Protectors and Kings (Mists of the Fae Book 4)

by Jaime Marks

  She looked exasperated. “It’s not you specifically Byryn, although seriously that’s a bit weird. It’s this whole family crap. I’m just not used to it and I feel like everyone has these expectations. It’s like they found out my last name and my whole reality slipped away.”

  “Yeah, I can actually understand that and I guess you’re right; in a respect it is overwhelming. You’re going from nothing to this large dynamic family that actually takes an interest and cares about you. It’s just gonna take some time. But seriously Steph, if their being over the top speak up. They won’t hold it against you. Now, close your eyes and use your breathing to calm yourself so I can teach you how to wield your essence.”

  She met him with her typical attitude but shrugged and closed her eyes. “Whatever, you’re still an ass, Byryn.”

  He had to smile because it was classic Steph. She wanted to know but she’d give him attitude every step of the way. “Breath in on a count of four, hold it a count of two and breath out on a count of four. Think of nothing but your breath and my voice.”

  He waited until she calmed some, but it wasn’t enough. “Try to picture someplace that makes you relax, Steph.”

  “Yeah, like where?” She huffed, “When have you ever known me to relax?”

  Byryn tried to run through what he knew of her in his mind. Really he hadn’t ever seen her calm. Well, now that wasn’t exactly true. He smirked, “Think of Mythos.”

  Her face blushed bright red a moment but her breathing levelled out and she relaxed easily. “Good, now hold that feeling and focus on your essence. It will feel like the warmth of the sun within you. Focus on it and call it to you.”

  He raised a brow at the Light that began to swirl around her skin. It wouldn’t be odd if she weren’t so far from her awakening but she should be four years off at least. Also it wasn’t as if he hadn’t anticipated her strength but she shouldn’t be able to have such control with such a lack of focus. He called Marcus and he appeared beside him.

  Byryn raised a finger to his lips to silence him motioning to her as he spoke. “Now, you were trying to figure out if I was being sincere before. Stay focused on that but reach out with your essence this time, with the warm energy you feel flowing through you. It’s a part of you. Use your mind to direct it at me.”

  He could feel her essence wash over him and she gasped when she made the connection. He restricted her to his basic emotions not wanting to scare her with his past. Her strength was impossible. She shouldn’t be able to wield so much force as unawakened.

  “Very good, Steph. You can open your eyes but Marcus is here so don’t spaz when you see him.”

  He turned to Marcus. He was studying her carefully. “Did she lack focus throughout as much as it seemed, Byryn? I’m assuming you walked her through.”

  “Yeah, it took a while to find her focal point, and she definitely needs to practice even just meditation, but still…” He trailed off.

  “What?” She looked between the two of them.

  “To be honest Steph, I don’t know. You should be far more focused to exert that amount of control over your essence and your strength given you’re unawakened is unheard of. Not to mention the way it surged in you, dancing along your skin is customary of somefae not only more practiced, but at the very least closer to their awakening if not full Fae,” Marcus admitted. “Only yesterday we could barely sense essence in you, if at all, but now it is clear as Light.”

  “Ok, so what do you think that it means?” She asked.

  “It means we need some answers from Alysse, even if it makes the Queen a bit uncomfortable,” he shrugged.

  “Whoa, I don’t want Reyn to be uncomfortable. Who is Alysse anyway?” Her typical hard edge was back. She was on the defensive again.

  Marcus smiled warmly at her quick defense of the Queen. “I assure you Steph, I would never put Reyana at risk. Alysse is the High Priestess to the Goddess Lucerna. She is keeper of our histories and our laws. She and Alayne were among the First Fae. Alayne however was Tainted and turned to Darkness by Lazurys, the Dark Lord, but Alysse is the only surviving member of the First Fae. She is the head of the Order of Light and as Reyana is the reincarnate of the Goddess Lunya, she pays her high regard and reverence. As we all regard Alysse as the Mother of us all she is typically paid high reverence even by the King. Reyana tends to squirm a bit when she bows and makes a fuss over her.” He winked.

