King of the Unblessed

by Michelle M. Pillow

  “She doesn’t want to see you.”

  Juliana ran faster. She didn’t hear the rest of what Hugh said. The shock of seeing Nicholas in the arms of other women tore at her. She knew she had no right to be jealous, but she was. It wasn’t like she loved him. But had he not said he loved her? Or in the very least almost said it? Was that how Nicholas showed his love? By fornicating with a couple of scandalous faeries? At least when she was with Merrick, she had been under a spell. What was Nicholas’ excuse?

  A shower of sparks burst in front of her, stopping her thoughts. Queen Tania appeared before her on the stairwell. “I don’t know why you’re upset. You don’t love him.”

  “I might,” Juliana answered, moving to brush past the queen.

  Tania grabbed her arm and squeezed with surprising strength. “You forget your manners, mortal. I am still a queen and you have not been dismissed. Like it or not, you will listen to me.”

  Juliana pulled back. “I apologize for any rudeness, Your Majesty, but—”

  “Ah, apology accepted. Now, see, that wasn’t so hard.” Tania threaded her arm through Juliana’s and led her away from the bedchambers. “By the by, we’ve found two sprights hidden on Lord Bellemare’s stallion. They claim to be yours.”

  “Halton and Gorman?” Juliana asked in surprise. “They’re here?”

  “Where else would they be but with their mistress?” Tania asked.

  “Oh, I’m not their mistress.” Juliana shook her head. She glanced up to make sure Nicholas hadn’t followed them. She felt sick to her stomach, not to mention hurt and betrayed.

  “Mm, you see, sprights tend to bond and I believe they have bonded to you. Like it or not, they’re yours until you die.” Tania laughed, the sound like ringing bells. “I’ve given them a warm bed and a fire. They are pleased enough with it.”

  “Thank you,” Juliana said. They stepped down a narrow row of steps, winding in circles as they descended.

  “You want to ask me something,” Tania said.

  “Aye, many things.” Juliana nodded. The queen’s mood seemed to change with each flutter of her wings.

  “Please.” Tania motioned her hand through the air as they continued down the stairwell. The way was lit, though she could see no torches. “Ask.”

  “What did my brother think to make you slap him?”

  Tania giggled. “Ask something else.”

  “How do you know so much about me?”

  Tania nodded. “I wish I could say it’s because I am all knowing, but alas, it is because my kind loves gossip and you, my dear, are the latest gossip. It’s why I wanted to meet you. Now, you must tell me. Are the rumors true? Are you in love with King Merrick? Is that why you journey to the Black Palace?”

  “What?” Juliana gasped.

  Tania frowned. “It’s not true? You don’t love him? Pity.”

  “Where did you hear that?”

  “Ah, then you do. I hear everything that happens from my faery ladies. They have spies all over the forest. There isn’t a thing that can be said without them finding out. Gossip has it that you fell in love with the King of the Unblessed and begged him to give you a chance. If you get to his palace on time he’ll accept your suit because you’ll have proven yourself worthy. We all thought it terribly romantic. It’s why I offer to help you. I should like to tell the story at the Feia court with me in the ending.”

  “That’s not exactly correct.” Juliana took a deep breath. “But I do need to get there right away.”

  “Then you do love him?” Tania stopped on the stairwell. She sighed, her wings quivering.

  “Well, nay—”

  “You don’t love him?”

  “Aye,” Juliana said.

  “I see.” Tania resumed walking. “You don’t know you love him. But we all saw the mark on your head when you walked in. That’s why none of the faery men touch you. He’s claimed you as his. How very interesting. Tell me, why are you going to the palace, if not to prove your love?”

  “King Merrick has kidnapped children from my home. I go to save them.”

  At that Tania laughed so hard tears came to her wide eyes. Juliana frowned.

  “You say King Merrick has kidnapped mortal children?” Tania demanded, grabbing her waist as she bent over. Her wings fluttered, pulling her up when she would fall over in merriment.

  “It’s not funny. He’ll hurt them if I don’t get to his palace and ask him a question.” Juliana put her hands on her hips, scowling at the insensible woman. Why was she laughing?

