Revelations (Mists of the Fae Book 1)

by Jaime Marks

  “So my Dad really didn’t have a choice.” Star felt sick. “It doesn’t matter Byryn, I have to try. I doubt my Mother can even reach him now that she’s all but abandoned him and hurt him like that. I know my Dad still cares about me.”

  “No Staryana, I’m really sorry, but he doesn’t.” Byryn groaned running a hand through his hair. “Right now he doesn’t even know what he wants. The only desires he has will be Cymeryn’s until his own essence starts to emerge. He has no wants or desires of his own. Cymeryn probably hasn’t even gifted him his first slave yet as he won’t have enough drive of his own to do anything with one. If he is reaching out to you, Staryana, it’s only because it’s what Cymeryn wants. There is no part of that Shade right now that you can reach, because there is nothing left that is your Dad.”

  Tears streamed down her face. “I don’t want to lose him Byryn. I can’t.”

  He pulled her to his chest, wrapping his arms around her, “Shhh Brightness. I know you feel helpless and you want to do something, but right now all we can really do is wait.”

  “I just feel so trapped.” She cried. “I can’t do anything and my Mom didn’t even bother to think about how her decisions would affect me. I just want my old life back. I can’t even deal with any of those, those Fae right now.”

  “Alright,” He sighed, “Ok, so we don’t deal with them. We can stay out here as long as you like until you think you’re ready to handle dealing with it again.”

  “Yeah right, so far as I can tell there’s only one cottage and its feeling a bit cramped.”

  “Well yeah, but the climate here seems to stay comfortable, and it doesn’t seem like it gets Dark anywhere in this realm, even indoors. I’m sure I can put something together that we can sleep out here. And I’m gonna have to work on food one way or another because Marcus didn’t exactly appear to have a fridge.”

  She hesitated with a peculiar look on her face, “Do Fae even eat?”

  He had to laugh, “Yes. My best guess is that Marcus probably either got his food from the woods, or left the realm to get it regularly.”

  “So what, we’re gonna camp out or something?”

  “Sure, unless you think I can build a cabin in less than a day.” He chuckled.

  “You’re really not gonna make me go back till I’m ready?” She gave him a shrewd look.

  “Nope, I can’t promise they won’t come looking for us, but I do promise that I will make us comfortable until you want to go back.”

  “Thank you.” Star relaxed a little leaning up to kiss him. She knew she was being childish but she really did need the space right now. Maybe once she calmed down she would feel differently, but right now it just felt good to have a conversation without anyone leaning over their shoulders.

  Chapter 18

  As they neared the Guardian Compound, Marcus couldn’t ignore the odd feeling of unease that flowed through him. He couldn’t tell if it was simply that he had not been back to the Capitol in a hundred years or if there were something else at work that drew his attention. Suddenly Reyana clasped his hand tightly.

  “Then you feel it too, my love?” He asked studying her face.

  “Yes, but…” She trailed off as the four of them came to a stop just before the boundary of the Golden Expanse, the meadow of long golden grasses that lay between the Forrest of Light and the city of the Capitol itself. Once they crossed through the trees they would be visible to anyone nearby.

  “What is it you sense?” Mythos asked.

  “I’m not sure. I thought it was my own unease at returning after so long, but if you feel it as well Reyana, perhaps we should be vigilant.” Marcus studied the line of trees. He did not see any sentries or guards patrolling as he would expect.

  “I do feel something,” Reyana seemed puzzled. “It’s odd but it seems that while I remember all the details of my lives, I’m almost relearning even the basic limits of my abilities. What different things feel like, for instance? Unless I have a direct connection to it it’s a bit foggy unless it’s as simple as Light or Dark.”

  “What does it feels like?” Grifyn asked.

  “To me it’s just an unease I haven’t felt before.” Marcus shrugged. “But Mythos, shouldn’t there be patrols, or guards at the boundary?”

  “Of course,” Mythos turned scanning through the trees himself. “Your right, I don’t see the patrol. A Guardian should pass every sixty seconds.”

