Protectors and Kings (Mists of the Fae Book 4)

by Jaime Marks

  She studied him oddly but went to sit on the edge of her bed and he pulled out the chair from the desk to sit facing her. He gathered his thoughts as he watched her.

  “You and Mythos are becoming quite…close,” he began cautiously, taking note of how she stiffened but she didn’t look away from him. “I’m not entirely familiar with how things work in your world, Steph, but I’m not sure that staying in these quarters is necessarily appropriate. It almost implies you are sharing a living space in many respects. I would be far more comfortable if you allowed me to move you to the spare quarters across the hall from Star’s, aside to Byryn’s. You might even be more comfortable there.”

  She looked away a moment then met his gaze. “I’m comfortable here, actually. I prefer my space and privacy and as King Mythos has explained it to me he’s gone for periods of time anyway. Unless he’s uncomfortable with it I rather like my quarters.” There was a challenge in her eyes. She knew he hadn’t spoken to Mythos about this yet.

  He sighed as he studied her. “I’m not sure how much you know about Fae custom, Steph, but it’s not entirely proper for you to be sharing so much time alone with the King, or any male outside your lines unless they have declared your courting.”

  “If you have something to say Grifyn, say it,” she snipped with a glare. “I’m not a kid and I’m not stupid. I haven’t had a Father in a long time and I really don’t need one so do us both a favor and stop tiptoeing around whatever your issue is.”

  “Fine,” he stood turning from her in exasperation. “I find the closeness between you and Mythos somewhat improper, but that is far from my concern.” He turned back to face her. “It’s completely improper, however, for you to be sharing his bedchambers as you did last eve. I feel as though the two of you are rushing too quickly into something you do not yet understand.”

  She rose slowly, her topaz eyes blazed slightly and he could sense the strict control she was wielding to keep herself in check. “Let me make myself clear, not that it is any of your business as far as I’m concerned. Nothing happened between myself and Mythos. I had a rough night and he was there for me, that’s all. Now I realize that you all have your customs and your ways, but quite frankly, I don’t care. You’re not my Father, Grifyn. I’ve been making my own choices and taking care of myself longer than any of you ever even thought I existed. I appreciate your concern and if I feel I need your help I’ll ask, but seriously? I’m good. I’m not moving my quarters and I’m going to continue the friendship I enjoy with lord Mythos unless he feels that it needs to change. I suggest if you have an issue with it you take it up with him.”

  Her words cut him somewhat but despite the connection he might feel to her, in many respects she was right. She wasn’t used to any of this. He was in no real position to make demands of her despite how inappropriate things may be between her and the King. He studied her a moment trying to gage how to bridge the rift between them but he was truly at a loss.

  “I didn’t mean to offend you, Steph. I’m only concerned for your wellbeing here. You’re new to this world and I realize that you’ve been taking care of yourself for quite some time, but there are things that you will need help understanding. I’m only trying to assist you.” He met her eyes. “I can see this isn’t something that’s up for discussion at the moment, and it’s not that I don’t trust Mythos to respect you. I just want to be sure you aren’t put into a position that makes you feel otherwise uncomfortable or makes your transition into our world more difficult for you. The King is a Fae of honor but we all over step our bounds at times…as I perhaps just did,” he offered her an apologetic smile.

  “I understand that you’re trying to help me, Grifyn. I get it. If I need help I’ll ask but I’m fine,” she replied stiffly.

  He nodded. “Then if you have no other questions, I’ll leave you your space.”

  “No, I think you covered everything,” the girl quipped regarding him harshly.

  With a sigh he turned leaving her standing there. He wanted to embrace the girl, to make her feel safe and at ease here, but he was a stranger to her. She wouldn’t welcome the attention. He wasn’t even sure she welcomed his assistance but it was of little difference; she needed it. Even if Mythos would be more than willing to guide her through their world he had other responsibilities and she had to be able to find her own way. Grifyn needed to guide her in that.

