by Jaime Marks
Byryn blew out a hard exhale as he rubbed the back of his head. He looked around the room. “This was your sister’s room when we first came here. Staryana found this place, ya know? We were leading the assault on Trevyn’s safehold to free Reyana and the unawakened. She had nothing better to do so she went wandering and felt this pull. It was just something she knew. Amazing thing was it was exactly what we needed at the time. There was nowhere to go with all the unawakened Cymeryn had gathered and they wouldn’t have been safe from him back on Earth.”
Kyle rose a brow and Byryn laughed. “Yeah, Cymeryn was still the enemy then. We were saving the Queen from my Grandsire. Now tonight they’re Bonding and announcing her pregnancy. A lot’s changed since the night Trevyn was killed. Sit down, Kyle.”
He sighed but sat back at the desk turning his chair to face him as Byryn sat on the bed. “What’s the point, Byryn? You haven’t even answered my questions.”
“Do you want to know why I trust Cymeryn now when only a couple months ago he wanted me dead?” He requested.
Kyle shrugged. He didn’t really understand how that had all come to pass. All he knew was that Cymeryn had betrayed the Shade and Lord Lazurys himself. There were a million rumors but most still believed that Cymeryn was working some sort of strategy. That obviously wasn’t the case but he really wasn’t sure what to believe. He had a jumble of memories in his mind from his awakening but he couldn’t really decipher any of them.
“I didn’t think with the way you were awakened you’d be able to interpret any of our memories clearly,” Byryn offered and Kyle forced himself not to react.
It was almost as if he’d just read his mind. It wasn’t the first time today that it had felt like that either but he wasn’t really sure what to make of it. He was his sire so there should be some connection, but even after the Claiming he could still feel Byryn stronger than he could his Dad or Marcus. That didn’t make sense. He didn’t really know how that could have happened…unless he’d somehow managed to bind him, but Byryn wasn’t a Priest.
An odd look crossed his new mentor’s face but he shook his head and continued, “Marcus told me what he witnessed in the safehold and what Reyana told him. She and Cymeryn were in love when they were young but were separated due to the war. Reyana didn’t know he actually loved her so she moved on. They both made mistakes but the end result was Reyana ended up bonded to Marcus even though both she and Cymeryn loved each other. There’s more to it than that but that’s the background and the main reason he turned.”
He seemed to consider his words. “When she came back she was barely bruised. There were a few healing cuts which I assume were from sharing essence but really every wound on her was superficial.”
“But he was still Shade?” Kyle was confused. He’d never seen a Shade grant mercy and certainly not spare their slaves and concubines pain in sating their desires. Cy…his Dad, was known to be as ruthless as they came with his lovers, if you could even call them that.
Byryn nodded. “We both know that he should have torn her apart, torturing her until she turned, but he didn’t. He also didn’t call forth the Shadows.”
“I’d heard that. Syneous was trying to use that as a way of convincing the Kyndra that he was weak.” Kyle scoffed, “They pretty much laughed at him and told him Cymeryn was working a strategy that he was too stupid to follow.”
Byryn smirked, “That’s what I thought at first myself, but then they went to meet him and nothing happened. There wasn’t an attack, he didn’t take Reyana, and Marcus suddenly seemed to trust his brother a lot more than I ever thought possible. I did sense him when he showed up but there’s more. Your sister took off. Alayne overwhelmed her mind and she attacked her guard. She thought she’d killed him. Syneous was able to obtain her but luckily Cymeryn was able to get her away from him before there was any damage.” Byryn shrugged, “Saving her life went a long way towards gaining my trust though there were a lot of baby steps in between.”
“I didn’t know they ever even had her,” Kyle grimaced not even wanting to know what had happened to her.
“They only had her for maybe five minutes. Alayne never even got near her. Instead he captured me and your Uncle Tomas captured Reyana. Marcus and Cymeryn came for us and then he saved my life. The rest is kind of history. The Divine Being crowned them both and Cymeryn became one of the most important Fae in my life but if you had asked me at any point before he came here? I would’ve told you Cymeryn was the most dangerous member of my family and would probably be the Shade that would kill me one day.”
