by Jaime Marks
Protectors and Kings
Mists of the Fae
Book 4
by
Jaime Marks
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, stored in, or introduced to any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without the express permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes only.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are fictitiously used. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. On a side note if you happen to be a Fae and think you have a claim that you have been portrayed in this book by all means feel free to contact me in writing so we can debate the semantics of your existence ;)
Certain content and scenes may not be suitable for readers under the age of 18.
This is an adult paranormal romance novel and recommended for an adult audience.
First Kindle Edition, April 2015
Text copyright © 2015 Jaime Marks
All rights reserved.
Mist of the Fae Series
Revelations
Secrets Past
Shades of Redemption
Protectors and Kings
Connections
Choices
Dynamics (coming November 1, 2015)
Dedication
This one is for all my readers. As I’ve said in the past I really enjoy writing this series and it means a lot that so many of you enjoy reading it. And to my husband who stands by me and supports me in all that I do. I wouldn’t be able to accomplish half the things I do without you.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
About the Author
Prologue
Shala shook as she formed in the Realm of Divinity. She did not want to be the one who relayed this information but it was her place. She was the Faerie of Balance, Servant of the Goddess Lunya and Keeper of the Realms. Warmth and pure white Light enveloped her and she knew her presence was recognized. Shala emerged into her true form and bowed in reverence awaiting permission to speak.
“Be at ease little one. I am aware of what has befallen my precious Lunya. You need not speak or fear. It was not you who caused this, but the solution is already in place. It is time. I will summon them. Go, open the way so I may bring them to me.”
Shala started in surprise but it was not really a shock. It was more a shock that he had not done so a hundred years before but then they had not been ready. She did not speak, did not attempt to reason the meaning. It was not her place to question the will of the Divine or his wisdom. She went forth to the gateway of the realms and opened the way waiting patiently. When she felt their essences take form here she closed the gates and took her leave.
There was no more she could do but hope they would accept what had been granted and take the actions necessary. Such was the way of free will. You could not make one accept who they were or the course of their destiny.
She returned to the Sacred Grove where the others waited. She was not done with her duty. If they accepted she would need to proceed with the will of the Divine, but first the faeries awaited the fate of Lunya and the realms they called home.
Her sister faeries all spoke at once throwing out questions but she held up her hand and they silenced.
She measured them a moment before she explained. “The time has come, they have been summoned to the Divine. His will be done, should they accept and now align. There is naught more that can be done. We must wait until they become one. The fate of Lunya is in their hands. There is no more to make demands. I must go, be ready to act. Once I know more I will be back.”
Murmurs of whispers and rhymes rolled through their number. They all knew if this came to pass it would be a momentous occasion that would change the course of all that was to come providing both solutions to some of what they had all wondered how those they watched over would overcome and creating issues that would need to be addressed in time. Everything was written and awaited, but freewill could change it all. It was just the way of things.
She looked through the mists of the realms watching, waiting. It was not her job to judge or decide what was wrong or right. Her place was not to have an opinion. She only hoped that they chose correctly.
Chapter 1
“Marcus?!”
“Cymeryn?!”
They stared at each other, both thoroughly confused as they assessed the area around them. They hadn’t even been together just moments before. Marcus had been in the Palace Lunya and Cymeryn had gone on to the Darker Realms to attempt to rescue Byryn.
“What is this place? How did we get here?” Cymeryn asked as he looked around.
It seemed as though they were surrounded by nothing but a cloud and a strong white essence Marcus had never felt the likes of.
“I have no idea. I was in the Palace one moment, the next I was here.” He mused trying to puzzle out where in the realms they could be. It almost felt like Reyana’s essence but even she didn’t have this strength.
A warmth surrounded them placing them at ease as a voice echoed from everywhere and nowhere at once. “Be at ease Protectors of Balance. I have brought you here.”
“Wha-? Who?” Cymeryn questioned in surprised when Marcus dropped to his knee in reverence grabbing him and pulling him down.
“The Divine Being, brother.” Marcus whispered.
“It is alright Marcus, I forgive your brother’s ignorance and distrust. He has suffered greatly at the hands of my son. I cannot fault him. You may both rise, Protectors.”
They stood slowly.
“Reach out and sense your mate and know why you have been summoned. The powers that mask her cannot block you here.”
They both felt it at the same moment and looked to each other in fear.
“No,” Cymeryn whispered falling to his knees.
“But how? She was in the Sacred Grove, no one could have reached her there.” Marcus reasoned trying to reassure himself though he knew it didn’t matter the reasons. Reyana was enshrouded in the Darkness of the Darker Realms. “Even if she left the faeries would’ve protected her and she would never risk leaving the realm on her own, never.”
