by Jaime Marks
Grifyn laughed, “It’s alright, son. I understood your meaning. I just wouldn’t let Marcus or Mythos hear you say that.”
“No definitely not.” He grimaced. “Especially since I’m sharing a room with Staryana for a few nights.”
Grifyn chuckled, “Yes, let’s definitely make sure you mind what you say then. I would lecture you about what’s right and proper but I’m well aware of how strict you are regarding her honor.”
Byryn blushed slightly and Grifyn laughed loudly. “Now that is something I don’t see every day.”
He shoved him slightly as they entered the castle. “You’re lucky you’re my Dad.”
Grifyn clasped him on the shoulder, “That I am, son. That I am.”
Chapter 16
Marcus led Cymeryn over to another cliff face and pulled on a hanging vine. The rock slid away to reveal an entryway. They emerged through it to the top of another stairwell, then traversed down stone steps that led them into a lush meadow. Trees whose braches flowed over in low hanging vines bearing flowers of every hue he had ever seen stood at varying heights. There were even some hues perhaps that he had never seen. Two white steeds galloped by with a single horn glowing on each of their heads and he grasped Marcus by the arm.
“Do you remember it, Marcus? The day she was born?”
Marcus smiled at him warmly, “Yes, brother, it was my exact thought when I found her here earlier today.”
“No one ever believed us you know, but I would not be swayed. I knew what we had seen and I never forgot that gallant steed. I used to believe it was a sign of the gift of her birth.” They walked through the grove and faeries flitted about as rays of colorful Light broke through the branches at different intervals. It was resplendent, but nothing compared to her.
She was a picture of beauty as she sat on the bank of the creek, leaning back against the trunk of a tree with vines of flowers swaying around her. Her feet dangled bouncing gently in the brook’s currents. The white almost translucent satin nightgown she wore contoured her figure tracing all its delicate curves. A ray of Light illuminated her in a rosy hue giving her skin the appearance of a gentle flush. She stared over the water while the sprites braided flowers into her hair, her hands resting gently on her belly as if she were cradling the young within. She was glowing, he realized. Not the gentle glow of motherhood as humans referred to it, but a soft, silverish luminesce graced her skin. She was at peace here, he thought.
They stood at the edge of the grove, both sensing she needed her space.
Marcus spoke softly so as not to disturb her. “There are several of these Sacred Groves through this realm. When she feels overwhelmed Shala guides her to them. She of course, ditches her guard to do so, but it’s rather enjoyable slipping away to find her.”
“It suits her here.”
He felt her reach out to them and they joined her by the river.
“Thought I’d bring you a surprise to lift your spirits, Reya.” Marcus leaned down and kissed her chastely. “I’ll give the two of you some time.”
Cymeryn watched him walk off through the grove as he slid down beside her. It was a shock despite the accord they had reached that he would trust him so much as to leave them alone, but it was also a relief. He needed that trust for reasons he could not yet understand. “Where is your mind, my love?”
“Now? Just here.” She sighed as she repositioned her body to lean against him and he accepted her dainty weight, wrapping an arm around her. “When I’m here nothing out there matters. There’s no pressure, no expectations. I can just be.”
He kissed the side of her head. “Do you remember when we would sneak away like this, you and I? Burdened by the pressure of our lives we could always just find peace by the lake, our lake.”
She laughed softly, “Do you really think I’d forget? It’s how I most often picture you, holding me by the water’s edge.”
“That was very long ago…I wish I could still be the Fae I was back then, for you.” It amazed him as the words left his lips, but it was the truth. Sitting there, holding her, he wanted more than anything to not be this monster he had become.
She looked up to him with hope in her eyes, pleading with him, “Then please, Cymeryn, please, stay with me. I can sense it in you. You are the Fae you were. Something changed in you tonight when we merged. I think it started back in your room when the three of us were together, but tonight it transformed you. It’s not safe for you to go back.”
