by Jaime Marks
“How are you, sunshine?” He asked, taking her hands to get a better feel of where her head was as he sensed her. “It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for you today.”
“I’m ok, Pr…Byryn,” she stopped correcting herself. “I won’t deny I’m struggling with some of it, but I’m working on it and…” She glanced back with a smile. “Wytheryn’s been great.”
“Good.” He smiled. “Your brothers want to see you and we’re going to be meeting shortly. There are a few things I need to talk to Wytheryn about though so Kyle will take you down. We’ll join you in a bit.”
Kyle gently took her hand. “Ready, Aunt Narysia?” He asked, gaging her reaction.
She started in shock, staring at him. “That’s just bizarre. You don’t really have to call me that…do you?”
He smirked, “We’ll avoid it if it makes you uncomfortable, but unfortunately in public I might have to sometimes. We’ll talk to my Dad and Uncle Marcus, your brothers, and see how things like this used to work in the Lucerna Lines.”
She fidgeted slightly. “Alright, I guess.” She turned to Wytheryn who was watching the exchange with mild amusement. “I’ll see you soon.”
He nodded as they misted but his expression dropped the moment she was gone. He turned to Byryn lowering his head and waited.
“Sit on the couch. We need to discuss this first,” he commanded.
Wytheryn sat keeping, his eyes averted and Byryn pulled an arm chair in front of him. “I’m sorry, Byryn. You have given me so much and I repaid you with my betrayal.”
He sighed trying to figure out how to deal with this and decided Kyle was right. He needed to approach this the same way he would if Staryana had disobeyed him. “I’m not Alayne. When I give you an order there’s always a reason for it. It might be to protect you, or Narysia, or even our family, but there is always a reason and it’s never trivial. I’ll never give you a command out of cruelty, or selfishness. Now let me be clear, I don’t always have time in that moment to explain my reasons, or to ensure you have the information needed to make the right decisions. When I give you an order I expect you to do as I ask. If you have questions, I expect you to ask them. If something doesn’t make sense, it probably means there’s something I intend to discuss with you later. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” he replied softly not meeting his eyes. Byryn hated the distance between them in that moment. He wasn’t trying to lower his brother beneath him, but this needed to be addressed.
“Tell me why you disobeyed me,” he demanded sternly.
“I…I…” His shoulders dropped. “I lost control. I started out punishing her for not responding to me, but she seemed to enjoy it and she was ashamed of herself for it. I never want her to regret what happens between us. I was showing her she had nothing to be ashamed of, but I wanted more. I knew you had ordered me not to, and I knew I should stop, but I just needed to feel something…more. I don’t know how to explain it and I won’t justify it. I knew you wanted me to wait, and I even understood the reasons, but I ignored your wishes in that moment and put my needs before yours.”
Byryn nodded. “You’re not used to your needs being denied, are you?”
He shook his head. “Not if I was among others. Alayne kept me isolated when he didn’t have need of me. When he had me with him he made use of me frequently, or had others make use my service. It’s…difficult to have Narysia so close, but I can’t imagine not having her near me.”
“We’ll need to address…” He paused, watching the essence flow over him and reached over to grab his wrist. Sensing him Byryn found his essence completely off balance. His eyes narrowed as anger ripped through him. “Why are you still hiding your awakening? I should be able to sense your pain.”
He looked up in alarm. “I…I’m not hiding it. It doesn’t hurt. I…I promised you I wouldn’t…I didn’t…”
Byryn breathed deeply, “Enough. Apparently I need to monitor your essence more closely. How many times has this happened today?”
“I am not sure. I honestly didn’t notice it.”
“Alright,” he sighed, rebalancing his essence. It still hadn’t set in full force and he suspected they had a couple days before it was an issue, but he’d need to keep an eye on it. “It’s possible that you’ve adapted to the pain and just aren’t noticing it. Try to pay attention to it the surges of your essence and let me know if it increases.”
“Yes sir.”