  “A question?” Tania shook her head, calming to a chuckle. “What game is this? You must tell me everything. Why would you believe Merrick stole children? The very idea!”

  Juliana took a deep breath. Hoping she was doing the right thing, she quickly told the queen how she asked for an adventure and Merrick popped up out of nowhere to give her one. “I looked. The children were gone. I know he has them.”

  “My dear, dear woman,” Tania said. They came to the end of the long stairwell. Pulling Juliana through the narrow door, she said, “Come, let us see about these children of yours.”

  The round chamber was intricately carved from silver like the rest of the palace, only the walls were decorated with ancient symbols. In the center of the room was a round pool of water. In the center of the pool was a stone island. Tania took Juliana’s arm and, wings fluttering, she flew her over the water to the island. Juliana gasped as a strange hairy fish jumped from the water to nip at her feet. It had long, sharp teeth and seemed to snarl.

  “Hold still,” Tania scolded. “They can’t jump this high.”

  “I’m sorry.” Juliana nearly screamed as the fish jumped again, nipping close to her toes.

  Landing on the stone island, Tania plucked a strand of hair from Juliana’s head and sat down on the floor. She motioned for Juliana to join her and tossed the strand of hair into the water. When they were both seated, legs crossed, Tania said, “Now, let’s look for these children, shall we?”

  “But—”

  “Ah, here we are,” Tania said. A wall of light flashed up over the water in several colorful squares. “They look safe enough to me. I knew Merrick wouldn’t be bothered with human children.”

  In each square was one of the missing children from the prisons. A couple of them played, one worked in the garden, two petted a Bellemare colt, another ate with his family outside. “But how? I saw them disappear. I went to look for them. They were gone.”

  “Glamour. He only made it look like they were gone. Honestly, it's child’s magic to make things disappear from sight. These are the children at this exact moment. They’re fine. The unblessed do play nasty, wicked tricks, don’t they? It makes them great lovers, or so I’ve been told. Still, I can’t believe you fell for this one. Whoever heard of a quest to ask a question? Even mortals have nobler pursuits than that. At least they search for holy relics, or journey to worship their gods.”

  “Why would he do this?” Juliana asked.

  “Because he loves you.” Tania sighed, clearly thinking it romantic. “That must be it. You asked for an adventure and he gave you one. Though, it’s quite a foolish wish. Wouldn’t it have been much simpler to just ask him for a pretty dress? Or perhaps hair ribbons? Aye, ribbons.”

  “Nay, he…nay. I saw with my own eyes.” Juliana took a deep breath. “Can you show me Lord Eadward of Tyrshire?”

  Juliana bit her lip. If the children really weren’t kidnapped, then maybe Eadward really wasn’t dead.

  “Who’s he?” Tania asked. The children disappeared and the light darkened. Eadward’s face appeared as large as a castle gate. It was bloated and rotted in his coffin. The eyes were gouged from his head, oozing with fluids. Tania screamed and made the image go away. Jumping to her feet, she screeched, “Why did you ask for that? Why look at a dead man? Wretched, wretched mortal! Don’t you know faeries must only see pretty things?”

  Oh, Eadward, nay! Juliana gagged. “I didn’t know.”

&nbs
p; Tania studied her for a moment and slowly sat back down. “Who is he?”

  “Nicholas’ father. He was my intended.” Her voice strained to say the words.

  “Nicholas? The one you ran from?” Tania asked. Juliana nodded. “Why did you react in such a way? Your heart isn’t for him. He thinks to love you, but you don’t return the feelings. Why pretend to be affected by him in bed with others? Only your mortal pride is stung.”

  Juliana frowned. She wasn’t pretending. It had disturbed her to see it. What did this woman know about it anyway?

  “Is there anything else you’d like to see?” Tania asked, happily changing the subject as she wiggled in her seat. “I do like to look at pretty flowers. Or we could spy on mortal lovers? I’ve learned a great many delicious things from… Nay?”

  Juliana shook her head in denial. Even if Merrick hadn’t taken the children, that didn’t change the fact that Eadward was dead.

  “Ah, then you must promise to tell me how it turns out.” Tania hopped to her feet. Juliana was slower to rise. “He’s going to love that dress.”

