a moment, then her brows furrowed into a frown. “Hugo?” she whispered. A shy smile bloomed across her stunning face before it flushed bright red.
A grin stretched Hugo’s features when she pulled the blankets right up to her neck. She looked adorable with her messed up hair and bashful expression.
“Morning. It’s time to get up. I’m going down to find Gorian. We’ll be in the kitchen. Eating,” he informed her, still grinning.
“Don’t grin like that,” she muttered uncomfortably.
“I’m not,” he said, trying to purse his lips together. It didn’t work. He couldn’t stop smiling at the memory of her sleeping wrapped in his arms. Inhaling, his grin spread. Her sweet scent was mingled with his now. “Did you sleep well?” he asked in a drawling voice.
Nodding, she dropped her eyes.
“So did I,” he said, brushing a finger lightly down her hot cheek.
A hesitant smile curved her lips as his gaze lingered on her mouth.
“I’m ravenous,” he told her, deliberately infusing his voice with double meaning, “so you had better hurry up and get dressed.” He slowly ran his eyes down the full length of her body and back up again.
Her flush deepened.
Satisfied by her reaction, he winked, then almost laughed out loud when Diamond’s mouth dropped open.
“Also, if we get back to the barracks too late, it will start tongues wagging. And you’ll never hear the end of it from the squadron, especially the love-struck Reese, if we don’t get back before they know we’ve been out together all night. You’ll break his heart,” he warned.
Diamond huffed at him. “Reese is not in love with me,” she uttered defensively.
A sputter of laughter exploded from him at her indignation. “Yes, he is,” Hugo grinned and attempted a mock frown.
Smiling now, she placed her hands flat on his chest and shoved him off the bed.
Hugo let himself be moved.
“Oh, stop it. No, he’s not. He’s a very nice man who is my friend. Just like Jack is.”
“Really?” Hugo said, raising his brows quizzically. “You sure?”
Diamond rolled her eyes. “Go downstairs, you fool, then I’ll get up.”
Chuckling, he caught her face in his hands. Holding her eyes, he slowly leaned forward and touched his lips to hers in the lightest, most gentle kiss. The taste of her almost drove him to his knees. It was so damned hard to pull away. Leaving her stunned, Hugo rallied his self-control and sauntered to the door.
Wide, violet eyes watched him as he grasped the handle, winked and stepped into the hall. He caught her stunned expression before he closed the door. It was understandable really; he was acting completely out of character and he had never kissed her before. He blew out a deep breath as his stomach flipped. He would find the right time to tell her about the bite—he would. Taking a few large strides, his feet hit the first stair and he descended into the stale aroma of the rickety old inn.
CHAPTER 22
The soft murmur of voices rose from the kitchen. Hugo cocked his head, his keen fae hearing missing nothing. Two males. The sound of pots and pans being thumped down and the sizzle of bacon. His stomach rumbled at the aroma. It had been a long time since he last ate.
Gorian was an early riser; he had to be if catching the early tides meant the difference between keeping his illegal activities low key and forcing the city guard to act against him. Hugo did not judge Gorian. The older man had helped keep Hugo sane over the years, but Hugo wasn’t stupid; he knew Gorian was not a noble man. Most of his profits came from whorehouses, underground magic rooms and fighting pits. Hugo guessed he had made a lot of money in the past few years due to so many desperate people flooding into the city. Sometimes it sickened Hugo to think about it, but life was cheap in this war.
Reluctantly, his thoughts turned to the impending battle with the Wraith Lord. Hugo had fought many battles alongside Jack and his army in the Grasslands of Rhodainia. He had fought against the Wraith Lord’s vile creatures, that army of animated dead that could turn into swirling columns of dust. But it was not himself he worried for.
Diamond would face them. An ache bloomed in his chest. He knew she could die. No matter how hard he had trained her or how good she became, she was not a warrior. Hugo didn’t know if Ragor would simply attack the wall or if he had spies and traitors skulking among the filth-ridden backstreets of this city.