Kyle appeared beside him holding his bag but didn’t comment. Byryn stood, taking it as he noticed the minor amount of tension in his, gemyn. “Take off your robe but leave your silks.” He ordered, moving the chair back. “Any issues when you left, Kyle?”
“No more than usual. My Dad was suspicious, but he didn’t say anything,” he replied. “We’ll need to deal with this soon.”
Wytheryn looked up for the first time since Narysia left. He set his shirt aside but looked hesitant to speak.
“What is it, Wytheryn? Don’t hold information from me. If you have something to say, I expect you to tell me,” Byryn pressed.
He nodded and knelt. “My loyalty is to you, Byryn…” He hesitated measuring Kyle and glancing between them until Byryn nodded. “And you, Kyle,” he conceded. “You should know that extends no matter what path you take. I am bound to you.” He paused considering his words as he looked around the suite. “This is more than I have ever been given, but I only have it because of you. You can say my lineage affords it, but the truth is, I wouldn’t have chosen this if it was offered by another. I chose you, Byryn, because of your strength and your loyalty to your line that seems to extend regardless to the form of your essence. I know this because I have been amongst the Brood. I know how your presence is missed amongst many of them and our brothers here have told me many things. When you claim someone as yours, they are always yours, regardless of whether you walk in Darkness or Light. It was hard for me to believe the accounts of our brothers and accept this at first, but you have done nothing but prove this to me. You have given me everything and I have given myself to you. I am yours.”
Byryn and Kyle exchanged looks. It wasn’t the first time in the last couple days they had heard such pledges of loyalty. Trycen and Revyn had come to him to make similar statements. Furynious had stated the same as had Perydyn. None of them had chosen to elaborate on the reason aside from stating that they wanted them to know how they felt.
He levelled Wytheryn with a stern look. “Why would you think we would ever shift back to Darkness?”
“I can feel it in you both, the touch of the Dark Lord. It is something I often noticed in Alayne when he returned to me from the Dark Domain. I know he holds some power over you, but I can’t identify it. I would’ve told you sooner, but I did not know if it was wise to tell you in front of Grandsire, and there hasn’t been a chance to discuss it,” he explained.
Byryn’s brow furrowed as he scrubbed his face. They needed to discuss this further, but they couldn’t draw attention to the fact that Wytheryn knew something or Cymeryn might try to separate him from them like he did Jarceryn. That definitely wouldn’t go over well, considering the binds. There was a good chance Wytheryn would not only act out but undermine or even fight them if they attempted it. He took a deep breath, hating the fact that he was suddenly on opposite sides of this from Marcus and Cymeryn somehow, when really they were on the same side. It was ridiculous.
He centered himself shaking off his issues for the moment. “We’ll discuss this further but you’re right, I don’t want you to bring this up around the others. You are only to discuss this with myself and Kyle. Do you understand?”
“Yes sir. I would never betray you in such a way,” he offered.
“Good. Now kneel on the couch facing away from me and accept your punishment for your actions,” he commanded.
Kyle walked around the front of him and took his hands. “You will not move. You will remain silent. And you will take what your brother gives you.”
&nbs
p; “Yes sir.”
Byryn went right to his whip. If he wasn’t feeling the pulses of essence from his awakening, then his pain tolerance was already fairly high. “I don’t take pleasure in this, Wytheryn, but I won’t merely dismiss it. You will learn.” He swung his arm back and forth building momentum and began striping his back with the whip, purposefully crossing the lashes to increase the pain. After about twenty lashes he noticed his brother’s muscles twitching. It was the first sign he’d seen that he’d even felt it. He continued to lay welts over his skin. When he seemed to be wincing from the layers of pain, Byryn stopped. He rolled up his whip and placed it back in the bag.
He checked his watch. In about five minutes they were going to run out of time because the twins would want to know what they were up to. He needed to tend to Wytheryn before they arrived.
Byryn walked behind him, gently rubbing his back. “Why were you punished, oryto?” He asked softly, offering him the acceptance he knew he needed from them at the moment.
