Faery Queen (25 page)

“Find your family,” she told him, firmly pushing him into the middle of the ring. The fog swallowed him, taking him to the Black Palace. “See them safe.”

Chapter Eleven

Hugh didn't want to leave Tania, but he had no choice. He promised himself that when his family was safe, he'd go to her and figure out what was between them. Love for her flowed through him, ending the torment he'd felt in his soul, squelching the anger he'd carried since meeting her, easing the frustration. But with the love came another fear—a fear he'd been carrying but was now magnified until it gripped his heart.

Whatever had happened in Lucien's hall had connected him, made him understand her, as clearly as his own thoughts. She never meant to hurt him.

As he came out of the fog, he clutched the satchel Tania gave him to his chest. Though the blue of moonlight, he looked around, unable to see past giant stone walls that ran along both of his sides, trapping him in a narrow valley. Beneath him, two lighter gray lines faded into the darker stone. They arched away from him, as if forming a circle whose sides were hidden beneath the stone walls.

Hugh tucked the satchel into his tunic shirt. Slowly, he climbed up one jagged cliff, using the narrow outcropping of rocks for footing. The hard rock scraped his hands as he pulled himself up. His flesh stung, but he didn't care. He'd get a better view from the top. It took some time, but he finally made it, pulling himself over the edge onto solid ground.

Out of the corner of his eye, he detected a moving column. Only after looking intently at it, did he realize it was a blade of grass swaying back and forth in the gentle breeze, silhouetted by the light of the moon. He was still small in stature, a fact that continued to make him uneasy. Hugh was not a small man by nature, but now he felt like a field mouse lying in wait for the falcon to swoop down.

Without wings—wings he didn't really know how to use anyway—he couldn't easily move over the clumps of earth that formed a wide path of churned dirt. Trees towered over him like impossibly high castles.

Taking the satchel, he did what Tania instructed. As soon as the dust of her magic sprinkled his flesh, the sound of her laughter washed over him. He caught the smell of her on the breeze and closed his eyes, aching to hold her, really hold her. He could feel the gentle brush of her body in the wind.

Hugh didn't want the sensation to end, but as it lightened, he was forced to open his eyes. The world was as it should be, of normal proportions. He was right where Tania said he would be. The ominous lines of the Unblessed King's palace stood like a blight against the darkened sky. Along the top, spires twisted and curled like a knotted limb reaching for the heavens. He was finally there.

 

 

 

Lucien's soul burned with rage. Hugh and Tania? How? He'd been so careful, waiting for the perfect moment to act, watching as all his plans unfolded.

He had taken Sir Nicholas' soul so the earl could see, so he would know the true power of the Damned King. Next, he watched as Hugh went to Queen Tania. When he saw how the mortal did care for the faery queen, he made sure to reveal the true cause of Tania's darkening nature, knowing the earl would feel guilt. Lucien never imagined the earl's love would be strong enough to bring her back, but had bet on guilt making Hugh trade him for her life and soul. If that didn't work, he'd let her die and he would have the faeries' powers on his side to help him cross over whenever he wanted and to bring the mortals to him so that his demon army could be born. Eventually, Hugh would have crumbled and made a pact to go back home—once the demons invaded Bellemare and threatened all he loved.

“At least without me, he can never go back to his precious home.” Lucien had underestimated Lord Bellemare once again. He was strong and honorable. It made the Damned King want him more.

Lucien snarled, slowly letting his gaze travel up the large fire in the center pit of his hall to where Mia levitated, ready to be dropped into the flames. The stone columns had stretched out to hold her, wrapping her legs and trapping her arms to her chest. Another band went over her mouth, keeping her from talking as it pressed tight against her. All it would take was one small direction of his power and she'd be dead.

He couldn't do it.

Summonsing a small blue demon, he threw fire at the creature as soon as it appeared, killing it. He didn't feel better. Mia's feet kicked, but she couldn't get loose. Anger burned inside him at her deceit. How dare she help Lord Bellemare! How dare she keep betraying him!