His eyes squeezed shut, the pain in his heart evident on his face. He wanted so badly to give her what she wanted, to be here with her always. His hand slid to her stomach caressing it as he thought of his young. How could it work? How could it be? He was only jeopardizing everything she worked to achieve, jeopardizing their safety.
He felt her body press into his as the velvety caress of her soft lips met his own. They kissed softly, passionately. He did not rush her, wishing to enjoy the sensation. Cymeryn had never kissed another like this. He was so used to taking what he wanted, his kisses were normally rough, dominating, filled with the urgent need to sate his desire. In this moment with her, however, it was not about that. It was about the enduring love between them, not fast burning passion that could fade out.
When she pulled back from him he was so taken aback by the feel of it all. He whispered reverently to her, “That is how I always thought your kiss would feel, like the gentle caress of rose petals lightly stroking my lips. It is the way I dreamt of kissing you by the lake all those years.”
She climbed into his lap, straddling him as she lay against his chest. “If I asked you to stay, if I told you I need you here, would you?”
He held her to him gently, cradling her as he ran his hand over her back. “I…I do not know, Reyn. There are so many reasons I should go. My being here is a risk to you, a risk to all you have worked to achieve. It is better for you, for our young, if I leave.”
“There are a lot of reasons this shouldn’t work, but my Father wouldn’t have allowed this to occur if it couldn’t.” She whispered.
“Your Father?” Perplexed he tried to reason out what she meant. King Mythion had died at the fronts years before her rebirth and even if he lived what control could he possibly have?
She leaned back from him to meet his gaze. “I’m not sure how much you know but, the Divine Being, he’s my Father. Lunya’s Father. He’s the reason I’m here now. If he didn’t want this union between the three of us, he would have intervened.”
He cupped her face in his hands, caressing her cheeks. “Did you ever think, Reyn, that maybe he saw the danger that was coming and allowed this to give me the motivation to protect you? That he knew I could never deliver you to Lazurys, never allow any Fae to harm you with this love we share, let alone my young that you carry.” Her hair drifted in the light breeze and a tear slowly rolled down her cheek. He wiped it with his thumb and kissed her softly before pulling her back into his embrace. “I could not bear it if I was the one who caused harm to come to you, love.”
“Or,” Marcus offered as he sat beside him. “He wanted you here by her side to ensure no one could reach her. Perhaps he wanted you home, Cymeryn.”
Cymeryn let his head fall back against the tree. There was no way to know what the intention was. He was unsure if more risk lie in his staying or going. He would not be able to hold the charade he would have to play for much longer but remaining here might well cause her more pain. If he was going to deign which course he needed to pursue he needed more insight.
“What happened this eve, Marcus, that Staryana revealed the issue with Syneous?”
Marcus cursed under his breath as Reyn bolted upright, the terror in her eyes evident. “What happened with Star?”
“She is safe Reya, but Syneous still reaches out to her.”
“I apologize, Marcus. I did not think…I should have…” He trailed off upset that he had ruined this moment of peace. In truth he was unsure what he should have done. It had been so long sinc
e he had regarded anyone’s feeling aside from his own. He was used to demanding whatever his inclination.
“It’s alright, Cymeryn. I just hadn’t had the chance to tell her. I came straight from Star to you.” Marcus paused seemingly gathering his thoughts. “Syneous told Star that she has two days to return to him or he will take Steph as his slave.”
Reyn gasped, “She’s only human, Marcus! We can’t let him take her!”
“I know, Reyana. I just have to figure out a way to get her to come with me.” Marcus replied. “She is willful and spirited but I’m not certain she will accept the reality of all this easily.”
She rose and turned from them walking a few paces away, tension in her form once more as she wrapped her arms around herself. “How could he do this? That girl has been to our home, shared meal with our family. She’s just an innocent human child. She won’t have any idea what’s happening and she won’t have any means to fight him.”
