King of the Unblessed

by Michelle M. Pillow

  * * *

  Hugh glared at Queen Tania as she sat next to him on her throne. She’d barely even looked at him as he came into the hall, instead choosing to ignore him. The wench didn’t even act like she’d done anything wrong. When he had awoken that morning, he was unchained. A bath had been set out for him along with a change of clothes. The soft material felt nice against his skin, but he refused to find any pleasure in it. Its dark green color mimicked the color of evergreens. The brown breeches matched the color of bark.

  A feast was prepared in their honor before they left. Soft music played. He was given a seat of honor at Tania’s side, as if that made up for his imprisonment. Nicholas stumbled in first, looking sleepy. He wore a reddish brown tunic matching the color of earth and black breeches. Apparently, while Hugh had been captured, Nicholas had been sleeping with nearly every faery in the Feia court. Next, Thomas came in a tunic of dark blue to match the night sky, looking just as sated and tired as Nicholas. Hugh glared at Tania. He had been chained, tortured, tormented, his body denied and all the while Thomas and Nicholas were getting pleasured in ways too many to count?

  “Tell me, Queen Tania,” Hugh said, his voice low and hard. “Why imprison me, but pleasure the others?”

  He smiled when she paled, choking on her wine.

  “Thomas, Nicholas, we’re leaving,” Hugh announced, standing before his meal was even finished. Both men nodded and stood without question. Thomas grabbed two pieces of fruit. Nicholas took a handful of nuts.

  “You cannot leave,” Tania said. “We’re dining. You’re being very rude, Lord Bellemare.”

  Hugh looked at her. Then, forcing a lopsided grin, he grabbed her face and kissed her for everyone to see. The hall was instantly quiet. The music stopped. She slapped at his arms and neck, trying to get him to let go. Even as she protested, her lips opened to him ever so little. It was a grim victory, but he took it, slipping his tongue between her teeth. Her lips were as sweet as he remembered and he couldn’t help but intensify the kiss, thrusting his tongue deeper inside. If he had his way, he’d pull her into his arms and cart her away to a bed to finish what had been started between them. When he pulled back, he swore hoarsely, “First I rescue my sister. Then I’ll be back to settle with you.”

  Tania’s mouth was open, but no sound came out. Hugh motioned at Thomas and Nicholas to follow before stalking out of the castle, intent on leaving the Silver Palace and the aggravating queen behind him.

  * * *

  The morning was bright and the sun warm as the three men left the Feia. Their horses had been well tended by the faeries, but were restless to stretch their legs. Thomas watched Hugh, knowing his brother’s mood to be sour. He hadn’t heard what Hugh had said to the queen, but the look on her face had been one of complete bewilderment. Or maybe it was the kiss that had paled her already white skin. Thomas could well guess the reason Queen Tania had not let Hugh seek his bodily pleasures with the other faeries, but he wisely kept his mouth shut on the matter. Hugh would not want to hear it.

  Thomas’ head cleared by small degrees, aided by the coolness of the morning air. They didn’t speak as they rode from the valley within the forest. Nicholas looked as grim as Thomas felt. The enchantment the faeries had woven over him had been like the finest mead, making him forget everything important. To his shame, he’d forgotten Juliana, his sister, his blood. Even as he resented the faeries hold over him, he missed it.

  Juliana was at the whim of King Merrick. It could only be assumed what the king would want with her. His sister was beautiful, smart, young. She’d make any king a fine prize. Already, Merrick had kissed her in the pond. Was it likely, now she was within his grasp, that he would leave it at a kiss? Thomas dared to hope his sister’s virtue was intact, but he was not fool enough to believe it. The only thing he couldn’t reason was that King Merrick had made his sister travel to him instead of just stealing her away.

  “Why shouldn’t I make myself known? I know where we should be going and this way is not it.”

  The voice was faint. Thomas frowned, twisting in his seat to look back at Nicholas. Nicholas met his eyes, his brow arching slightly. Shaking his head, Thomas again turned forward.

  “Oh and where might we be going?” a second voice said, slightly louder than the first. Thomas glanced around the trees, looking up at the limbs. The voices didn’t stop.

