by Jaime Marks
She met his eyes as Vilyn kissed her cheek through her hair. “He is lying. He risks nothing. The Dark Lord owns a piece of him that he will be reclaiming soon enough. I can show you how to see it. If they are truly family dear, I promise you will be reunited. He risks nothing because he knows no one can touch him until Lord Lazurys grants his permission.”
She stared at Kyle. This wasn’t his fault and he had a point, but there was no way she’d risk him caging her again. “I can’t go back.”
“Then let me take you somewhere else. You can’t stay with them and I will kill them if I have to,” he promised as fire and essence rolled over his skin.
Vilyn softly spoke an incantation in her ear and she blinked as a Dark haze rolled over Kyle’s skin.
“What is that?” She murmured.
“The touch of the Dark Lord,” he explained. “You will see it on my brother and their mates as well.”
Kyle hesitated. “What do you see, Steph?”
“There’s some kind of smoke rolling over your skin,” she replied honestly not really sure what the hell it meant. “It looks like Shadow wisps.”
He looked down at his hand and repeated the incantation he had to have heard Vilyn speak. His face paled as he stumbled backwards. “No...” He shook his head, his eyes wide in fear. “…but I never.”
Byryn appeared in front of him. “Breathe, gemyn.” He cupped his cheek but he stared at him shaking his head. The same haze rolled over Byryn. “What is it? What do you see?”
“We’re Tainted. We need to get to the girls. It’s been a week, Byryn…the punishment.” He shook his head. “We need to get to the girls.”
His eyes widened. “Go, see if you can figure out some way to protect them. I’ll deal with this.” He turned facing them as Kyle misted. “I won’t let you take her. You’ve hurt her enough.”
Rav laughed. “She doesn’t want to return with you and you have enough of your own fucking issues. Let her go Byryn. You have your mate. She’s mine.”
“See, that’s just it, Ravyshyn. She’s not, and when her mind clears, she’s the one who’s going to pay for all this. She’s the one who will hate herself for it.” He looked at her. “Sprite, I promise I’ll protect you from everyone until you can think straight and whatever you decide at that point, I’ll honor it. If this is the path you want to walk, I’ll make it happen, but this isn’t the way. I won’t let anyone else hurt you, not even Mythos. All you have to do is come to me.”
“This is your last chance, sweets. I won’t forgive such a betrayal again and I’m done putting my ass on the line over you. If you walk away this time, I’m done,” he promised.
Suddenly a Darkness flowed through Byryn so strong that Steph shivered in pain. He clutched his chest, doubling over as he screamed in agony.
“Byryn!” She screamed trying to step towards him.
Vilyn caught her by her waist and held her fast. “You must not interfere lest you incur the Dark Lord’s wrath. He summoned them a week ago. A punishment has been promised for each week they deny him. My brother can endure this and Lord Lazurys will not kill him. He still has three weeks to comply. He knew this would happen.”
“He…he didn’t tell us, not that it would be like this,” she trembled in shock.
“He would not. Even if he knew he would still hold his tongue to keep appearances. It is his way. You will see.” Vilyn nodded to him, “It is my brother in his Darkness I shall remain loyal to. The Lords of Darkness shall rule with their mates at their sides and we shall follow. Come, let us go while they cannot force you to return. We will mask you once we arrive.”
Before she could answer she was wrapped in mist traveling through air. She didn’t know if she’d made a mistake. She wasn’t sure if this was right or wrong. What did it mean if Byryn and Kyle turned? What about Star and Astryn? They were pregnant. She had more questions right now than answers. The only thing she was sure of in that moment was she couldn’t go back to Mythos.
Epilogue
The Divine Being looked down watching it all unfold. It had begun. He could not intercede and he could not interfere. Now was the time that would define the future of this world. He had set a new error into motion in Lunya’s rebirth, but change rarely came without turbulence. What his son had set in motion in response is what would truly define what was to come.
Lucerna appeared in her Light. “You summoned me, Father.”
“You will not allow Alysse knowledge of what is occurring. She is not to know the truth what the Princes and Princesses of Balance face, nor what will become of Lunya and her Kings. After recent revelations I fear she bears the guilt of her burdens. There is no need for her to feel this weight and they must be allowed to evolve of their own choices and will.”
He took form to face her as he sensed her thoughts. “I know you have been attempting to show the daughter of the Cerulyions the path in this, Lucerna, but you will not unleash Stephynia a Ceryn. She has her own path to walk and we have already interceded in her fate more than is acceptable. She must make her own choices as this unfolds, as must they all. She will know what she is meant to when it is time.”
“I understand, Father,” she replied respectfully but he could easily sense her annoyance. “If Alysse senses the changes in Prince Kyle herself?”
“Then you are to ensure she does not reveal it,” he commanded. “Their will must remain pure. I do not care if Lunya, herself, seeks your guidance. You will refrain, Lucerna. They must all choose their path of their own free will. If we interfere in this, lead them in anyway, your brother may well realize what he has done. Our interference would give him rights to bring challenge to your sister before their fates can run their course. This must proceed naturally.”
“As you wish it, Father,” she conceded and was gone.
Lucerna had taken to her solitude years ago. It was her only means of denying her brother’s relentless attacks and attempts to claim control over her. His young had served their purpose in their time and he loved them all, even Lazurys, but it was time for change.
It was not his choice to make and he could no longer direct the fate of this world. What had been set in motion would unfold and they would be the ones to decide their own fates. It was as it was always intended. An end and a new beginning was upon them.
Thank you for reading Shattered Trust, book nine in the Mist of the Fae Series
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Here is a
Sneak Peek
From Manipulations, book ten in the Mists of the Fae Series
Coming November 2016
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)
About the Author