Lucien willed the stone to bring her to him as he stood from the throne. It moved silently through the air, growing as it drew her forward. He was dressed, one of the rare times he allowed himself to be clothed. The long, red jacket covered his naked chest, held together with cross-lacing down the front, only to swing open around his legs. The red breeches were low on the hip and tight.

When Mia was held before him, her face level with his, her body parallel to the floor, he grabbed her jaw and pried her head back so she was forced to look at him. He stared into her wide, violet eyes, soaking in her betrayal.

“You conflict me, Mia.” He didn't let the stone band off her mouth. He didn't want to hear her voice, not now. “I give you everything and you continually betray me. I know it was you that freed William and Ladon, and now you help Lord Bellemare and Queen Tania escape.”

Her eyes widened at the admission.

“I told you, Mia, I know everything you do. I knew as you gave yourself to me, scraping my flesh and drinking of my blood.” The demon was burning in his eyes and he didn't even try to stop it from taking over him. Lucien hoped the demonic rage would kill her, for he could not. The more she betrayed him, the more he wanted her. It was her defiance that made his blood quicken.

“And it is her treachery that will be your undoing,” a small voice said behind him. “You must take better control of her. She will destroy you if you let her continue without restriction.”

Lucien didn't need to look to know Anja was there. He must have unwittingly summonsed her to him.

“Is the chance to create an army lost?” He stared at Mia.

“The loss of the faery magic is unfortunate. Your greed for Lord Bellemare has set back our plan,” Anja said.

“Do not lecture me, soothsayer,” Lucien ordered. The fortune teller giggled innocently, a sound that sent chills over him.

“As you wish, my king.” Anja skipped around the floor, going beneath Lucien's prone captive, only to climb up a curve in the stone that held Mia in place. She walked along, her arms out to the side to keep balance as she made her way toward the ceiling. As she neared the column feeding the stone path, she turned, sat and then slid back down to the floor.

“Anja, quit playing games,” Lucien ordered.

“Huh.” She pouted, sticking out her lip as she jumped down off the stone. “Then let me go back down to the prisons and make me an arc like this one. You never give me gifts anymore.”

“I give you plenty, soothsayer.”

“What about her?” Anja pointed at Mia. “Can I have her? I promise not to kill her. She cannot die, not yet.”

Lucien considered it. Anja's eyes looked greedily at Mia.

“Aye,” he said. “Mayhap some time in your care will teach her to behave.”

Mia tried to scream, but the sound was weak. She thrashed about. Lucien kissed her forehead, whispering, “You brought this on yourself, sweet nymph.”

The stone pulled her, yanking her back into the column. It sucked her into its depth, swallowing her into the bowels of his palace. Anja disappeared with a giggle. Lucien lifted his chin and strode from the hall. Tonight he would sleep alone.

 

 

 

“It would appear this is a time for family,” Merrick said, sounding slightly amused. They were in his hall. Thomas, William and Ladon had beaten Hugh to the palace. Merrick had sensed Ladon and had snatched them from the path to bring them to his home—horses and all. There wasn't much time to discuss it, but Thomas did manage to whisper that Merrick had been at a loss for words as he looked at Ladon. In turn, Hugh had told him quickly of where he had been.

“Here is your magic back.” Thomas set a packet on the table. “I did not need it.”

“Keep it,” Merrick said, glancing at Ladon. “You never know what the future may hold. After I send you back to Bellemare, you might have a use for it.”

Hugh didn't even want to know what they were talking about.

“You look changed.” Merrick eyed Hugh. “Are those wi—?”

“Aye,” Hugh said quickly, knowing by Merrick's expression he must have seen through the glamour over his new wings. He reached behind his back, unable to feel them. Since his brothers didn't react, he could only assume they couldn't see them. Merrick chuckled, still looking very amused.

Hugh gave a meaningful glance at Ladon, who sat quietly at the long banquet table that graced the great hall. The table curved from Merrick, who was at the seat of honor. Thomas and William were on one side, Merrick's brother was on the other. A chair appeared by Ladon, as if welcoming him to sit. Hugh moved his gaze to Merrick's. “I want to see my sister.”

