by Jaime Marks
He smiled reassuringly and nodded to the seat beside him. When she sat he took her hand and kissed it before nodding to Kato and Cymeryn who were waiting patiently.
Kato turned to face Talerys. “I am Kato a Kacyion, Fae of the Forest, High Councilman, and bonded mate of the Lady Demytria a Grifyion of the Lucerna Lines. The Lady Astryn a Alyric is my ward. A Declaration of Courting has already been accepted and the rights to her awakening have been granted. Per her Lady’s request, First Rights have been offered and accepted by Prince Kyle a Cymeryn of the Cymarcion Lines of Lucerna.”
Kyle rose when he felt his Father’s essence prompt him and folded his hands behind his back. “I, Kyle a Cymeryn of the Cymarcion Line of Lucerna, Prince of the Night Throne of Balance, here by formally invoke my First Rights of Courting of the Lady Astryn a Alyric. I grant the Lady final decision in all matters, but unless it is her express wish, deny the rights of all other suitors.”
“I object.” Alyric stepped forth. “The Lady Astryn in mine blooded daughter. You have every right to grant the Lady protection from the Shade, but you have no right to usurp my rights as her Father in this matter. Her presumed mate status to Prince Kyle a Cymeryn has yet to be proven and places her in immediate danger, therefore it is not in her best interest. She had been courting Scholar Talerys a Taleryn happily for months prior to meeting Prince Kyle. It is a good fit for her that will grant her prestige and protection. Aside from that the Prince comes from a questionable background and has even presented as a threat to your own lines in the past. This union must not be allowed.”
Kyle watched hesitantly as Mythos rose. He knew his Father would back him, but he still wasn’t really sure what the King of the Fae would do.
“I have carefully considered your request to revoke her status as ward of the Lucerna Lines, Alyric. I have spoken to Astryn at length about what has occurred and what her wishes are. Both Astryn and Kyle contest that they are indeed true mates. While I understand your concerns, I must also tell you that Prince Kyle a Cymeryn has saved the Princess Staryana a Marcus’ life twice now, placing his own life in jeopardy to do so. He has shown nothing but respect and admiration of your daughter. Even if Prince Kyle were to remove himself from your daughter’s life and renounce her as his mate it will not remove the danger. From all available evidence she is indeed his mate and that connection is already known to the Shade. To separate them would not only place her in further jeopardy but will cause harm to them both. Now, my old friend, I will ask you before I make my final ruling, has your stance on this matter changed?”
Alyric regarded the King with irritation and caution. “My friend, my King…We have been friends for the better part of a century, Mythos. You know I am an honorable Fae and I have never strayed to Darkness. I support the Lucerna Lines fully enough that I have accepted appointment to the Council. I, myself, have submitted both my name and that of my mate’s for Redemption to Gray. There are many things with the changes you and the Lucerna Lines have enacted that I support, but even you have openly distrusted this boy. He was Shade mere days ago and has been recently detained by the Dark Lord Lazurys himself. I do not wish his Darkness to taint the purity of my line.”
Mythos shook his head as they tensed. “I was wrong, Alyric. The boy is honorable and his past has been wiped clean via not only Redemption to Gray but his awakening as well. We cannot hold the sins of the past against him. He deserves a chance as any other Fae deserves a chance.”
Alyric pointed to him in disgust. “He is not Fae.”
Cymeryn rose, his irritation at the statement obvious. “Am I Fae, Alyric?”
“Lord Cymeryn, you were born Fae. You may have fallen to Darkness but the Light has always resided in your heart.” He bowed respectfully in an attempt to save face, staring Kyle down as he rose. “This boy was born of Darkness and has known nothing but.”
“Then you do not believe that the unawakened, who were born to the Shade through no fault of their own, have a right to a better life. That they have the right to choice?” Cymeryn posed.
“That is not what I said.”