He released a breath lowering his head to Kyle’s shoulder as he stepped in to better support him. He shook his head and Byryn knew he was crying. “Thank you sirs. I am, I’m yours. I swear,” he murmured, referring to the way he’d named him ‘ours’ in the Sacred Language.
It felt right. He was theirs, his and Kyle’s, and that made him Staryana’s and Astryn’s as well. It didn’t matter what happened, he had bound his brother, claimed him in a way he would never claim another, binding him to the four of them through the bonds of his blood.
They held him, allowing him to work through the emotions. After a moment he breathed out and responded, “I disobeyed you, Byryn, and I deserved my punishment, but I will never betray your trust again.”
“I know, oryto, because you are. You’re ours,” he whispered, kissing his head as he and Kyle joined hands, healing his wounds and the remaining scars he had after they’d healed him and Narysia last night.
They’d seen the marks that remained in his skin from previous punishments the night before, but it took longer to heal scars than fresh wounds and they hadn’t wanted to push it after everything that had happened. Narysia had been their focus. Now they allowed him to feel the strength of their connection as they comforted him and Byryn refused to release him until every mark that bastard Priest had left on his brother was gone. They’d heal in the awakening, but he couldn’t stand for him to have that physical reminder of the life of hell he’d been raised in.
He literally melted between them, bathing in the comfort and peace they granted him. Kyle leaned his head against Wytheryn’s. “Breathe, oryto. We’ve got you.”
They held him between them a few minutes longer than necessary. Byryn breathed deeply wishing he could heal everything his brother had been through so easily. He gently pat him on the back. “Put your robes on and collect yourself. We need to get going.”
Kyle nodded. “I was able to stall my Dad, but he’s growing impatient.”
“We need to talk to Jarceryn,” Byryn mused and Kyle nodded.
They had to figure out what Lazurys was up to and they really only had one more day to decide how to manage it and proceed. Then there would be no doubt. Lazurys had promised them a show of power if they didn’t respond to his demand. When the four of them didn’t comply they’d force the Dark Lord’s hand.
He hadn’t planned on surrendering to Lazurys to begin with. He’d never give him rein over Staryana again and neither of them thought Astryn would be able to handle what that monster would expect of her. Now it was even more dangerous. Staryana was pregnant. There was no way in hell he could ever allow Lazurys to reach her.
If that monster had some hold over them, he didn’t know how, but he’d find a way to fight him. He’d protect his baby this time. Even if it meant destroying himself.
Chapter 21
Star looked up and breathed a sigh of relieve as Byryn appeared with Kyle and Wytheryn. Her Dads were beginning to get suspicious and bearing the brunt of their questions right now was difficult. Thankfully Astryn was able to distract them with questions about what they wanted to do about her Father. He’d been asking to see her and his position on the Council was in question.
Byryn spoke quietly to Wytheryn and he came to sit between her and Narysia. He bowed tentatively to her. “Princess.” Their last encounter hadn’t exactly been a good one.
“Hi Wytheryn. Please join us,” she offered. It wasn’t the easiest concession, but knowing what he’d endured at Alayne’s hand and feeling his connection to Byryn made it easier. It would take some time, but she knew he’d just been following orders. Even that day he hadn’t done anything unless John directed him to. She didn’t really have an issue with him. She understood the idea of soldier mentality. Her issues were with John and Alayne.
“Thank you, ma’am,” he responded respectfully, sitting beside her. His demeanor was definitely different. Last time she’d seen him he’d been arrogant, rude, actually a lot like Byryn had been to everyone else in school.
Byryn stood in the middle of the room with Kyle and seemed to be considering something. They were communicating, but they weren’t discussing it with her or Astryn. Byryn seemed to be the only one who could manage blocking their binds without serious repercussion, well on certain levels anyway. Major issues still bled through and she could always feel him.
He looked up and winked at her before scanning the room. “There’s a lot to cover, but do we want to start with the good or the bad?”
