by Jaime Marks
Cymeryn turned meeting his gaze. He seemed more than a bit off kilter. “No one is contesting that, Kyle, but, your Mother…she was not human…she was…Fae.”
They all looked blown away by this little reveal session but Kyle scoffed rising to his feet in challenge. He felt like he needed to defend himself right now; like he needed to defend his Mom.
“That’s impossible. You saw my memories, Dad. There was nothing to indicate she was Fae, not to mention the Fae and Shade can’t crossbreed. Syneous is my birth Father, no matter how much I wish he wasn’t. There’s no way Mom was Fae.”
“Actually, they can,” Byryn spoke cautiously. “The young just aren’t allowed to live if their Mothers even survive the pregnancy. There’s also the potential of young being born to dormant Fae.”
Kyle stumbled back a moment and fell back onto the couch as the truth of Byryn’s lineage hit him through their bond. “How is that even possible? You were the most notorious unawakened Shade in any faction.”
He nodded, “And I’m still part Fae. Verithyous was my Grandfather. Crystal, my Mother, never awakened, but she was half Fae.”
Cymeryn voice was hard as he addressed Alysse. “I believe this is a matter best dealt with in private. First we must address the dispute over the Lady Astryn’s mate. Both Talerys a Taleryn and Prince Kyle contest that they are, in fact, her true mate. Only you can decree the truth of the matter beyond a shadow of doubt.”
Alysse nodded. “Of course, Lord Cymeryn. I only felt it was prudent to show that we cannot simply judge the young of our species based on the race we believe them to be born. We are all Fae and such issues as purity and segregation must be dealt with directly.” She paused turning to face Astryn’s Father, “The Lady Astryn a Alyric holds a piece of the very heart and essence of Prince Kyle a Cymeryn in her soul. They are true mates in every sense of the word. Without each other, their souls are incomplete.”
Cymeryn nodded and addressed Alyric and Taleryn. “Both of your requests are denied. The Lady Astryn a Alyric remains ward of the Lucerna Lines and the Prince’s First Rights are upheld. Talerys your declarations are denied and I highly suggest you remove your arrogant mouth from my study before I do so for you. You have obviously lied here this noon to further your own means and in doing so insulted my integrity. We will discuss this entire debacle later but as you can see there are other matters to attend to. Ones to which you are not privy to. Get out.”
Chapter 20
Kyle sat quietly trying to process everything. He wasn’t sure what to make of it. He needed answers, but as he looked around the room he knew he wasn’t the only one. Everyone looked shaken by Alysse’s little bomb.
It overshadowed everything else. He vaguely registered Alyric and Talerys’ arguments as two of the Guardians escorted them from the room but he was too caught up in his own head to pay attention. He held Astryn close to protect her from whatever garbage they were spewing but he felt so far removed from it. Was it really possible that his Mom had been Fae?
“Then the rumors were true?” Uncle Marcus questioned drawing his attention.
Alysse met his gaze a moment before facing the others. “Yes.”
“What rumors?” Byryn requested. “Some of us around here are under a hundred years old and get very confused when we start delving into your bloodlines.”
“Yours as well, Byryn. Do not forget the truth of your lineage,” Cymeryn reminded him but sighed. “Our Mother, as you all…well, most of you know, died in childbirth. We were her only young.”
“Our Father was very withdrawn and…difficult at times,” Marcus continued, running his hand through his hair. “It was not that Cymarcion was anything less than honorable, but he mourned our Mother greatly. There was a period of time shortly before Father’s death, however, when he improved. Queen Terysia a Terisyion and our Mother had always been quite close. She cared for us often in our youth. Seeing how Father was suffering she had begun to spend time with him and it aided him greatly in dealing with his depression.”
Marcus paused, glancing to Reyana and Mythos. They were both tense, glancing at Kyle curiously. It made him wonder exactly where this was headed. Mythos rubbed his brow in frustration but motioned for his uncle to go on.
