King of the Unblessed

by Michelle M. Pillow

  They bowed low to her. She turned to go. Thomas took up her arm. When they were out of earshot, he said, “Juliana, there’s still time to—”

  “Nay, Thomas, nay.” She smiled for him, but it took all her willpower to keep the look intact. “I’m just being foolish. Women get this way the day before they are to marry. Lord Eadward is coming tonight…and…well…I…”

  “We want you to be happy. You know that, don’t you, Juliana?” Thomas insisted.

  “Is all well?” They turned to look at Hugh.

  “Aye, all’s well. I wish you two would stop worrying like old washerwomen.” Juliana leaned over and kissed Thomas’ cheek and then Hugh’s. “I ate in the kitchen. Make my excuses. I’m going to go lie down. Send someone to me if I must greet Lord Eadward.”

  “Good eve,” Hugh said, touching her cheek softly. Juliana closed her eyes briefly and turned into his hand.

  “Sleep well, sister,” Thomas added.

  Juliana curtseyed, stopping to impishly wink at them before moving toward the stairs. She knew she should stay and entertain the guests, but she just couldn’t do it. She was tired and wanted to be alone. As soon as she was hidden from the great hall’s view, she let the smile fall from her features. Her head drooped forward and she held onto the wall as she wearily climbed the stairs. Tonight was going to be a very long night.

  * * *

  “She’s not pleased with this,” Thomas said to his older brother. “Methinks we should reconsider.”

  “I heard her as well. She’s just nervous, Thomas. Besides, I have already given my word on the matter and she has given hers. The bans have been posted. Lord Eadward is a good man who will treat her well.” Hugh’s expression didn’t change as he looked at the place where their sister had disappeared.

  “We keep saying that,” Thomas said. “I have yet to know who we’re trying to convince—Juliana or ourselves. Mayhap, we should go talk to her.”

  “Come, brother, we have guests to tend to.” Hugh took Thomas by the shoulder and pulled him toward the head table where the servants served pitchers of wine. “Juliana will be fine. She’s strong. Always has been. And she’ll do her duty.”

  “It’s not her strength I worry about,” Thomas answered, giving one last glance at the stairwell before letting Hugh lead him back toward the high table. “It’s her spirit.”

  Chapter Two

  “Ju-li-an-a.”

  Juliana stopped on her way up the stairwell, frowning slightly in confusion. Laughter rang softly from the hall below. She glanced behind her, the way barely lit by the firelight from the great hall. No one was in the stairwell with her. She shook her head, continuing up. Hopefully a full night’s sleep would set her head straight.

  Abovestairs there were enough bedchambers for all four siblings and a few guests. Juliana’s was to the left, next to small rooms set up for sewing, with weaving looms and cutting tables. Her chambers were separated from her brothers’. Hugh thought to give her privacy, or so he claimed. Juliana knew it was to keep her from being offended when they brought maids up to their beds for the night. Thinking of it, she smiled. She let her brothers pretend they got away with their affairs without her knowledge, but there was little that happened at Bellemare she didn’t know about.

  “Juliana.”

  Juliana stopped. That time the whisper was louder and came from above. “Aye?”

  Above her the halls were dim. The sun had set and now moonlight shone through the narrow window slits above. Since she wasn’t expected to retire so early in the eve, the servants had yet to light the torches. She took a hesitant step up, nearing the top.

  “Is someone there?” she called.

  “Juliana,” the voice whispered again, raspy and low. A figure moved from the shadows, running across the top of the stairs. She jumped in surprise, nearly falling down the stairwell. Righting herself, she leaned to the side, trying to get a peek. The figure had been small, like a child.

  “This isn’t funny,” Juliana said, relaxing some. The children had played pranks on her before. “Come out, please. You shouldn’t be here. These are my private chambers.”

  “Juliana.” This whisper was different, raspier than the first, the tone higher. No doubt it was a girl. At least one torch was usually left so none had to wander around in the dark, but the children must have put it out.

