Shattered (Mists of the Fae Book 9)

by Jaime Marks

  “Did he force you?”

  Rage filled him, knowing what that would do to her…but it didn’t make sense. He couldn’t see Steph letting him hold her like this if he’d raped her again, not after him being there last time. It was more like she was clinging to him because of the connection they shared to John.

  “No,” she whispered. “He didn’t have to.”

  Kyle cursed, “It was just a dream, Steph. In reality you would never give yourself to him like that.”

  She stood up and he almost blanched as she lifted her shirt and lowered her pants at the hip to reveal bruises that were slowly fading from her skin. Now that he looked at her more closely she also had a split lip, though it was almost healed now.

  “If it was just a dream then what are these?”

  He didn’t realize the link between them was that strong. John may have only been in her mind, but he made sure she’d feel it and Mythos would be able to see it. “He manipulated you, Steph. It still wasn’t real.”

  “Right. That’s why I can still feel him as if he just left my bed,” she scoffed. “And as far as not allowing him to do it in real life? It wouldn’t be the first time.”

  “That was before you met my uncle,” Kyle reasoned.

  “Yeah,” she nodded, “that’s what I thought, too. Until he seduced me and I gave myself over to it so easily. He wanted to me to remember who I am so that when I’m in Mythos’ arms tonight I’d know that it didn’t matter. Ravyshyn keeps telling me that I can bind myself to whoever I want but it won’t change anything. I belong to him.”

  Kyle sighed, “He’s been trading essence with you and seducing you for a long time. When he levels that control over you through force it’s hard to fight it. It’s not your fault. The Bonding Ritual will help break that bond.”

  She ducked her head, wrapping her arms around herself. “I should be stronger than that. I love your uncle. I should be able to fight it for him, but I couldn’t, and instead I betrayed Mythos.” A loud knock sounded at the door and Kyle hid his smile as Steph shot into his arms. “No, I can’t. I won’t hurt him like this.”

  “You need to talk to him, sprite,” he replied, letting Byryn know he’d need to mist him through the seal. If he lowered it even for even a second she’d bolt.

  Byryn formed with a very distressed looking Mythos beside him. She burrowed herself into Kyle’s arms and he gave his uncle an apologetic look, hoping he didn’t lose it when he saw her with him.

  “Stephynia, why in the realms are you on Earth of all places? You are more vulnerable here than anywhere,” he reasoned walking forward, but she pulled back from Kyle and stumbled away from the three of them.

  She tried to mist again but bounced back and looked to him with pleading eyes. “Please let me go, Kyle. You know why I can’t do this.”

  “You need to talk this through with him, Steph. He’s your mate. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that when things get all screwed up in your head you need your mate more than anyone else.”

  Byryn smirked, “That sounds familiar.”

  He shrugged. “It’s the truth.”

  Mythos turned to Byryn. “Is he still in the Realm?”

  “He is, but he escaped with some of my brothers. Cymeryn and Marcus are searching for them now. They probably awakened him,” Byryn explained. “She messaged me this morning to let me know she could sense him. It’s how we knew to look for Vilyn and the others there.”

  Mythos nodded as she looked to him in shock. “How did you know?”

  “Because there is only one other time since we have met that you shied away from me in such a way,” he grumbled. “Talk to me, Stephynia. I have already proven that I will never hold his actions against you. I know how he manipulates you.”

  She shook her head and looked away as shame rolled off of her.

  Kyle sighed and decided it was time for a different approach. He’d seen enough to know that she was spiraling out of control. He’d seen it before and watched John rein her in. It was the only thing he could think to try.

  Stepping forward holding her with his gaze as he stalked her and lowered his voice. “Tell him. Tell him or I will.”

  “But, Kyle…” She sobbed.

  Mythos went to step forward but Byryn stopped him, knowing exactly where his mind was. She needed to face this and the only Fae that could help her deal with it was Mythos. Every step away from him was a step towards John.