“But it is, my friend. In saying that because Prince Kyle was born unawakened Shade he is not only unworthy of your daughter, but that you do not even consider him Fae, tarnishes your stance on all unawakened,” Mythos reasoned. “For us to even allow that ideology to prevail sets a precedent for further discrimination and oppression; the very thing we are trying to save them from in the first place. You are a wise and reasonable Fae, Alyric. You must realize that I cannot allow you to separate true mates without a proper reason any more than my Father would have allowed it with the Elemental Lines. We are all Fae.”
“I do not mean to cause issue, my lords, but I contest the status of Prince Kyle a Cymeryn as the Lady Astryn’s true mate,” Talerys interjected before Alyric could speak, “for I believe her to be mine own true mate.”
Astryn tried to jump to her feet but before she could move or speak Kyle turned shaking his head as he rested an arm on her shoulder to keep her seated. She remained silent but stayed at his side and he squeezed her gently. “Easy mea, let them handle this. You have to stay calm and answer only what they ask you,” he cautioned in her ear.
Mythos turned to her. “Lady Astryn, do you accept Talerys a Taleryn’s claim that he may be your true mate?”
“Definitely not, Lord Mythos,” she replied levelly.
“And why is that? What makes you certain that he is not your mate?”
“Because I have never felt the slightest connection to him. My essence has never responded to his and I have felt nothing for him emotionally aside from contempt,” she answered.
Mythos rose a brow at the tone of her rebuke but nodded. “Prince Kyle a Cymeryn also contends that he is your true mate. Do you accept his claim?”
“Yes.”
“How can you be certain that his claim is true where Talerys’ is not?” Mythos prompted.
“The first time I saw Prince Kyle was at the banquet. I didn’t just see him though. I felt him before he even entered the room. There was this strong pull to him but it was weird because it was like it originated deep in my soul.” She touched her chest pausing. “During his Claiming I could feel his pain…”
“Describe it,” Cymeryn interjected.
“My lord?” She asked in confusion.
“Describe it please, my lady. Pain is not typical in a Claiming Ritual but he did indeed experience pain. What he endured was very specific. Only those truly connected to him would know precisely what he felt,” Cymeryn explained. “Myself, Queen Reyana, King Marcus, Prince Byryn and Princess Staryana are the only Fae who should be able to describe it aside from his true mate if the bonds had already begun to form.”
Her brow furrowed but she nodded. “It was a very odd sensation. Before it began I felt like I was drowning. It was almost as if I couldn’t speak. It was confusing because I could and I didn’t understand why I would feel that way. That had actually begun at the banquet. When the pain started during the ritual, at first it almost felt like being ripped apart, but on some internal level. It was if part of my soul was separating, but it wasn’t really mine. Then there was this intense burning in my veins. I felt like I should’ve been standing in a strong wind that was trying to spin me around, but the air was still. Finally the burn faded to warmth and there was an intense peace and calm deep inside me…but again it wasn’t me. It disoriented me enough that I had to return to my quarters after the rituals to attempt to rest and clear my head. Prince Byryn can verify how unwell I felt. He had stopped me in the hall and returned me to my quarters.”
Kyle tensed and cringed the more she spoke. He had involuntarily turned to her and at some point their eyes met and held. He lifted his hand to caress her cheek. Just the idea of her enduring that upset him. None of it should’ve touched her and it scared him to think that their connection was that intense. If she’d endured that then there was a good chance that she knew what he’d been through in the Dark Do
main.
“I’m sorry,” he spoke quietly. “I had no idea you felt all that. That wasn’t your burden to bear. If I had known, I would’ve blocked it from you.”
Cymeryn sent his essence over him to curb the discussion and Kyle dropped his hand turning his attention back to the room as his Dad addressed Talerys. “Her description is precise. She did not miss a single detail.”
“They could have easily rehearsed that,” Talerys objected.
“For what purpose?” Mythos requested. “Why would she want to lie about who her true mate is?”
“Surely you must realize the Lady Astryn has very tenuous ideals regarding the role of females. Being the mate of the Prince would grant her the position to afford influence to forward her political and social goals as well as a certain freedom she would not otherwise possess,” Talerys presented levelly.
Astryn’s anger flared at his accusations and the unspoken threats he implied. It didn’t matter, he’d never get the chance. There was no way this male was getting anywhere near her after today. Byryn was right, something was off with the guy.
