Revelations (Mists of the Fae Book 1)

by Jaime Marks

  Chapter 17

  Marcus watched the girl go. He wanted to stop her but she needed some time and space. He was confident that Byryn knew his way around the tunnel traps after keeping pace with him earlier and he was perhaps the only one who could reach her right now. He waited a few minutes before turning to Ryo.

  “Follow them.” He ordered, “The gifted abilities won’t work here for the Shade any more than they do for us and the woods will camouflage you well should you run into any trouble. If we are not here when you return I will leave debrief in the notebook in the top draw of my dresser in my room.”

  Ryo nodded checking his weapons then left the cottage.

  He watched as Reyana sunk onto the couch her head in her hands. “Are you alright, love?”

  She looked up at him. “Yeah. Just trying to figure out how I can help her.”

  “If I may, Princess?” Grifyn queried.

  “Of course, Grifyn. You don’t need to ask, your opinion is welcome as always.” She replied sounding so very much like it had always been thus. It gave everyone else pause for a moment, but it only made Marcus smile. She caught herself and met the Fae’s curious eyes. “I’m sorry. I know I have been gone a long time and I was human for thirty years, but to me everything is still fresh in my mind. It feels like it was only just last night that we were all together enjoying the banquet at the Palace to celebrate Kato and Demytria’s bonding ceremony.”

  “There is no need to apologize, my lady,” Grifyn smiled kindly at her though the grief he felt at the memory she had invoked was evident in his eyes. “I think if you give her the space she needs she will be alright. I watched her today. She bottled all that she was feeling until she hit the point she felt secure and then she released it in a rush. Afterwards she seemed steady, stabile, and was nearing a point of balance. The situation here is the same except she’s overwhelmed by it all and it’s overflowing. She needs time to, well to re-cork her bottle so to speak. I may not know her well, but your daughter seems to like being the one in control.”

  Mythos chuckled.

  “What?” She asked him with indignation in her tone.

  “I was just thinking how very much like her Mother she is in that respect.” Mythos teased.

  Reyana shot him a devilish grin and flicked a small ball of Light at him as she had always done when her brother annoyed her. Mythos only grinned absorbing it as it hit him.

  She turned to meet his gaze. “She’s right you know. He is her Father and despite his nature I should at least attempt to save him.”

  Marcus groaned. “Love, it’s not that simple. We don’t even know what this ability is yet or how it will manifest. We can’t just allow you to rush into battle with the Shade.”

  “I have to agree with Marcus.”

  They both shot Mythos a surprised look. Marcus didn’t think he had ever heard those words from the Fae.

  “We need to know more about this gift and you need to be able to control it before that becomes an option. I think you need to begin with something safer and less difficult than a full turning.” Mythos explained. “And don’t look so surprised, Marcus, you were bound to be right one of these times.” The King smirked at him humorously.

  Marcus couldn’t help but laugh, “More often than you have given credit, Mythos.” He turned back to Reyana. “He’s right, my love, we need to allow your body of Light to stabilize and we need to find some way to test your abilities.”

  “What about Kato?” Grifyn suggested. “He is not Shade but he is infected and the Dark essence runs through his veins despite the Healers’ best efforts. Perhaps you can heal him Reyana.”

  “It’s sound reasoning.” Marcus added. “If you can redeem the Shade you should be able to heal the taint from the Fae.”

  “Are you willing to take on this endeavor, Reyana?” Mythos asked.

  “Of course! If Kato’s suffering, of course I’ll try.” She exclaimed.

  Marcus nodded. “The three of us should go at once. The infection in Kato is dangerous and has been given too much time to fester.”

  “If you think this place is safe, I’ll come with you.” Grifyn requested. “I need to gather more Fae if we are going to get Trina back.”

  Marcus nodded. “If the Shade had followed us through the entryway we would have known. They have no way of finding it once it shifted. I’m more concerned with Star getting lost in these woods but Ryo and Byryn will be able to see to her safety.”

  Grifyn smiled. “I’m glad you trust the boy.”

  “With limitations, Grifyn. I know better than to leave them to their own devices.”