Cymeryn sighed and glanced around. “I, for one, could use some positive news.”
Marcus nodded, “Go ahead, Byryn.”
His smile lit up in a way that she hadn’t seen in days. “Come here, brightness. Everything else is a rollercoaster but this.”
She smiled softly but went to him and he pulled her close, positioning her between them. Kyle rested his hand at the small of her back supporting her and Byryn kissed her head.
“This might not be the best time for this, but it wasn’t exactly planned.” He looked down a moment but when he looked up to address them his smile literally beamed. “Staryana and I are having a baby.”
Her Mom’s jaw dropped slightly, but she recovered it well enough. It was sort of weird. They were both pregnant. Marcus and Cymeryn helped her to her feet and approached them. She looked between them not really sure what to expect.
“Really?” Her Mom smiled. “How long?”
“I just felt it this morning.” Star shrugged. “I don’t really know how that works so you tell me,” she laughed nervously.
Cymeryn kissed her forehead. “Likely last eve then. Congratulations starshine, you know we are always here for you.”
“I know. Thank you, Papa,” she breathed in relief but turned to Marcus feeling a bit nervous. He was so overprotective sometimes. “Dad?”
“You two are just determine to make me a Grandfather aren’t you?” He chuckled pulling her close. “Congratulations, Star.” He released her and pulled Byryn close despite his tension. “Enough of that. You are still like a son to me, Byryn, and I do trust you, so does Cymeryn. We’re just trying to help you in case you aren’t able to help yourself,” he’d spoken quietly but Star had heard it easily through their connections.
She knew there were a lot of issues, but there was something she was missing. Kyle pulled her back and began rubbing her shoulders as Astryn approached. She kissed her cheek as Kyle wrapped an arm around her. He turned to her suddenly.
“Mea?” he asked in shock before levelly a stern look at her.
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
He pulled her away a minute and Byryn turned studying them. “I swear, if both you girls keep blocking us I’m going to get awfully creative,” he whispered in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her and waited.
The others exchanged looks and murmurs ran through the room. Star had already figured it out. It was the only thing that made sense. The guys had been gone or with everyone else since breakfast. Everything th
ey did seemed to be connected. It wasn’t really a surprise.
Kyle spun her suddenly as she laughed. In a blink they were beside them again.
“Well?” Cymeryn prompted.
He laughed. “Yeah, uh…” He beamed at Astryn but turned to Byryn and Star. “I’m gonna be a Father. My mea’s gonna have a baby.”
Byryn pulled them close ignoring the others a moment as the four of them embraced. “I knew it. How did we get so lucky, gemyn?”
“I don’t know but I wouldn’t trade it.”
Byryn kissed Astryn’s temple. “You and I will be having a talk later, eria. As happy as the two of you have made us, there won’t be any more foolish risks to block us.” He looked between them.
“No more,” they both promised.
“I just didn’t want you distracted with everything you were dealing with,” Astryn shrugged, but rubbed her temple. “I was hoping it wouldn’t take too long, but yeah…no more.”
They both shook their heads as their essence washed through them and Star could feel her nausea alleviate. When they stepped back Cymeryn pulled Kyle close. “Congratulations son.”
Marcus nodded. “It makes sense that the four of you would be sharing this together. The bonds between you are strong. We’re here for all of you.”
“Come here, Astryn,” Cymeryn requested pulling her into an embrace. “Thank you for coming to our family. You help to balance all of us in many ways.”
Grifyn approached them and opened his arms for her. She went willingly. “Congrats Star.”
“Thank you, Grifyn. We wouldn’t even be here if you hadn’t taken a chance on him.” She was sincerely grateful for the day he’d found them. If he’d left Byryn behind, or separated them, who knows where either of them would’ve ended up.
He smiled down at her. “I’m grateful every day that you both trusted me enough to let me help you and I’m blessed to have you both in our lives.”
He released her and embraced Byryn. “Congratulations, son. It’s truly a joyous day.”