“If you accept this mating at face value then you deprive me my true mate. How is that any more fair than if the reverse were true?”
Cymeryn breathed deeply and pinched his brow. Kyle could feel Marcus through him and he knew his Dad was struggling to remain calm. He wasn’t the only one. Talerys’ claims were ridiculous. Astryn was ready to blow a gasket and all Kyle could think was it was a really good thing for this arrogant ass that he wasn’t Shade.
“Fine, Talerys. Why are you so certain that Astryn a Alyric is your true mate?”
Kyle watched him tense at the aggravation they could all hear in Cymeryn’s voice. Regardless of the fact that his Father was Redeemed, his wrath was legendary and no one wanted to be on the receiving end of it. The Scholar hesitated looking to Alyric a moment. When Astryn’s Father nodded he spoke with more confidence than his eyes portrayed.
“Her essence called to me.”
“Really,” Cymeryn drawled condescendingly. “When?”
“The very first day I met her,” he beamed daring to wink at her. Kyle had to wrap his arm around her and calm her with his essence to keep her from losing it.
“Which was when precisely?”
“Fourteen lunar cycles ago, though we have only been courting for seven.”
“And why did you wait until now to request her awakening and Bonding rights?” Cymeryn prompted in a bored tone.
“I did not wish to rush the Lady. A gentleman has patience,” Talerys replied arrogantly.
Cymeryn laughed and turned to Mythos. “Did you have that sort of patience with your true mate, Mythos? I know I never left the side of mine until I was forced, but then she was never close enough to the age of reason. I also know being kept from her is what caused my turning.”
Mythos levelled his eyes on the male and it was obvious even he was annoyed with this stunt. “No, I could not have distanced myself from the Lady Stephynia for any reason. I tried. I felt she was too young and new to our world but it was impossible. The pull to one another was too intense. It was painful to be apart.”
Cymeryn turned to Kato. “How about you, Kato? Did you have that sort of patience when it came to Demytria?”
Kato laughed. “We all know I did not. We ran away to Earth to be together. They tried to keep us apart, much like Alyric is attempting with the Lady Astryn and Prince Kyle. We fought them every step of the way to our own detriment. As a matter of fact, I was nearly killed defending Demytria from a Shade on Earth as a result. Granted going to Earth was the solution to our issues ultimately, but a lot of heartache and pain could have been prevented by mere acceptance.”
Cymeryn levelled his gaze on Talerys. “Tell me. Do you still wish to continue this poor excuse for an argument? Or are you ready to concede?”
The Fae turned red in the face. “How dare you, of all the Fae, question my integrity?!”
Cymeryn sighed, “Fine. Shala!”
A small orb of Light floated to the center of the room and grew into a three foot tall girl with wings. The small female shimmered and had strange short spiraled curls that stuck out in all directions. She knelt seeming to wait instruction. Kyle stared at her in surprise. A faerie? He’d never seen one before, not that he hadn’t heard that they were real, but he’d never even encountered the imps.
“I warn you, Shala, I am already irritated. I do not wish to take it out on you and risk damaging the fragile relationship we have developed. In truth I rather like you, but I tend to be short tempered with you far too often. If you can nod rather than speak I would greatly appreciate the concession and find some way to make it up to you later.”
The odd pixie nodded her head.
“We requested you seal the realm last eve. Has that been rectified as of yet?” Cymeryn demanded. When she shook her he continued. “Can you retrieve High Priestess Alysse without causing issue for either yourself or the realm if I request it?” She nodded again. “Good. Please tell her the High Priestess we need her for but a moment. There is a dispute regarding the Lady Astryn’s true mate and we need her to sort out this mess. I would not presume to ask but the precedent this will set will determine the future of many matings throughout the Kingdoms. We cannot allow an error to be made or argued.” The little female nodded with a bow before shrinking back to an orb and flitting away.
Kyle tried to shake the knot of dread forming in his stomach. Alysse was Alayne’s twin. They’d never met but he had no real desire to know her. He didn’t care if she was Fae. He’d seen firsthand how the power of their line corrupted his family. It was a path he never wanted to walk.
