by Jaime Marks
Her grin broadened as a soft Light pulsed through her and he could see Mythos draw it out of her as he watched her in reverence. “Can you get me any materials I need? And my own lab?”
Byryn laughed, “Most materials…I’m not exactly gonna to raid NASA for you, sprite, but if it’s attainable we can acquire it.”
“As far as a lab, Stephynia, you have only to explain to us what you would need. You are my Queen, caria. You can have anything that is within my power,” Mythos offered kissing her softly. “Especially if it means I can keep in touch with you while I am away.”
“Don’t get too excited ‘til you see what we’re working with. Most things here run on essence. Electricity isn’t readily available,” Byryn added.
“So it’s green energy,” she shrugged. “I’ll make it work.”
Marcus shook his head, “I believe we will simply defer this to you three since you seem to actually understand one another.”
Cymeryn shrugged, “I know what they are talking about but I have no desire to be bothered with it.”
The three of them laughed.
“We’ll meet with the Scholars in the library tomorrow and see what they’ve got. Then we’ll brainstorm and come up with what you need. Like I said though, Steph, you’re the tech geek. I’ll defer to your nerdiness,” Byryn teased. Both she and Staryana punched him in the shoulder. “Ow! Dammit, that one actually hurt, brightness,” he complained rubbing his arm. He’d braced for Steph’s blow knowing better than to let his guard down with her but his baby never hit him that hard.
She chuckled, “That’s what you get for faking that they hurt when I couldn’t read you so easily.”
Marcus and Cymeryn laughed but Reyana looked between them. “I wouldn’t laugh considering the way you two stepped in it earlier; especially since you have no idea how long I’ve been reading your thoughts or the things I have yet to call you on.”
They looked to each other with a grimace and everyone else laughed.
Byryn smiled wickedly, “That’s alright, brightness.” He stood as he scooped her up. “I’ve waited long enough. Say good night.”
She met his gaze a moment before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him softly. She turned to them a moment. “Sleep well, guys. We’ll see you at breakfast.” He went to turn but hesitated so she could ask the question he sensed in her mind. “Formal robes tomorrow or just Friday?”
“Both actually, Starshine,” her Mom replied with a soft laugh. “Though perhaps if you want an accurate response you had better let us know what you’ve decided before you run off?”
Byryn flushed a moment and turned. “I’m sorry, my lady. I completely forgot the formalities.” It wasn’t often that he let himself get so distracted but as far as he was concerned tonight was all about his brightness.
“Be at ease, Byryn. We bring it up only because if you’re planning what we assume you need to make the declaration so we can be prepared,” Marcus explained.
“Of course.” He set Staryana down beside him taking her hand in his as he cleared his throat. “My lords, ladies, we have something we would like to declare.”
“We would hear it, Byryn a Grifyn,” Cymeryn replied with a smile.
“I, Byryn a Grifyn, of the Grifyion Line of Lucerna, Liaison of Redemption, Head of the Personal Guards and Guardian in training under the tutelage of Praetor Marcus a Cymarcion, do formally request the bonded rights of the Lady Staryana a Reyana, Princess to the Realm of Balance, in formal ritual to be performed this Friday at the will of the Divine.”
“Lady Staryana a Reyana, Princess to the Realm of Balance, do you so recognize his rights to your bonding, and so consent to the ritual?” Reyana asked speaking far softer than her typical royal tones.
He turned to watch her, taking in the way the Light that flowed over her lit up her eyes and how the diamond flecks in them danced when she smiled. “I do so recognize his rights,” Staryana replied.
“Then so be it,” Marcus smiled. “It appears on Friday you will need ritual attire as well.”
He smiled and bowed to them upholding formality. “If there is nothing else of consequence tonight, my lords, ladies?”
“I don’t know, I’m sure we could come up with something important that you need to address, Byryn,” Marcus teased.
