Shattered (Mists of the Fae Book 9)

by Jaime Marks

  Steph lay in the tub trying to relax. Byryn hadn’t called back which wasn’t a good sign and she already knew the truth of it. She’d felt John awaken. He was Shade now. At least he was trapped in the Realm of Balance where he couldn’t reach her. It didn’t matter where he hid they’d find him eventually. There was nowhere to go. Hopefully his awakening would buy her the time she needed to get the information from him.

  She laid her head back and relaxed, allowing herself to drift off a few minutes. The ceremony was this eve and she was so tired. Mythos had ordered her a full day of pampering to remind her he was still there even though they had to endure this separation. It made her smile to know what lengths he would go just to say he cared. It really had helped to calm her down a bit.

  Slowly the warmth of the bath and the scents of the oils lulled her to sleep, but a sudden Darkness assaulted her mind, holding her. Strong hands gripped her hips, pulling her against a firm body. “Hey sweets, thought I should see how you were holding up.”

  “John?” She asked in shock. Was she dreaming?

  “No, not anymore anyway. My name is Ravyshyn now. I can’t wait to hear how it sounds when you moan it from those sweet lips,” he teased kissing his way down her neck.

  “That’s never going to happen,” she argued, even as her body arched into his touch. “We’re done, John.”

  He ripped her around to face him and she stared up into blackened orbs, his eyes no longer human. “You’ll address me properly, sweets, or I promise I’ll remind you who’s in control here.”

  She huffed at him and went to break his hold but it was like her body didn’t respond to her. “What did you do to me?”

  “You forget who you belong to,” he smirked. “I bound you to me long ago. I can get to you anywhere I want.” He studied her a minute. “God if I thought you were beautiful before you’re exquisite now,” he breathed.

  She looked down in shock, realizing she was still naked and wet. She tried to break away but he held her in place, watching her.

  “Relax sweets, I’m not going to hurt you…this time.” His eyes bored into hers as he pressed her against a wall, pinning her hands above her head. She turned away from him and he froze. “Stop or I’ll change my mind, Steph. I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if you don’t obey me.”

  “Fuck you, John.”

  He smacked her and she tasted her own blood. “You will use my name,” he commanded and chuckled as she struggled against him. “You can’t fight me, Steph, not here.”

  His essence flowed over her wrists, binding her in place and she stared up at him in shock. “How the hell did you do that?”

  He smirked down at her. “I’ve been grooming you under Alayne’s tutelage for years, sweets. Just because he didn’t know who you were, or that I’d actually found my slave, doesn’t mean I didn’t seek his guidance. I told you, you’re mine. Being in my mind for a portion of your awakening only cemented my hold…I still owe you for that. It burnt like a bitch when your essence began to erupt and you could’ve gotten yourself killed pushing it to the brink like that. I won’t tolerate you taking such risks with your life. You might not believe me, but I really do care about you, Steph.”

  She didn’t even know what to say to him. His essence washed over her and hers responded, but it made no sense. She shouldn’t even be able to tolerate it.

  “I’m not making you sick because you’re predisposed to me. Any other Shade and you’d be infected, possibly…with the purity of your Light I’m not sure. It burns off a lot of the Darkness, protecting you, but it can be built up over time,” he explained.

  “Why would you tell me that?” She asked trying to ignore her reaction to his hands running over her body.

  “Because if you ever let another Shade capture you I expect you to fight their hold until I can reach you,” he proclaimed as if he were her mate. “I’ll sense them as soon as their essence touches you and I will come for you, Steph. I’ll always come for you.”

  He cupped her breasts, caressing them and pinching her nipples until he evoked a moan from her. Smiling smugly, he watched her react to him. “Your breasts are larger, fuller. You feel it more when I touch them. Your body’s still so responsive to me, baby.”

  “John, please stop,” she breathed. “I can’t do this.”

  He smacked her again pulling back. “What is my name, Steph?”

  “Your name is John,” she growled angrily.

