Revelations (Mists of the Fae Book 1)

by Jaime Marks

  “I don’t know if you will feel this is appropriate, my love,” Marcus spoke softly. “But unless you would rather wear my fighting clothes, it is all I have.” He turned slowly presenting her the dress.

  “Oh, Marcus,” She gasped. “Is that what I think it is?”

  “Yes, love, it is your bonded gown. Will you honor me and wear it? I can understand if you feel it is too soon.”

  “Of course I’ll wear it, Marcus. It may seem soon in many respects but in just as many others it’s been far too long.”

  He couldn’t agree more as she rose from the bed in all her resplendent glory. She was exactly as he remembered her all these years. Her human form had been shorter, only five foot, but she was now five, five as she had been before. Her plump breasts swayed slightly as she walked to him and he had to bite back the urge to take her where she stood. He handed her the gown watching as she drew it up her body. The corset formed perfectly to her hour glass figure as he helped her fasten the lacing in the back. The skirting rested comfortably below her knee so that she was properly covered but could dance, or in this case run, if need be.

  He went back to the closet and then to the dresser returning with other items he had either reacquired, or carried with him all these years. He slid her gold necklace gently around her throat fastening it. Then he drew the silk shawl over her shoulders, under her arms and fastened it in the back as was customary. Finally he led her to the bed and sat her down. He knelt before her slipping on her favorite flats that matched the gown perfectly. She had always said they were fashionable but functional.

  She looked at him with loving eyes. “I can’t believe you kept all this.”

  “I could never let you go, my love. You own my heart and soul, my very essence. No matter your hidden past, you human form. I am always yours.” He smiled playfully at her, “Besides, I never doubted you were a goddess.”

  “Hump!” She pushed him playfully.

  “Are you ready for this love? They will see you not as the woman they were tasked to protect, but once more as their Princess who they revere and respect.” Marcus studied her. “Star will see not the human she knew, but the Fae she will have to grow to understand.”

  Reyana nodded, “The longer we wait the harder it’ll be.”

  He went over to the closet to dress.

  “Marcus, do you still have your robing?” Reyana mused as she watched him with hooded eyes.

  “Yes, my love, but I should dress more for battle this eve don’t you think?”

  She laughed, “Since when do your clothes restrict your ability to fight? It would make me very, very happy to see you in them. They are after all what you donned when you came to me in my dream last night.”

  He turned to her and watched her taking in his body. He could never say no to her, he thought, he didn’t even want to. If he could, he would do nothing but please her until the end of his days. He reached into the closet pulling out the red robing and golden silk pants. He had not dressed in anything of this fashion in a hundred years, but it was worth it just to see that pleased look on her face. He couldn’t wait till later when he could shed both their formal attire and he could slip into something far more comfortable, her.

  Mythos stood there as Staryana and Byryn embraced one another. They seemed to almost be communicating through their link. He was unsure how to handle all this. He was not her Father. As far as she was concerned he was not even her uncle. She knew not of the Fae or their ways any more than she knew of, or understood the Shade. If he tried to lay out rules and regulations restricting her from this boy who was the one thing that made her feel safe amidst the chaos her world had become she would distrust him more than she already did.

  In truth, were he honest with himself he would know that the real issue at hand was his heart, not his niece’s, or his sister’s for that matter. He had chosen not to mate out of responsibility or relegation. Should he mate it would be for love, not some prearranged bonding set forth so the Council could have the heir apparent they so desperately sought. There was no one with whom he could share his heart, his life. His Mother had died when Reyana was very young and she herself had been dead for seventy years, and lost for another twenty five which he was not even aware she were reborn. Now, finally, she was here but had not remembered him and her daughter had never known him. Everyone else was either long dead or out fighting this accursed war.

  He was suddenly caught very off guard as he looked over to find Staryana staring up at him with tear-filled eyes, “What is it, Staryana?” He asked in concern. Perhaps he should not have allowed her to probe Byryn’s mind.

