Protectors and Kings (Mists of the Fae Book 4)

by Jaime Marks

  She glanced past him a moment and he could see she had stiffened slightly realizing they were not alone. “Good morning, Grifyn.”

  “Good morn, Steph. I came to see if you and his majesty would be joining us for meal. Everyfae has already gathered in the Queen’s suite.” His voice was level, but Mythos could sense the tension in it.

  “Ummm, sure. Let me just take these to my room.” She motioned behind her and turned to gather her things.

  Grifyn approached, stopping at his side. “Say what you will my lord, but your reactions are plain to see for those who know you. You may not want to make a formal declaration of your intentions, but to continue as this is improper. She is courting age. If you do not wish to declare your courting, sooner or later somefae who is willing to follow propriety will.”

  Mythos gritted his teeth as Grifyn took his leave. The Fae may have meant well, but he was very close to crossing a line that Mythos would not allow. Stephanie came back into the sitting room and her presence itself soothed him. She remained quiet when the seamstress came out and paid her respects before taking her leave. Once they were alone she looked up to him tentatively.

  “I know that there probably isn’t time now, but should maybe we talk? About last night?” He could sense the apprehension in her and he wanted nothing more than to ease it for her.

  “They can wait, Stephanie. If there is something you need to address, something that made you uncomfortable, I would rather we discuss it than to allow it to cause you concern.” He motioned to the lounge and took his place beside her.

  “I guess I should…” She groaned and covered her face, “Mythos I know what you saw in my mind last night.”

  His reaction was pure impulse. There was no thought, no consideration of what was proper. He pulled her into his lap and cradled her to his chest. “Listen to me Stephanie, what happened to you was not your fault. I do not judge you for it. If anything I wish that I could take the pain that it has caused you.” He kissed her head. “I do not want you to feel obligated to discuss this with me. At the same time, know that I am here should you ever need. How often does this haunt your dreams, Caria?”

  “Every night,” she whispered.

  “Were you comfortable last eve? With me, in my bed?” the seductive growl that slipped into his voice caught him off guard and did not belong in the situation. He cleared his throat trying to rein in his reactions to her. “Did you sleep well, Caria?”

  When she remained silent fear gripped him. The last thing he wanted was to make her feel uncomfortable, to add to her stress in any way. “Caria, look at me, please.” He pleaded. She sat back and met his gaze tentatively. “Please tell me if I have made you uncomfortable, if I have overstepped our boundaries?”

  Her hand went to her heart and a tear ran down her cheek. “Mythos, I can’t explain what I’m feeling right now because I’ve never felt it before. You haven’t made me feel uncomfortable at all. Last night in your arms…” her voice broke and he reached out wiping the tears from her face.

  “Caria…” he whispered. “How can I ease you?”

  She drew in a breath. “You already do, Mythos. It’s like you ease my soul, but…” her eyes squeezed shut, her brow creased. “I’m not good enough for you,” she whispered shaking her head.

  Such pain, such shame she felt. His heart was breaking for her. “Stephanie, please open your eyes. Look at me, Caria.” Holding her face in his hands, he wiped her eyes, gently stroking her cheeks. Patiently he waited until those lovely topaz gems met his gaze. “What you feel between us; how strong it is? There is a reason for it. I know I will not be able to convince you in the short time that we have this morn, but I promise you, I am going to show you how very wrong you are. You honor me with your attentions and I treasure this feeling between us. I need you to hold on to this. I need you to trust what you feel here, Caria.” He rested his hand over her heart allowing his essence to flow freely through her and he felt the soft vibrance of her energy reach out to him. “You judge yourself too harshly, Stephanie. If you cannot believe you belong in my arms because of the doubts that cloud your mind, for now trust the truths of your heart and I will spend every opportunity proving to you that this is where you belong, here, with me.”