  It wasn’t so much that he was angry with Mythos. He realized the reason he didn’t wish to declare that he was courting the girl. He was trying to let her have the time and space to adjust to this world. If that was what he truly wanted though, he needed to keep his distance. They were obviously beginning to bond. The more time they spent close to one another, the more the bond would strengthen and grow and it was already quite intense. In truth it needed to be one way or the other. They either needed to declare they were courting or they needed to keep their distance. There was no way Mythos would be able to keep his feelings hidden long term. They were already plain to see. Even if she didn’t understand all this, Mythos knew it well. He wouldn’t stand for the King’s lack of judgment to cast doubt upon her honor or her status.

  Mythos paced in the sitting room. Grifyn had been with Steph most of the last hour and he was hoping he would get a chance to talk to her before he left. Meryn had already stopped by to see about their departure. When she walked into the sitting room he stopped immediately turning to her. She was a beacon to him and he met her halfway.

  “Thank you,” he whispered as he embraced her.

  “For what?” Her mouth quirked into a lopsided grin, “I feel like I’m the one who should be thanking you. I mean these clothes are probably the nicest things I’ve ever owned and you seem to be determined to take care of me.”

  He smiled warmly, “For coming to see me before I left. For allowing me to care for you at all when I know how self-sufficient and determined you are. For coming into my life and waking up my heart. I can keep going, Caria.” Her skin flushed and he caressed her cheek needing to feel her in some way. “I am going to miss you these next couple of days, Stephanie. I know it has only been a few short hours that we have spent but you brighten my day with your smile. I wish that I could bring you with me. Will you sit with me a while?”

  She smiled allowing him to lead her to the lounge and sat by his side, where he wished he could keep her always. As he studied her though it was clear something seemed to trouble her.

  “Tell me, how did your discussion with Grifyn go?”

  Stephanie stiffened slightly beside him as she stared off into the distance. “It was fine, I guess. I’m not thrilled with the babysitting detail.”

  “Babysitting detail?” He frowned trying to puzzle out her meaning.

  “Guards,” she replied seeing his confusion.

  “Ahh. Unfortunately it is something that is unavoidable. Even if Grifyn had not assigned them I would have insisted upon it. The Queen was taken from these grounds because she consistently evades her guards. Byryn’s son was whipped by one of the unawakened because he did not have a guard to keep tabs on him. Our world is not as safe as we would like it to be. You would not necessarily know if you were in danger, Caria and I will not tolerate risks with your safety.” He brushed the hair from her eyes, “You have become quite important to me in the short time that you have been here.”

  “See he didn’t get into all that, he just said that I’m close to the royal family and Cerulyion so I need one for protection.” She sighed staring off into the distance, “If he actually explained the need for it I wouldn’t have given him any shit. He just talks to me like I’m a kid and seriously, Mythos, it irks me. I’m not stupid. I’m more than capable of understanding things and making decisions for myself if I’m given the information I need.”

  “So tell him that, Caria. Grifyn means well, but you are his ward so in many ways he does see you as a young girl. Call him on it and show him he is wrong.” He kissed her softly. “Show him that strong, intelligent fem
ale that you show me, Caria and you will see the dynamics of your relationship change. Though he will ever be overprotective, it is the way we are with those we care for.”

  “Yeah, that’s going to take some getting used to. I’m just not used to anyone noticing what I do, let alone caring. Now I feel like I’m under a microscope,” she huffed.

  He chuckled, “Well, my dear, you will need to get used to us caring for you, because we all do. As far as others paying attention to your actions? You are of the Lines of Lucerna. Even if you are not yourself royalty, our subjects will view you as part of the royal family, as you call us. It is unavoidable, especially if we continue to be involved in this way.”

  “I know…” her voice trailed off. “I don’t really understand how you can want that when you saw what they did to me.”

  “Caria,” he hooked his finger under her chin pulling her to meet his gaze. “What happened to you was not your will. It is not a reflection of who you are and it does not mean that you are impure. It only means that you were done a horrible injustice. One that I will not have you judging yourself for so harshly.”