  “You’re really my uncle, aren’t you?” She asked in a frightened tone, “This is all really happening isn’t it?”

  Mythos drew in a hard breathe as his heart bled for her. “Yes, Staryana, it is real and I am your uncle. The blooded brother of your Mother. Although we know her as Reyana.”

  She suddenly surged up into his arms sobbing, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

  “Shhh, girl,” He wrapped his arms around her gently, afraid he would crush the girl, “Whatever are you sorry for? If anything it is we who should apologize to you for not finding a better way to handle this transition for you and not being there to protect you when you were in need.”

  She buried her face into his chest as her body shuddered with sobs. He looked to Byryn but the boy looked just as concerned and perplexed as he felt. “I didn’t believe you. I thought you were a monster even though I felt you and knew better. I let them convince me you were a monster.” She sobbed.

  “Hush now, Staryana that is not your fault.” Now he was angered for the manipulations wrought on her fragile mind. He would never understand the Shade’s reckless abuse of their young. “You cannot help wanting to trust and believe in your Father. He is your blood and you loved him very much. He was wrong to use that bond against you.”

  Mythos held her firmly to him, wishing he could shield and protect her from all this. He let her work through the emotions that she had pent up to get through this ordeal as he gently stroked her back trying to ease this for her. After a few minutes she seemed to regain some composure and he shielded her as she wiped her eyes and caught her breathe.

  “Can you tell me what is really happening with my Mom?” She asked softly not meeting his eyes. “My father said that you made her sick and that you were making her some sort of weapon.”

  Mythos hooked her chin and nudged it up enough that he could look into her eyes. “Your Mother is going through her awakening, Staryana. She is coming into her body of Light and awakening to her form as Fae.” He smiled warmly. “Just as you will do when you are meant to. She is not a weapon and I would never allow her to be used as such, but you must understand, girl, your Mother is also very special. She is said to possess a quality that will allow her to end the war of Dark and Light. She may choose to act with that of her own accord someday. It will be her choice, however.” He sighed, “If it were my own choice she would never be touched by this accursed war.”

  “When can I see her? Will she still look like my Mom?” Star searched his face, desperate to for knowledge about her Mother.

  He looked up as Marcus entered the room, surprised to see him wearing the robing of his former station that had been made specifically for his bonding so many years ago. It was a shock in many ways as the Fae had sworn he would never adorn himself in the wardrobe, or the station. Mythos had assumed he had disposed of anything that announced him as Praetor, yet he was in his full regalia complete with the sword Mythos’ Father had gifted him upon his appointment. It pleased him greatly to see it and he bowed his head in approval as Marcus met his gaze. Something had changed in the Fae. He was beaming, absolutely beaming. He was certainly not the broken male he had been even a few hours ago. Mythos held hope in his heart that Reyana would finally bring Marcus home to where he truly belonged.

  “You can see your Mom now, Star.” Marcus smiled warmly as she spun in Mythos’ arms in shoc
k as she took him in. Something about his presence had shaken her but she didn’t seem afraid, just unsure what to make of him. She reached out for Byryn and in and instant he was there holding her hand. “I present the Princess, Reyana a Mythion.”

  He stepped aside bowing at his waste as she entered the room. Ryo and Grifyn immediately knelt. Grifyn hissed to Byryn to follow and he slid from the couch but kept hold of Staryana’s hand. Mythos bowed his head to her as he took her in. She was resplendent in her bonded gown. The colors of Marcus’s line and their own had always suited her well. She looked just the same as she had so many years ago. Mythos held his breath to remain composed.

  “Mom?” Staryana asked in tears.

  “Come here, Starshine.” Reyana opened her arms for her young and it was a work of a moment for the young to rush to her, releasing Byryn’s hand and darting from the shelter of his arms.

  As they embraced, a warmth filled Mythos’ heart in a way that he had not experienced for years. This was his blood. They were here, with him, and he felt whole once again.

