by Jaime Marks
Shattered Trust
Mists of the Fae
Book 9
by
Jaime Marks
Mist of the Fae Series
Revelations
Secrets Past
Shades of Redemption
Protectors and Kings
Connections
Choices
Dynamics
Bound in Blood
Shattered Trust
Manipulations (Coming November 2016)
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, stored in, or introduced to any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without the express permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes only.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are fictitiously used. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. On a side note if you happen to be a Fae and think you have a claim that you have been portrayed in this book by all means feel free to contact me in writing so we can debate the semantics of your existence ;)
Certain content and scenes may not be suitable for readers under the age of 18.
This is an adult paranormal romance novel and recommended for an adult audience.
First Kindle Edition, November 2016
Text copyright © 2014 Jaime Marks
All rights reserved.
Dedication
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 5
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Epilogue
About the Author
Chapter 1
Felycia paced bouncing Bryce on her hip. He was teething, which apparently made him cranky. She’d been up for hours trying to get him settled. Sometimes she really felt like she sucked at this Mom stuff. Probably because her own Mother wasn’t exactly the best role model.
Devyn came up behind her, wrapping her in his arms. “Felycia, allow me to take him so that you may rest.”
She knew she should let him take care of Bryce. She was tired as hell, but she just felt like she was imposing on him and it wore on her. She just wasn’t used to relying on anyone for anything. Bryce was her son, her responsibility, and even though Devyn had Claimed him it felt like she needed to be the one to care for him. As it was she’d pushed her son off on Tara for far too long.
“I’m fine. Really, I just want to get him settled.”
Devyn sighed in frustration. “Felycia, you have hardly slept since Bryce came back to you. You cannot care for him if you are dead on your feet, girl.” He turned her to face him and it was the first time she’d seen him really look upset with her. “I promised to help you with this and that is what I am going to do. I have tried to allow you time to adjust to Bryce being in our lives on your own, and I do not wish to make decisions for you or be forceful with you, but you are making it very difficult. You need to take care of yourself as well. Now, I am taking Bryce and you are going to bed. You and Byryn have both asked me to be a Father to your young, but I cannot do so if you never even allow me to hold him.”
She just stood there and blinked, not really knowing what to say. It had only been four days but she’d be lucky if she’d slept an hour of it. She was dead on her feet and they were expected to attend Mythos and Stephynia’s Bonding Ritual and the following Coronation Ceremony tomorrow night. Or was it tonight now? She wasn’t even sure what day it was and they kept moving it back to ensure they had the necessary security. The days were blurring together for her.
She really didn’t want to go. Bryce couldn’t be with her and the entirety of the Lucerna Lines would be in the Realm of Light. It was hell on her nerves to even think of leaving him behind. He’d be so unprotected.
Devyn lifted Bryce from her arms before she could react and pointed to their chambers. “I expect you go to bed. You have to rest,” he demanded.
“But, Devyn…”
“Now, Felycia. I am your mate in truth and in blood. I do not wish to dictate to you, but when it comes to your health and safety I will do what is necessary. We should be able to work this out amongst ourselves, but if you force me to, I will involve your brother. He already worries after you in this,” Devyn replied firmly.
“Byryn doesn’t think I can handle this?” Her breath hitched and unshed tears pooled in her eyes.
Why would her brother think she could handle this? She’d all but abandoned their child on Earth and came here. She hadn’t even trusted him enough to tell him his son existed, and it’s not like she’d even made an effort to mend things between them until her awakening. He probably didn’t feel like he could trust her with their son. Hell, she hadn’t even held him until their Grandsire had forced her to.
“Felycia, that is not what I mean. This is why you need rest. You are overly emotional in this state. You know better than to think such things.” Devyn breathed deeply as his eyes ran over her with concern, “Byryn sees how exhausted you are, and how you insist on doing this all yourself. He worries that your health is suffering and that you are allowing your guilt to rule your thinking. Quite frankly, he is right. You need to realize that the rest of us are here to help you, Felycia, especially me.” He cupped her cheek. “I Claimed Bryce as my own. He is my son now as well. Please, go get some rest and allow me care for him.” He kissed her softly on the cheek before pulling away and heading for the door.
“Wait! Where are you going?” She asked trying not to panic.
“I am going to sit in the quarters adjoining our suite with him so he does not disturb you. I told you I had them redone into a nursery for him.” Devyn sighed, “In all honesty, Felycia, if you would put the boy down and stop fussing over him so, I think you will find you both fall asleep quite well.”