  Reyana laughed. “It’s a good thing you didn’t tell her you thought she was gonna get lost in the woods.”

  “I know, my love,” He grinned at her wickedly, “I would never suggest it to you either.”

  He couldn’t help but smile as she glared playfully at him. He had missed this comfort. The back and forth they shared.

  “I’ll go change and leave debrief for Ryo and then we will go.” Marcus headed for his room.

  “There is no need to change.” Mythos spoke solemnly.

  He met his eyes and he could sense immediately the shift in him from the role of friend to that of King. “I am no longer Praetor, my Lord. Kato is a fine leader and Grifyn is his Second in Line, not I.”

  “That may be, but Kato is ill and Grifyn has stated command in the regard of Reyana has been deferred to you.” Mythos broached carefully.

  “Yes,” Marcus stammered, “But that does not mean command in regards to the entirety of the Guardians. It would be improper of me to assume such a role.”

  “Quite the contrary Marcus,” Mythos smiled, “You are the bonded mate of the Princess Reyana a Mythion, are you not?”

  “Indeed.” Marcus measured the King suspiciously.

  “Then in the eyes of the covenants, there is nothing more proper.” Mythos stated plainly.

  Marcus stared at him in shock. He didn’t know if he could do this, if he even wanted the weight of the responsibility, but Mythos seemed determined to force it upon him.

  “I will not usurp Kato’s post and even if he is unable to command, then it is not my place to lead in his stead. You cannot expect me to overrule Grifyn.”

  Grifyn cleared his throat. “Excuse the intrusion, my Lord, Marcus, but there is something I must say.” Mythos nodded to the Fae. “To be honest, I’m not in the right frame of mind to assume command at this point. If there hadn’t been so much else going on I would have already relinquished my rights as Second in Line. I can also promise you that even if we manage to heal Kato he will need time to recover. The damage was great. Aside from that it has always been made plain to me that should you decide to reclaim your status Marcus, Kato would readily step aside and accept your command. In truth, he would never force it upon you, but it was his wish. He had hoped after Reyana had awakened that given the time you would return on your own. Unfortunately my friend, circumstances have changed that make it necessary to rush this along.”

  Marcus gaped. What exactly could he say? He met Reyana’s eyes and she only nodded to him, her eyes filled with pride and love. She had faith in him. He did feel more complete, more balanced than he had in a hundred years, but could he handle the strain of this commission? “I don’t know if I can do this, Mythos. I am not the Fae I once was,” He hesitated, “But as I can see you are insistent upon this, I suppose all I can do is give it my best effort.”

  Mythos strode forward and rested his hand on Marcus’ shoulder. “That is all I ask my friend. I know there will be some adjustment, but I will be there to guide you and work beside you. I will no longer allow the Council to dictate my inaction.” Mythos sighed, “In that matter, I suppose while we are in the Capitol we will need to address them. They will be expecting a new appointment of an interim Praetor and most likely wanting an apology.”

  Marcus nodded.

  “I will leave debrief,” Grifyn announced leaving them.

 
Reyana rose and came to his side, lacing his hand with her own.

  “When things have settled some, we will have a proper bonding ritual for the two of you.” Mythos smiled resting his hands on each of their arms. “Nothing pleases me more than for you to have found each other again, though I won’t deny it is still difficult not to intervene to protect the honor of my little sister.” He smirked.

  Reyana laughed, “I have not been your little sister for a very long time.”

  “Perhaps not, but I only just found you again.”

  “I will always and forever honor your sister, Mythos.” Marcus swore solemnly. He looked down to meet her beautiful eyes. They had always reminded him of the summer sky just after the sunrise. “She has always held my heart and her honor and safety are my only priorities.”

  “I know my friend.” Mythos smiled releasing them as Reyana leaned up to kiss him.

  “Are we ready, my Lords?” Grifyn inquired as he reentered the room.

  “Yes,” Mythos nodded. “On your lead Marcus, I doubt any of us could find our way out of this place on our own.”

  “That my Lord,” Marcus gave him a coy grin, “Was exactly the point.”