  Juliana started to answer, but the faery queen pushed her into the water. She screamed as she splashed into the pool, waiting for the first bite of the hairy fish. Instead, she fell through the water, only to land on hard stone. Moaning, she lifted her head, feeling oddly dry for having gotten soaked. Her head spun and her eyes blurred. All she saw was strange blue firelight on black stone before passing out.

  Chapter Eight

  Merrick shot up in his bed. He was weak from the dragon’s blood, but thanks to the loyal troll in the tavern, he hadn’t been captured. Reaching behind his back, he winced as he felt the puckered wound on his shoulder beneath the long length of his hair. He brushed the locks aside to get a better feel. It had stopped bleeding but it would be several days before he was up to his full power.

  Frowning, he thought of Ean’s deceit. His brother had set him up with talk of love and family, only to try to take him down when his back was turned. If he ever crossed paths with Gregor, he’d kill him. In fact, if he ever crossed paths with Ean, he might just kill him as well.

  His bedchamber was black to match his mood. Tapestries hung along the dark stone, no designs embroidered into their dark surfaces. His bed posts, his coverlet, even his fur rug were all black. Only the blue fire, burning brightly from the fireplace, gave any relief to the solemn chamber.

  Merrick swung his feet off the side of the bed. He was naked, but didn’t bother to materialize clothes quite yet. He frowned. There was a pile of shimmering pale blue in his sea of his blackness. It must have been what had woken him. His gut tightened and he knew who she was even before he saw her face. Juliana. She was in his bedchamber. But how?

  As his feet touched the floor, tight breeches appeared on his legs. He stepped closer to her. Her body faced down and the long, dark locks of her hair covered the side of her face from view. Kneeling, he held his breath, waiting for the rise of her back to show she breathed. She was alive. His tension eased by small degrees.

  Merrick touched the edge of her gown, lifting it. The material sparkled like stars. Frowning, he grumbled, “Faery magic. Queen Tania.”

  Queen Tania and her faeries liked to meddle. He hadn’t been surprised that Juliana had caught the faeries’ attention in the forest, though he was surprised Tania had chosen to help her come to his home. Closing his eyes, Merrick sensed his palace. The queen had sent her alone. Her brothers and that man, Nicholas, were not with her.

  The beautiful material withered in his hand. He watched the blue turn to hard black as the material changed, growing out from his hold. The faery gown disappeared, leaving Juliana clad as he would have her. Her hair twisted, piling onto the top of her head, revealing her face, as dark kohl lined her eyes. Merrick smiled, watching with a sense of fascination as her features turned from girlish innocence to smoldering seductress. She was in his palace, under his complete control. Now there would be no escape. Juliana was his for all eternity.

  * * *

  Juliana looked at herself in the long mirror, stunned. The woman staring back at her could not be her reflection, but it was. Her gown’s bodice pulled tight, pushing her breasts up high and pulling at her waist until she could barely breathe. Her shoulders and arms were bare. The floor-length skirt was narrow, hugging her hips. It split down each side to give peeks of her thighs and calves when she moved. Black leather boots traveled high over her legs, stopping mid-thigh. They were so tight to her flesh, she didn’t know how on earth she’d get them off. The whole gown was positively indecent.

  A black coil wrapped around her arm, almost as if it was drawn on her skin with a quill. She touched it, smearing an ink-like substance with her finger. As soon as she drew her finger away, it fixed itself, melding back together. It was the same with the dark lining around her eyes. She couldn’t wipe it off, though she tried.

  “Queen Tania?” she whispered. Juliana didn’t expect an answer. She looked over the bedchamber, from the bed she’d awakened on to the colorless walls. Everything was black and the fire burned an eerie blue, casting her skin in what looked like moonlight. Juliana was certain the faery queen had kept her word. She’d sent her to the Black Palace. Closing her eyes, she asked, “King Merrick?”

  All was quiet.