  “I see,” she replied casually.

  “It makes more sense when you actually see it on paper. It’s one of the first lessons of our history you’ll learn,” Byryn offered. “At any rate Aryn and Alaria are on their way to meet you. They’ll be your Personal Guard.”

  “I’ll leave you to it Byryn, I believe Cymeryn said he will be waiting for you in the courtyard. He wants to see how your training with Steph goes.” Marcus misted from the room.

  “I thought that couldn’t be done here?” She asked in confusion.

  “Marcus and Cymeryn are the Crowned Kings of Balance now. It apparently grants them usage of the gifted abilities here as well as the ability to traverse all the realms. We assume Reyana can as well but they won’t let her attempt it until either her Healer approves it or the young are born which likely won’t be for ten or eleven months yet.” Her eyes bulged and he laughed. “Yeah Fae pregnancies are about a year,” Byryn explained.

  Aryn and Alaria paused at the door and Byryn motioned them to come in, sensing their presence. “Lady Steph, this is Guardian Aryn a Aryion and Guardian Alaria a Larus. They’ve been instructed to give you your privacy, but when you leave the suite one of them will be with you at all times. If you prefer for them to be discreet that’s fine, unless you request otherwise they’ll pretty much give you your space. They know how to leave the plateau if you want to walk in the woods and they can locate any of us easily or call us to you until you have the ability to do so yourself. You have free reign of the realm but it’s not safe for you to leave it. Oh and the dungeon and Colony of Tainted are off limits.”

  Aryn and Alaria bowed. “It is an honor to serve you Lady Steph a Ceryn.”

  “Umm, thanks.” She replied tentatively.

  “Questions, concerns…issues?” Byryn prompted. He was expecting an argument. His Dad had said she wasn’t particularly thrilled with the idea of her protection detail.

  “No, that’ll be fine,” she shrugged.

  “Alright then.” He wasn’t about to try to argue with her. She wasn’t exactly shy about telling you about things she didn’t like. “Cymeryn’s probably waiting for us in the courtyard.”

  As they walked he pointed out where things were located. She was quietly taking it all in. She seemed amused by how many people stopped to pay their respects to him, and not so amused at how many paid her respect and even reverence upon just the mere mention of her name. When they reached the training area of the courtyard Cymeryn and Staryana were sparring.

  “You are late, Byryn.” Cymeryn grunted as he blocked a roundhouse kick. “Good Staryana.”

  “Sorry Cymeryn, I saw an opportunity to squeeze in a lesson on wielding essence and I needed to confer with Marcus about it. I didn’t realize until he told me that you would be waiting.” Byryn bowed and nudged Steph to follow suit informing her in a hushed tone, “We have to bow to the Kings of Balance, Queen Reyana and King Mythos in public, Steph. Formalities and all.”

  She bowed and Cymeryn motioned them to rise as he circled Staryana. He dropped suddenly kicking her feet out from under her and she fell roughly to the ground. He helped her up with a grin, “Not bad Staryana, but you need to be ready for anything and not allow happenings around you to serve as a distraction as you did just now. If you cannot address it and fight learn to ignore that which does not affect you.”

  “Thanks, I figure if I can learn to hold my own against you I should be good with most of the issues I’ll encounter,” she smirked.

  He chuckled, “In one to one combat perhaps, but if and when that happens you beg
in learning to fight both myself and Marcus.”

  She paled and Byryn giggled. “How are you feeling, Brightness?”

  “Good, I figured I would keep our esteemed King of Night occupied.” She came over and kissed him chastely before hugging Steph. “Oh and Kylion tried to sneak out of class again. Hyracen sent for me a while ago. I went and talked to him.”

  “We’ll talk to him together before dinner. He’s a bit upset about having a guard but he’ll get over it.” Byryn replied before turning with a smirk. “Now Steph, I believe you said you could kick my ass?” He motioned for her to follow him into the yard.

  Cymeryn watched as Byryn and Steph exchanged blows. She was holding her own but he was being far too easy on her. She was Cerulyion. Her entire line had been comprised of Luxyn Warriors and this girl had power lurking just beneath the surface. Somefae just needed to teach her to unleash it.

