by Jaime Marks
He smiled. “Thank you, but please, you’re my brother’s mate. You don’t need to be so formal with me. Byryn, or even brother is fine. Or if you want to follow Perl’s example since there are so many of us in the realm, Brother Byryn works too. As far as what changes, we’ll go over that a bit better once you talk to Kato,” he answered cryptically. “For now we need to meet the others for breakfast. You’ll both be returning to quarters after because I need to hunt the Shade with the others.”
“Sir…” Wytheryn began but hesitated.
“What’s wrong, Wyth?”
He smiled slightly at the shortened version of his name but grew serious. “With respect, if you’re going into battle my place is at your side.”
Byryn rubbed his chin. “There will come a time when that’s true, but…you’re still unawakened and I haven’t had a chance to train with you yet. I think it’s best if you sit this out and stay here to protect Narysia this morning…if we don’t find them, I’ll need your help tonight.”
“As you wish, sir,” he replied, grateful that he’d at least be willing to include him this eve.
“Come on. Grandsire’s looking for us,” Byryn replied, holding a hand out to each of them. “I’ll mist us to save time.”
He may not understand everything, but he knew Byryn was trying to help him learn. Maybe he was right and it would just take time. He’d only ever belonged to Alayne until last eve.
His former Master had never allowed another to rule him until he sent him to the Brood, but they had not owned him as Alayne had. Even when he handed him off to another to be punished, it was Alayne that made the rules and held control. All he’d ever known was what Alayne had taught him and it was quickly becoming clear that Byryn was nothing like Alayne. As he pulled his mate close and they took his brother’s hands he realized that when it came to being Narysia’s Master, it was Byryn’s example he wished to follow.
Chapter 14
Cymeryn glanced around the lounge they had arranged for family meals and meetings. It was far more comfortable than the conference rooms and adequately seated all of them with room for their family to continue to grow. The walls were lined in a series of couches and there were low sitting tables in the center of the room where their meal was set. It suited its purpose well enough, but it was a far more intimate environment in their suites. Unfortunately they had simply outgrown that arrangement.
He waited impatiently for Byryn and Wytheryn. They had agreed to arrive a little early so that Wytheryn could pay his favor, if he felt the need, without causing issue before they could discuss his situation with the others. It was mainly the young they were concerned with. Kyle and Byryn’s brothers had begun to join them for meal. After Wycelion’s reaction this morn they did not want to risk the others taking exception.
He shook his head remembering Demytria’s words and Byryn’s reaction. It was not her fault. He, himself, had compared Byryn to Trevyn when the boy was young. Many had over the years. There was a time where it had been a point of pride for the boy, but now it was one of shame. It highlighted every sin of his past and caused him a great deal of pain.
That was likely even more true now. Trevyn had never given much thought to incestuous relations. In truth he had taken several of his daughters as slaves over the years resulting in several of the Brood Elders. It was a depravity Cymeryn had never been able to comprehend. Family was sacred. It was something to be cherished, and even as Shade he’d been loathed to even consider such a thing. He’d raised Trevyn as his son and never once considered his daughters an option.
Tatyna was different. She had never been a daughter to him, though he was certain in her eyes at one point she likely thought of him as a Father. To him, she was merely a stand in for Reyana once his grief had consumed him. He had molded her to fit that ideal with a Dark overture, correcting the mistakes he had made through recreating the circumstances with her.
It was a sick, twisted thing he had done, but she was not his young nor was she of his blood. He had groomed her, trained her, and molded her to be exactly what he wanted her to be. He had not even taken her until her awakening, though he had taken her to the limits of pleasure and pain and taught her how to service him with her mouth properly. He had done wrong by her in many ways, but he had taught her to be strong and survive in their world and she had never suffered the torture and discrimination most Shade females endured. At least not until Lazurys had taken her.