Kyle sighed, “Alright. So what’s the point? Why are you telling me all this?”
“I felt you needed to hear it to be able to believe me when I say this.” Byryn measured him a moment and met him in the eye. “Yes, I want you at my Bonding, Kyle. Yes, I trust you with your sister and even with Steph. I know you won’t hurt them. I don’t expect your trust or loyalty yet. I haven’t earned it and we haven’t had the time to even talk really until now. We’re going to have to get used to each other. Sire and progeny share a special bond and I’ve already agreed to mentor you.”
“Yeah and that’s just weird.” Kyle leaned back on his chair studying the man he once thought would be his greatest rival. Byryn smirked slightly and Kyle wondered again if he’d read his mind. “Why would you even offer to mentor me?”
“Honestly, at first I flat out refused.” He sighed leaning his elbows on his knees, “It’s customary of our line. Trevyn wasn’t Cymeryn’s only progeny to sire young, but he had more than any other and he was closest to him. Both he and Cymeryn wanted us trained appropriately but they didn’t trust anyone outside their lines to do the job right or not try to exploit the opportunity so they would have the older more experienced or more skilled of us train the younger, or newly awakened. It’s a practice that both Cymeryn and Trevyn used for about fifty years now. When we discussed your awakening and he asked if I would witness it I agreed out of respect for him as my Grandsire but I didn’t trust you and I made sure he knew I wouldn’t take you on as a protégé.”
Kyle nodded. That made more sense. “So what changed? Why did you help awaken me?” He may have accepted that neither Dad or Marcus expected anything from him but it was still difficult to trust that Byryn was acting out of the goodness of his heart.
Shaking his head he chuckled, “You still think I’ve got ulterior motifs here, huh?” Byryn sighed. “The truth is, Kyle, you were dying. I saw how much you helped Staryana remain balanced. I know you put your life on the line to protect her more than once. I’d been looking through her eyes. I’m the one who brought you back to be healed because I wasn’t sure what to think anymore. When they started to lose you, when I sensed you to see how far gone you were…I don’t know. I just knew what needed to be done and I knew you were supposed to be here. I won’t deny I sensed you thoroughly before I released the link but I found more than I expected.
“I haven’t been Fae very long and I had no interest in progeny. If I awaken anyone else it’ll likely be Kylion or my young, if Staryana and I ever sire any. Like Cymeryn, it’s not something I take lightly.” Byryn seemed to search for the right words, “He’s right about you. You’re more than what I realized and more than your line ever understood. I don’t know how to explain what I feel or what I see but there’s a strength to you that everyone always overlooked. It isn’t a strength that the Shade would respect, but it’s something I do. You put Staryana and your brothers before yourself. You took my beatings just to protect her. You even set yourself up because it was the only way you could see to stop them from hurting her.” He shrugged, “I underestimated and misread you.”
He smirked a bit at the admission. Byryn rarely admitted to being outdone in any respect. “So what now?”
“So now...” Byryn misted out of the room and popped back in holding the set of formal wear that he’d hung in his closet earlier. “You get ready to attend my Bonding and start learning how to accept that we’re fa
mily now. Tomorrow? We’ll worry about training, your education, and duties. There’s a lot well need to talk about in the morning but tonight just try to enjoy yourself.”
Kyle sighed looking at the formal attire. If he didn’t attend his Dad would just come looking for him. “Fine,” he conceded, “but...shit man, you really love her, don’t you?”
“With everything I am,” Byryn replied so sincerely that Kyle had a hard time doubting him.
He shook his head in disbelief that he was actually about to support this. “Just don’t hurt her, Byryn. I’m trying to trust this. I’m even trying to trust you. I just…She’s been through enough.”
Byryn nodded with a grimace. “I know. I’ve seen what Alayne does to her mind, Kyle. I might not know everything he plans for her but I know what he does to her. I swear, I’d die to protect her. She’s everything to me.”