  “Lord Bellemare will not be pleased!” Juliana smiled, despite the scolding tone of her words. Obviously, some of them had escaped imprisonment. They had to be waiting in ambush. Not wanting to disappoint their game, she edged into the passageway. It only seemed to get darker, but she’d walked the halls to her bedchamber many times and knew every hidden nook. From what she could see, the hall was empty and there would only be a few inlets to hide in. Her voice ringing softly, she said, “He’s likely to imprison you with the others if he catches you.”

  “Juliana,” came another whisper, this one from behind.

  Juliana turned, ready to grab a child into her arms. The moonlight silhouetted a hairy figure. It was too short to be a child, too human in form to be an animal. Its foot lifted to step and she thought to see a talon in place of a foot. She screamed, jumping back. Mocking laughter sounded all around her, coming from at least a dozen voices. She looked up. A dark, wrinkled face grinned at her, hanging on the stone above. White hair sprouted from his head. His nose hung low over his thick, wide lips. When he smiled, he had sharp, pointed teeth.

  “Juliana,” the creature above her rasped, following the terrifying sound with a hard, uneven laugh.

  “Ahh-hha,” Juliana cried, stumbling back from them. She glanced from the ceiling to the top of the stairwell in stunned horror.

  “Juliana,” the higher-pitched voice said behind her.

  She spun around, screaming. Her heart pounded a violent rhythm. A being with long arms stood in her way. Instantly, the hall filled with frightening creatures. They grew from the shadows, crowding her in. Seeing that her bedchamber door was the closest, she ran for it. Something touched her leg as she hastened by. She yelped, terrified, as she pushed through the door. Slamming it shut, she bolted the lock.

  There was complete silence, except for her gasping breath. Juliana leaned her back against the thick oak. From what she could see, her room was empty. The fireplace burned brightly, illuminating her narrow bed and trunk. A red coverlet with gold embroidery lay over the mattress, still smooth from that morning. Her white wedding gown was folded neatly on the end of the bed. She looked at the ceiling. The rafters were empty.

  The silence continued and she let loose a small laugh of relief. She was imagining things. She was safe. It was nothing, just the shadows of the dark hall. It was her vivid imagination tricking her into believing that...

  Suddenly, the cold laughter started anew. Juliana screamed. The creatures pounded on the door, vibrating the hard oak against her back as they called out her name. “Juliana! Juliana!”

  “Stop!” Juliana cried out, jumping away from the door. “Leave me alone. What do you want?”

  “Methought I answered that question already,” a voice behind her said. “How easily you forget. And I had hoped to be more memorable to you.”

  Juliana twirled around, her gaze moving to the bed. The stranger lay atop the mattress, the black of his clothes contrasting with the dark red material of her coverlet. He lounged on his side, lazily drawing a long, manicured fingernail over the embroidered gold pattern. His silver and black overtunic was gone, and she couldn’t help but think how devilishly handsome he looked, lounging half-dressed on her bed. His hair spilled over his shoulders like silk strands, framing his dark, handsome features.

  The pounding continued on the door, as did the sinister laughter. Juliana ignored it, becoming transfixed. He wasn’t like the men she knew. There was an energy, a vibrancy, that poured off of him. He was primal and strong, alluring and frightening at the same time. She watched his finger stoke the coverlet, the caress so light and tender it made her shiver.
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br />   The moment he looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers, the pounding on the door stopped, replaced by the sound of crackling wood in the fireplace. More of his blond hair spilled over his shoulders, soft and inviting. He stopped moving, holding as still as a statue. She stepped back.

  Her breathing heavy, she managed to ask, “How did you get in here? You can’t be in here. You control the demons, don’t you?”

  The man pushed up from his side, smiling. He draped an arm over his bent knee, his wickedly dark eyes watching her. She took another quick step back. His expression lightened, looking almost amused by her reaction. “Nay, you’re thinking of King Lucien. He controls the demons. I’m Merrick.”

  “What do you want, Merrick?” Juliana couldn’t take her eyes off him. Her heart beat fast. It seemed so intimate, being alone with him in her bedchamber. The knights were far below and if they hadn’t heard her screams already, they’d not hear them now. She swallowed, wondering if she should brave the hall.

  Merrick chuckled. “I wouldn’t try it. They haven’t gone away.”