  He kissed her passionately letting her feel the need she caused him and the love he felt. She knelt up and climbed into his lap straddling him as he wrapped his arms around her letting his hand drift up into her hair. Her delicate touch ran over his chest, they were just simply lost to one another.

  He knew Byryn had entered the suite through her open chamber door, but he could not stop. He had summoned him earlier and most knew to come and go freely of his sitting room during the day. This was not something he should allow, but he needed her so badly.

  “Excuse me, my lord, would it be better if I came back later?” Byryn offered in an amused tone. “I thought we could meet before you left and I had planned to introduce the Lady Steph to her guards.”

  She froze at the sound of his voice but he did not sense fear from her. Actually as odd as it seemed she actually liked Byryn, though he doubted she would admit it. Steph pulled back slowly, trying to catch her breath and he ran a hand loosely through her hair as he brushed it from her eyes. She slid from his lap trying to regain her composure.

  “No, Byryn,” he stood to give himself distance from her a moment. “Now is fine. I am leaving once we are done meeting. Come here, Caria.”

  She approached silently and he kissed her chastely. “I will be back for a few days on Thursday. Try to give this all a chance. I suspect once you settle into a routine it will become easier. If you have an issue this eve, remember where I took you, it is open to you, Caria. I wish you to be comfortable here. Anything that is mine I give you freely.” He kissed her again not wanting to let her go. “There are some things that I need to address privately with Byryn but I will see you soon, Stephanie.”

  She nodded and kissed him softly, “I’ll keep in mind what you said. Be safe, Mythos.” She turned and walked away with the strength that he had come to see in her.

  “I’ll be by to get you when I’m done, Steph.” Byryn spoke softly as she walked past him.

  She measured him for a reaction but he was the respectful young male that Mythos had become accustomed to. He wished the boy always treated her as such, though he suspected he teased her mainly in an attempt to make her feel more comfortable. “Yeah, I’ll be ready,” she nodded.

  Mythos watched her go wishing he could go after her, but he knew they needed the separation if she was to find herself. “Byryn, what you saw…”

  “Oh trust me my lord, I’m not getting in the middle of this if I can avoid it.” Byryn gave him a lopsided grin, “but I wouldn’t exactly let my Dad catch the two of you like that.”

  “Indeed,” the King breathed raking a hand through his hair considering the consequences of somefae else finding them so intimately engaged. It was perhaps more necessary than he wanted to admit to put some distance between them. He cleared his mind and focused on the subject at hand. “I need to discuss something with you, Byryn but I need you not to inquire on my reasoning.”

  “Alright,” he looked him over cautiously.

  “The boys that had targeted Staryana, those that had that bet. Were any of them Shade?” Mythos requested. It was something he had wondered before but there had never been a chance to discuss it without upsetting his niece and in truth it had slipped his mind…until last eve.

  Byryn breathed deep and nodded, “John and Kyle were both unawakened. It’s why I beat John so badly after he cornered her. He knew the consequences. Every unawakened Shade in that school knew she was mine and off limits to them. Kyle stayed away from her after the day I kicked most of the football team’s asses for the most part, but he always watched her and kept an eye on her. We had issue over it several times.”

  “Were they the only two in the entire team?” Mythos implored.

  “Yes, my lord.”

  He nodded, “I need you to show me what they look like.”

  Byryn gave him a shrewd look but he felt the boy’s essence reached him and the images took form in his mind. He grit his teeth, his breath coming out on a hiss as he turned from him in an attempt to hide his rage. He felt Byryn’s hand on his shoulder, the boy had not missed the violence that permeated his being.

  “Mythos, I can easily guess why you’re asking. I suspected it myself. Whatever you ask, it’ll remain between us,” he offered. “I can tell how much you already care for her.”

  “If either of them are ever brought to the realm, Byryn, I do not care where I am or what I am doing you are to get word to me immediately and provide extra guards to both Staryana and Stephanie,” the King commanded.

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “Who have you assigned to guard her?”

  “Aryn and Alaria. They’ll trade off shifts unless there’s cause for more. I’m actually fairly confident that Steph can handle herself with the general unawakened. She just needs some formal training to tweak her skills.”