“It was rumored that there had been an affair, which as you know is unthinkable for the Fae. For the Queen, however, it would have been treason. The situation was made worse when Queen Terysia disappeared just as they called for a trial. She was gone for nearly a year. King Mythion claimed he was in constant contact with his mate but stated that she was on assignment and well-guarded. He argued that her absence was necessary for her own protection while he attended to issues at the fronts and in the Kingdoms.”
His Dad looked up meeting his gaze as he took over the story. “Many claimed, however, that she had been pregnant. It was speculated that in order to hide her shame the Queen had hidden in the human world. Her critics insisted that she had placed the young up for adoption, abandoning her on Earth.”
Kyle shook his head. None of this made sense. “That’s ridiculous. What about when she awakened? What about her abilities, her essence? How would human parents not know something was off?”
“That is what we had always believed,” Cymeryn replied roughly. It was obvious his Dad was as upset about this as he was. “It seemed preposterous to think such a thing were even possible. It had been a difficult year for us all with the Queen gone. In truth I believe we were sheltered from the worst of the conflict. When our Father died in an attack several months after she left the rumors began to fade. Few were willing to speak ill of Cymarcion after his death. We never looked any deeper.”
“It is true. Queen Terysia a Terisyion and Cymarcion, did indeed sire a young,” Alysse interjected. “The child, Terynia, was born on Earth and adopted by the dormant Fae of the Grifyion line. Terysia would visit with her when she was able but the Queen died when the girl was only three cycles in age. As a result Terynia’s lineage remained hidden from the girl until she went into her awakening. Grifyion found her struggling upon his visit to the family and awakened her himself.
“Once his young admitted the full truth of her origins he attempted to persuade her to return to the Realm of Light. He knew the danger she would face should the Shade ever discover who she truly was. She was untrained and he did not wish to leave her on Earth. Terynia, however, refused.
“After learning the truth of her situation she resented being sent away because of her parent’s mistakes. The awakening had nearly killed her and learning the truth of who she was overwhelming. She was afraid of being forced into a society she feared could never accept her. She ran, leaving the life she knew behind.
“Grifyion and Mythion searched tirelessly for the girl but she was lost. They could not get a sense of her essence and feared the worst. As she knew nothing about essence and her appearance was actually fairly plain for Fae she passed undetected amongst humans for many years. Doing so required her to move every few decades as there were occasions where her essence would flare and she never aged in their eyes, but otherwise she was happy with her life for nearly a century.”
Cymeryn cursed and hit the desk, “We had a sister and you never thought that maybe it would be important for us to know? Did our Father know?”
“Cymarcion went to his death without the knowledge of Terynia’s existence. Terysia left for Earth before he was able to sense the young. Mythion, however, was aware of the pregnancy. There was nothing he could do to protect either of them without sending Terysia to her death for treason.”
Kyle ground his teeth as his sister gasped. The Fae were beings of Light. Even the idea that they’d put the Queen to death for adultery was absurd, but none of them seemed to be contesting it. It only served to piss him off even more. His Mother had suffered because the Fae couldn’t fucking handle their own mistakes.
“You must understand the union was never meant to occur,” the High Priestess reasoned. “There was no manner in place to pro
tect any of them. However unintentional, the young paid the penance for the actions of her parents. It was unfortunate but she was ever watched over.”
“Obviously not well enough if she was taken by the Shade and ultimately killed,” Mythos ground out. “She was our sister! She was Princess of the Fae as our Mother was Queen! How could you leave her in exile?”
Kyle stood and ran his hands roughly over his face trying to clear his head. “So, let me get this straight. My Grandfather on my Mother’s side, was your Father, Cymeryn?” He nodded. “And my Grandmother was your Mother, Reyana?” She nodded but far more reluctantly. At least he understood why she reminded him so much of his Mom now.