  His eyes raked over her body in amusement. “That stubborn will of yours is going to cause you a great deal of pain, sweets. Luckily for you, I don’t have the time to play games with you right now.” He knelt spreading her legs wide and she stared at him with contempt. “I came to remind you of who you are and that’s what I’m going to do.”

  His essence flooded her as his mouth latched onto her clit. His tongued explored her relentlessly. She tried to resist it, tried to shake off the sensations, but she felt drunk on him as waves of pleasure rolled over her. Her orgasm crashed through her hard as she lost herself to him. He captured her mouth and she returned the fever of his lust as he pulled her to the ground and their bodies entwined.

  He surged into her core on a single thrust, making her cry out in pleasure as he gripped her hips with bruising strength. “What’s my name, sweets? Say it and I’ll give you what you need.”

  “Oh god, I can’t…I…” She started thrashing against him but another wave of essence engulfed her as he drilled into her. He smacked her across the face, punishing her for her disobedience.

  “Say it!” He commanded.

  “Ravyshyn…” She breathed as her nails gauged his skin. “Oh god, please Rav.”

  He captured her mouth again as his fingers found her clit and he worked her body into a frenzy. “That’s it, baby, give yourself to me.”

  “Please,” she begged as a desperate need built in her. She was so close.

  “Not ‘til I say, baby. Don’t make me punish you.”

  She moaned crying and pleading for her release. “Oh god, Rav. I can’t….I need…please.”

  “Say my name when you come, baby. Now sweets,” he growled.

  Her body trembled as heat rose within her. He drilled into her with a final thrust and her released slammed into her so hard she saw stars. “Ravyshyn,” she cried unable to do anything else.

  “God Steph you feel so fucking good,” he groaned, letting the spasms of her body milk him. When he was done he collapsed on her kissing her softly. “Was that really so hard? To give yourself over to the pleasure I can give you? You belong to me, Steph. From the moment I laid eyes on you, you were mine. Remember that this eve because it doesn’t matter who holds you. It doesn’t matter who you try to bond yourself to tonight. I bound you long ago and I won’t ever let you go.” He kissed her deeply before setting her free. “Happy Bonding Day, sweets.”

  Ravyshyn’s voice faded slowly and she jolted awake in the bath. It took a few minutes for the world to refocus as she forced herself awake. Was it just a nightmare? Could she convince herself it was? She climbed from the tub inspecting her body, finding it littered in fading bruises. She touched her lip finding dried blood there. Shame and guilt slammed into her, threatening to swallow her whole.

  Steph crumbled to the floor sobbing. How could she bond to Mythos? How could he accept her after what she’d just done? She couldn’t even face him.

  A knock sounded at the door. “Your majesty? Are you alright?” Meryn called out.

  “I…I’m fine,” she lied. If anyone saw her like this…

  “Are you crying, milady?” He asked in concern. “I’m opening the door.”

  “Don’t Meryn, I’m not decent. I’ll…I’ll be out soon,” she called out, trying to sound normal but she was damn near panicked.

  “I am sending for his majesty. There is something wrong, my Queen, and I will not let it pass with the threat of that Shade awakening.”

  “No!” She trembled, trying to reason it out in her mind. “I can’t s
ee him. I won’t.”

  There was a pause. “If you will not talk to the King is there somefae else I might contact? In either Realm, milady? There is obviously something wrong and I cannot in good conscience ignore it.”

  She didn’t answer. There was no one who would understand this. They would hate her.

  She heard a soft conversation but couldn’t make it out. After a few minutes Meryn came back to the door. “I am sending word to Lord Cymeryn and Prince Byryn that something has happened and you need them. It is my duty to look after your safety, and at the moment Lady Stephynia, I am not certain how to ensure it.”

  They would come. As soon as they heard there was an issue they’d mist right to her. She had to get out of here. They wouldn’t understand, but there was nowhere to go.

  Could she hide on Earth? She knew how to fight. She was better than most of her family. It was her only option. Steph misted from the realm without a second thought. She needed to get the hell out of there before they forced her to face Mythos.