“Alayne has another offspring which were bred to reach Reyana and her young. Tomas was well masked amongst the unawakened. He obtained her when she left the sanctuary to attend to Staryana. He is strong in his essence and has the ability to utilize it to cloak himself and others. The faeries tried but could not reach her. It was not their failing but an unfortunate circumstance.”
Cymeryn cursed. “Cunning and devious indeed. How can we even prepare? How can we hope to win if we do not even know our own enemies?” He scoffed in frustration. “He will destroy her, Marcus. The things he will do to her…” He shook his head in disgust.
Marcus woul
d have paced but he felt more like he was floating than actually standing. “What now, Cymeryn? What can we even do? You know Alayne will know before you even reach him. He will be ready for you but there must be some way. We have to…”
“Hold, Protectors of Balance, hold and hear me now. You have both been chosen. You were both gifted before your current form was even birthed to rule at the side of the Goddess Lunya as the Protectors of Balance. Feel within you the power you hold, her power. Join hands as one and know the truth of why Lazurys strived to separate you so.”
They exchanged a curious glance as Marcus extended his hands but Cymeryn looked at them in distrust. “What have you got left, Cymeryn? Is it not worth the leap of faith to have a chance to reach her? To hold her in our arms again?”
His twin looked down at his own hands as if seeing something unclean. “My hands are soaked in the blood of the Fae, Marcus. I am worthy of no gift, no power.”
“You were manipulated, Cymeryn. Lazurys used you to do his will and yes, there are many wrongs that you have wrought, but only you can walk out of the Darkness, my brother.” Marcus pleaded with him. He had to reach him, for her, for their young. There was no other option.
He looked away. “I cannot walk out of the Darkness, Marcus. Have you not paid attention? I was born of it, I submitted to it. Lazurys owns me. I am naught but a liability to her. I have never deserved her.”
“You misinterpret your own origins, Protector of Night. You have but to take your blooded twin’s hands and know the true purpose of the Night before its corruption. But the choice is your own. This is something you must accept of your own free will. I offer you this knowledge and all the power and ability it grants, but your blooded twin is correct, only you can accept it.”
Cymeryn looked around him, his hands on his hips as he considered it. He met his brother’s eyes, felt the connection that pulsed ever stronger between them as they stood there. He could not deny the place they stood. The feel of the essence that flowed through him. He could not deny the truth he saw. Wherever they were it was truly divine. If he had been chosen, if he were gifted and he had forsaken that gift all these years, did he not have a responsibility to see this through now? He wanted answers but he felt he had no right. If someone had chosen him they had indeed done so poorly. One had only to look to the sins of his past to know the evil that lurked within him.
“It’s alright, Cymeryn.” Marcus reassured him. “I understand your hesitation, the guilt you feel. If you can’t do this for yourself, then do it to right all the wrongs that plague your heart. Start here, now, with me. Do it for her, brother, for your young that she carries within her.”
Pain pierced his heart. He could not bear the idea of her suffering, of the pain she would feel when she lost the young at Alayne’s hands. His young, Marcus’ young. His love was his driving force, it took the helm and his hands moved of their own volition, grasping Marcus by the wrist. It was as far as he could go but Marcus took over, meeting his eyes as he wrapped his hands around his completing the connection.
An odd current ran through his body as he felt the echo of the same current running through Marcus. No thoughts were hidden as their essences merged as one. Their hearts beat, their breath, everything working in rhythm. Knowledge coursed through their minds. Knowledge of the realms, of the Darkness and the Light, knowledge of Lunya, all flowed freely and they could see the echo of it in one another’s eyes as pure power pulsed between them creating a balance that had not existed within them before.
“Go forth Protectors of Balance. Go forth and save the realms, save Lunya.”
Mythos gaped at the spot where Marcus stood only moments ago. He was not amused in the least at the disappearing act. He cursed as he shook his head. Whatever Marcus was hiding he had just gotten a reprieve from the highest order.
“What did we just witness, my lord? Do you think Reyana could have pulled him to her?” Kato mused, the concern evident in his voice.
“No, Kato. I think if Reyana had such a power Staryana’s disappearance earlier would not have been an issue. She merely would have called her young to her.” Mythos reasoned. “Do we know how to reach Reyana? She should be with her daughter and she may be able to shed some Light on the subject of her mate’s disappearance.”
“There is no way to reach her, Mythos. At least not according to Marcus.” Grifyn responded. “He claims no one can enter the groves aside from Reyana and himself.”
“Wonderful,” Mythos bit out.
“Do you really believe he was summoned by the Divine Being? What does that even mean?” Kato’s voice was hushed. “I thought only those Sacred Borne could be summoned.”
Trina entered with the Guardian Ulycus at her side. She looked them over with a concern. “There is something happening in the throne room. I’m not sure what is going on but you should all come see it. There is also a crowd gathering so perhaps we need more control down there as well.”