He squeezed his shoulder and misted from the room leaving the robes on his bed. He sighed as he got up and started getting ready to face the rest of the day. His and Byryn’s robes almost matched exactly. He’d ask why but that had already been revealed at the Claiming ceremony when Cymeryn introduced him as the Prince of Balance.
He still wasn’t sure what that meant or where he fit in here but it seemed like he’d be getting a better idea of things tomorrow. If he could only shake the feeling that tomorrow was too far away. He knew they were free. He hadn’t felt the pull since his Dad and Marcus had broken Alayne’s hold…so then why was he so worried that something was coming.
He shook his head. He’d lived in paranoia too long. Maybe he just didn’t know how to relax anymore. Byryn was right. Tonight they celebrated, tomorrow he’d worry about everything else. He just needed to adjust to this new life and not needing to look over his shoulder anymore.
Chapter 25
Star was a ball of nerves as she sat on her Mother’s bed. All she wanted was to be in Byryn’s arms but apparently she was lucky they had allowed her any time with him today because custom dictated otherwise. Like her Mom was one to talk. She, Cymeryn, and Mar-, Dad she mentally corrected, had been holed up in this room all morning.
Her Mom and Trina were braiding her hair but she didn’t really see the point of it. As far as she was concerned she could walk into that throne room right now and she and Byryn would be happy. As it was she was wearing a plain, slate gray, corseted gown that would be adorned with accents and jewels during the ceremony. It had magically appeared in her wardrobe this morning along with matching robes for Byryn, though his were already fashioned with accents and jewels.
“Here, Starshine.” Her Mom smiled handing her a mirror. Her hair was braided in sectioned plaits with sparkling diamonds threaded in that cascaded off the top of her head ending in curls; except one small section in the back that had been left untouched for the ritual. It looked elegant actually.
“Thanks Mom.”
“You look beautiful,” Trina murmured. “You will take my son’s breath away, Star.”
She giggled. “Byryn says I take his breath away in jeans and a t-shirt with my hair down. I doubt he’ll care.”
“Men always say that, Starshine,” her Mom chimed in. “That doesn’t mean they can’t appreciate us when we are stunningly dressed just for them. You’ll see.”
Star looked at her Mom. Her gown was a white, shimmering corset very similar to Star’s and just as plain. She couldn’t believe her Mom was actually going through with this. It wasn’t that her Bonding to both Cymeryn and Marcus, her Dad she reminded herself again, upset her really. She was just worried about the strain all this would place on her. Ultimately it wasn’t her decision and her Mother seemed happiest when they were both at her side. It was just so…different. Then again she was carrying both of their young so there was really no way to avoid it coming out publically eventually.
Trina rose. “I will go see where we are with arrangements and return shortly to let you know how long.”
“Thanks Trina.” Her Mom sat on the bed as a glass of water appeared hovering in front of her. She sighed in frustration but grabbed it and began drinking. “Thanks Shala,” she mumbled. “I swear I’m gonna float away from all the water they keep feeding me.”
Star shrugged. “You need it so don’t complain. When you weren’t drinking as much you looked like you were sick again. Now you finally are starting to look healthy.” Her thoughts wondered to Steph. “Did you notice how sick Steph looks? That’s not from the Dark essence John made her drink, is it?”
“Well, it could be, but I really don’t think so. In all honesty I noticed her stretching and favoring different muscles a lot. I think she might be getting closer to the awakening. It seems to be affecting her a lot like it affected me, but it’s setting in a lot faster,” her Mom mused. “I’ll ask Cymeryn later to be sure, but he didn’t seem overly concerned about the effects of the Dark essence aside from John having influence over Steph. As long as we keep them separate until it wears off it shouldn’t be an issue.”
She grunted thinking about how John had put in requests to see her, Steph, and Kyle. It was clear he was going to try to use every angle he could to get out of the hole he’d dug for himself but none of them trusted him. She’d asked her brother if he was going to go see him before her Mom stole her away to get ready. He not only had no desire to deal with him but he’d made her promise that she’d let Byryn handle it. It was almost comical to see the two of them on the same page about anything but it was clear that when it came to her they were now.