He tried not to think about how the Wraith Lord had been freed from his warded prison. Every sickening detail of day the Queen had set Ragor free was etched into Hugo’s brain. The Wraith Lord had been freed for a purpose; Hugo had never discovered what. The Queen had used Hugo’s shadow magic to move her spirit from Valentia. Using him that way had nearly killed both of them, but she had needed to be there to use the blood of king Oden, and cast the spell that had set Ragor free. Once his part in that nightmarish day was over, Hugo had been sent away.
After hearing Gorian’s story, Hugo wondered if setting Ragor free was something to do with the keys to Eternity. Arades Gillon had commanded King Oden’s armies. Hugo wondered if the Queen had been searching for the necklace even back then. Had she killed the king to make her quest for the key easier? It was highly likely. Though, it was unlikely she had expected Ragor to turn on her. It shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise, Hugo supposed. If legend were to be believed, the Wraith Lord’s only allegiance was to The Lord of Chaos. And, Hugo reflected dryly, the Queen did help put Ragor in his prison in the first place.
Warriors from all Eight Kingdoms had kept the borders between Rhodainia and the Barren Lands secure. It had been that great combined army, forged by the immortal rulers of the Eight Kingdoms, that Jack’s family had commanded. The Combined Army had contained Ragor’s demonic creatures in the Barren Waste Lands for a thousand years—until the rulers from across the oceans began to forget, and the Oden dynasty’s strength had fallen. Hugo swallowed the rush of bile that hit his throat, his footsteps faltering. Until their king had fallen.
Taking a deep breath, Hugo pushed away his guilt. He stepped into the kitchen.
Gorian nodded and bid him a cheery, “Good morning.”
Another man stood by the back door, facing the yard. He was a hulking brute with wide shoulders and a thick neck. As the guard turned to glance at Hugo, it took all of Hugo’s self-control not to snort with laughter. Dark eyes glinted from the guard’s messed up face. Maintaining a blank face, Hugo swallowed his pride in Diamond’s fighting skill. This man was obviously one of Gorian’s best guards. It was in the way he stood, in his scrutiny of every detail of Hugo’s weapons but, most of all, it was in his eyes.
“This is Max,” explained Gorian with a warning look in Hugo’s direction. Do not goad him, that look said.
Hugo nodded, keeping his face blank. He sat down where Gorian indicated. Well, it should be interesting when Diamond comes downstairs, Hugo smiled to himself.
“So? Where’s the young lady?” Gorian asked with a smirk. “Tired, is she?”
Hugo treated him to a warning scowl. “Gorian.”
Gorian smiled and slapped Hugo on the shoulder good-naturedly. “Relax, son. I’ll be on my best behaviour. Did you talk to her about your plans?”
“Yes, I did.”
“And?”
“And there are still things left unsaid, and things she will need time to think about.”
“Ti
me to think about? By the goddess, Hugo, you don’t have time to think about it. And neither does she. Doesn’t she want to live?” Gorian exclaimed incredulously.
“Yes, she does,” said a musical voice from the doorway.
Even Max gave a start.
Hugo frowned. How did she get down here without me hearing her footsteps?
Diamond greeted Gorian, then treated Hugo to a stunning smile. Irritatingly, a swift flush heated his neck. Caught off guard, he could only stare stupidly at her.
Noticing Max standing by the door, Diamond’s smile faltered. Instead of sitting down as Hugo expected her to, she walked straight up to Max and held out her hand, an apologetic look on her face.
“I’m very sorry about your nose,” she said earnestly, flicking her wrist in Hugo’s direction. “I was worried about him. He forgot to tell me what he was up to. It was nothing personal.”
Max stared down at her, his mouth a bit slack, but he took her slim hand in his big paw. Apparently no one had ever before apologised for hitting him. Hugo watched like a hawk, ready to launch himself at Max if he even twitched in the wrong direction.
“ ‘S alright,” Max said, his voice rough and deep. Intelligent, alert eyes weighed up Hugo’s body language. “Never met a woman who can fight like you. Besides, can’t fault you for caring about your friends,” he said with a lopsided smile.