He walked out without another word, leaving her there. She collapsed onto the couch trying to take in what he’d said. He was probably right. She’d been to see Tara a few times when she was putting Bryce down for the night and she just laid him down with a kiss to the head and left him go. If he cried it was never for long and then he was out cold for the night.
She just couldn’t stand to hear him cry and he seemed so fussy. He was probably missing Tara. She was the only real Mother he knew and now he’d probably never get to see her again. She could only hope she was safe.
All she seemed to be doing lately was hurting everyone she cared about. Byryn put up a good front but she’d caught him staring at her and Bryce and she’d seen the pain in his eyes. She didn’t know if it was his guilt over that night, or the sudden gain and denial of his first born son that haunted him more, but having him so close and yet so far was killing him. If it wasn’t for whatever connected him and Kyle she
was sure he’d lose it.
Kyle seemed to help him keep it together. He balanced her brother in ways that were both confusing and a relief. She didn’t quite understand their relationship, but she was glad that he was there for both Byryn and Star.
Then there was Devyn. He’d been so good to her and he loved her. Before Bryce came there had been so much she wanted, so much she thought she could have with him, but more and more she just pulled away and she couldn’t even justify why. He had Claimed her son as his own, accepted her Darkest secrets as if they were no big deal, and on top of that they had bound as mates. They should be getting closer, but she’d been avoiding even letting him hold her.
Really part of it was that she couldn’t bear to put Bryce down, but she knew it was more. She just couldn’t really figure out what. Was she afraid he’d hurt her? Was she afraid he’d rush her into having sex now that in their world he all but owned her? Before Bryce came she’d wanted to touch him, for him to touch her. Why did her son being here, or them being bound, make such a difference?
She couldn’t think anymore. At this point her thoughts even felt like they were rambling. The last couple days had been exhausting and Devyn was right. She really needed some sleep. She should really just get up and go to bed like he’d asked. That was her last thought before she began drifting off. The strain of the last few days had finally caught up with her.
Devyn smiled down at Bryce as he slept in his crib. The boy was as exhausted as his Mother. As soon as he laid him down and allowed him to cry a couple of minutes he had fallen asleep. He walked out to the hall and checked in with the guards before slipping through the door adjoining their chambers.
He sighed in frustration as soon as he looked to the bed. It was not that he was overly angry with Felycia, he just did not know how to reach her. He prepared himself for the argument he knew they needed to have, but when he walked out into the sitting room he relaxed almost instantly. She was fast asleep on the couch. Dried tears streaked her face and she was so close to the edge that the slightest movement would likely cause her to fall.
Carefully he lifted her in his arms and she curled against him, his name a soft sigh on her lips. It eased him in a way. She had been pushing him away since their son had come to them. He adored Bryce and cherished the moments he could steal with him but, he missed the closeness he and Felycia had shared. He knew they needed to find a rhythm, and it would come in time, but it was wearing on all of them.
They needed to attend Mythos and Stephynia’s Bonding this coming eve. With all the security risks inherent with such a ceremony he needed to be present. They had already been forced to postpone the ceremony more than once due to various risks. It was creating an air of fear amongst the Fae and this needed to occur to quiet their concerns.
As it were the Lucerna Lines needed to make a united appearance in the Realm of Light. They had not done so in ages and some were beginning to fear they had all but abandoned their birth land for the safety and security of the Realm of Balance. It would not do to allow such concerns to fester.
They needed to make an appearance to support Mythos and Stephynia. They needed to prove to their subjects that they were still very much with all of them. There were also doubters and nay sayers who needed to be silenced in some manner, but that was for the Kings and Queen of Balance to find resolution for. Reyana always seemed to know what their Fae needed.
Regardless, he was required to attend and it would not do to appear without his mate on his arm. All of them needed to be present. It was a security risk, but the realm was sealed. Still, it would be a fight to get Felycia to attend leaving Bryce behind. He understood her fear, and if the realm was open he might even insist on staying, but only those the Lunyan Sacred Borne misted could enter or leave the realm.
He had already spoken to Wycelion. The boy was impressive with a blade and had keen insight. He was also extremely loyal to Byryn and often stepped forward to take responsibility for their line in his absence. Wycelion had personally assured him he would see to Bryce’s security in their absence and he knew his brothers would support him. Whether they thought the boy was Byryn’s or not, they accepted him as one of their own through their sister, and they protected their own fiercely.
He gently worked the gown off of Felycia before lying her down in their bed. Biting back on his own needs he readied himself for the eve and climbed in beside her, pulling her close. It was becoming painful, suppressing the urge to complete their bond. He wanted her so badly, but he knew by the way she had withdrawn that she was not ready.