The whole thing with John and Steph bothered her. She and Byryn shared essence all the time. It was an intensely intimate exchange and she cherished that connection with her mate. Seeing John pervert it into a manipulation made her sick and brought about all sorts of questions she never would have thought of.
“Did Cymeryn have influence over you? When you shared essence?” She asked casually.
“No, that only occurs if the exchange is one-sided. When Cymeryn and I shared essence, or even when Marcus and I have in the past, it has will always be a mutual exchange. Why?”
“Well, I wasn’t exactly sure how that worked. I assumed it was just an intimate exchange but all the talk with Steph confused me,” she replied trying to seem nonchalant.
She didn’t want her Mom upset about her and Byryn sharing essence. She’d never thought it was anything more than an intimate reinforcement of the bonds they shared. In fact, she knew they would share essence in the ceremony tonight but with the way they’d all freaked out she wasn’t sure they’d approve of some of what they shared in private. She’d never realized essence could even be used like that until she found out about John binding Steph.
Her Mother seemed to consider her words carefully. “It is a very intimate exchange when it’s shared, even for the Shade. For them, as lovers, it’s a way to convey a loyalty and trust that they can almost never count on and it’s something that they almost never do. Exchanges for them are often one sided and the stronger of the two will have the other drink of them. It can be seductive and even a bit addictive but it’s the highest honor they pay one another. For us, the Fae, it’s an intimate bond that strengthens and unifies our love. It’s a beautiful thing, Star, but just like all things it can be Tainted and twisted by those who abuse it.”
She nodded absently looking up to the knock on the door.
“Come in Steph,” her Mother offered not bothering to look up.
“How did you know it was her?” Star asked as Steph came in hugging her Mom and then came over to hug her.
“I sensed who was on the other side before I answered. You’ll get more used to such things in time.” She knew that and it was something she often did but even when Byryn did it she felt his essence stretch out. Her Mom had done it without any obvious action. Sometimes the extent of her power was so seamless that it both amazed and confused her.
“You two look amazing.” Steph smiled brightly before shaking her head. “I can’t believe you’re actually marrying Byryn Trevyn
.” She cut Star off with a chuckle before she could comment, “I know. I know. He’s Byryn a Grifyn now but shit, Star, it was only a couple months ago you were calling him the biggest asshole in school. Don’t get me wrong you two are great together just I would never have ever believed it.”
She laughed. “Yeah, things are funny that way.” She nodded to the necklace resting on Steph’s collarbone. “Who would have guessed you’d be engaged to a King, let alone my long lost uncle.”
She cringed, “It sounds really kind of creepy when you say it that way.”
Star and her Mom both laughed.
“Well, you both need to remember that things are different here and the love you and Mythos share is plain to see; not to mention you are very much my brother’s equal, Steph. I’ve never seen anyone put him in his place the way you do and somehow you do it without his typical bravado. It’s very obvious he values your opinions and presence.”
Steph sat on the bed next to Star. “Thanks Reyana. I wasn’t really sure how you felt about this. It means a lot to hear you say that. I know that’s the truth. I don’t doubt how I feel for him or that he loves me. Just if we compare our lives from before Fae to now it’s really odd to consider how things have changed.”
Star couldn’t disagree with that. It was like living in a whirlwind with the rapid backlash of changes around here. She could only hope everyone else was right and it would settle down eventually. She really didn’t think Alayne had any intention of backing down anytime soon though. If there was anything she’d learned about that Shade it was that he had plans within plans and didn’t take failure very well.
“Well, I just wanted to stop in and wish you both luck before the Bondings. I’m assisting Mythos with them so I can’t stay. Trina should be up to get you soon.” Steph hugged Star and then her Mom.
“How’s Felycia by the way? She was pretty emotional after the Claimings and I didn’t really get a chance to check on her. Devyn kind of swept her away to compose herself or something,” Star asked.