  “What I feel is more vague.” Reyana searched for the words. “It smells like smoke, but feels like fresh air. It feels rotten in my mouth, but tastes like fresh fruit. There is something wrong, but I can’t place it. It’s almost as if everything here is….Tainted in some way.”

  The four of them exchanged looks. “Do you think we should return Reyana to the Sanctuary?” Mythos asked as he met his eyes.

  “No,” She replied bluntly. “I know your fears and concerns, but I need to figure this out and we should get to Kato before it’s too late.”

  Marcus closed his eyes. He hated putting her safety at risk in any way.

  “Hey, Marcus, look at me.” Reyana touched his arm. “We’ll do this together. If you go without me it will make me just as vulnerable because I can’t even bear the thought of what Cymeryn will do to you. He’ll use you to get to me.”

  “She is right,” Mythos concurred. “Your bond is unlike anything I have ever seen. Your fates are entwined. If one of you fall I fear we will lose you both.”

  “Fine, then we stay together, the four of us. We do not allow them to separate us for any reason. Grifyn, reach out for the reinforcements you were going to call, but only Fae that have not sustained any severe injuries at the fronts and those who you believe to be beyond reproach.”

  He nodded.

  “We will mist into the Compound, directly into the Infirmary Wing. Is it were it was always?” Marcus inquired.

  Mythos and Grifyn nodded.

  When Marcus nodded they misted beyond the boundary into the building. It was quiet, but then the wing was generally peaceful. Grifyn led the way to Kato’s room and they entered together, but there was only a single Healer tidying the room. Kato was not there.

  “Your majesty!” The Healer jumped startled and then bowed in reverence.

  “Rise, Healer, where is The Praetor Kato? I was told he was in this suite.” Mythos inquired his voiced laced with concern and they all braced for the worst.

  “Why, my Lord,” The Healer spoke in confusion as she rose. “Councilman Freyoin was by not an hour ago. He said it was by decree of the Palace that Kato be moved. We tried to dissuade him as it was not in his best interest, but the Councilman was adamant that it was royally decreed. He had the seal, my liege.”

  Mythos’ anger rose, “Indeed. Is there aught else I should be aware of Healer? Any other unusual decrees that the Council has brought forth.”

  “No, your majesty. Generally we never even receive missives from the Council. We are very isolated here as we care only to heal the ill and wounded, deliver the young. It is our purpose. It was a very rare occurrence that the Councilman came in person with a decree. We assumed there was some unknown threat to the Praetor and ultimately yielded to what we believed was your wisdom. I beg your forgiveness your grace.”

  “You have done naught wrong. Be at ease. I shall deal with the Councilman posthaste. I thank you for your assistance and as always for all you and your sisters do for those ill afflicted.” Mythos bowed his head and turned exiting to the hall with Marcus, Reyana, and Grifyn immediately behind him.

  “She felt pure.” Reyana volunteered. “There was no Taint or deception in her or what she said.”

  Mythos nodded. “I must go to the Council and see what has happened. Hopefully Councilman Freyoin is acting alone. Perhaps he tried to rouse Kato in hopes that he would take the throne despite his lineage. He is tied to the Lucerna Lines, but this feels wrong to me in some way that far outreaches an attempt to fill the throne.”

  “Indeed. We must go at on
ce, but I’d rather have more force with us. Reyana, if Grifyn calls forth Guardians do you think you will be able to sense if they are Tainted?” Marcus asked sorting through their options.

  “I believe so. The longer we’re here the more I can sense it.” She nodded.

  He gave Grifyn a nod and moments later four Fae appeared before them.

  “Praetor Marcus, allow me to present Iyrus, Valeryn, Sheyna, and Aryn. They are among the finest of our order.” Grifyn presented the Guardians and they bowed their heads in kind before kneeling afore the King.

  Grifyn turned addressing the soldiers. “Praetor Kato was wounded in battle and is now missing. Upon the King’s appointment The Guardians of Light will follow the Praetor Marcus a Cymarcion with honor and valor.”