  Chapter 16

  Byryn was sitting with Wytheryn discussing the duties he was assigning him. In all honesty it would help free him and Kyle up to handle some of the things they’d noticed often ended up getting neglected. There just never seemed to be enough time. He’d thought with him and Kyle sharing duties it would get easier, but there always seemed to be more added to their plate.

  “Do you want the reports filed daily?” Wytheryn requested, studying the charts.

  “Compile them daily but see what you can manage. The Scholars can be demanding and I don’t want them demanding it daily if we can’t make that happen,” Byryn reasoned, impressed with how well Wytheryn was following everything. He could tell there were certain things he might be struggling with, and he was nervous about something, but he’d wait until they were alone to figure it all out. This was really just about meeting his need to please him and he didn’t want him stressing it.

  Wyce sat down with them, scanning the sheet. “I thought he was to be training.”

  “It’s in my schedule,” Wytheryn replied pointing to the chart Byryn had thrown together.

  “That’s just a test run, Wyth,” he reminded him. “I expect you to tell me if it’s too much.”

  He shook his head looking up. “This is nothing. I wish you’d give me more, sir. It’s my duty to serve you.”

  Byryn sighed, “Start with this and we’ll see. I told you, I want you to focus on your education and training and you’ll still need time with Narysia.”

  He smiled slightly, turning to watch her where she sat with the Kings of Balance before turning his attention back to him. “I can manage my service to you and see to my mate easily without it infringing on my education and training, sir, but you are my…” That confused look crossed his face that Byryn now recognized as habit and knowledge clashing in his mind. “Brother.”

  Wycelion nodded reluctantly as he watched the exchange. “If you need help seeing to anything, ask us Wytheryn. We’ll help you.”

  He looked up in confusion. “But…these are my duties. I am responsible to see that they are completed.”

  Byryn squeezed his shoulder. “But you will still ask if you need help. We work together as part of a team to ensure things run smoothly and efficiently.”

  Kyle nodded beside him. “I know you rely on a clear set of consequences, Wytheryn, but things work differently here. There are rules you will be expected not to break that would cost you penance if you do, but duties aren’t one of them. We need to know things are completed correctly and not simply rushed through. If you can’t manage something, no one will punish you for asking for help or delaying it to ensure it’s done right. Do you understand?”

  “Yes sir.” He nodded.

  Staryana came over and he pulled her into his lap. She hadn’t eaten much. “I’m sorry, baby girl. I feel like I’ve neglected you this morning. How are you feeling?”

  She fiddle with her gown a minute. “My stomach’s still a little queasy.”

  “It wouldn’t be if you’d behaved yourself this morning,” Kyle reminded her sternly.

  “You need to eat more than you did.” He considered the spread that was laid out. “Some of the crackers and jams at least,” he commanded.

  “But, Byryn I’m…”

  He stared at her a moment and she stopped with a sigh before going to the table. She knew he wasn’t going to let her health slide, especially not now.

  “When are you going to tell them?” Kyle requested.

  “Soon. I don’t want to infringe on their time with Narysia,” Byryn reasoned. “I can’t even imagine what they’re feeling. How are you handling this?”

  He shrugged. “It’s a bit weird that she’s my aunt. It’s hard to even think of her that way considering she’s younger than me, but I was prepared for her to be related in some way so I kind of knew it was gonna throw me off. I actually was a bit worried that she might somehow have been my sister or my niece, not that it would matter.” Kyle scratched his brow. “But honestly, Mom was a lot older than I thought. I have no idea what her life was like before me so it’s not impossible that she had other kids. I just couldn’t fathom than any of them would be younger.”

  Byryn nodded but halted his thoughts when one of the Technicians who served in the communications room came rushing in. “Urgent message…Meryn…the Queen.”

  He misted to the Fae’s side and was quickly joined by Cymeryn and his Dad. “Is Queen Stephynia alright?”