  Cymeryn took form on the fronts, following the beacon of his Lord’s essence as it echoed through him. He surveyed the area, the scorch marks and blood both red, and black, which marred the grounds. Evidence of the battle that had passed through the territory all that was left behind. By the look of things his Umbra had done well. He approached the Dark Lord cautiously. He had not yet succeeded in his task and he knew all too well the repercussions.

  Cymeryn knelt in reverence, “My Lord.”

  “Tell me Cymeryn, now that Reyn has awakened what efforts are you enacting to get back what is mine?” Lord Lazurys mused as he stood over a Fae who had fallen in battle. Cymeryn watch as he took a poker from the fire that burned aside him, laying it against the Fae’s skin as he writhed and contorted in pain. It was delicious.

  “I am working to acquire her young as we speak. Her Father is now among us and has gained a connection with the girl. Even if they manage to overcome the doubt he has instilled with her the Darkness seeps into her, embedding in her essence.” Cymeryn watching raptly as Lord Lazurys slowly forced the poker through the Fae’s shoulder. “There is a development, my Lord, that I believe will interest you…with the girl. We believe she is neither Fae, nor Shade, but Gray. Comprised of both essences as her Mother has been born. We also believe she had shifted another unawakened from Dark to Gray.”

  “Indeed,” The Dark Lord’s voice echoed around them. “Then she is a most delicious find. I suspect that she will not bear the strength of Reyn, but we must possess the ability. You have redeemed yourself for the moment, Cymeryn, but you are running out of time and my patience wears thin.”

  “There is more, my Lord.” He bowed his head in supplication.

  “Then I suggest you reveal it and cease your foolish games, Cymeryn,” The Lord bit out, “Before I decide I would rather take out my amusements upon your flesh.” Lazurys drew another glowing red poker from the flames jamming it into the Fae’s hip as he howled in pain.

  “I have used the Tainted to infiltrate the Council and usurped the power of the throne. I have taken their Praetor, the King and my twin’s strongest friend, who is now ever close to turning as my essence flows through his blood. There is nowhere for them to go. No one they may turn to. I will possess Reyn, I will turn her and I will return her to you.”

  “Ensure that you do Cymeryn. Or I shall serve you up as an example as that which happens when to those who fail.”

  Cymeryn rose to his feet. He bowed to Lord Lazurys before misting through the realms.

  Star stared at her Mom in disbelief trying to absorb all the information that she and Marcus had just given her. Her head was spinning. It was hard enough to swallow that her Mother was Fae, but now she was not just unawakened Fae who’s Father just happened to be Shade, but her life as she knew it was over and oh yeah by the way, happy bonding day, Mom?

  Yesterday her biggest concerns were getting a part-time job so she could get a car, making it to practices with the squad and where she wanted to apply for college. Guess it wasn’t so important that she didn’t have a date for the dance next weekend when things like war and the end of a race were laid out on the table.

  “Ok, ok” She took a deep breath, “So let me get this straight. I’m unawakened Fae and I am part Shade, because of Dad. Besides all that you believe there is a new essence that is neither Light or Dark, but both, known as Gray that might actually integrate all this complicated bullshit?”

  “Language Star.” Her mother warned.

  “Yeah right, Mom, I’ll get right on that. This is some heavy shit and you want me to worry about my language.” She snapped.

  Marcus went to speak but her Mom laid a hand on his arm to silence him. “Starshine, I know none of this is easy and so far as logic goes it’s basically out the window, but I need you to follow your heart. Look inside yourself, the answers are there.”

  She paced as she felt Byryn’s eyes following her. She could feel his concern. She knew he felt the shift in her as well as she did. She couldn’t help it. She was angry. Her life wasn’t perfect and it she had never really fit in, but it was her life. They were taking all that away from her. She couldn’t go back to school. She could never see her friends again. All her hard work to prepare for college meant nothing because she was never going back to that world.