“Not this time, my lord,” he smirked scooping Staryana up. “See you in the morn. Sleep well.”
They said their farewells as he carried her from the room taking her to their bed. It wasn’t anywhere near fast enough for him. Too much had happened around them that he hadn’t even been aware of. Knowing how close Alayne and her Father had come when they’d both been so vulnerable…it had him on edge.
He set her down helping her out of her gown which he lay gently over the chair. If she wasn’t so resplendent in it he may have been tempted to tear it from her body. He needed to feel Staryana against him, to remind himself she really was his. He needed to claim her body, touch her, taste her until he was assured that he wasn’t simply dreaming the peace they had found alone here earlier.
She stared up at him as she undid the clasp on his robes pushing them off his shoulders and he let them fall from his body. The sight of her sliding down to her knees as she took his pants down ignited a hunger in him that he quickly bit back. It would be so easy to take complete control, to own her…but she would never be his slave. He loved her too much to subject her to that side of himself.
Her tongue ran along the length of his sex casing a groan to escape his throat as he ran his hands into her hair. She stared up to him as she teased him, flicking her tongue over the tip of him before taking his sex into her mouth and taking him deep. She worked him slowly, torturously ‘til he ached for her. He let his essence flow over her as she quickened her pace letting her drive him higher. She took him over the edge and he spilled over into her mouth moaning at the feel of her drinking in his release. It didn’t sate him, not even close.
Byryn pulled back, guiding her up from her knees and kissed her deeply as he gripped her firmly by the ass lifting her. Her legs wrapped round him as he ground her against him. His head fell back on a low growl as he slid into her, already ready for her again, still riding the energy of her awakening. He thrust into her hard working her body on his sex and she moaned as her nails raked over his skin. He was raw, unchained, and he knew he should restrain himself a pace but she was right there with him when he turned leaning her against the wall as he drove into her harder. Her core spasmed around him, her release waving through her milking the orgasm right out of him as he worked her through her pleasure.
When he finally caught his breath he pulled back and checked her over to reassure himself that he hadn’t handled her too roughly but when he met her eyes she shook her head. “You would never hurt me, baby,” her voice breathy and seductive. “I want you like this, raw and open. I need it as much as you do.”
He couldn’t help the devilish smile that spread across his lips because he knew so much more about the things he could do to her body than she did. “Is that so, baby?”
His sex kicked inside her and she gasped. “Show me, baby. Take me there. I’ll let you know if it’s too much.”
He grew serious a moment meeting her eyes. “And I will always respect that, Staryana. If you want to explore the limits of your body, I’ll gladly take you there; but you tell me to stop and we stop. I’m serious, baby. I don’t ever want to hurt you.”
“You won’t, Byryn.” She kissed him biting his lip open to savor in the taste of him.
He took her to the bed and kissed and bit his way down her body and lifted her leg. Biting into the tender flesh at the base of her thigh, he drew her essence drinking her in roughly. He watched her body arch off the bed trailing over the contours of her, the curve of her hips, the peak of her breasts. Kissing and licking over her core he drove into her until that sweet honey of hers spilled into his mouth. Surging up he kept her legs on his shoulders and thrust right into the slick, mo
ist core of her sex as she moaned out his name once more. He took her hard, only relenting once she spilled over once more taking him with her.
Easing back, he gently slid her legs from his shoulders watching the way her chest rose as her breathing began to slow. He brushed the hair from face. “Being with you like this baby, it’s indescribable.” He gently rolled them onto their side wrapping his arms around her. “You’re finally mine.”
Stretching up she kissed him, a soft moan groaning through her at the gentle aches that rolled through her. “You’re my everything, Byryn. I couldn’t even breathe today when I tried to picture this life without you.”
“That is something, brightness, you’ll never have to do again,” he promised her as he kissed her body. “No matter what happens, I will always find my way to you. From now ‘til forever, baby, you’re mine and I’m never letting you go again.”