  “Now Steph,” he commanded, gripping hold of her chin. “Don’t make me tell you again.”

  The words rolled from her as her pain permeated the room. “Ravyshyn came to me in my mind. He, we…I’m so sorry, Mythos. I love you so much, and I swear I didn’t want to hurt you. I tried to stop, I really tried but I…I…I gave in to him. Oh god, I slept with him,” she collapsed in a ball of sobs and the three of them had to bite back their rage at the pain she was in.

  Mythos stared at her in shock before looking to him. “Ravyshyn?” He demanded.

  “John,” Kyle replied. “Shade sires sometimes rename their progeny. I don’t know what he did to her, but she seems to struggle using his birth name. You know there’s more to this, Mythos.”

  “I do,” he levelled. “Leave us.”

  “Like hell,” Byryn huffed. “You’re on Earth. There is no way I’m leaving either of you without a guard. If you want to keep her confined until you work this out I have no problem relocating you to either realm and placing seals, but we won’t leave you here.”

  Mythos glared at him a moment, but seemed to come to his senses as a small smile crested his lips. “You are starting to sound like the twins, Byryn.” He sighed running his hand through his long golden brown hair. “I know it is not ideal timing, but I was actually going to send for you when I was notified that she was missing. I believe your brothers are in the realm of Light.”

  Kyle groaned, “I hate the idea of John having access to her, but if there’s an unknown number of threats in the Realm of Light we’re better off taking her to the Palace Lunya. We’re in a better position to protect her there.”

  Byryn grunted, “We’ll have to be on guard until we find Vilyn and John, but we can manage it.”

  Kyle all but corned Steph as she looked up to him shaking her head. “I’m sorry, Steph, but you’re confused. You might not see it right now, but I’m doing this to help you. Once you calm down and we can talk this through, if you really want to be alone we’ll help you, but we can’t just let you take off on your own.”

  He misted the last few steps and grabbed hold of her, misting directly to her chambers in the Realm of Balance. As soon as he reformed he threw a seal on the room and waited for Byryn. He and Mythos reformed and Byryn reinforced the seal.

  “You’re getting better, gemyn,” he commented with a slight grin.

  Kyle rolled his eyes. “Go get his guards. I have a feeling with everything going on we won’t be attending the ritual tonight. At least not there. I’m not sure Dad should really be anywhere near Alysse ‘til he sorts out his head anyway.”

  Byryn nodded in agreement. “I’ll see if I can sense who’s in the Realm of Light while I’m there, but if they’ve found a way to use shroud I might not be able to.”

  “Why, what has occurred now?” Mythos inquired as he misted from the room.

  “A lot, actually.” Kyle shrugged. “I think we should have a meeting to discuss things once you two are settled. I’ll let Dad and Uncle Marcus know you’re here. The Shade can’t breach Byryn’s shields.”

  He knelt near Steph. She was curled into a ball, tears streaming down her cheeks. He was seriously gonna kick John’s ass. What the hell was wrong with him? He might be a dick, but aside from the night of her assault he’d never broken Steph like this before. Then again, she’d never been in love with someone else before.

  He reached out and dried away some of her tears as she stared at him with silent pleas. “I know you don’t think so right now, Steph, but everything is gonna be ok. Byryn an
d I wouldn’t have brought you here if we didn’t believe that. You know my gemyn will always protect you, sprite, and so will I. Talk to your mate, let him help you. If you need to talk later, I’m here.” It was the most he could offer her.

  “Thank you, Kyle,” his uncle nodded and he misted leaving them to work it out.

  He knew from Steph’s agitated state and the bruising on her that John didn’t just seduce her. There was more going on with her than that. It was clear he’d somehow made her feel weak and helpless again because that girl oozed strength and confidence on a good day, especially since her awakening. He hated seeing her feel so small again, but there was nothing he could do. Mythos was who she needed.

  Chapter 17

  Felycia paced with Bryce. He was fussing again and she didn’t know what to do. She’d checked his diaper, fed him, played with him. He wasn’t warm or cold. He didn’t need a nap. She just couldn’t get the hang of this.