Diamond grinned back, relieved. “Thanks,” she said, her shoulders relaxing. Max returned to his vigil at the door. The chair creaked as Diamond sat down opposite Hugo at the table.
Hugo silently raised his eyebrows.
“Something wrong?” she asked sweetly.
Hugo shook his head innocently. In truth, apologising had been the last thing he had expected her to do. “Nope,” he denied, biting into his bacon.
Gorian placed a plate in front of her. “Eat up. Then you had better get going before it gets light. Diamond?”
“Yes?” she mumbled, stuffing a fork full of food into her mouth.
“Hugo told you about the ship?” His eyes flicked to Max, “And your necklace?”
Diamond nodded gravely. “Yes.”
“Good. Don’t try and retrieve it. Leave it where it is. Both of you.” He looked meaningfully at Hugo. “I am leaving to visit friends. I will tell them of it, and I guarantee they will want to see it returned to its rightful owner.”
Hugo felt a spike of suspicion at Gorian’s words. He was a crime lord after all. But Gorian’s face and eyes were utterly sincere.
“The ship will leave at four-thirty am for the spice continent of Gar Anon. There will be a row boat waiting on the quay near the main warehouse. Be here by three-thirty at the latest to board it. They will not wait longer than that,” he said solemnly. “I will arrange your passage. The captain is a greedy and untrustworthy bastard, but, well, let’s just say he owes me a favour. Do not turn your back on him or he will likely stab you in it and take everything you own.”
Diamond finished her food, while thinking that comment over. Hugo stood and reached into his pocket pulling out a bag of coins. “Here, this should cover our expenses. And keep the captain’s mouth shut, for now,” he said, his fingers releasing the bag. It dropped with a solid thud into Gorian’s hand. Diamond’s eyes widened but she didn’t say anything.
“What’s this captain’s name? Just in case,” asked Hugo, his face blank but his voice oozing threat.
Gorian smiled tightly, nodding in understanding. “Captain Sabiliar. Don’t return here unless you have to. It’s too risky,” he said, his smile full of regret as he looked at the younger man. “Take care, son. I’m glad our paths crossed all those years ago. You’re the closest thing to family I have known in a long time.” Then Gorian cocked his head to one side. “When you get to Gar Anon, make sure you head to the Fire Mountains. There will be answers in Salvir for both of you. The fire people are in your blood, Hugo; it’s where your family is from. I will be leaving to meet with my friends soon, but we will meet again one day,” he said with certainty.
Hugo was at a loss for words. Before he could recover and ask Gorian what he meant, the old man walked over to Diamond, his eyes flashing a warning as he took her hands in his.
“Hugo is like a son to me. He is risking a lot for you—and will always risk a lot for you. Being a guardian of those he loves is who he is underneath the mask he wears. If you let him, he will care for you until his dying day. Don’t throw that back in his face,” he warned, while his eyes promised to hunt her down if she did. Gorian let her go, then embraced Hugo before departing with Max.
Hugo and Diamond stared at each other, the air crackling with tension and unspoken words.
“We should go,” said Hugo quietly. Still wondering at Gorian’s words, he led the way out of the back door and down the steps to the docks. A guardian? An interesting choice of words for someone like me, he thought, curling his lip in derision.
Frigid air gusted around them, leaving the dawn sky free of clouds. Beautiful stars peppered the sky, twinkling brightly beside the ice moon that illuminated the dilapidated buildings of the dockside.
“Come,” Hugo rumbled, holding out his arms as he unfurled his wings. Armour shimmered across them, their markings intensifying in the silvery moonlight. Without hesitation, Diamond gave him a little smile, reached up and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. He embraced her slim body, picking her up and lifting them smoothly off the ground. It was hard to ignore the warmth of her breath against his skin and the way she unreservedly leaned her body into his, holding him tightly. His concentration flickered as her warm thighs wrapped around his waist, gripping him tightly.