Chapter 20
“Kato, before you retire may I have a word? In my study perhaps?” Cymeryn’s voice preceded his appearance as he misted into the corridor directly in front of the he and Demytria.
His mate gave them both a strange look. She was not foolish. She knew there had been something that passed between them during the mission. In fact, she had even asked him if he might know what Cymeryn was up to. Although that was probably just her way of broaching the conversation to gage a reaction from him. Demytria knew the way her former sire’s mind worked better than most, having served at his side for so long as Shade.
He looked Cymeryn over, considering all that had changed in recent days. From his calm and tolerant demeanor, to the coloration of his features, it was not something Kato could have ever fathomed happening. As Shade he had abducted his mate, torturing and raping her until she relented to Darkness, and all but claimed her as his own. Now he was Redeemed, as was she, and he had not only mated with Reyana but had also been crowned King. It was indeed a lot to take in.
Kato drew a patient breath considering what he knew the Fae wanted and gave him a quick nod before drawing Demytria too him and possessively taking her mouth. There was no need for the assertion but he had no reason to fight the instinct to stake his claim in front of her former lover. He left her breathless before leaning to her ear in a growled whisper. “Do not worry, love, I will not kill the Fae…just be ready for me when I come unto our bed.”
She smiled that seductive smile of hers, reading the unspoken commands he gave her. He watched the sway of her hips as she walked to their quarters before heading for the grand staircase with Cymeryn falling into step beside him.
Dealing with his presence had been easier than Kato had expected it would be. Demytria and he had discussed what she had endured with the Shade at length and it was far less than Cymeryn had portrayed. In fact she maintained that he had not even raped her, but seduced her slowly as she was tortured. It was still a form of rape in his mind and it continued to haunt him. There was still much Cymeryn had to answer for.
The issue was he knew that the Fae was not the Shade he had once been, and that perhaps who he had been as Shade, while ever ruthless, was also more artistry and illusion than in fact truth. There were plenty of acts of atrocities that Cymeryn had committed, but there were others that it seemed he had portrayed that had not in fact occurred. Since he had been here he had done nothing but prove what a Fae of honor he now was. It was more than disconcerting to reconcile.
As much as he wanted to despise the male, every time he turned around he was either saving somefae’s life or coming to one of their aid. Moreover, Kato watched him struggle daily with the guilt and pain that he endured for the acts he had committed, especially against their family. In truth, he had formed an almost instant respect and acceptance of him that only served to cause him to disgust himself for how easily he granted his forgiveness.
“You are very quiet, Kato,” Cymeryn spoke breaking through his thoughts. “I can only imagine how difficult a decision this must be for you. Perhaps I should not have broached the idea?”
He sighed as they turned down the corridor to the King of Night’s study. “I will not deny that it is not an ideal situation, but I have been watching her since the raid. The insight she brings to the tasks you appoint her to, the details she notices…” He shook his head. “I do not believe any other could have seen the gaps in our defense as readily as she did. Nor can I deny how she comes alive on the battlefield and the effect it has on her. She is not the shy, timid female she was when…when she left us,” Kato swallowed the lump the memory made him choke on. “I am beginning to wonder if in truth she ever was or if she merely felt the constraints of tradition.”
“In some respects both statements are true,” Cymeryn mused. “She is neither the same nor was she ever truly shy and timid. She conformed to what her Father and brother, even Devyn wished of her. Only Cerulyion ever truly advocated for females to be treated equally in the war. She and Reyana used to train in the fields when none of you were around. I often sparred with them.”
“I was not aware of that.” Though he wondered how that were possible. He had thought they held no secrets prior to her turning. It was true he had not been the one to awaken her but they had shared much of their lives through the Bonding Ritual. That did not mean she had revealed all to him however. Mates may have the ability to share thoughts but they were not of one mind. Reyana’s connection with Marcus and Cymeryn was an anomaly and he suspected it had more to do with her Lunyan essence than anything. The female was the Goddess incarnate after all.