  Devyn’s hands rested on her shoulders. “You are doing fine with him, Felycia. You take excellent care of him, but there is one lesson you must learn.” He gently took Bryce from her and set him on the floor, crouching beside him to hand him a toy. He instantly stopped crying and started bouncing and playing. “Sometimes you need to let go, dear girl.”

  She sighed and smiled down at him. “I’m smothering him, aren’t I?”

  “A bit, but you are just trying to make up for lost time. You are behaving as if he is a newborn, and it is understandable because of the time you lost, but he is nearly a cycle in age. He needs to explore and play. He needs his space.” He smiled at her. “Bryce is a growing boy.”

  She sat on the floor beside them. “It’s just so hard to put him down sometimes. I think I’m afraid that if I let him go he’ll disappear or something.”

  “I know, but Felycia, I will never allow him to be taken from you. Neither would Byryn or Cymeryn. The entirety of our family would go to war to keep him safely in your arms, dear girl. You must believe and trust in that or you will make yourself crazy with worry,” he reasoned.

  She stared at him a moment and smiled sadly. “I haven’t been very fair to you lately. I keep pushing you away, fighting the bonding. I’m sorry.”

  “I understand, Felycia, but…” He paused looking away. “Once the threat to Bryce is eliminated from the realm, things need to change. We need to settle on a nanny for him. I must attend to my duties and you to your training. Byryn has agreed to help us decide, and I think that we should sit down and review the remaining files with him so that we may come to a decision together. I know you wish to include him in Bryce’s life as much as possible, and I am fine with that. I want him to be a part of his life. In fact, I have asked if he would mind caring for the boy on occasion.”

  “I thought he said we should care for Bryce because if he took him it would draw too much attention,” she frowned, not following why Devyn felt the need to ask Byryn to take care of their son when they’d already agreed on how things would work. Was she really screwing up that bad?

  “He did, and we did agree it would be too much risk when you and I are both here to care for him,” Devyn smiled secretly.

  “Then I don’t understand.”

  “Come here, Felycia,” he requested taking her hand. She scooted around her son, who was happily playing with a couple of his toys between them, letting Devyn pulled her close as he wrapped his arms around her. “We need to complete the bond but I want something more special than just an eve in our quarters. Most females get to spend an entire day preparing with their family and friends. They are placed at the center of attention for their Bonding. I know that is not something you wanted, and I think performing the ritual in private was perfect for our needs and personalities, but I wish to give you something more.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Devyn. I hate being the center of attention,” she frowned.

  “I know, but what I have in mind I am certain you will enjoy.” There was a glint in his eye as he spoke and it made her brim with curiosity. “I am working on planning something the two of us can share, but we will be gone for at least an eve so I spoke to Byryn. He and Staryana would be more than happy to attend to Bryce while we are away.”

  She considered it a moment. If he’d suggested that they leave Bryce with the nanny or anyone else, she’d probably have turned him down flat. Leaving him with Byryn, however, would allow him to spend some time with his son without any judgment and she knew Bryce would be safer with him than anyone else. It was difficult to turn that down.

  “Then simply allow me to take you away. You deserve to be loved, Felycia. I know how you are struggling, but we need this time together,” he reasoned.

  “Alright. We’ll go.” she agreed reluctantly.

  He kissed her softly. “Thank you. I know it is difficult for you to agree to this.”

  She sighed, “Yeah, but I do trust you, Devyn. I know I haven’t really acted like it the last few days, but I’m trying.”

  “I know, Felycia. We will get there. You are adjusting to being a Mother, I a Father. We are also learning to live together as mates and you are sorting through how to manage the emotions of your past. It will take time, but we will deal with it together,” he promised kissing the side of her head.

  She sat watching Bryce play and scoot. “He looks like he’s trying to crawl.” She smiled at how happy he looked.