“This is so fucking messed up. So my Father is my Uncle and my bonded Mother is my Aunt from opposite sides of my Mother’s family and I’m half Fae all along. More than likely one of my Grandfather’s fucking experiments. Fucking wonderful.” He cursed pacing through his thoughts. “No wonder Alayne wouldn’t let Syneous kill my Mother before I was born. And she wasn’t taken by the Shade. She fell in love with a scumbag she thought was human but turned out to be a manipulative son of a bitch that was unawakened Shade and every bit as dangerous,” he spat feeling the need to defend her.
Star’s head shot up in alarm but she remained silent. He knew she’d been closer to Syneous but really he didn’t care. It was the truth. Sugar-coating it would only leave her vulnerable to the bastard.
Cymeryn breathed deeply before turning to face him. “Kyle, I assure you, this is every bit as difficult for us to hear as it is for you. Please believe me, son, even if we had known I would still have awakened you and I most definitely would have Claimed you as my own. You have been of the Cymarcion Line, always. It explains the guilt you have grappled with your entire youth; why you found ways to follow orders without killing or torture. What was viewed as weakness in you was merely your heritage as Fae. It was the Light you always held.”
He shook his head. “I don’t understand any of this.”
“Neither do I,” Reyana’s voice was cold and hard. “How did my Mother really die, Alysse? They said she was wounded and died of Shade sickness. She was found in the fields but no one seemed to know why. What really happened?”
“Queen Terysia had gone to visit Terynia and was discovered by the Shade. She was severely wounded in the battle and barely made it back to the realm. No Fae aside from the King knew where she had been because none were aware that she had given birth to Terynia. Like you, your majesty, she was very adept at losing her guards when she needed a few hours to herself,” Alysse conceded.
“So she died to keep her god damned secret,” Reyana nearly spat and Cymeryn reached over pulling her into his lap.
“Shh, Rey. You must calm down. It is not good for the young.” He stroked her hair gently. “I understand how upsetting this is to you but, please love?” She nodded against him but didn’t move. He kissed her head and looked up to Alysse. “Why do I sense the essence of Lunya in both Kyle and Astryn?”
She hesitated measuring them as her eyes glowed brightly a moment. “As I stated Astryn a Alyric holds a piece of Kyle’s heart and soul.”
“Yeah?” Kyle growled as turned to her. He was done with this shit. “Except that doesn’t really answer the question, Alysse. I realize that you’re my Grandfather’s twin and you can strike me down if you need to, but I demand to know the truth.”
He was fuming. His essence was surging around him in his rage. It was too much. He’d just been tortured for two days and was still trying to grasp reality. Now this Priestess, his Grandfather’s fucking twin, was pulling the rug out from under him. He wouldn’t just stand here and allow the manipulations.
“My Mother suffered for years to raise me on her own with a Father who showed up whenever he pleased and put us both through hell. All to prepare me for a birthright that, apparently, I should’ve never had. The least you can do is tell me the god damned truth. Or should I expect the same treatment I usually get from your brother?”
Alysse misted in front of him and caressed his cheek but he pulled away. He didn’t want the affection from her. It was clear his disdain and anger for her upset the female, but after everything their line had done to him he couldn’t bring himself to care. Just like her brother she was using half-truths and secrets to control what they knew and guide situations. Kyle didn’t care what the reasoning was. He was done with all the damned games.
“I am sorry he has hurt you so. You did not deserve such treatment. You must understand, if I refrain from answering you it is never because I find you unworthy, untrustworthy, or unintelligent. It is because I may only reveal what is granted by the Divine. What you ask, it is not yet time for but you are correct, you have a right to know and I will pay whatever penance is necessary to reveal it.”
Every other Fae in the room seemed to gape at the interaction except Star. They both understood they were tied to this Fae through their Grandfather and they’d both been through hell at Lazurys’ hands partially because of it. Star might be Reyana’s young but Lazurys hadn’t separated their lineage. He’d intended to do the same thing to him and Astryn that he’d done to her and Byryn. For whatever reason it was their connections the Dark Lord coveted and after dealing with that hell neither of them were in the frame of mind to deal with more manipulations.