  Juliana stiffened, raising her chin. “What do you want with me?”

  “To take you up on your offer,” he said, his lips curling a little more. It was a seductive look, even as it was dangerous. He swung his legs over the side of her narrow bed. His polished boots landed neatly on the floor. Pushing up from the bed, he didn’t take his eyes off of her.

  Juliana much preferred him lying down. Standing, he appeared to dominate the very room, including her. The orange of the firelight reflected in his dark eyes, making them glow. Merrick came for her. Stalking her slowly, he crossed the distance. She tried to pull away, but found she couldn’t move. So help her, she wanted him to touch her. “What offer?”

  “Mm, so easily you forget. I might start to take offense, Juliana.” Merrick lifted his hand, grazing her cheek. His touch was warm, gentle, as it glided down her throat. He stopped at her pulse. It quickened beneath his fingers until she was sure her heart would leap from her chest. Pulling his hand away, he said, “No matter.”

  He turned his back on her, moving with infinite grace and refinement to the small table along the wall. His brief touch left her weak, but the absence of it left her powerless. Lifting the pitcher of clean water left for her by the servants, Merrick poured the liquid into a bowl.

  “Tell me, my lady,” he said thoughtfully. “What do you hold most dear?”

  Juliana didn’t dare answer.

  “This castle?” He picked up the bowl. Swirling the water lightly, he watched it. Meditatively, he continued, “Your reputation? Your family? Your brothers?”

  “Why do you want to know?” Juliana demanded, doing her best to sound unafraid. It was a weak attempt and he merely arched a brow in question as his eyes met hers.

  Merrick grinned, a devilishly wicked look. “Thomas?”

  “What are you doing?” Juliana tried not to breathe too loudly. She swallowed back her fear, stiffening her resolve. The man excited her, even as he frightened her.

  “I know,” Merrick said. He lifted the bowl in one hand, letting it rest on the tips of his fingers, before moving to the narrow slit in the wall. Moonlight fell over the bowl. He tapped his finger on the surface of the water. Then, gazing into the bowl, he said, “How about the children you tell your stories to? So young. So innocent.”

  A tear slipped down her cheek. Her lips trembled and she swallowed nervously. He lifted the bowl toward her in one graceful movement. A soft glow shone from within. Juliana stepped forward, slowly moving to look into the bowl. An image of the children undulated gently on the water’s surface. They were in the Bellemare prisons, laughing and eating their feast. She couldn’t hear them, but she could see them just fine. She lightly touched the edges of the bowl, unsure as to whether or not she wanted to take it from him.

  Merrick waved his hand languidly over the water’s surface. After his fingers passed, the children were gone and she stared at an empty prison cell filled with half-eaten trenchers of food.

  She gasped, looking up at him. “What happened? Where are they?”

  “You wished for an adventure,” he said softly. He let go of the bowl. It slipped through her fingers and crashed onto the floor. The bowl cracked in two and water spilled over the dark stone. The image disappeared completely, as he repeated again, “You asked for an adventure. I shall give you an adventure, Juliana. And, in return, you will belong to me.”

  “Nay, I don’t want it. I was just…daydreaming. I won’t do it.” She glanced down at the puddle. “I don’t agree. Take your bargain elsewhere, devil.”

  “Then you’ll never see the children again,” Merrick stated. “Your task is a simple one, my lady. You shall go to my realm, the realm of all that is magic and immortal. You know it as the Otherworld. There, you will journey to the Kingdom of Valdis.”

  “Please, I’m begging you, Merrick. I’m getting married tomorrow. I can’t go on an adventure. I’m to be a wife. Please, return the children. I’m begging you. Don’t hurt them.”

  “Nay, Juliana, I told you I wouldn’t allow your marriage. There will be no wedding, regardless of what you decide. Don’t anger me in this.” Merrick’s voice lowered in warning. His dark eyes pierced into her. All pretense of smiling was gone. He took a menacing step, forcing her to stumble back.

  “What do I do in Valdis? How do I get there?”

  “I will show you the door to the Otherworld. It is up to you to find your way from there,” he said. “Your task is a simple one. You must find the King of the Unblessed and ask him a simple question.”

