A Bond of Blood and Fire by Tomlinson Karen

Author:Tomlinson, Karen
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: The Goddess and the Guardian Book Two
Published: 2017-06-11T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 31

Diamond shivered through the afternoon. Despite the painkiller, her body jarred with each of Luna’s steps. The drug had only made Diamond drowsy. Every now and then she felt magic, magic as dark as the shadows of the forest, wrap around her shoulders and pull her back into balance on her saddle.

Midnight Fire continued to walk as close as Luna would allow. Occasionally the two horses huffed and whinnied at each other. Diamond was dozing, so tired she even welcomed Hugo’s large hand holding her upright, when she heard voices raised in challenge.

Blinking her heavy eyes, Diamond peered through the thinning treeline. In the darkness, yellow torches flickered brightly, illuminating a large structure. Jack’s compound. They must be in the heart of the valley.

Diamond made out a large area of cleared ground that seemed to surround a huge fortification. A wide ditch, its scarp steep and muddy, encircled the structure for as far as Diamond could see. Solid wood gates were already thrown wide.

The squadron filed into a large yard surrounded by wooden pens and stables. The horses tossed their heads and snorted at the prospect of food and rest.The compound was crowded and noisy—and quite overwhelming. With hands and feet like blocks of ice, it was far too painful for Diamond to move. She swore under her breath. Her body had seized up. Beyond her seat in the saddle, Diamond spied a large wooden building. It looked solid and safe. She groaned; what she wouldn’t give for a nice warm bed, right now.

Flags billowed above the building, emblazoned with the dragon of Jack’s house, and there were many well-armoured guards around the doorways, walls and guard platforms on the roofs. Diamond expelled a sigh. Jack was her friend, and he had told her he had spies in the palace. Word would have reached him of her test. Fervently, she hoped she wouldn’t see Jack tonight. Facing his questions and inevitable wrath over her ravaged appearance would be far too draining.

Tallo reined the squadron in across the muddy central yard, after being directed to the only space left by a very harassed-looking captain.

Diamond used the opportunity to switch her vision. Energy from the forest pulsed forward, as if drawn to her. It was easy to relax and welcome that spark of growth and life as it washed over her. Warmth invaded her mind and the smell of sap and damp earth tickled her nostrils. Closing her eyes, Diamond gave herself a moment to relish the feeling, wishing she had opened herself up to it earlier. A tiny nudge on her cheek from Hugo’s energy brought her back to the here and now.

Masses of energy flowed around her, swirling around the warriors and the horses. Her heart tightened, and she fleetingly wondered if Tom or Zane were nearby.

Diamond let her vision return to normal. It did not matter; they would have their own duties now.

“Dismount!” Tallo bellowed, jerking her out of her reverie.

Before Diamond could even think about getting herself down, Hugo was standing by her, his large hands gripping her hips again.

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