  Each of the Fae rose and brought their fists quickly to their chest with a soft thump. “With honor and valor we await your command.” They spoke as one bowing at the waste as was ritual upon pledging their service to the Praetor and hence their race.

  Marcus cleared his throat softly taken aback by the swelling of pride he felt in his chest and the show of allegiance he had been given, even if it was but four among the many. “You may rise. What do you sense Reyana?”

  She stepped back cautiously placing herself between Marcus and Mythos. “Iyrus, Sheyna and Aryn are pure. Valeryn is Tainted.”

  “Seize him!” Grifyn commanded.

  Iyrus and Aryn restrained the Tainted Fae as Sheyna coated him in her Light, holding his essence to prevent him from misting.

  “Clever trick, Princess.” Valeryn snarled. “No wonder Cymeryn wants you so badly.”

  “Do not address her, coward.” Mythos spoke, his voice laced with anger. “You are a traitor to your King and your race.”

  Reyana lay a hand on his arm. “It’s alright Mythos. From what we’ve learned he may not have had a choice. Besides, it presents me with the opportunity I need, just in a different form than we suspected.”

  “What are you thinking, my love?” Marcus requested stepping closer to her.

  “I’m going to attempt to either balance him, making him Gray, or to cleanse his Taint completely. I’m not sure which is really possible.” She shrugged. “I don’t believe that I can destroy what’s there but I do think I can change it.”

  “You think to redeem us, Princess?” the Tainted laughed. “You would need an army. We are many and many more will soon be Shade.”

  “Well then, I suppose we shouldn’t waste any time.” Reyana addressed the Guardians with the grace and dignity of the Princess she was by birth, “Guardians of Light, take the Tainted and secure him to the table in the healing room. Be sure to keep him restrained from the mist.”

  They followed her orders quickly and efficiently.

  “Healer, I have need for use of your room.” Reyana explained as they reentered Kato’s previous accommodations. “Please see that we are not disturbed.”

  “Of course,” The Healer nodded, “If I may, I ought not inquire, but the rumors, and you look so much like her?”

  It was Mythos who spoke, “Yes Healer, you are correct in your assumptions. She is mine blooded sister. Princess Reyana a Mythion has been reborn to the Light.”

  The Healer bowed. “My lady, how very blessed are we all that you have returned to us. How very blessed indeed.” The female’s hope poured off her in waves, the love in her grew adding strength to her Light.

  “Rise Healer.” Reyana spoke softly, “Thank you for your kind welcome.”

  The Healer rose. “I shall do as you request, and once you have gone. I shall tell all who need the Light of your hope that the Princess Reyana a Mythion has indeed risen.” She left in silence with a smile upon her lips.

  Reyana stood eerily still. Marcus walked up beside her, leaning to her ear. “Are you alright, love?”

  “Yes, I just didn’t realize how much people would be looking to me for salvation. How much my return would mean to them.” She turned to him, her voice barely above a whisper, “What if I can’t do this Marcus? What if I can’t be the hope that they all need?”

  He embraced her kissing her chastely. “My love, you are forgetting yourself. You know who and what you are. It’s plain to any and all who see you now that you are not simply Fae but so much more. I have complete faith in you, but it is you who must have faith in yourself.”

  She nodded, her face hardening with resolve as she turned to approach the bed. Marcus, Mythos and Grifyn stood back. Iyrus and Aryn finished with the bindings and stepped back to the side at attention.

  Reyana stood at the foot of the bed and raised her palm above it, allowing her Light to flow over Valeryn. “You may release him Sheyna, and please step back.”

  She nodded releasing the Tainted and joined Iyrus and Aryn.

  “You bitch I can’t wait till...” Valeryn bit out but was cut off as Reyana raised her other hand.

  “That will be enough of that,” She murmured in return.

  The warm silver of Reyana’s Light filled the room as it flowed slowly into the Tainted. Slowly a soft golden hue also flowed out over him. The Light swirled over him slowly, alternating from gold to silver as Marcus watched. A gently breeze had begun to crest through the room and her auburn hair danced about her shoulders. It was beautiful.