Merrick didn't move, save for his eyes going to the side where Ladon was. Hugh knew the king understood his meaning. He had brought him Ladon, it was only right that Merrick show him Juliana.

“What has happened to her?” Hugh asked. “I know King Lucien has her knife, the knife we gave her, the knife she had last we were here.”

Merrick looked surprised by the news. “Lucien? Are you sure?”

“Aye,” Hugh nodded.

“It was probably stolen by one of the goblins and lost. They are constantly causing mischief. I will punish whoever it was.” Merrick said. “I would have felt another's magic in this palace. Lucien was not here.”

“So she is here,” Hugh concluded. “Why do not you call her to greet us?”

“I cannot. It is as I told Thomas. She is in the garden,” Merrick said. “She will not be coming out any time soon.”

“Take me there.” Hugh stood, fists on hips.

Merrick looked at him for a long time. “She will not leave with you.”

“Methinks that is her decision,” Hugh insisted. “Will you keep her here if she wants to go home with me?”

Merrick gave a small laugh. “If she tells you she wants to go home with you, I will not stop her.”

The Unblessed King stood from the table. Thomas and William made a move to follow him. Merrick held up his hand. “I will only take one of you. I cannot guarantee all of you will pass through the garden maze unharmed.”

“But,” William began in protest.

“We have a right,” Thomas said at the same time.

Merrick looked at Hugh, not answering them.

“I will go,” Hugh said. Merrick nodded. Thomas and William continued to protest. Ladon didn't move.

Merrick led the way from the hall, taking him through a door near the throne. A small round window with the silhouetted head of a dragon was on top of another door. Merrick opened it and paused. “Stay directly behind me on the path. Stray and you will fall into eternity.”

The moon was bright, looming over the enclosed side yard. A dark wall encased the area, making it impossible to see out. Merrick stepped down a black cobblestone path. Grass was on either side and it led to an arched entryway into the gardens.

“Where is the fall?” Hugh asked.

Merrick kicked a stone on the edge of the path. It disappeared into the cut grass, as if falling through. “There.”

As they went under the entryway, the vine-covered walls of the garden soundlessly parted. The red flowers eerily looked like they were covered in blood.

“Stay close and do not touch the vines,” Merrick ordered. “They will slice through you like a blade.”

When Hugh looked back, he saw the path was closing them in as they walked. It wasn't long before they were in the center section of the garden. The area was enclosed by vines, the ground covered in stone. Hugh had no doubt Merrick was keeping his sister prisoner. He looked around for her, but all he saw were benches, statues and empty vases.

“Where is my sister?” Hugh asked.

“William saved my brother,” Merrick said. “I had no choice but to bring you here. It is what Juliana would want.”

“Where is she?”

Merrick motioned to the stone statue on a platform in the center. Hugh looked at it for the first time, stunned to see his sister's face frozen in the stone.

“I do not understand.” Hugh slowly stepped forward. “You had this carved of her?”

“You asked to see her. This is your sister, trapped in stone.”

“Enough of this,” Hugh demanded. “I want to talk to my sister.”

“Then speak, but she is not saying much these days,” Merrick answered, his voice rising by small degrees. Hugh saw him reach out as if to touch her outstretched hand and then drew it back. “And before you start yelling any louder, she did this to herself. I have come here every day trying to find a way to get her out.”

“To herself?” Hugh did not believe it. “Juliana turned herself into stone?”

“Aye. I would have sensed another's magic in my home. I found her like this and brought her out here so she would be safe. There is nothing I can do. I have tried everything. All I can do is wait for a sign, even if it takes thousands of years.”

“You did this to her,” Hugh whispered. “Mayhap not directly, but if she'd have been with me at Bellemare, she would not be like this.”

“About that,” Merrick said, “you have the smell of the undead about you. I do not think you can go back to Bellemare.”

“Why even warn me?” Hugh said, more to himself.

“It is what she would want.” Merrick studied his wife.

“It is because of you she is like this.”