  Worse yet was the life they had informed her was now her new reality. The war was all around them. Light and Dark. It embodied their society and how they lived. She was apparently a Princess and because she was her Mother’s daughter the Shade would supposedly do anything to get their hands on her. Her life was to be relegated to this dull realm until she awakened, likely in four more years and then she would be locked away in the Palace. She couldn’t even explore this world she had stumbled into because it was ‘far too dangerous’. She knew it was for her safety and that it might not actually be as bad as it sounded. After all every little girl dreamed of being a Princess and that part might even end up being worthwhile, but it didn’t matter. Right now she felt like a prisoner.

  “I know this isn’t what you had in mind Star, but…”

  She cut her Mother off, “No, I listened to all of you talk all day, well except for Mr. Statue over there.” She pointed to Ryo who rose a brow but remained otherwise stoic. “Now you are going to listen to me.”

  She met all five of them, including Byryn, in the eye. When they nodded she took a deep breathe. “You can’t just waltz in and pluck me from the life I have lived for sixteen years and expect me to just be happy, happy, joy joy; yay I’m a Gray of the Fae or whatever the hell you want to call it. Go me. It’s not going to happen. I get all the rhymes and reasons. Hell, I barely skirted past Cymeryn today myself and I’ve seen it through Byryn’s memories. But you can’t keep me trapped here like a prisoner with nothing to do.”

  “Staryana you aren’t…”

  She cut Marcus off without hesitation, “You may not see it as that, but you took my entire life away and you are dictating the restrictions. I know it’s not a prison. Doesn’t change the way it feels. And what exactly are you going to do about my Father?”

  “Your Dad is Shade, honey, there isn’t anything else I can do.” Her Mother had the nerve to look sad.

  “Like hell.” Star bit back

  “Excuse me,” Her mother met her with those stern eyes she used to convey she was done taking her shit. Tough shit. She made her choices now she had to deal with the consequences like everyone else in the world.

  “You claim Byryn is shifting to Gray as you call it because I shared essence with him. How do you know you can’t save Dad the same way?”

  “It’s too dangerous.” Marcus spoke but Star cut him off again. She honestly didn’t want to hear anything else the man, Fae, whatever he was, had to say.

  “It’s not any more dangerous than going after Trina and you’re all down for that. You,” She pointed to her Mom, “Are supposed to have the ability to balance ener
gies. Dad’s connected to me and he’s connected to you. If his Darkness can affect us then our Light can affect him.” She saw Marcus grimace and took the opening. “Or is the real reason you want to hesitate because you’ve already abandoned your marriage? Do you think I’m stupid? I know what he was wearing went he went into that bedroom with you. I see the way he holds you and how you look at each other. You told me your history. You’ve called his name in your sleep for years. It’s almost the perfect reunion. Except the fact that you’re already married. Guess that would throw a little monkey wrench into your perfect love story if my Dad wasn’t the bad guy now wouldn’t it?”

  Everyone in the room seemed to gape at her in silence. She knew she was bordering on cruel. She had all but accused her own Mother of sleeping around. At this point, she didn’t care. She was hurt and confused and she wasn’t taking this shit.

  “Nothing to say? Fine. I’m going for a walk.”

  “Star you need to stay here. I don’t know if anyone was able to find their way through the entryway.” Marcus spoke in a hushed voice.

  “You are not my Father.” She snapped. “Just because you say you’ve watched me all these years, you have a history with my mother, and you just so happen to be sleeping with her doesn’t give you the right to tell me what to do.”

  Byryn rose cautiously, “I’m not going to stop you and I won’t bother you, but I’m going with you whether you want me to or not. You shouldn’t be alone right now. Besides, there are traps in the tunnels and you don’t know how to find them.” He spoke levelly but his tone left no room for discussion and his eyes were laced with concern.

  She didn’t really care if he went. He was probably the only person she wouldn’t tear apart right now. She turned from them and stormed out the door with Byryn on her heels.