  She leaned forward capturing his mouth with an urgency that he felt echo through his being and he gave himself over to her completely. He hated the idea that in a few short hours he was going to have to leave her here. There was no denying how he felt for her any more than he could deny that if she were already awakened and allowed it she would already be his. The connection between them was so strong, so intense; if not for her youth and how new she was to this world he would not have been able to resist the pull of it.

  She drew back and the flushed perfection of her was an incredible temptation. He struggled not to pull her back to him as he gently caressed her cheek. “Better Caria?” He asked softly.

  “Yeah, I think I’m ok.” She slid off of him, “If we don’t go soon they’ll come looking for you.”

  He smirked, “For you as well, my dear. Grifyn is head of his line and as such he considers you under his protection.”

  He had to chuckle at the surprised expression on her face. She was unaccustomed to all the attention and concern. It was something she would have to get used to because one day, he meant to make her his Queen.

  Chapter 14

  Cymeryn sat on the bed beside Reyana with her family around them, those he once considered to be his family. It was surreal. He had been prepared to be greeted with anger and animosity. Their acceptance and forgiveness? It had taken him completely off guard. In many ways it just felt natural, as if it had always been thus, but in others it only served to fuel the guilt he felt.

  “I thought Mythos was planning on joining us?” Reyana looked to Grifyn.

  He had been in a varying state of agitation since he joined them, though he seemed to downplay it. Cymeryn had noticed that his mood seemed to worsen every time somefae mentioned the King.

  “I’m sure he was just momentarily distracted, my lady.” The Fae grumbled as Trina placed her hand on his thigh.

  Marcus chuckled and Cymeryn smirked. He knew that his twin found it thoroughly amusing that Mythos was about to find out exactly how exasperating it could be dealing with your mate’s overprotective family. Reyana elbowed his brother in the ribs as Grifyn scowled in his direction obviously understanding the spectrum of his thoughts

  Steph came into the room and everyfae looked up greeting her. The attire she had chosen complimented her well. Far better than the jeans and blouse she had been wearing when he met her. It was not only attractive but functional. She could fight in it if need be, which would come in handy later this morn. Cymeryn fully intended to oversee her training, despite the fact that Byryn had volunteered. It was not that he did not trust the boy to train her, in truth there were few better. He had single handedly trained and honed the Brood into the force it was. Prior to his promotion they had floundered, often well abled but poorly skilled. He was more than capable of training Steph but she had the fire and spirit that had been common to the Cerulyion. He wanted to see if she had the physical capability as well.

  There was something he sensed in her, something deeply hidden. Her episode last eve had only added to his suspicions. If he were right that girl held knowledge and capabilities well beyond her years; an understanding that needed to be unlocked. He did not know why he was forming this theory about her, only that it needed to be tested and explored.

  “Good morn, Steph, it’s good to see you.” Reyana greeted her warmly and opened her arms for the girl.

  Cymeryn rose to give them room as Steph climbed onto the bed to embrace her. “It’s good to see you too, Reyn.”

  She rose from the bed as Grifyn spoke. “Would you join us, Steph?”

  He was motioning for the chair that sat between he and Demytria, but she sat on the chaise alone, closer to Byryn and Staryana. “I prefer to have more room if you don’
t mind.”

  Byryn gave her an amused looked. “How are you adjusting, Steph?”

  She glared at him a moment. “I’m fine…just remember Byryn, I don’t care who you are here or that you’re marrying my best friend. You start giving me shit or mistreat her and I’ll still kick your ass.”

  A smug grin spread across his face. “Good, I’m counting on it.” He sipped his tea almost mockingly. “By the way your first training session is at eleven…with me.”

  “Training session?” She asked in confusion.

  “While it’s generally safe here, Steph, our society has been at war for centuries,” Grifyn explained. “Self-defense, combat, weaponry…It’s all part of the basic teachings our young receive. We thought you might prefer to jump right into things rather than sit idle.”

  “Since you’re not familiar with any of this yet and I know how we need to teach you to keep that temper of yours in check, I offered to start your training…seeing as how were related and all now,” Byryn taunted. “Just don’t expect me to go easy on you.”