In a respect he wished he had waited and allowed her time to adjust to being a Mother first, but that had not truly been an option. It would have looked strange to the outside eye if they had not bound since he had Claimed her son the eve he had arrived. They had done what was necessary to protect Bryce and he did not truly regret it. She was his and it pleased him greatly that they had completed the rites. They would work through their issues in time.
Felycia rolled closer seeking his comfort in her sleep and he wrapped her in his arms. There had to be a way for him to soothe her fears and show her that it was alright to allow this between them. Byryn was right. Her guilt was ruling her. She felt guilty for leaving Bryce behind, guilty for conceiving him in the first place, and even guiltier over the fact that Byryn had to deny him. None of these were her fault, but if he had thought she felt unworthy of his affections before it had amplified at least tenfold. He feared the pressure this situation placed on her was wearing her down and she needed a reprieve.
An idea slowly formed in his mind but he would need her brother’s assistance to make it happen. He would give her time, a few more days while the matters they needed to attend to resolved. Once things had settled, however, he was going to put things right between them again. It was time to show his dear girl how special she truly was to him. It was time that Felycia understood that she was very much his and he would always be hers.
Chapter 2
Byryn sighed as he turned down the unawakened females’ corridor. He’d been hearing Bryce on and off all night and was about to knock on the door to Devyn’s suite when he heard the Fae finally putting his foot down. He’d stayed long enough to make sure he’d dealt with the situation. It was a good sign, but there was a lot more they needed to work through.
It was hard for him to sit back and watch the way his sister was suffering, especially when he knew it was because she felt so damned guilty about what had happened between them. He hated it. None of this was her fault. She’d done what she felt she needed to do to protect herself and Bryce. He’d never hold that against her. It may hurt like hell sometimes, but what she’d chosen had protected their son.
He wished he could go back and kill Trevyn himself for what he’d done to them, but more than likely he’d only have gotten himself killed. If it wasn’t for Bryce he’d wish he had let their Father kill him that night just to save her the pain of everything that came after, but he already loved him. He hated the nightmare that had brought him into this world, but he could never regret his son’s existence.
Nephew damn it. He needed to stop thinking of Bryce as his son. No one could ever know the truth.
Byryn had been making rounds since he’d left Devyn and Felycia’s suite. He needed to clear his head and getting lost in his duties helped. He turned down the unawakened Fae corridor and continued checking on the kids. Really he just listened and watched for issues. This corridor was for the older girls and as long as they stayed out of trouble and followed the rules there was no real reason to restrict them. All the unawakened in the Palace were now considered to be ward of the Liaisons of Redemption. He and Kyle looked out for these kids, guided them, and kept them safe.
He paused hearing a soft sob and backed up a few paces. It was late. Everyone here should be sleeping. Shade lived a fairly nocturnal existence and they sometimes had trouble sleeping at night, but the Fae thrived by the Light of the sun.
The sound came from Nar
ysia’s quarters. Byryn had taken her under his wing since she’d first come to the realm. She was special to him in a way and he’d been wondering since he met her why he seemed to feel drawn to protect her. He and his brothers already knew it probably meant that one of their brothers was her mate and the interest she’d shown Wytheryn only made that seem more likely.
He rubbed his face wondering if he really wanted to know what had her so upset at this hour. He was already stressed out over the issue with Felycia, but with the attention Narysia had been giving his brother she could have attracted unwanted attention and he needed to make sure she was alright. Even though Wytheryn had been trying his best to avoid her, she’d been going out of her way to see him. It wasn’t exactly a secret there was something going on between the two of them and there were a lot of unawakened that had taken exception to it for various reasons.
Wytheryn had openly spoken out against Redemption and this life. Some of the unawakened felt like he shouldn’t be here if he wasn’t willing to embrace it. There had been more than one comment hinting that Narysia was a traitor for her interest in him.
The other issue was that by separating him from the other prisoners they’d caused the Shade and unawakened in holding to view Wytheryn as a traitor as well. They’d begun building a life for his brother and made a point of providing him guards, granted both to protect the other unawakened as much as Wytheryn himself, but it hadn’t gone unnoticed. He hadn’t meant for it to happen, but the favored he’d shown him had definitely marked him as a target. Their enemies would gladly use Narysia to teach him a lesson for what they viewed as betrayal.
It didn’t matter that his brother tried to avoid her. That in itself was telling. If she was really nothing to him he’d have been more than happy to take advantage of her affections, even brutalizing her to get the point across that he didn’t want to be bothered. The fact that he cared enough to try to ignore her exposed her as his weakness. Any unawakened who remained loyal to the Darkness would be a threat to her and a few had taken notice of her even before she and Wytheryn met.