Focus! He scolded himself as heat spread through his veins, then pooled in his lower belly. They passed over glimmering rooftops, avoiding the watch towers and city guards. Warrior fae challenged Hugo as he reached the palace walls but there was no trouble when they recognised him as a Queen’s guard.
Landing softly in the deserted barracks, Hugo smiled. Diamond now looked flustered as he slid her slowly down his body until her feet could touch the floor. Taking her hand, he led her inside. It was harder than it should have been to let her go. They agreed she should meet the squadron as usual and continue her training. Hugo watched Diamond reluctantly enter her room, not turning away until her door clicked shut.
CHAPTER 23
Rain fell in loud torrents on the roof of the training hall. Tallo had relented and let the squadron train indoors instead of out in the brutal weather.
Diamond nearly missed blocking Paige as she glanced at the door, looking for Hugo. Concentrate! she berated herself. Diamond hadn’t seen Hugo since returning from Gorian’s inn nearly a week ago. He had all but disappeared, leaving her training to Tallo and Attion. The latter was a hard taskmaster but was never disrespectful. Coldly courteous was a good description, Diamond supposed. All Attion could—or would—tell her was that the Queen had recalled Hugo for other duties. Anxiety had squeezed Diamond’s heart at the brief flicker of worry she had seen in Attion’s eyes.
Diamond told herself not to fret. But not feeling Hugo’s magic, not knowing what was happening to him after everything they had discussed, was hell. Every evening she went to his room hoping he would be there. Every evening, as her worry worsened, she curled up on his bed, praying to Lunaria he was safe.
Tallo frowned and called a halt as Paige struck a sideways blow and whacked Diamond on her arm. Diamond yelped. It had not escaped Tallo’s notice how distracted and tired Diamond had become.
“Concentrate, Diamond!” he admonished, treating her to a spectacular frown. “Captain Reese! Niall! You’re up next. Diamond, Paige, get a drink! And Diamond? Get your head back in the game before you get hurt.”
Chastised, Diamond turned away. Reese winked as she walked off the floor to the water table. She forced a smile at him. The two men chose their weapons and began to spar. Tallo grunted his approval.
Diamond downed a pitcher of water and wiped the drips off her chin
before turning around.
Her blood froze instantly.
Lord Commander Ream, the cruel and scarred leader of the Queen’s elite guard, studied her from the doorway, Attion by his side. Ice slithered down her spine. Both males approached. Reese and Niall stilled. The whole squadron, even Tallo, watched the two Queen’s guards closely. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Reese, then Niall, swing their swords ready to strike, but not at each other. Fearing for their safety, she almost imperceptibly shook her head at Reese. If Attion noticed, he did not show it.
Rooted to her spot, the blood drained from her face, leaving her pale and lightheaded. Sweat beaded on her brow. Swiping it away, Diamond forced herself to meet the Lord Commander’s cold scrutiny. Lifting her chin, she waited.
“The Queen wishes to see you now.” Attion’s voice was as cold as it had ever been, but she did not miss the minute nod of his head or the warning in his eyes.
Prepare yourself, that nod said.
“Of course,” Diamond replied, her heartbeat picking up. “Do I have time to freshen up?” she asked, keeping her voice steady and neutral.
“No,” responded Commander Ream icily. He stood to one side, indicating Diamond should proceed ahead of them. As they left the training hall, Attion came to her side.
“This way,” he said, motioning for her to turn left down a corridor that led to another large training hall.
“Nosco!” Commander Ream barked over his shoulder. “You too. The rest of you stay here.” There was stark warning in his voice.
Captain Reese and his soldiers watched with barely concealed animosity as the small party left the hall.
Fear turned Diamond’s legs to jelly. Is this my test? Or has the Queen tolerated as much as she was willing between her favoured guard and the half-blood magic wielder? Bile rushed Diamond’s mouth. She swallowed it painfully. Being this close to Commander Ream terrified Diamond, reminding her of the temple and the throne room. No. No panic attacks. I can survive this. The Queen will not kill me unless I am of no use. She wants a weapon, not a corpse.
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