  “He is. I believe it will be any day now,” he chuckled, “if you can bear to let him. Then the fun begins. Little ones move quite a bit more quickly than you would think. I will be sure to check the weapons and relocate them to wall racks and the mantle to ensure his safety. It will also make them more accessible in some respects.”

  “I’ll try to let him have some room,” she conceded, glancing sideways at him with a small smile.

  As she settled back into her mate’s arms Felycia knew he was right. She was just so used to constantly being on edge, constantly looking over her shoulder, that she wasn’t sure she knew how to relax. Maybe she’d take a bath later. She felt like she was almost always in the tub these days but it was the only place that she really felt at ease lately.

  Her thoughts wandered to her childhood and her Mom. She hadn’t asked Byryn about her in a little while because so much had been happening. Part of her almost felt like she should let it go, but she was her Mother despite how bad of a job she’d done. Maybe once things were more settled she’d bring it up again.

  Devyn watched as her eyes drifted shut. She had not really been sleeping the last few days and it appeared to have caught up with her. As much as she may think that this trip was solely about them, it was just as much about her.

  Felycia needed to learn that Bryce would still be safe when she released him for a few hours. It would be a difficult transition for her, but once she realized that they had left the boy and he was still here, safe and well when she returned, she would begin to relax more. Then they could revisit the issue of choosing a nanny.

  Currently it was nearly impossible to get the girl to attend to her studies, and her duties had all but gone wayside. If she met with Perylia at all it was here in their quarters with Bryce in her arms, often fussing because the boy merely wanted to be allowed to play. He needed to find some way to get Felycia to relax and live her life.

  He suspected in a way her behavior was some form of a self-imposed punishment. She felt guilty for the time she had left Bryce with Tara, and even guiltier for disallowing Byryn the right to even know he existed. It was as if shutting herself away, devoting all her time for her son and nothing else, was her way of paying penance for actions that none would ever fault her for.

  A knock sounded on the door. Stretching out his senses he sent his essence out as a means of answer. He did not wish to disturb Felycia unless he had to. She desperately needed the rest.

  Trina walked in and measured them. “How in the world did you manage that?’ She smiled. “I was just coming to try to talk my daughter into allowing me to take Bryce so
that you might get something accomplished.”

  He chuckled softly. The love that Grifyn and Trina felt for his mate did not surprise him. They both had such large hearts, but it was still awe inspiring at times. “Exhaustion catches us all eventually, Trina. Sit, you are free to spend time with Bryce if you like. If I allow him out of the suite with the alert, however, I am afraid Felycia will have a panic attack when she wakes.”

  She sighed heavily, “I know, and I do understand her fear. Hopefully the twins will be able to find these Shade and we will be able to calm her before this eve’s ceremonies.”

  Her voice trailed off on the end and neither said what they thought on the subject. Whatever had occurred, the general consensus was that Stephynia had taken off in some fit of panic. They all knew Mythos would not sit idle and allow her to place herself in danger, even if Byryn and Kyle located her quickly. If they broke the Sequester, there would be no ceremonies this eve.

  The series of rituals required to claim the Throne of Light were precise and delicate. The Sequester in this case was a ritual itself. It allowed their essences to build in a way similar to what the Bonding caused, but for a different purpose. In a sense, Stephynia was Bonding herself not only to Mythos, but to the whole of the Kingdom. With as many times as the Sequester had been broken, and her current state of flight, Devyn was beginning to wonder if there was more at play here.

  Of course John had escaped and been awakened. Byryn was sure of it, but it seemed as though their young Queen was withdrawing, frightened, and unsure at times. The girl hid it well with her attitude and poise, but then she was Cerulyion. She held the knowledge of the whole of her line. It would be a simple thing for her to feign confidence, in fact it was an art that he felt had always come natural to the whole of their line, whether it be in facing the Kingdoms, or facing a battle that would almost certainly end in death. No, the more he thought about how things had proceeded he was becoming more and more certain that Felycia was not the only one struggling with the sudden changes in her life.