  Mythos nodded.

  “I’ll protect her with my life, Mythos, we all will. In a respect she’s like my little sister now. I only tease her because I’m trying to break through that hard shell she fronts with.” His sincerity was clear in the tone of his voice.

  “I know Byryn, it is just difficult to leave her here. It is difficult to leave you all here. I cannot even reach any of you once I leave the realm.” He sighed, “I will be alright. I have just been finding the quiet of the Palace difficult as of late. I am not really looking forward to returning, but it is not only my right, it is my obligation.”

  Byryn nodded clasping him on the shoulder. “I’ll work on the communications once I meet with the Scholars Thursday. I may even get your girl to help me out. She’s pretty tech savvy and something tells me that she would be uniquely motivated.”

  His girl, he smiled at the thought. She was indeed every bit as drawn to him as he was to her.

  Meryn and Facious entered and bowed. It mildly annoyed him, but he had always allowed his sitting room open during the day. Perhaps he needed to rethink that now that she was sharing the suite with him.

  “It is time, my lord. You have the meeting with the Council elect in an hour. If you are to make it back we must leave now.” Meryn spoke.

  “Of course, Guardian Meryn, we will leave at once. Be well, Liaison Byryn.”

  “Be well your majesty and good journey. We’ll see you soon,” Byryn bowed.

  Mythos walked with his guards out of the suite. He hesitated a moment at the hall that led to her quarters glancing towards her door. Taking a deep breath he forced himself to continue down the corridor. As much as he would love to remain here with her, he had a responsibility to the Fae. Staying here would not only be a betrayal to his throne but an injustice to her. He needed to allow her time to learn their ways, to find herself here and know who she was. She needed to learn her own worth so she could stop doubting she was worthy of him, of even herself. It just felt that as he left her, he left his heart behind.

  Chapter 17

  By
ryn knocked on the jamb of Steph’s door and she rose from where she sat on her bed. Motioning her to sit he entered and pulled the chair from her desk. Straddling it he leaned forward against its back and studied her.

  “How are you?”

  She scoffed, “Like you really care, Byryn.”

  He looked her over. How had he missed the Fae in her? Even if he couldn’t sense it, looking at her now it was almost impossible not to see her for what she was. The fire and spirit alone should have tipped him off, let alone the color and vibrancy of her eyes. He’d completely overlooked it once sensing her hadn’t revealed anything.

  “You should know me enough by now, to know I don’t waste time asking things I don’t want to know, Steph.”

  They’d had a few conversations in the past. They weren’t exactly close, but he’d stepped in when John was giving her shit a few times, drilled her for information on him others. They coexisted more so than anything.

  She sighed and looked toward the hall. “I’m fine. A bit overwhelmed maybe, but I’ll get over it.”

  “Overwhelmed how?” She looked at him as if she were trying to read his thoughts. When he felt the untamed tingle of her essence Byryn smirked in amusement. “You’ve got strength but no focus. You need to breath and center. Close your eyes.”

  “First of all, what are you my shrink? And what are you talking about?” She snapped at him.

  He met her eyes keeping his voice calm. She had an annoying tendency to engage when she was nervous, or uncomfortable, but he needed her to realize he could help her. She needed to concentrate. “No Steph, I’m the closest thing you’ve got to a brother and I’m trying to teach you something. You have good instincts and a lot of strength, but you have no idea what to do with it.”

  “My brother?” She asked with surprise. “And how the hell is that exactly?”

  “You’re Grifyn’s ward, which all but makes you his daughter. Honestly if he didn’t think it would make you uncomfortable, knowing him, he would probably refer to you as his daughter. I’m his son…so yeah, brother. Even if Demytria claimed you, she’s my aunt. So you may as well get used to the fact that we’re related.” He had to chuckle at the discomfort he sensed in her as she fidgeted. “Seriously Steph, I’m not that bad. I realize I was an ass at school, but unless I missed something you never really dealt with my antics. Actually, aside from my interest in Star we generally coexisted easily enough.”