Cymeryn opened the study and motioned for him to enter. It was very similar to how Marcus’ study was set up, and yet somehow it’s mirror opposite. The décor matched his robes. The ceiling to floor windows behind his desk were draped in a shimmering dark gray, deep enough to appear as a starry night on earth. The sofa that sat off to the side matched them but the carpet was a silver tone. His large oak desk was varnished a deep almost black tone as where the bookshelves that sat aside of it, neither of which were cluttered as was consistently the case in his twin’s and even Mythos’ study. One could argue it was because he had only been here a few days but in truth things were simply stacked and filed neatly and organized. It was how his tent on the fronts had always been as well.
He watched Cymeryn take his seat behind the desk studying him with those intense eyes as he seemed to consider his words. “I want you to be completely honest with me, Kato. If you have any doubts about the two of us, any residual concerns, I am giving you a free forum to voice them. I will not take offense, I will not allow any to know including her, but I need to know if I am going to consider her for this position.” Cymeryn ran his hand through his long dark brown hair slowly as if he were struggling for words. Something he very rarely did. “I have no doubt she can handle the post. In fact I am certain she would excel at it. She fought by my side for nearly thirty-five years.”
“Thirty-five?” Kato raised a brow.
Cymeryn cleared his throat shifting uncomfortably. “I did not actually allow her to engage in battle prior to that. I just brought her along to taunt you.”
Kato nodded. “She had told me that you wanted to ensure she was properly trained and not capable of being brought out of the Darkness before you left her to her own devices in battle.” The Fae looked away but did not comment.
“I still maintain this is her decision. One she has the right to make of her own free will. We should not be discussing it without her.”
The King met his gaze again. “I fully intend to do so, but not before I am sure the air between us is clear, Kato. I have caused you both more than enough pain. I cannot imagine it is easy on you having me here. As much as I feel there is no Fae else I trust to handle this position to her caliber, I will not have it come between the two of you in any manner, nor will I cause you any more strain.”
This was something he had avoided for the male’s sake since his arrival but his patience was seriously wearing thin. If he intended to push this, to insist on clearing the air so to s
peak, then so be it. “Fine, Cymeryn. I offered you an out, but if you insist we have this conversation then so be it. I want to know the full truth. Why Demytria? And do not give me the standard ‘It was purely strategic’ reply.” He stared the Fae down watching the cloud swallow him that always seemed to emerge when his past haunted him.
He rose and went to the windows opening the drapes slightly. Standing there staring over an eve no Darker in this realm than twilight, the former Supryn, current King of Night, for all his strength and candor looked vulnerable. After a few minutes he came back to the desk and sat watching him closely.
“In full disclosure, she had very little to do with the actual choice,” Cymeryn began slowly. “I hated you, Kato. Perhaps hate is the wrong word, but all our youth I indeed resented you. You had a connection with my twin that he welcomed, one he was so comfortable and open with that it was easy to see. When he took the position as Praetor after mating Reyana it was assumed by many that as his twin and with my abilities I would stand by his side but I always knew it would be you.” He sighed rubbing his eyes. “You had the one thing I could never seem to achieve and once the Darkness was imbedded in my soul I wanted to see you pay for it, even though he was nowhere to be found.”
“It was never my intention, Cymeryn. I was simply his friend,” he offered.
“I realize that now, but you must remember that once there was no hope of Reyana in my world with the Darkness taking root in my soul many things twisted in my mind. I had been jealous of your connection with mine blooded twin for years but once the Darkness took over, I blamed you in many ways for the distance between myself and Marcus. Such things were never your fault or issue and there was no reason to harbor you such hatred, but it was what I felt at the time.” His lips pressed into a thin line. “It was not all about you, however.”
Kato raised a brow, “What else could there be? The way you describe it, surely it was not simply because I was Praetor?”