  Cymeryn took form in the house that he had made his temporary safehold. The Shadows provided good enough cover, but they were losing Darkness and holding the young here was beginning to be a problem. It was time to abandon this cozy abode and move on.

  Trevyn appeared at his right. “Yes, sire?”

  “You have appropriate vestments in this realm of rats do you not?”

  “Indeed my Supryn. I have a manse where I keep my young when I have need not far from here. There are only two there at present but they are but babes really. The mere ages of 4 and 11. They know to stay out of the way and would be no trouble if you wish to relocate there.”

  “I feel it would be wise.” Cymeryn nodded. “We have the female, their Praetor, and we need somewhere to go with the unawakened. When they realize we have them by the throats they will take action. It is best if we are well fortified upon the morn.”

  “I shall make it so Supryn. How do you want the unawakened handled?”

  “Lock the in the cells. Separate our young from that of the Fae. I have plans for the Fae and after Byryn I need to be sure there is no risk of something like the Taint in the unawakened Shade. I want those that are close to their awakenings separated. If they are sufficient enough we will force it. I need reinforcements but I am loathe to remove forces from the fronts. We are so close Trevyn.”

  “Yes, sire. It appears you will crush our enemy in only a matter of days.”

  “Perhaps,” Cymeryn mused, “But I am not so foolish as that. I have achieved what I have need of for the moment and rushing in would be a mistake. Devyn is a cunning general. In truth he would make an excellent Shade and for that reason alone he shall not be underestimated. He has some fool trick up his sleeve and he is just the Fae to be able to pull it off.” Crytos formed aside them. “Crytos, tell the Kyndra to hold their forces. We have made much ground this day but it is unwise and too foolish risk it.”

  “Yes Supryn.” He nodded misting away.

  “What of the other young, sire? The ones too small to keep watch over.” Trevyn inquired.

  “Assign some of your brood to guard and guide them until I determine what to do with them. I want them kept out of my way and I need to ensure they are not used to repopulate the Fae.”

  “As you wish, I will go make the arraignments now.”

  “Secure the female and Kato first.” Cymeryn commanded. “I am sure Demytria will see to him well enough once you have provided for his accommodations.”

  Trevyn misted away as Cymeryn headed to the bedroom where Syneous sat alone in meditation. The Shade rose as he entered the room. Syneous gave Cymeryn a wicked smile.

  “You have promising news then?” He requested.

  “Yes, sire,” Syneous bowed briefly. “Star is angered to the point her polarity has begun to shift. It seems her Mother has taken a mate. Combined with the sudden upheaval she is taking it with the stride of any teenage girl. Badly. It isn’t hard to twist her feelings and thoughts to cater to our needs.”

  “Indeed,” Cymeryn snapped stifling the rage he felt towards his brother for once more claiming what had always been his. “Then why is she not here yet?”

  “She is stuck in some interim place. I can feel through her but I cannot sense it. I don’t believe she knows the way out and I don’t believe Byryn does either.” Syneous explained. “I can Taint her, but I am not sure I can find her.”

  “I will send you someone to work on it with you. We are relocating to Trevyn’s manse for security. I want you to monitor this place in case she breaks free and decides to come home. You know how to reach out should you need assistance.” Cymeryn studied the Shade.

  “Indeed, my sire.” He bowed. “Do you want me to bring her right to us, or would you rather I use her to get us closer to Reyn. I know how you desire my wife.”

  Cymeryn ground his teeth. Too many males seem to think they had rights to his female. “Find a way to reach her first. I will ponder it. And Syneous, lest you forget that Reyn is no longer yours, you should think back to your awakening. There are far greater levels of pain that I could inflict upon you if you try to claim what is now mine.”

  The Shade hesitated before bowing in reverence. “I would never dream, sire.”

  “I might let you enjoy her again once I break her but I alone will have that pleasure.” Cymeryn conceded though he knew it for the lie it was the moment he spoke it.

  “Whatever your desire my Lord.”

  “Indeed.”

