Free Faery Queen by Michelle M. Pillow Page A

his hand absently in the spright’s direction, trying to get him to be quiet. He didn’t want to miss anything his sister had to say.
    â€œThat is why I’m trying magic and intrusting this vial into the care of my sprights, Halton and Gorman.” Juliana smiled and her attention was drawn to the side. She motioned her hand for silence, just as Thomas had done, and he assumed her own sprights were trying to interrupt.
    Thomas again tried to touch her face, only feeling air. She turned her attention forward once more and he stayed in front of her, as if she truly looked at him.
    â€œI had hoped for a happier message, but I send this to warn you, my dear brothers. Something is happening here in the immortal realm. King Lucien of the Damned is somehow gaining power. I do not have proof of the how, but Merrick feels it is so and I trust him in this. I have good reason to believe that the Damned King is planning to send demons into Bellemare.”
    Thomas swallowed. Her warning had come too late.
    â€œI pray that you do not come upon them, but if you should, those that come in human form can most often be stopped by severing the head from the body or by fire.” Juliana paused, looking down to touch her stomach, rubbing it in circles. “William I am sure you know how to put protective charms around the castle. Please do so if you have not already. You might need them.”
    â€œJuliana, what is it?” Thomas demanded, reading something dire in her expression. He reached to cover the hand on her stomach. As if sensing him, she stopped rubbing. “What is wrong, Juliana?”
    â€œShe cannot hear you, Sir Thomas,” Rees said. “It is just a record of the past, not a link to the present Lady Juliana.”
    â€œThomas,” she continued, “I hope every day that you have recovered from your wounds. But you were always strong. There is so much I want to tell you, to try and explain. I do not want you to worry about me. Merrick is a good man. I know what you think of him being as he is the King of the Unblessed, but he cares for me and I for him. He saved your life, Thomas, that day on the battlefield.” Juliana paused. Thomas already knew as much. “I am eternally grateful to him for that.”
    â€œJuliana.” Thomas willed her to see him, really see him. She didn’t. It was like Rees said, merely a record of the past. He wanted to hold her close, reassure himself that at least one sibling was safe.
    â€œAnd Hugh,” she sighed. “I hope that you have forgiven me for staying. Know that I made my choice and am happy in it. Whatever happens to me, this is what I wanted. You did not fail in your duty to me.”
    The image dissolved. Thomas tensed, lifting his hands as if he could stop it. “Nay, wait.”
    â€œThat is it, Sir Thomas,” Rees said.
    â€œSomething is wrong,” Thomas said. “She is frightened. I could see it in her eyes. Juliana never talks like that. Something must have happened. Make it show me again. Bring her back.”
    â€œIt only works once, Sir Thomas,” Rees said. “Then gone forever.”
    Thomas sank to the floor, running his fingers through his hair. Not Juliana. He couldn’t lose her, too. What was happening to his family?
    A small flash appeared and Thomas automatically looked at the broken vial to see if there was more of the message. There was nothing.
    â€œLord Bellemare, I hate to see you like this.” The soft, feminine voice drifted over him.
    At the unexpected sound, Thomas shot to his feet, turning toward the bed in the same motion. The mysterious woman with violet eyes was sitting next to his brother. She gasped, looking shocked to see Thomas in the chamber.
    â€œWhat are you…?” Thomas began, ready to charge her and pull her away from his brother. She had a leech pinched between her fingers and a rivulet of blood trailed down Hugh’s chest from where she’d