  “North.”

  “North?”

  “Aye, north.”

  “And how do you figure that? The Black Palace is south.”

  “The muse told me last night in a dream. King Ean’s armies are north and we’re to go to him.”

  Stopping his horse, Thomas concentrated, trying to locate the voices.

  “Shh, we’ve stopped.”

  “I know we’ve stopped!”

  “Thomas?” Hugh called softly. “What is it?”

  Thomas motioned his hand. Looking down by his leg, he slowly peeled back his saddle pack. Two small creatures sat inside.

  “Oh, good day, sir,” one said, tipping his head. Big, blue eyes stared up at him.

  “Fine morning, sir,” the other added, grinning, though his expression appeared a little nervous. “Gone for a ride, then?”

  The first looked at his friend. “Well of course he’s gone for a ride, Gorman. We’ve been on a horse for nigh an hour.”

  “You’re sprights?” Thomas asked. They looked very similar to Rees.

  “Aye,” they answered in unison.

  “I’m Gorman,” Gorman said, “and this is Halton.”

  “That’s right, I’m Halton.” Halton pointed at his chest, puffing it up.

  “I just said you were Halton.” Gorman frowned, pushing his friend’s arm.

  “Thomas, who are you talking to?” Hugh asked, slowly backing his horse.

  “It appears that I am infested with two sprights,” Thomas said.

  “Oh, nay, we aren’t your sprights.” Halton scratched his head, looking properly apologetic. “I know you want us, but you can’t have us.”

  “We’re spoken for.” Gorman motioned between the two of them. “Both of us.”

  “We belong to Lady Juliana,” Halton said.

  “She’s a little giant.” Gorman laughed. “Poor dear, thinks she’s a lady.”

  “Lady Juliana is a lady.” Thomas reached into the pack and pulled out Halton by the back of his tunic collar. “And that lady is my sister.”

  “You’re all little giants?” Halton asked, kicking his feet in the air. He tried to swing around to look at Hugh.

  “We’re human,” Hugh said dryly.

  “Ah, hum, that would make more sense,” Halton said. Then, yelling down to his friend, he added, “You hear that? Lady Juliana is a human, not a giant.”

  “That’s what I’ve been telling you,” Gorman said, shaking his head. “She’s too small to be a giant.”

  “But you just said she was a giant,” Halton argued.

  “Did not.”

  “Did to.”

  “Did not!” Gorman pointed his finger at his friend. “Well, I told you to bring Juliana to these men. You’re the one who led her the other way.

  “You’ll not blame that on me,” Halton said.

  “Will to.”

  “Will not.”

  Thomas looked at Hugh. The sprights continued to bicker back and forth. When it appeared that they wouldn’t stop, he interrupted them by asking, “What do you know about our sister?”

  “We kept her from going to King Lucien’s palace,” Gorman said. “Hey, you want to let him down? He’s looking a wee bit purple.”

  Thomas lowered Halton back into the pack. As soon as the spright was in, Gorman hit him, knocking him down, and said, “Did not and will to!”

  They started wrestling. Thomas flipped the top over them and shook his head.

  “Let’s keep riding,” Hugh said.

  “Nay, wait!” A small hand came out of the pack. Thomas again looked in. “We have to go north to King Ea
n.”

  “Why?” Thomas asked.

  “The muse came to me last night in a dream,” Halton said. “She told me that a war was starting and we need to get to Tegwen. King Ean is the only one who can get you close enough to the Black Palace to see your sister. Without his magic you’ll never get through the front gate.”

  “Not to mention his trolls,” Gorman said.

  “Oh, aye, the trolls.” Halton nodded.

  “And the goblins.” Gorman rubbed his chin.

  “Aye, and the goblins,” Halton agreed.

  “And the—”

  “We understand,” Thomas interrupted Gorman. He turned to Hugh. “What do you think?”

  “William said Rees’ kind was loyal. Juliana mentioned these two leading her in circles,” Hugh said. “They could’ve been trying to protect her from King Lucien.”

  “Aye, that we were,” Halton said.