Cavayn was busy seeing to security in the Realm of Light and ensuring everything was ready for the ceremony this eve. He had taken an interest in Tatyna and Cymeryn was fostering it as best as he could accommodate. Perhaps he should check to see how she was managing in his absence. He was still uncertain what the connection was between them. He would like to believe they were bonding, but neither were Sacred Borne and it might take time before he could be certain Tatyna was not merely using the Fae’s youth against him to gain a means of escape. Cavayn had requested her to be released to his care, but it was just too soon to make that exception. He would need to monitor their relationship first.
He looked up as Kyle, Astryn, and Staryana entered the lounge. It was odd to see them walk in. The four of them had taken to misting in most circumstances since Astryn’s awakening. Staryana went to her Mother, hugging her tightly and then his twin before coming to him.
He embraced her. “Good morn, starshine,” he whispered as he paused, not entirely sure what he was sensing in her. He sent his essence over her, feeling a subtle shift he could not determine but it was not a Darkness. Surprise ran through him as recognition dawned, but he masked it and instantly blocked his brother.
She looked up at him with a shyness that he was unaccustomed to with her, but he understood it. He knew her secret but would allow her the privacy to announce it when she saw fit. He would have missed it had he not become so accustomed to her essence from their training sessions in mental manipulation. He merely kissed her head and released her with a smile.
“Morning,” she hesitated looking down but added, “Papa.”
He stared at her and blinked a moment before a wide grin spread across his face. “So be it. Did you know that I called my Father Papa in our youth?”
She shook her head. “Is…is that ok?”
“More than ok.” He pulled her close again. “You are very much mine daughter, Staryana, and it honors me that you wish to name me such.”
“It just doesn’t feel right to call you Cymeryn anymore and uncle doesn’t really fit us either,” she explained with a shrug.
They looked up as Byryn appeared with Wytheryn and Narysia. Wytheryn immediately went to his knees before him pulling Narysia with him. He tried to reason his way around this, but he could not continue to allow him to lower himself in such a way. He sighed walking over and resting his hand on his head, allowing his essence to flow through him before he knelt in front of them.
“Look at me, Wytheryn,” he commanded, waiting until he had both of their attention, but a golden reflection at Narysia’s neck drew his immediate attention. He blinked in shock, reaching for the pendant that rested delicately just below her collarbone.
She started a bit when he reached for it, but Wytheryn rested a hand on her back stilling her. “Hold, Narysia,” he ordered and the girl froze, but her eyes betrayed her panic causing Cymeryn to stop.
“I apologize, Narysia,” he offered but could not take his eyes away from her necklace. “I know you have been through much recently and I did not mean to startle you, but…wherever did you get that?”
She blinked seeming to lose some of her fear as her hand clasped the golden artifact that there was no way she could comprehend the value of. “It…it was my Father’s. He asked my Mom to make sure I always wore it. I never take it off.”
His eyes peeled wide at the implications as Marcus approached to see what the source of his confusion was. Cymeryn forced himself to calm and focus on what needed to be dealt with for the moment. First he needed them off the floo
r and then he had to get a better look at that pendant and the glyph that was carved into it.
Clearing his throat he addressed them both. “Neither of you need kneel to me in such a manor unless you are addressing the court. I know you feel the need to pay me favor and express your loyalty, Wytheryn, but you are my grand progeny, not my servant, and are in no means beneath me. As Narysia is your mate she is now family as well. I expect you both to behave as such. Do you understand, son?”
He and Narysia rose slowly as Cymeryn followed, watching him for his reaction. Wytheryn nodded but looked to Byryn a moment as if looking for his approval.
“Cymeryn’s right, Wytheryn. He’s our Grandsire. You may bow, and if you feel the need, I’m sure he’ll accept a hug, but I don’t want you to kneel to anyone unless I specifically ask you to. I know you don’t understand this, but you’re not beneath us,” Byryn affirmed.
He nodded and turned bowing formally. “I apologize if I offended you, Grandsire.”