  Juliana took a deep breath, staring at her reflection. What now? Merrick hadn’t kidnapped the children. Her whole reason for leaving her world had been a lie, and that was only if she believed Queen Tania. If the children were indeed safe at home, as she suspected they were, then her quest was over. So, what now? Why did Merrick want her at his palace? Was her journey ended? Did she simply need to ask to go home and that was the end of it? And what of her brothers? Of Nicholas? Dare she ask the Unblessed King to send them home as well? Would he let her ask him anything?

  Life had become complicated.

  Once home, would she marry Nicholas? Could she love him as more than a brother? Seeing him in the arms of other women had hurt, but had it affected her heart? Such actions were the way of men, she knew that. Did it really matter what she thought? Marriage wasn’t about love, but alliances.

  Juliana turned away from the mirror, unable to look any longer at what she’d become. Perhaps it was fitting that Merrick dressed her as a whore. Her gaze fell upon the door and she went to it. If fate waited for her, she’d face it head on. Refusing to cower, she threw open the door, not knowing what to expect. What she found was an empty passageway.

  Beyond the black passageway was another black passageway, beyond that another. She supposed it didn’t matter if she got lost. She had a feeling King Merrick would be able to find her anywhere. He might even be watching her now.

  * * *

  Merrick looked up from his throne as the fireplace surged. Borc was again on fire and Iago was rolling around on the floor in a fit of grating laughter. His rasping voice echoed loudly over the hall, causing others to join in. Borc jumped around, not finding a water bucket to sink into. Finally, he managed to pat his head and smother the flames.

  The joke was old, but Merrick found himself smiling slightly at his subjects. At the subtle gesture, the goblins gasped and turned to look at him. He quickly hid his expression behind his hand, pretending to yawn. Much quieter than before, the goblins went about their business, whispering amongst themselves as they plotted their endless mischief. Merrick wondered if all they ever did was plot. They didn’t seem to do much else.

  Merrick’s gaze traveled up over the ceiling, as he pretended to stare at the arches. Juliana was awake, walking his castle. He felt her, knew exactly where she was, as he did all things in his home. Easily, he could picture her in the black dress. She was beautiful, dressed like a dark elfin lady. Merrick gave a small smile to think of it. She’d fit into the unblessed court nicely. He had expected her to be more frightened than she was. Her bravery would serve her well.

  Let’s just see how brave she really is. Let her look upon the whole of my subjects. Merrick’s smil
e widened, this time not bothering to hide it from his minions.

  “A celebration,” Merrick announced. The goblins turned to him, their wrinkled face lit with interest. What better way to welcome Juliana to her new home? What better way to bring his people to him? Besides, he needed to talk to Lord Kalen about the probability of an upcoming war with Tegwen. “We shall bring all of the unblessed court to these halls. It will be a great and monstrous feast like no other. I feel like celebrating.”

  The goblins cheered in excitement. The uneven sound rasped loudly over the hall.

  “Iago, send dispatch to Lord Kalen,” Merrick ordered. Iago’s dark, wrinkled face turned to him, listening. “Tell him I command him to bring his knights and the ladies of his hall three days hence. That should be enough time for him to get here.”

  Iago nodded eagerly. “Yes, my king.”

  “Also send invitations to all unblessed creatures. I want this hall filled.” Seeing the large troll, Volos, crouched in the corner by Bevil, Merrick ordered, “You two, go find me three nymphs to sing and a wizard to perform wondrous magical feats. I will be entertained. And capture me a dragon, whose very breath will light this hall.”

  Volos looked at Bevil for guidance. Bevil motioned to him. The troll picked the goblin up and placed him on his shoulder as he hobbled out of the great hall.

  Merrick lounged back in his throne, grinning as he looked at the ceiling. Juliana was lost, wandering in circles. That was because he let her into a hall without end. It would turn, twist, change in décor and circle around for an eternity if he wished it. She’d never make her way to a door unless he willed it. Let her wander awhile in a place he could watch over her. He had a celebration to plan.

  * * *

  “Where’s my sister?” Hugh demanded, struggling against his chains. The prison may have been a bed decorated with silk coverlets and feathered pillows, but it was still a prison. The faery queen had mesmerized him somehow and he’d awakened with his wrists in shackles and his shirt missing. Glaring at Tania, he demanded, “What have you done to her?”