  “As sure as the sun is shining in the fiery heavens, we—”

  “King Ean has blessed your family,” Nicholas said quietly, cutting Gorman off. The sprights huffed, frowning at him. Both brothers turned to him, surprised he wasn’t demanding they storm the Black Palace. “Perhaps it would be wise to seek his council before attacking his brother.”

  Thomas glanced at Hugh.

  “Juliana is alive,” Nicholas explained. “I would have her remain alive. She is what is most important in this. When she is safe, we will avenge my father. That is the way it should be.”

  Hugh nodded in agreement before looking down into Thomas’ saddle pack. “You know the quickest way to Tegwen?”

  “Aye,” Halton said, nodding emphatically.

  “Then you ride with me.” Hugh reached in and grabbed him, setting him on the front of his horse. “But if you’re lying to us, I’ll hang you by your toes and leave you to rot.”

  * * *

  “My queen,” Lady Roslyn said, flying high above the valley to join Tania on a branch. In their smaller bodies they could easily sit within the limbs of the trees, overlooking the great distance. “The birds tell me the humans travel north toward King Ean’s army. The two sprights lead them.”

  Tania took a deep breath. She could still feel Hugh’s kiss on her mouth. “Make sure the sprights find their way. It won’t do to have them lost in the forest.”

  Roslyn nodded. “And Lord Bellemare? Shall we drug him and bring him back to you so he may finish the ceremony? Shall we let the others finish the journey for him?”

  “Nay, you heard him as well as I.” Tania smiled, touching her lips. “He will come back for me when his duty is finished.”

  * * *

  Hugh shifted uncomfortably on his mount. All he could think about was Queen Tania. He had the strongest urge to go back and wring her pretty little neck. When he’d threatened to come back and finish things between them, he hadn’t been joking. Only, he was torn between going back to make love to the teasing wench and the need to strangle her. Darkly, he mumbled, “Mayhap I will do both.”

  “Both of what?” Halton asked, breaking in his loud song.

  Hugh shook his head, refusing to explain himself. That he could think at all above Halton’s horrible singing and Gorman’s incessant talking was a miracle in and of itself. The forest path was clear, the day perfect for travel and they made good time through the forest. Halton started singing again, louder this time.

  “Hey, we’re close!” Gorman yelled from the front of Thomas’ steed. “See there. It is the yellow bird of Tegwen. It flies northeast.”

  “That’s northwest,” Halton argued, leaning over to the side. Hugh bent forward, keeping him from seeing the other spright. Every time the two talked, it ended in a fight. Halton settled. “Follow the bird, my lord, and you will find Tegwen.”

  “And if the bird flies away from home?” Gorman yelled.

  “Not again!” Hugh bellowed. “The next person to speak will find themselves run through with my sword.”

  The two sprights were instantly quiet. Halton raised a finger to get his attention.

  “What?” Hugh asked, irritated beyond measure. The fact that his sexual desires had yet to be relieved didn’t help his dark mood. He hated the fact that he thought about Tania.

  “You’re really going to run yourself through with your own sword?” Halton asked, laughing.

  “Ah, good one,” Gorman called.

  Hugh sighed heavily, not saying another word. What was the point?

  * * *

  Juliana wandered through the main hall, taking the door closest to the throne that Merrick always came from. For some reason, she’d been hesitant to go there. Seeing it was just a long passageway, she frowned in confusion. Well, Merrick had said to make herself at home in the palace and he never told her not to go wandering about.

  The narrow hall was plain, except for the decorative arches overhead. From the pointed lancet windows in other parts of the palace, she could see the ominous landscape. The castle settled between the mountains and the great forest. But here, the view was of a path of dark stone leading to a walled courtyard. Even though it was day, moonlight cast outside over the path.

  That morning, Merrick had let her pick her own clothes. She had chosen something from home, a conservative gown of soft blue linen. He quirked a brow at her request, but let her have what she wanted.

  As she walked along the hall, she saw a door leading to the path. A small round window with the silhouetted head of a dragon was on top of it. Glancing down the hall to make sure she was alone, she reached for the door.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Merrick said behind her.