Cymeryn’s head dropped low on his shoulders. How many innocent girls had he done the same to? How many Fae and women and children had he used as tools to get what he wanted or to sate his desires? How many of them had he discarded idly without caring if they lived or died? “He is Shade, Reyn. It is what we do.”
There was a quiet between them as they were all lost in their own thoughts.
“I will get the girl. I just need an image of what she looks like from one of you.” Cymeryn replied shoring up his resolve. He could not undo what had been done but he could protect this girl and in turn protect Staryana and Reyn.
“I didn’t bring any pictures with me, Cymeryn. You didn’t exactly give me time to get my purse out of the car.” She snapped at him before what she had said sunk in. Tears brimmed her eyes when she turned to face him, “I’m sorry, Cymeryn. I didn’t mean to say that.”
“No, love, it is I who owe you the apology for everything I put you through.” He gave her an apologetic smile, “But I do not require a photograph Reyn, you are Fae.” He tapped his finger to his head. “You have only to show her to me in your mind.”
She blushed in embarrassment. “Sorry, I forgot.”
He chuckled and glanced at Marcus who sat smiling beside him, “It is rather attractive on her is it not?”
“Indeed,” He mused. “We should endeavor to make her blush often, Cymeryn. It would be a challenge, but one I think we’d definitely enjoy.”
They laughed as she stood there her hands on her hips regarding them. “I’m so very glad I amuse you.”
Cymeryn let his eyes wonder freely over her body, “Is this what she wears to bed each eve, brother? That alone might make it tempting enough to stay.”
“It definitely makes coming to bed worthwhile. Wait, Reya that isn’t all you wore down here is it?”
Cymeryn had to chuckle at Marcus’ mock shock. Especially as Reyn’s cheeks and neck flushed.
“Um, well,” She stammered, “I brought a shawl...”
Marcus laughed, “Easy Reya, I know how well you evade your guards. Just be more prudent next time. I’d hate to have to part with any of my Guardians.”
“Or blind them.” Cymeryn winked. “Now come here, love and show me this girl before you tempt me to tease you so that that delicate blush covers your body.”
He moved over to make room for her between himself and Marcus as she came over and knelt between them. “You two are incorrigible.”
They both laughed.
“Don’t tempt us Reya, because I’m certain we can show you exactly how incorrigible we can be.” Marcus gazed at her seductively as he caressed lightly up and down her arm. “Before we get into this issue Cymeryn, or other pleasantries, there are some things we’re going to discuss.”
He studied his brother inquisitively, sensing him out. “Not willing to let me leave, Marcus?”
He gave him a sly smile, “Not until we set some ground rules. You didn’t just bond with Reyana, we reaffirmed the bonds between us as well and I’m not prepared to lose you again mine blooded twin.”
They met eyes and Cymeryn could not deny the absence he had felt these years without him. This connection, hearing him in his mind with such ease, feeling his presence consistently, the loss of it had been more acute than he had been willing to admit. The loyalties he had forged within the Shade were based on an appearance of strength and on fear. The few bonds he had allowed were fragile. If he showed any weakness, even to those he considered allies, he risked its exploitation. The bond between twins, between he and Marcus, had taken years of Taint and jealousy to break and even then he had felt its pull. It was perhaps the one thing in all this he trusted.
Closing his eyes Cymeryn drew a deep breath before he regarded him again. “What is it you ask of me, Marcus? You have it if it is within my power and will not endanger her.”
Marcus sighed in relief and he could feel the tension in Reyn ease slightly. He reached forward and took her hand in his to ease her further.
“We do this together, Cymeryn. If you want to go back, you work with me, not on your own. You came here looking for me, brother because you couldn’t find a direction. Let me help you until you can find it yourself.”
“If that is your wish, brother. You have as much need to protect her as I, but how exactly is that going to work? I mean no offense, but you may not have the stomach for some of the strategies I might need to enact.”