They exchanged glances and followed them down to the throne room. There were so many Fae and unawakened gathered that they had to push their way through. Mythos looked around the room. He had always thought the décor suited his sister. She was not one for flashy extravagance and jewels. The room was large with a high reaching dome that held a circular skylight at its pinnacle. There were marble columns adorned with sparkling opals that lined the room but they were spaced out along the outer walls. The drapes that adorned the tall windows were a sparkling silver gray, very much like the gowns she now seemed to favor. In the center of the marble floor, directly under the skylight was a large insignia of a silver crescent moon that lay centered on a golden disc. The symbol was noticeable throughout the Palace.
He looked up to where the single throne should stand at the head of the room. A short set of steps led up to its resting place but the enclave where the throne would be was engulfed in the same brilliant white Light that Marcus had disappeared in.
He walked to the base of the steps trying to see through the veil, but it was completely enshrouded. Mythos looked up to see a small silvery white orb of Light descending from the skylight as more orbs slowly appeared, filling the ceiling of the room. He turned to watch as the faerie they had met at Reyana’s coronation set down and grew in size. She stood about three feet tall adorned in a slip of silver fabric. Her hair stood at odd angles with curls pointed haphazardly in different directions. Her wings lit on her back in a sparkling silver light.
Mythos gritted his teeth. He deplored deciphering the riddles of the rhymes that faeries spoke in and this one was not generally forth coming with him, but it was better than no response at all. “Shala, do you know what has caused this? Or where Praetor Marcus has disappeared to?”
She nodded but remained silent, her hands clasped before her.
“Are you going to answer me?” He demanded.
“The answer is not mine to tell. In a moment we shall all see well. A word of caution though if I must say, patience must yet rule this day.” She spoke softly, the normal jovial tones that lilted from the sprite dulled. He studied her a moment, noticing the slump to her shoulders and the somber expression on her face. Something was very wrong.
Grifyn came forth and she stepped back from him. “I apologize, Shala, I didn’t mean to startle you. Can you reach Reyana? Is she alright? Marcus sent you with her, didn’t he?”
Fear gripped Mythos’ heart. What had happened? Was she still safe in the grove? “We need to know if she is safe, Shala.”
The faerie sighed. “Lunya is indeed in danger. Her Protectors have been called forth, tasked to save her. If you have patience you will see, in but a moment, they will be.” She inclined her head towards the illuminated enclave.
Kato walked slowly up to the side of the King. “What do you suppose she means by Protectors? Obviously Marcus was summoned, but do you suppose…?”
“I suppose nothing at this point, Kato. I am afraid to even fathom what this all means.” Mythos rubbed his temple attempting to weigh out the
meaning and consequences.
A flash of Light pulsed through the room blinding them all a moment. When it faded three thrones stood before them. In the center was the silver Throne of Lunya as it had always stood. The insignia at its pinnacle lain in gold and silver, highlighted with encrusted diamonds and opals. To the right now stood a throne of silver and white with gold trim, at its pinnacle the gold disc of the insignia stood alone, encircled by diamonds. To the left stood a throne of silver and a deep gray almost black hue and at its pinnacle lay the crescent moon of the insignia encircled with diamonds and opals.
Mythos looked around the room as hushed whispers questioned the meaning of what had happened. Nothing else had changed. He looked to the faerie, but she remained silently staring at the thrones, waiting with a look of hope on her face as if she did not even know what would occur next. There was another sudden flash and he turned to face the thrones shocked at what he saw. Marcus and Cymeryn had appeared upon them.
Marcus sat looking around with uncertainty in the throne on the right. He wore silver and white robes with white slacks, all trimmed in gold. Upon his head he bore a crown bearing the golden disc. He met Mythos’ eyes. They were still the blue gray they had always been but there was no gold to them, instead silver flecks danced brightly within his gaze and a silvery white luminescence graced his skin similar to that of Reyana’s. His hair fell about his shoulders in a light brown laced with silver highlights. He almost seemed to be built larger, stronger than he had prior.
Cymeryn looked likewise confused. Actually, he looked almost afraid as he looked down at himself. His robes were a deep Gray and silver, they sparkled in the lighting of the room almost like a star filled eve and upon his head rested a crown with the insignia of the crescent moon. More startling were his features, however. His long hair, once black as the Darkest night was now a brown only two shades Darker than Marcus’, also adorned with silver highlights. His skin was the same golden tan of his brother’s and when he met his eyes they were no longer even the steely gray he had seen when they met earlier, nor were they black. They were identical to the blue gray colors and silver flecks of his twin’s. White silvery Light danced along his skin as it did Marcus’…as it did Reyana’s.