  “Byryn, you are doing well with the basics, but if you do not mind I would like to test the Lady Steph’s physical limits,” he requested.

  “I was told that I should stick to the basics today, Cymeryn. I’m not sure it’s wise to push her before she knows what she’s doing,” he replied.

  “Oh come now Byryn, she is bored. Am I correct Steph?” Cymeryn smirked knowing if he gave her the opportunity and support she would take advantage. She was Ceryn’s young after all.

  “It is kind of tedious just going through the motions.” She shrugged, “I wouldn’t mind more of a challenge.”

  Byryn chuckled, “You have no idea what you’re asking for sprite.”

  “What the hell did you just call me?” She all but growled in irritation.

  Byryn glanced to Cymeryn with a wink before facing her casually, but Cymeryn recognized the defensive stance he used as he taunted her. “What’s the matter, sprite? I thought you’d like that.”

  She swung but he ducked, she kicked and he blocked. She did not land a hit but she did force him back rather quickly. Her instincts were good. She moved swiftly with grace and precision. Oddly her fists began to swirl with essence. The luminance was soft, barely noticeable, but it was there.

  “Gonna need to do better than that if you wanna take me on, sprite,” Byryn laughed continuing to taunt her despite her attacks.

  She dropped mimicking the move that Cymeryn had used on Staryana and connected solidly. If it had been somefae with less training they would have fallen but Byryn was prepared and dropped back on his hands springing right back to his feet. He went on the offensive. She blocked his strikes but began to give up ground.

  “Anticipate and react, Steph. Feel his movements,” Cymeryn directed her.

  Marcus took form beside him.

  “You should see this, brother.” Cymeryn motioned towards the ring. “Watch her.”

  They watched as she and Byryn blocked each other’s blows. Her essence surged to her hands and her speed increased. Byryn was still faster but she was adapting. She spun striking out and he narrowly blocked the blow that was aimed for his temple. She dropped and landed the strike at his knee and he fell back and rolled out of the way before popping up. He caught her off guard and knocked her off balance. She fell back but rolled back to her feet giving herself the distance she needed to regroup.

  “Do you notice what she is utilizing?” Cymeryn asked quietly.

  “The Luxyndi Forms,” Marcus murmured.

  Grifyn and Kato approached taking in the scene within the ring. Grifyn looked around at the Fae that had gathered as they fought. The concern was clearly etched on his face but it was unwarranted. Steph was easily holding her own.

  “They’ve attracted quite a crowd. I thought they were supposed to focus solely on Basics this morn.” He tossed an accusing glance at Cymeryn.

  “Well watch her, who could look away?” Marcus motioned to her, “There is more to her than we see, Grifyn.”

  “She was bored,” Cymeryn shrugged. “I asked Byryn to give her more of a challenge.”

  “I’m not sure letting this continue is a good idea though, Cymeryn. Those two spar enough verbally and she is untrained. One of them could be hurt.” Grifyn watched them looking as if he wished to intervene

  Cymeryn shook his head, “She is Cerulyion, Grifyn. Watch how she moves, see her. She is more than managing this and Byryn is well trained. We will stop them before it goes too far.”

  “Grifyn’s right guys, you need to stop this.” Staryana looked to them and all but whispered, “Look at her eyes.”

  They looked finding Steph’s eyes had begun glowing brightly in pure gold. They were completely taken over by essence.

  “Hold.” Marcus called out but she did not yield. Byryn however fell back into a defensive stance continuing to block as she drove him back.

  Cymeryn watched her and smirked as he called out, “Dysteno.”

  She stumbled mid-step and fell into the ready position. Dysteno was the Luxyn command to cease all attack. All of the Cerulyion Line had been inducted into the Luxyn. She was reacting with sheer ancestral instinct. He hopped the fencing and went to her.