Marcus met him dead on, “And therein lies the issue Cymeryn, because from what I deigned from our earlier conversation, neither do you. You need to be able to reason out your actions before you enact them so you don’t reveal yourself and there is no one in your world you can do so with.”
“And what exactly is it you propose?”
“I don’t expect you to move into the castle. That would be foolish if you intend on maintaining your status among the Shade. I want you to come here, however, and not just randomly, but regularly so that we can share information and discuss strategies.”
Cymeryn sighed trying to tease out the complications. “It would make me virtually unreachable aside from by my progeny. I can perhaps reason that away with the present situation with Alayne. It would not be unreasonable for me to mask myself when I am seeking information or at rest. In fact, as Syneous has been making a play to usurp my position as Supryn of the Umbra, and Alayne is supporting him, it would be prudent for me to be cautious so none should suspect an issue.”
“Good, that works in our favor then.” Marcus mused, “Now, can you justify taking the girl? How would you have learned of her?”
“It’s known I attempted to obtain Staryana from school and that she was my main focus when I could not find where you had taken Reyn. I learned of her then but I did not have means to take advantage of it. I knew it would serve no purpose at that point.” Cymeryn rested his hand thoughtfully on his chin, “If Dracyn was a plant, I could reason that I am sending in another unawakened to deliver the message to Staryana that I have her friend and if she wants to protect her she will surrender herself to me. It would be a risk though, my brother. It would mean giving access to the realm to one of the Brood, and make no mistake they want Byryn back. Despite his betrayal there are some who are still loyal to him, but only in Darkness.”
“Hmm, perhaps, but it’s one that we could easily manage. If you can obtain the girl today and let us know who is coming in, Byryn can intercept him. If he chooses who you send he might even be able to convert him. It gives you the ability to save the girl and us the potential to gain needed intel for the raids on how the Brood plans to manage covering those homes.”
“You miss one point, Marcus. I cannot reasonably hold the girl for any length of time without it looking as though I have tortured her.”
“I know. I’m trusting you to reason that one out.” He reached over and placed a hand on Cymeryn’s arm. “I trust you, brother, even if you don’t trust yourself. We will work together through the particulars, share information and protect one another until you’re ready to come home.”
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br /> “I still want the two of you to complete your Bonding. You are going to need to declare the pregnancy soon, being twins it will not be something you can hide. You should be bonded when you do so.” He caressed her hand as he spoke, trying to grant her some comfort. “You need to be able to see a Healer, Reyn.”
She had been oddly quiet throughout their discussion but her needs needed to be addressed in this as well.
“No.” She replied simply and turned to Marcus. “You know I love you and I don’t want to hurt you, but you’ve both told me I should follow my heart in this and not tear myself apart over it.” She sighed taking each of their hands. “I came down here tonight because I was feeling overwhelmed in all of this. The idea of being without either of you…” She trailed off as she shook her head.
Marcus leaned forward and drew her closer to them. “No one is saying that, Reya. No one is asking you to do that. I know your heart. I know that you love mine twin and I accept that freely. I will never ask you to choose between us.”
“Maybe not, but that was your trigger, Cymeryn. You may have been Tainted but you were fighting it. It wasn’t until we were formally bonded that your resistance snapped. You couldn’t handle it then and I don’t think you could handle it now.” She would not lift her eyes to him, to either of them as she spoke. “I can’t do that to you again, especially not when the three of us have bonded in this way. I won’t bond to either of you separately.”
He could sense the resolve in her as he cursed. “Reyana, I do not wish to be the reason your Fae lose faith in you. They will never accept this between the three of us! They will never accept me!” He looked her over, “Why ever are you smiling at me like that?”
“That’s the first time you’ve called me Reyana since….” She looked away as images of her death assaulted his mind.
“I am so sorry, Reyana.” His voice cracked as tears began streaming down his face. With shaky hands he pulled her into his lap cradling her to him. “How can you still love me as you do? How can you trust me after all that I have done to you?”