“It is not an offense, Wytheryn, merely a…learning opportunity.” He smiled and turned to the girl, trying to maintain his calm. “Now, may I see that pendant you wear, Narysia? I will not remove it, but I would like to examine it more closely.”
She nodded hesitantly. “Of course, my lord.”
“Cymeryn will suffice,” he replied, forcing a smile as he took the pendant in his hand. As he studied it closely shock literally shook him and he faltered. He ran a finger over it and allowed himself to feel the slight trace of essence that remained. “Marcus…it is…impossible.” He shook his head.
Marcus rested a hand on his shoulder to steady him. “Let me see, brother,” he requested and Narysia allowed him to also take the pendant in hand as he examined it, though she looked quite nervous.
“I have never seen you wear this before,” Cymeryn questioned.
“I generally keep it under my shit. I’m always afraid I’ll break the cord,” she reasoned tentatively. “Is…is there a problem, my lords?”
Wytheryn wrapped his arms around her waist to steady her, holding her still against his chest as she’d been involuntarily moving back from them in her nervous state.
Marcus met his eyes a moment, knowing he was too shaken to deal with this and nodded. “Will you sit with us, Narysia? I would like to ask you a few questions if you don’t mind.”
The poor girl looked utterly perplexed but Kyle stepped up smiling. “It’s alright, Narysia. Do you remember when I told you I wanted your robes to match your station? What did I tell you when you asked me why?” He prompted gently, as he led her to one of the couches.
“That you thought I was more than I believed,” she replied, “but you didn’t exactly explain what you meant, Prince Kyle.”
“That’s because I don’t have the proof I need to explain it yet, but I know what I felt when we healed you last night, and I know what being able to heal you in the way we did means,” he offered. “Talk to my Father and Uncle. Let them help you figure it out, sunshine. I think it’s time you find out who you really are.”
Cymeryn stood waiting as Marcus sat beside her. He was too tense to sit. He could not fathom how she had obtained the relic she wore. If her Father truly gave it to her Mother what did that mean? Marcus took her hand in his and he could feel the essence flowing between them, and the familiarity that his twin sensed. It made no sense.
“Narysia, you say your Father gave the pendant to your Mother. Did you ever meet him?” Marcus began carefully.
She shook her head with a frown. “No, he died before I was born. He was injured in some battle, but my Mom found him.”
He nodded. “Did your Mother tell you anything about his injuries, or who he was? His name perhaps? Please, tell us what you know of your Father.”
The girl’s hands clenched in her lap as she pulled away from Marcus, but she nodded and began her story. “We lived on a horse ranch, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. It was Grandparents place originally but Mom said they were killed in a fire the year before she met my Father. I guess aside from the ranch hands she was there alone most of the time. She was riding out in the fields when she found him. He’d been injured in some sort of fight, I guess. I remember she said his wounds were weird, that they oozed some sort of black slime or something.” She shrugged and Cymeryn moved closer to hear her better.
Narysia was speaking so softly and avoiding all their eyes. It was clear she was frightened but he could not comfort her in this. They needed answers. Once he knew the truth of the matter there would be time to soothe her fears.
“Mom somehow managed to get him back to the house. She said she patched up his wounds but he was in and out of consciousness. When he finally recovered enough to talk to her he told her he was dying, that he had some sort of infection. He begged her to take him back to the field and leave. Something about it not being safe if anyone found her with him.
“Mom thought he was delirious at first, but even if she believed him she probably wouldn’t have listened. She never did back down from a fight.” The girl rubbed her temples seeming to gather her thoughts for a moment. “She kept him hidden on the farm and tried to help him in any way she could. Sometimes he would be out of it for days, but when he was awake he told her these amazing stories of a world she couldn’t imagine. He told her he wasn’t human, that he was Fae, and taught her about our culture. She wrote a lot of it down, but when I was in the foster home…” She trailed off shaking her head and Kyle rubbed her back a moment.