  “She is gone. Meryn sent word…something was wrong, but…there were no signs of attack.” The Fae gulped in more air, “When he told her he sent for you…she misted. He’s tracking her but says she is masking herself in some manner.”

  Byryn exchanged a look with Kyle as he caught his thought. “No, he can’t get out of the Realm.”

  “Wouldn’t have to,” he replied tapping his head.

  Byryn groaned. “We’ll track her. We know where to look better than any of you. The only place she could have gone is back to Earth.”

  “And if the Brood makes an appearance?” Cymeryn challenged.

  “They won’t touch us,” Kyle replied levelly. “We’ve proven that and we still have one more day before Lazurys will risk rescinding his order. Even if they do, we know how to handle it.”

  Byryn turned to Astryn and Staryana. “I’m misting you to the Cape myself before we leave. Wycelion, I want you on Felycia and Bryce. Revyn, Perydyn, Phil, and Cal, I want you all in class. Trycen and Furynious, see to them and check on Kylion. Wytheryn, attend to Narysia and do as Grandsire commands. Come here girls.”

  Cymeryn shot him a knowing look. “I will keep tabs on the two of them. I should be able to enter the Cape if they need.”

  He paused but smirked shaking his head. “I should’ve known. We’ll discuss it when we return.”

  Kyle took Astryn and the four of them were in the Cape before anyone could argue.

  “Baby girl I need to know you’re safe. Stay here. The faeries will provide anything you need,” he commanded. “Just call for them.”

  She kissed him, deeply, passionately. “Come back to me, Byryn. I’m not happy about this, but it’s Steph.”

  “I know.”

  He and Kyle misted to the first place they knew she’d have to go if she was running.

  Kyle looked around the apartment. It looked like a hurricane had been through there but that was how he and John had left it. He heard someone rummaging in the bedroom and misted there to find her tearing through the closet and shoving clothing in a duffle bag.

  “What are you doing, sprite?” Byryn asked, staring at her pointedly as he misted in her path.

  She jumped a mile and took three steps back shaking her head. Kyle slammed a seal on the room just as she misted, trapping her in with them. She bounced off the ceiling, falling to the floor with a thud.

  “Sorry,” he shrugged, “but we can’t let you take off like this.”

  “I can’t…I have to go.�
� She shook her head.

  Byryn knelt in front of her. “Steph, you need to talk to us. What did that jackass do now? We’re not stupid. First you message me that you can feel him awakening, and now you’re running?”

  Tears streamed down her cheeks and Kyle cursed. He moved close enough that he could meet her eyes, but didn’t get too close. He wasn’t sure how much of a trigger he was for her when John was fucking with her like this. “He still has access to your mind, doesn’t he?”

  “We know he didn’t make it out of the realm,” his gemyn added.

  “Kyle,” she choked out, still shaking her head. “I’ll only speak to Kyle.”

  Byryn rose a brow but he knew he’d hear everything through their link anyway so he misted just outside the door. Kyle felt him reinforce the seals incase their Fathers or his uncles followed.

  He sat down beside her and she shocked him surging into his lap, clinging to him. “Hey, it’s alright, sprite. Whatever it is we’ll protect you. No one’s gonna judge you or the shit John pulls,” he reasoned, using the nicknamed Byryn gave her to try to calm her as he wrapped his arms around her.

  It felt weird now. Not at all like the first time he touched her. It wasn’t that she was necessarily uncomfortable to him, but she definitely wasn’t his mea and she wasn’t his sister. No one else shared that connection with him and Byryn.

  “They won’t understand. He’ll hate me and I can’t…I just can’t face him and watch what this does to him,” she sobbed. “They just won’t understand what it’s like, but you know because you’ve been there when we…when he…”

  Alarm laced through him but he hid it. “Steph, I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what happened.”

  “Ravyshyn…” She shook her head. “He came to me in my mind. I tried to fight him but…” She trailed off and he barely made out her whisper, “sometimes he feels like home.”

  He hesitated a minute. “John?”

  She nodded but reiterated, “Ravyshyn.”