  Cymeryn left the Shade standing there and pondered his dark desires. Soon he would possess her. So very soon he would taste her. He had craved her for so long. He had not realized how much her death had affected him. He had thought that he and his twin might share her but Marcus had crossed the line yet again and he would sooner gut him than watch the Fae touch her again. She was his, always and soon he would right the wrongs that had been wrought.

  Staryana thrashed through the woods with Byryn at her side. She knew what she wanted but she was so blind in her rage that she couldn’t find the way. She wanted out. She knew it was dangerous but she just felt like she couldn’t breathe.

  He caught her by the arm, “Hey, Brightness, take it easy. You’re going to hurt yourself if you keep going like this.”

  “I’m just so mad, Byryn.” She was exasperated. “How could she do that? I know their marriage isn’t perfect but it hasn’t even been a day! How do I know she wasn’t lying to me and knew this whole time? She used to call his name in her sleep for chrissakes.”

  “It does seem a bit crass, but I’m sure they feel the same about you and me, hmm?” Byryn placated as he drew her into his arms. She could feel the essence as he began the gentle push and pull between them. She was beginning to associate it with his attempts to calm her.

  “I get that but the difference is that I wasn’t married to someone else this morning, Byryn. I wasn’t even dating anyone else.” She relented and gave into his comfort resting her head on his chest, “I also haven’t slept with you.”

  “True,” His chest vibrated as he spoke. He leaned down to her ear, “Yet, anyway.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh softly. “You’re so bad, Byryn. I swear you had Grifyn, Marcus and Mythos all about to blow gaskets on and off all day.”

  “They’re just trying to protect your honor, Brightness.” Byryn sighed. “The Fae hold high regard for their vows and sex isn’t the same to them as it is to Humans. It definitely isn’t the same as it is to the Shade.”

  She glanced up at him. She felt like she should say something about everything she saw, everything she knew, but she couldn’t even imagine where to start.

  He closed his eyes, “Wherever you just went in your head, Brightness, please don’t. I hate that you saw me like that, doing those things.”

  “It’s not your fa
ult, Byryn. Who you were, what you did, you didn’t really have a choice. Michael knew that and so do I. You need to know it, too.”

  He drew back turning away. “It’s not that simple, Staryana. There were times that I enjoyed it. I love the power…the control. I fed on my victim’s pains and fears just like Father. I wanted to be just like Trevyn.”

  She walked over resting her hand on his shoulder. “But not always. I saw the tears you shed for Michael. I felt the pain and regret in your heart. You wanted to hate him, to want to see him pay, but you cared for him. He made you wonder what life could have been like. You wondered if you would’ve been like him.”

  He nodded but silently turned from her.

  “Maybe there are other Shade like you,” She shrugged.

  He turned to her so quickly she jumped as he caught her hands. He met her gaze, searching her eyes. “You can’t think that way, Staryana. I am not Shade. I am unawakened. The Shade have no compassion, no caring. They revel in pain, anguish, fear, anger, and hate. They delight in tricking their victims into giving in to them; manipulating them to serve their Dark desires. There may be more unawakened whose humanity is dominant giving them a connection to some amount of Light, but when they are awakened it will be devoured by their Darkness.”

  She shook her head squeezing her eyes shut, “No, Byryn, I can’t believe that. My Dad wasn’t a bad man, just harsh at times. He didn’t have a choice and I just can’t give up on him. There has to be a way to save him. I thought that it took a while for the full body of their essence to form. If I can get through to him before it forms I can help him.”

  “That’s only true of Shade who awaken in their own time.” He hedged.

  “What do you mean?” Star asked.

  Byryn hesitated, “From the feel and look of your father, Staryana, I would say his awakening was forced.”

  “Forced?”

  “Yes, if a Shade is close enough to their awakening, the awakening can be forced if a strong enough Shade forces their essence into their body taking over their systems quickly enough to prevent failure. When we were with your Dad and Cymeryn, I could only feel Cymeryn’s essence coming from them both. That only occurs if the awakening is forced because in a normal awakening the essences are shared between the Shade and the unawakened. It’s the closest a Shade gets to intimacy. It forms a connection of sorts. That’s why generally only the progeny’s sire will awaken them. Most Shade prefer to avoid the responsibility.”