  Juliana gasped. Covering her heart, she said, “You startled me.”

  “You cannot go out there,” Merrick said. “At least, not alone.”

  “Why? What’s out there? A pet dragon?” Juliana asked, curious. She went back to the window, craning her neck for a better view.

  “A garden.”

  She frowned. Her tone dry, she asked, “I can’t go out into a garden without you?”

  “This garden is very special,” he said, stepping close. He touched her cheek, running his fingers along her jaw. His nails brushed over her skin, the longer length caressing her. “All may pass into its gates, but only I can find my way to the center and back out. If you were to go in there alone, I cannot guarantee I would find you again. The walls would keep you trapped within the never-ending maze.”

  “And what is in the center?” she asked.

  “A divining basin,” he answered, his voice dropping seductively.

  “Like the bowl you showed me in my bedchamber?” Juliana willed his gaze from her mouth. She couldn’t think when he looked at her like that.

  “More powerful. All seeing. It can show the future, the past, the present.”

  “You can see the future? Will you show me?” she asked, excited.

  “The past and present can be clear enough, even though you might not see all of the picture. But the future is a haze that is forever changing. The images are often unclear. Trust me on this. Knowing pieces of what is to come will only drive you mad.”

  Merrick’s gaze dipped down over her body. She shivered at his intent look. “Now?”

  He chuckled. “Always.”

  Juliana took a step back. She looked down the hall. “Here?”

  “Why not?” He moved to follow her as she retreated.

  “Will someone come by?”

  He grinned. “Does it matter?”

  “Didn’t you say Lord Kalen was coming to discuss your war?” Juliana asked, almost desperately. He’d already made love to her once that morning. Though her body was more than willing to succumb to him, the idea of Lord Kalen and his Berserks walking in on them didn’t appeal to her.

  Merrick sighed and stopped walking. He nodded once. Gesturing that she was to follow, he turned to the main hall. “You’re right, my lady. They come to the hall even now to dine. Come. Join us. I desire to have you by my side.”

  * * *


  Lucien glanced around the great forest, before turning to where Gregor knelt on the ground before him. “You’ve done well, Commander Gregor.”

  “Thank you, my king,” Gregor said, rising to his feet. “King Ean marches on Valdis. The war has begun. Now, I will have what you promised me.”

  “Soon enough,” Lucien laughed. He gestured his hand to the side, not touching the light elf. “King Merrick will be within your grasp soon enough. That I promise you.”

  “I can’t wait to see him choking on his own blood,” Gregor spat, a look of impatience mixed with infinite pleasure on his face. “You cannot know how long I’ve waited for the day I would see him dead.”

  “You do realize that if you kill him, you will become him, don’t you?” Lucien grinned.

  “Aye.” The lust in Gregor’s eyes was unmistakable—lust for blood and power. It was for these weaknesses that Lucien had sought him out. A man driven by such greed was easy to manipulate. Gregor also wanted revenge against Merrick for some imagined hurt. That made him twice as vulnerable to Lucien’s temptations.

  Lucien turned his back on the elf and studied the forest. “Lord Bellemare is close.”

  “I thought he was on his way to Valdis,” Gregor said.

  “No matter,” Lucien answered. He turned back to the elf. “Make the humans welcome at your fires. He will get you close to King Merrick.”

  “You’re certain?”

  Lucien frowned, letting the black depths show in his eyes. Gregor pulled away from him, stepping several paces back. Lying, Lucien said, “It has been seen.”

  Gregor nodded, not daring to question the King of the Damned again. He hurried away, disappearing into the forest.

  “Hmm,” Lucien chuckled. It was almost too easy.

  * * *

  “His burden is great for he is the cruel side of pleasure and happiness,” Lord Kalen said, twirling his wine in his goblet with a look of boredom on his face.

  “Excuse me, my lord?” Juliana asked, shaken from her thoughts. They were alone in the hall, except for Volos snoring loudly in the corner. Merrick had left to answer the call of a goblin begging entrance into the palace. It had been only somewhat disturbing to watch him dissolve into smoke and drift quickly away from her.