“It’s alright, Narysia. Take your time. We’re right here with you.” He looked up at Wytheryn hesitating a moment. “If I’m crossing any boundaries for you, Wytheryn, I expect you to tell me. I only mean to comfort her.”
He looked between Kyle and Byryn a moment. “I…” He paused cocking his head. “Oddly, it does not bother me to see you comfort her. It’s no different for me than if it were my…” He hesitated furrowing his brow then corrected himself before he spoke, “brother.”
Byryn pat him on the back affectionately. “Good boy. I know you’re fighting the habits you’ve formed and it’s hard for you. Thank you for honoring my wishes.”
He nodded but Cymeryn did not miss the small smile that crested his lips at Byryn’s praise. Wytheryn needed that level of support and assurance from him.
Kyle surveyed them seeming satisfied before he turned back to Narysia. “Go ahead, sunshine,” he prompted.
She breathed deeply, staring off in the distance as if she was trying to remember. “My Mom fell in love with him. She knew she shouldn’t because he was dying and he wasn’t human, but she spent every spare minute listening to his stories and learning about his world. I guess he could sense it. He told her she deserved better than he could offer her but she said that a woman can’t rule her heart.”
A small smile crested her lips and Light lit her eyes a moment. She was truly beautiful when she smiled. It was like her Light lit her from within, reaching out to touch all around her.
“She started sleeping in his bed and after a while he told her he loved her, too. One night she came in from the fields to make him dinner and he asked her to sit down so they could talk. He told her that she was pregnant and apologized for putting her in danger. He told her that even though he’d been fighting the infection, he didn’t think he had much longer and wanted to prepare her in case he died suddenly.”
“What was his name, Narysia?” Marcus asked. “It’s important that we know.”
She shook her head. “That was one of the things he asked her. There was this list of things he made her promise. The first was that I wear this necklace.” She looked at it thoughtfully a moment before turning back to Marcus. “The second was that she never tell me his name. He said he’d been held prisoner for years. That he’d been tortured and he’d escaped to try to save his sons. They needed to be reunited for some reason to save the Fae, but he was weak when he managed to escape and he’d been wounded when he had to fight his way out. He couldn’t make it home and he n
ever made it out of my Mom’s bed. My Father claimed that it would be dangerous if the Shade ever found out who I was and the only way she was ever supposed to admit it to anyone was if they could show her Light, like he did, and knew what this pendant meant. She never told me its meaning, only that it was his.”
“Was there anything else your Mother told you? Other promises she made?” Marcus prompted.
“Two. Mom said there was only one Shade that would know the exact meaning of the pendant and if he ever found us, or me, that we were to tell him that we could only tell both him and his brother where we got it together. My Father didn’t think he’d hurt us to get the information, but Mom said he might try to intimidate us or scare us. She said if we told him alone it could be bad and we were only supposed to tell him if they were together,” she recited as if she was reviewing a text book more than her life. Cymeryn supposed it was likely how it felt for her. These were stories that her Mother told her not her own experiences.
“The last was a set of instructions for what I was supposed to do if the Fae didn’t find me before I began awakening. It was basically a type of meditation. I think it was meant to show me how to use my essence to call them to me, but he wanted me to go to a specific place to attempt it in hopes that the Fae would reach me first. Mom said it would still be risky and I was never supposed to attempt it unless I was sure I was awakening because if a Fae didn’t awaken me I could die.” She sighed, “I’m kind of glad it didn’t come to that because I was scared as hell that I wouldn’t be able to do it.”
“Don’t worry about it, Narysia,” Kyle reassured her. “You would’ve known what to do when the time came, but you’re here and we’re glad it didn’t come to that either.”
Marcus blew out a breath and looked up at Cymeryn. Neither knew what to think or say. He checked his watch, there was only fifteen minutes but it would have to be enough. “Get Kato. We need to know and I cannot wait; but I swear, brother, if we are right, if she kept this too from us, you had better keep that Priestess away from me this eve.”