“Now, if you wish, you may both take a seat. I do not believe that High Priestess Alysse will be long. Once she arrives we shall see who is telling the truth and who is lying,” Cymeryn stated flatly.
Alyric and Talerys exchanged glances but sat waiting for the verdict. Neither spoke. Astryn’s Father looked smug and assured, but Talerys was looking a bit edgy. He knew there was no way his claims were true.
Mythos cleared his throat casting a sidelong glance at Cymeryn. “You realize that the ruling of the High Priestess Alysse is indisputable.”
Cymeryn nodded. “Indeed but I already know the truth without a doubt, Mythos. You forget, it was the Divine Being who sent me to protect Astryn in the first place.” That caused Talerys’ head to pop up slightly. The look in that crossed through his eyes was difficult to read but the male was definitely tuned into the conversation now. “Since apparently my word is not good enough for Alyric, and apparently I have less integrity than Talerys, we shall rely on Alysse to confirm it. Then I will decide exactly how we will proceed.”
Mythos nodded. “I understand, Lord Cymeryn.”
Marcus appeared beside his brother and rested a hand on his shoulder but said nothing. Byryn and Star appeared behind Mythos. He nodded to Kyle and leaned back against the wall pulling Star into his arms. “Brace yourself, Kyle. What you hear might change what you know about yourself. I think we’re about to find out the full extent of your lines.”
Kyle shot him a quizzical look but as he went to respond Reyana and Steph walked in and went to stand with their mates. He didn’t have time to even contemplate why they were all here before Alysse appeared in a bright flash.
As she surveyed the room he watched her cautiously. It was eerie how much her face resembled Alayne’s. Really if her coloration wasn’t opposite he’d say they looked almost exactly the same. It set him on edge.
“We are waiting for two more,” she spoke quietly as all the Fae except his sister and Reyana knelt or bowed in turn, but her gaze rested on him.
He didn’t dare move from his seat. Astryn squirmed in his hold but he wasn’t letting her get up. He wouldn’t challenge this female but he sure as hell wouldn’t go out of his way to pay her respect either.
“Be at ease, Lady Astryn, you may remain seated with mine nephew,” Alysse offered.
Her brow arched as she turned to him in shock. They hadn’t exactly talked about his lineage. It wasn’t something he enjoyed discussing and he hadn’t wanted to scare her. He’d obviously have to make time to explain everything to her soon.
Devyn and Felycia walked in a moment later, pausing to pay their respects, and Byryn motioned for them to join him and Star. His sire looked concerned but waited patiently. He was blocking him and Kyle didn’t like it. Whatever he suspected he wasn’t going to reveal it until they knew the truth.
“I apologize for the delay, Lord Cymeryn. There are certain things all of the Sacred Borne are to know, but I will elaborate on all of your questions once I have addressed the issue at hand,” the High Priestess stated apparently addressing their thoughts. It only unsettled him more to realize the power this female held.
She turned to face him with a warm smile that he was sure she meant to endear him to her. “Welcome home, mine nephew. You have been lost a very long time.”
His brow rose wondering what exactly she meant by that but he knew better than to address her directly. She was his Grandfather’s twin after all.
“Do not fear me. We will discuss formalities later but you have never to fear me as you do mine twin. Tell me, Prince Kyle, do you remember your Mother’s name?”
“Of course,” he nodded measuring her skeptically. Why was she asking about his Mom? “Her name was Teryn, well Terynia, but she went by Teryn.”
“And her last name please.”
“Terisyion,” he replied with a shrug. “It was her Mother’s maiden name.”
All the Fae in the room gasped staring at him in shock. Pain rolled off his Father and Reyana while his uncle and King Mythos froze in disbelief. They looked like they’d seen a ghost.
What the hell was wrong with everyone? They were staring at him like he had three heads, but his Father was the nightmare, not his Mom. If anyone said anything bad about her he’d lose it. She’d never done anything wrong to anyone.
“What? My Mother was a good woman.”