  “I wouldn’t want you to, Byryn and if you did it would be your mistake,” she scowled.

  Staryana remained silent but looked between the two of them with exasperation. It was an interesting dynamic between the three of them. Both of them were fiercely protective of her, and almost presented as rivals.

  “It is his job to push you to the limits of your physical capabilities, Stephanie, but he will be every bit as respectful about it as he would be if he were training Staryana…correct Byryn?” Mythos demanded as he entered the room.

  “Of course, your majesty,” Byryn smiled mischievously but nodded.

  He walked over and kissed Reyana on the head. “How are you feeling, sister?”

  “I’m well, thanks,” she smiled warmly.

  “And the young?”

  “Healthy and growing as they should.”

  Cymeryn smiled as her hand drifted subconsciously to her belly. The peace he felt within her was a relief. He was concerned that she would need more time to come to terms with what had happened to her, but she seemed to be handling things well. Mythos went to sit beside Steph and Cymeryn took his place back at Reyana’s side.

  He watched as Grifyn and Mythos exchanged glares and had to wonder if this was going to escalate. The tension between them was thick. Steph gave them an occasional glance but seemed to be otherwise ignoring it. The hard edge she had exhibited on Earth was back, but Cymeryn did not miss the way the tension bled from both she and the King the moment they made eye contact.

  “Cymeryn, you made mention last eve that the Kyndra have fallen?” Mythos requested turning his attention to business.

  He felt Reyana stiffen beside him and took her hand caressing it as Marcus slid his arm behind. “Yes my lord, all twelve have fallen in the battle with Byryn and ourselves.”

  He nodded, though he looked to Reyana with concern, picking up on her unease. “Marcus, we should capitalize on the gaps in their power structure. Perhaps Devyn can use this opportunity to recoup some of our losses from recent years.”

  “I had meant to make mention of it this morn myself. Though we are sure that Syneous will be appointed Supryn, he has already proven somewhat ineffective. Without the Kyndra we are at an advantage. Grifyn and I are also hopeful it will help to at the least slow the rates of attack in the Realm of Light,” Marcus replied.

  “Actually,” Cymeryn interjected, “the attacks in the Realm of Light will increase at first. They will likely need to turn some of the Tainted to refill their ranks and they will hunt other primary targets in the hopes of turning them. I will comprise a list of where you are at the greatest risk and the Tainted that were in existence as of last month. Alayne may have his own agenda and there may be more than I am aware of, however so do not assume we know their actions. Alayne will wield Syneous like a puppet so he cannot be completely underestimated.

  “Once they have who they wish the attacks will die off for a time while the new Kyndra are appointed and ranks are re-established. Alayne is not as well followed as I was because he remains clandestine and Syneous is apparently inept. The Umbra respect strength and prowess not words and finesse. I suspect before the Umbra regain efficiency Syneous will have to either make a show of power or he will be usurped and someone more capable will take the reins. At any accord you likely will have months before they are a match for the Guardians. They have lost all their greatest warriors; myself, Demytria, Trevyn, the Kyndra. The only one really left is Crytos,” he shrugged. In truth he doubted the Umbra would be the same for centuries without he or his progeny to lead them.

  Marcus scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Then we should pull a complement from the fronts to help protect the Kingdom, but I don’t want to pull more unless it becomes necessary. If we can rebalance the territories it will loosen Lazurys’ hold on Earth and allow us some breathing room.”

  “Steph you should eat something. Training will be hard on you. You’ll need the sustenance,” Grifyn offered noticing the girl had yet to touch anything.

  “I’m not hungry,” she replied curtly.

  “Steph, eat…we aren’t going to go through this every morning again.” Staryana met her eyes challenging her to say something; knowing that she now had the attention of every Fae in the room by virtue of her statement. Cymeryn sensed her. She was worried about how poorly Steph had taken care of herself previously and was more than happy to have the added assistance to get the girl back on track.

  Steph grit her teeth, “You know I don’t eat in the morning because it upsets my stomach.”