  “She is magnificent to watch, is she not?” Mythos whispered in awe.

  “Indeed.” Marcus nodded his chest filling with pride for her as they looked on.

  Reyana could feel her essence flowing through her into the Fae. Tainted or not that was what he was. She had a clearer picture of the war than either side. The tragedy of it was that it wasn’t as simple as Shade against Fae and Dark against Light. In reality it was Fae against Fae. Lazurys may have corrupted the species bringing Darkness to the Light, but they were all Fae. It was the Taint that pitted brother against brother, parent against child, and mate against mate. They may act as separate species but if you were to balance the Light and the Darkness that lie in each of them they would be the same.

  She let her essence burrow through Valeryn’s veins. She had to find the source of the corruption. She could feel Cymeryn’s influence thick in his blood although she had no idea how she recognized is essence so easily. She couldn’t find the source of it. There. Weaving in around the heart there were wisps of Shadow but the essence itself was not visible. She followed the wisps delving inside the heart only to bounce against it. The interior of the heart was hardened Dark essence.

  She wrapped her gold and silver light around the heart in layers probing the inner shell for a weak point. It wouldn’t crack. She needed to find his connection to the Light. She searched through his veins as she made her way to his brain and found Shadows weaving in and out of his mind. She sent her essence plunging in purging his mind of Cymeryn’s grip. The Dark essence spilled out diluting in his blood.

  He had a budding love for Sheyna. Cymeryn had taken the innocent attraction and twisted it to a lustful craving promising him the female, but in his core he was frightened. He didn’t want to harm her, he was just overwhelmed by the Taint and the sickly desires it bred.

  Reyana knew what she had to do, she just wasn’t sure she could stomach it. She continued attempting to pierce the heart as she sent an image into Valeryn’s mind. She showed him Cymeryn breaking Sheyna, tearing into her flesh as he forced himself upon her while Valeryn stood watching, laughing. She felt the shift in him; the pain that lanced through his heart for her, the urge and need to save her. Reyana began to send questions through his mind. Is this what you want for her? Is this what you wish for her to endure? Would you stand there and allow him to destroy her only to possess an empty shell? It was harsh and risky, but she had to break through the influence of the Shade.

  She felt the doubt, the cracks forming in the hardened shell that coated the walls of his heart. Her essence began to seep in as she continued to push her way in. It wasn’t enough. He had to fight to break the hold himself. She could tell he wanted to be free but she didn’
t know how to help him.

  Reyana was tiring, she felt exasperated. Nothing she tried would break him free and she couldn’t try to purge the Dark or balance both essences until she had access to it all. She searched within herself looking for some hidden answer, some key she possessed. Key? That’s it!

  Reyana sent one final thought into Valeryn’s mind. She could only hope that he would use it. The key is Love. Love is Light. She couldn’t only take the Fae so far, he had to do the rest himself. She couldn’t make the choice for him.

  She felt the shell begin to chip away in places. Valeryn’s Light emanated from the openings that were created. She used her essence to break away pieces of the shell while he held fast to the Light in his heart.

  Reyana sighed in relief as the last of the shell melted away. She sent her energy through him attempting to purge the Dark essence but it slinked away from the Light hiding in the cracks and crevices it found within his form. She could burn it out of him but the pain would be great.

  Reyana searched her heart, going deeper than her conscience, deeper than all she had been taught. She knew that this war was wrong. She knew that the Shade were merely Fae that had become unbalanced by the Taint of Darkness. They were never two species, never meant to be. They were one. She knew what she needed to do.

  In a way, it made more sense to her this way. Everything in existence was fighting to achieve a balance. There was Darkness because there was Light. Where there was one, there had to be the other. It only made sense. Humanity was capable both of acts of great love and kindness as well as acts of unthinkable violence. They had the propensity for both, but they started out with innocence in their hearts. It was only once they were corrupted by the Dark that hatred and violence found its way to the hearts of Humans.