The High Priestess sighed heavily. “Reyana was to be the last young born of the Queen. You must remember, Lunya’s essence and soul in its truest form had been placed within her. She carried her Divine essence in her womb. When Terynia was conceived, the remnants of Lunya’s essence merged with her own making her more than merely Fae but she never knew how to truly harness it and the power scared her. She preferred to subdue her true nature rather than embrace it. Her natural abilities are what enabled her to hide so easily from sensure, just as Lunya remained hidden amongst the Fae. Her very essence masked her from their detection.”
She smiled sadly, “It is why you find that Lunya reminds you so very much of your Mother, Kyle. In many ways she was of her. When you were conceived of both Light and Darkness, however, the essence warred within her for she was not balanced. The Divine Being saw her plight and knew you would be closely tied to Staryana once she was born. He used Lunya’s essence to stabilize both of you.”
He watched as Alysse turned away, sensing her guilt as she went on. “Alayne was the one who recognized Terynia as Fae. He encountered her by chance and realized she was vulnerable. Her natural strength enticed him so sent your Father to claim her. …and the future of yours. My brother thought you might present with both essences in your being and wished to know if he could control one born of both Light and Dark. It is why you bore the brunt of his discipline so harshly.”
Kyle shook his head sitting down beside Astryn. This time she grabbed his hand trying to ease him. It was a small comfort but kept him grounded when he really just wanted to flip the hell out. “And Astryn?” He prompted.
“The Divine Being knew you would need a mate of the Fae to help you find balance in this world once your sister drew you forth, but she needed to be unique. She needed to be able to match your wit while bringing forth the inner strength and Light you possess. A piece of not only your heart and essence, but your very soul was taken and placed in the womb of the Lady Lauryn a Baceryn. Upon her next mating with Alyric a Alyrion the Lady Astryn was conceived.”
“What about my awakening was that planned as well?” He demanded.
“No, the circumstances were unforeseen. It was believed your sister would be the one who was gravely wounded. The Kings of Balance would have been able to heal her easily. When you risked your life to save hers it put you at great jeopardy. Though it was known that only the Sacred Borne would be able to balance your essence to awaken you, your wound was an unforeseen complication. Only Byryn or Staryana would have been able to save you with the blood you lost. Any other essence of blood your body would have rejected due to its unique mixture. You needed the blood of the Sacred Borne
containing birth borne essence of not only Shade and Fae, but also Lunya. When your awakening began your fate was uncertain, not even the Divine knew if Prince Byryn would make the concessions needed to save you.”
Astryn clung to him tightly. They hadn’t discussed his awakening or the fact that he was blood bound to Byryn. She had no idea how close she’d come to never meeting him at all. He couldn’t help but wonder if that would’ve been a better fate for her.
Byryn shot him a look as his voice echoed through him, “She would’ve never been complete without you, Kyle, and you have every right to be here. Consider what would’ve happened to your sister if you weren’t there to help me reach her. Or to suggest misting, because I wouldn’t have thought of it in the state I was in.”
He allowed his essence to flow through their link but otherwise didn’t bother to respond. There was nothing to say about it. Byryn could sense him clearly but his head was too messed up to deal with any of it.
Cymeryn breathed deeply but Kyle sensed his rage. “And even then you did not think to reveal his lineage or step in with the knowledge needed to save him.”
“It is not my place to question the will of the Divine any more than it is yours. The knowledge of what needed to be done was granted to you. First you were made aware that it would take more than one of you to manage his essence. Then Byryn was granted what knowledge was necessary to save his life. Free will must not be hindered as you will soon learn,” Alysse replied tightly. “Do not think you bear the weight of this more than I. He is mine nephew as well, albeit through his Father’s lineage. This was a random act that occurred not by fate but because Kyle acted of his own free will to save his sister. If he was to be saved from the sacrifice it had to occur freely without interference. Even the Divine must adhere to the laws of nature.”
“Is there more?” His Dad demanded. “Are there other things that you must reveal this noon? If not I would say we are all a bit spent at the moment.”