  She shrugged with a smirk, “You used to eat just fine to shut me up.”

  “And you haven’t exactly been around so I stopped eating breakfast again. I feel much better now…thanks,” the girl retorted in exasperation. It was clear she was uncomfortable with the attention she was receiving.

  Cymeryn almost had to laugh when Mythos picked up a small plate and gathered a small assortment of items before handing it to her. “Stephanie, try these. Judging on your tastes last eve, you should rather enjoy them and they will sit well in your stomach. It is possible the reason you find it difficult to eat in the morn is the food of Earth does not always rest well with the Fae but Grifyn is correct. You are in training now and you will need to eat more properly.”

  She stared at him a moment, as if debating something, but then simply sat back and tried some of the fruit he had given her while he poured her some tea. Byryn and Staryana’s jaws dropped open as they gaped at her, but Steph was oblivious. Grifyn rose a brow, his frustration evident, but he merely sipped his tea as he watched the girl trying to figure her out.

  Cymeryn knew exactly what Grifyn’s issue was. Mythos and Steph’s connection was quite strong. It was evident for every Fae to see, yet they did not seem willing to acknowledge it. Cymeryn knew from sensing her the eve prior that they were already bound. She was only sixteen, her awakening was a number of years off and Mythos had not even formally requested to court her. Though something must have happened to make Grifyn question because he would expect the Fae to have more patience given this were Mythos they were considering.

  He understood the King’s position. Making such a declaration would place undue pressures and expectations on the girl. It would subject her to all the formalities of being Queen really, given Mythos’ status. She had been here for barely a day. She needed to be given the chance to know herself, let alone to understand what she was even feeling.

  When two Fae bonded the emotions could be quite intense. With Reyana it had always been thus. Cymeryn had always been fiercely protective of her. He was by her side from very young and by the time the bonding had set in he was already completely in love with her. There had never really been anything but her for him.

  Marcus on the other hand had been obsessed with his education and training all their youth. When he returned home one day and she was there? He had described it as getting caught in a sudden whirlwind that stopped yo
ur heart and caused it to beat out of your chest all at once. His twin had described and inexplicable draw to be near her that nearly stopped your breath if you did not comply. He had felt the same when he saw her in that alley and realized she was alive. Just the thought of their bonds brought the urgent need he felt to complete the rituals.

  Cymeryn cleared his throat breaking the silence as he slid has arm over Reyana’s shoulders pulling her close to tenderly kiss her head. “My lord, we have something to declare.”

  Mythos glanced between he and Marcus obviously still uncomfortable with the situation. The slight glance for reassurance to Steph was almost missed, but at this point those two had everyfae in the in the room’s attention. Once the King’s composure was regained he spoke in his usual regal tones. “I would hear it, Cymeryn a Cymarcion.”

  Marcus began, “I, Marcus a Cymarcion, Praetor to the Guardians of Light, Protector of Light and Crowned King of the Light Throne of Balance…”

  “And I, Cymeryn a Cymarcion, Protector of Night and Crowned King of the Night Throne of Balance…”

  Their voices echoed as they began to speak as one. “Do formally request the bonded rights of the hand of the lady Reyana a Mythion, incarnate of the Goddess Lunya, rightful heir and Crowned Queen of the Realm of Balance in formal ritual to be performed this Friday at the will of the Divine Being.”

  Mythos inhaled a long breathe and remained silently studying them for a moment. Steph slid her hand into his and the tension bled from him instantly. He even managed a smile for Reyana as he spoke softly, the love he felt for his sister evident in his voice. “Lady Reyana a Mythion, incarnate of the Goddess Lunya, rightful heir and Crowned Queen of the Realm of Balance, do you so recognize their rights to your bonding, and so consent to the ritual?”

  Her hands slid from her stomach to their hands and her voice was nothing but love and sincerity when she spoke. “I do so recognize their rights. I know it confuses you Mythos, but there is nothing that would make me happier.”