  “What question is that?”

  “If you ask him, he’ll give you anything you desire, so long as it doesn’t interfere with our bargain.” Merrick studied her for a long moment.

  “Please,” she begged, “what question?”

  “That is for you to determine.” Merrick touched her cheek. She jerked her face away from him, causing a soft laugh of amusement to escape him. He pulled his hand away, a strange look upon his face. “I warn you, it won’t be easy. You could be killed.”

  “Please reconsider—”

  “Feel fortunate I’m not King Lucien, or I would have taken your soul for much less adventure than I am giving to you now.” His tone was hard, almost deadly. “You wanted an adventure, begged for one. Well, you should have taken more care in what you wished for, my lady. Not all adventures are happy ones. Lucien would have made you prisoner in the bowels of a ship, sold as a slave at a distant land. I merely ask you to journey to Valdis and ask a simple question.”

  Juliana didn’t move. Her mind raced with thoughts, none of them rational.

  “I can feel the excitement in you even now, as you damn yourself for it. I feel your fear, Juliana.” A low, pleasurable growl sounded in the back of his throat as he pressed his cheek to hers. “This excites you, doesn’t it, my lady? Your heart is beating so fast and your breath catches each time I touch you.”

  Julian turned her face away. “Where do I find this King of the Unblessed?”

  “He lives in the Black Palace.” Merrick started to turn, only to stop. Tapping the side of his mouth, he said, “Oh, I almost forgot. Every great adventure has to have perilous odds. A time frame, methinks. You have one week to do what I ask, or both your life and those of the children will be mine to do with as I will.”

  “You’re a beast!” She balled her hands into fists.

  “I’ve been called much worse.” He laughed, though his face remained blank and his eyes looked dead of all emotion.

  “How do I know I can trust you?”

  “You don’t.” Merrick touched her cheek, rubbing his palm over her skin. His hand was warm, making her shiver. Juliana closed her eyes. Why did he have to keep touching her? He stood so close she could feel his warmth. “It’s up to you. Really, what choice do you have, my lady?”

  “When does this madness start?” Lifting her chin, she again pulled away from his touch and refused to meet his eyes. She c
ouldn’t. He was too close. His finger grazed the side of her mouth, pausing along the seam. The feelings inside her were insanity and she wouldn’t succumb to them. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to throw him down on the bed. What she’d do to him once she had him down, she wasn’t exactly sure.

  “Now.” He let her go.

  “And how do I get to your world?”

  “Your journey starts as all journeys do, by walking out the front gate of your castle.” His body glimmered, fading until he was transparent. Juliana stared, unable to look away. “Tell no one from your world of this, Juliana. I will not be pleased if you do.”

  Merrick disappeared. She shook her head, finally letting the tears of worry fall from her eyes unchecked. How could she have wished for him to come back? To be real? Whatever he was, it was surely a demon, a beast, a fiend. For only a true devil would threaten the lives of innocent children.

  She looked at the door, trying to get her wits about her. She needed to be careful, needed to think. Juliana sighed. She had to do it. How could she not? But, conversely, how did she know he told the truth? The dungeons. She’d go to the dungeons and see for herself.

  Her blue linen gown and cream chemise weren’t ideal for travel, but she didn’t want to waste time changing her clothes. She did slip out of her shoes, opting for sturdy leather boots. Grabbing a thick cape from her trunk, she slipped it over her shoulders. It was made from brown wool and would serve her well for travel.

  Going to her bed, she pulled a jeweled dagger from beneath the mattress and slipped it into her boot for safekeeping. It wasn’t much but, having three brothers, she knew how to use it. They’d given it to her on her fourteenth birthday.

  “I can’t believe I’m even considering this,” she whispered, looking around her chamber one last time. “Then again, what choice do I have?”

  * * *

  “Lord Bellemare!”

  Hugh, who was discussing the finer points of jousting with Sir Pieter, stopped talking in mid-sentence at the interruption. Glancing down from the high table, he frowned to see the look on his guard’s face. Euric was supposed to be watching the main gate, a very important duty—especially since the gates were left open all night for the castle’s visitors.