  “Steph, listen to the sound of my voice. I need you to follow it back to us.” Cymeryn spoke softly guiding her with his essence. “Come back to us, Steph.” Her breathing began to slow and her eyes drifted closed. The luminance faded from her skin. “Steph, breathe deeply. You need to calm yourself.”

  Byryn approached her cautiously and leaned down to her ear speaking softly so no Fae in the crowd could hear him. “Think of Mythos, Steph. You need to come back to him.”

  Cymeryn raised a brow at him but he simply shrugged and watched Steph. He felt her calm and her eyes drifted open revealing her own topaz orbs. Cymeryn reached out and took her arm to steady her in case she felt weak. “How do you feel?”

  She looked at him and then around at the crowd. “Um, can you walk me to my room? I think I’d really just like to be alone but I feel kind of…I don’t know…floaty is the only way I can describe it.”

  “I will walk you to your quarters but I do not believe it is wise for you to be alone just yet.”

  He hooked her arm in his and led her from the ring. When they exited Marcus took stance at her other side and Kato and Grifyn fell in behind them with Staryana and Byryn. In effect they were making a statement. They were claiming her as part of the Lucerna Lines officially in a way though her actual status had not yet been made public. They no longer had the option to put it off. Everyfae had seen her fight. The only way they would accept her prowess in one so young without question would be to admit that she was in fact Cerulyion.

  Their subjects bowed around them. Hushed whispers of the Cerulyion Lines and Ceryn’s name floated to their ears on occasion. When they reached the top of the stairs and entered the hall of the royal suites she pulled her hand away and walked of her own accord picking up speed.

  They followed her down the hall to her quarters and she groaned, “You really aren’t going to leave me alone are you?”

  “Not quite yet, Steph,” Grifyn responded.

  “Fine.” She sighed bypassing her quarters as she went on to open the King’s sitting room. They watched as she went directly to his seat curling up there with her arms wrapped around herself. It was clear she missed the comfort Mythos brought her.

  Grifyn shifted uncomfortably. “Steph, perhaps we could go across the hall. It is…improper for us to be in the King’s suite when he is not in the realm.”

  “Why, Grifyn?” She snapped. “King Mythos gave me free access to the sitting room whether he’s here or not. He said he rarely uses it.”

  “He did, Dad. I was here earlier when he was talking to her about it,” Byryn offered. “He said she has full reign of the suite when he’s gone. There’s nothing to prohibit her.”

  She looked to Byryn cautiously but remained silent.

  “No, nothing to prohibit it,” Grifyn scoffed, “only propriety.”

  “Grifyn, I do not think this is the time for that,” Cymeryn interjected in an attempt to remind
the Fae not only of his place but also her fragile state at the moment.

  “Nor is it Steph’s concern,” Marcus added firmly. “If you have an issue we will address it when King Mythos returns. Until then she may have access to anything he has offered her. It is well within his rights as King to do so.”

  “Of course my lord. I apologize, Steph.” Grifyn bowed more humbled.

  “Look, I’m really not in the mood to talk about it right now Grifyn, but you really need to stop talking to me as if I’m a child. I lived on my own for years before I came here and I’ve been taking care of myself since I was six. Even when I was living with my Grandmother I had to fend for myself. All you do by talking to me the way you do is piss me off and then it’s hard to hear anything you have to say. You act as if I’m too stupid to understand what you’re saying or a child that needs to be held by the hand and walked through shit. I’m sixteen, not six.” She didn’t look at any of them. “In all honesty I’d probably argue with all of you to get out, but I know that’s not going to happen and I understand the reasons so I’m trying to be patient. I get that I don’t understand how this world works. I’m not stupid. I’m not going to rush forward without asking and I know who to ask when I need help.”

  “Good, because you need to understand that this is very different from what you’re used to and that we’re here for you, Steph, all of us. None of us think you’re stupid and I know you’re not a child, but there are going to be things happening around you and even to you that you’re going to need help with,” Marcus replied in reassurance.

  Cymeryn sat beside her on the couch but left her, her space. “I realize there are other things you need to discuss, but I would like to address what just happened so that we can be sure that you are alright.”