Choices (Mists of the Fae Book 6)

by Jaime Marks

  Forcing herself not to roll her eyes she scanned to ensure the others were following her orders relieved to see that she wouldn’t have more of a fight on her hands. “I know you feel that a direct attack is the most likely threat, Kevyrn, but I assure you, this line of Shade are more likely to slink in under your feet when you least expect it. If there is another attack this eve it will come from the hidden passages.”

  “You are wrong, Lady Demytria.”

  With a heavy sigh she measured him. “My orders stand. If you disagree with the preparations I have made Guardian, you are more than able to address your concerns with Commander Grifyn a Grifyion or King Marcus a Cymarcion, the Praetor himself, upon their return. In the meantime, I am of the Lucerna Lines and the only Fae of our blood currently here which grants me all authority. Aside from that the Kings of Balance and the Commanders have left me in command in their stead. You would do well to remember your place and uphold your post. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have matters to attend to.”

  She still needed to ensure all of the dignitaries were accounted for and that the banquet this eve was rescheduled. Her thoughts were with the young of their lines as she made her way back across the plateau to the Palace. Hopefully none of them were harmed.

  How had a handful of unawakened managed to pull this off she wondered? John was resourceful but had he managed it alone? If Kyle had assisted the boy she wasn’t sure what would occur but she knew that Cymeryn had taken an interest in him. No, Cymeryn wouldn’t be so focused on the boy if this were his doing. He only took an interest in those he fully weighed out the merits of and saw something in. If he trusted Kyle there was a reason, something that her sire knew and understood that they just couldn’t see yet. Things would be more clear once the young were returned. She only hoped they all made it back safely, including Kyle.

  Kyle watched his sister closely knowing that rage, seeing the Darkness barely restrained in her. She was gonna lose it if he didn’t think of something. Worse, she was about to do something incredibly stupid and if Kylion paid the price for it not only would she never forgive herself, but he’d lose her. She’d shift fully and while he wasn’t really sure if she could be turned, it wasn’t a risk he was willing to take.

  He carefully got his feet under him watching her closely. If she attacked he’d have to take the force of it. He didn’t know if he could handle the full brunt of her power but if he could survive Alayne’s torture he had more of a chance of surviving her rage than any of the unawakened here. He was conditioned to it.

  Wytheryn dropped her to the ground, his eyes running over her dismissively and turned to walk away. “I will scout ahead to ensure the patrols have passed.”

  John nodded lifting Steph. “We should start moving out. The sooner we exit the realm the better off we’ll be.”

  Star’s glare followed his former mentor as he walked over to the others to hand out orders but Kyle remained focused on her, sensing her. The Darkness was wisping around her now as it ruled her. He knew she wouldn’t hold her rage back much longer. As John walked by her with Steph in his arms Star lunged, launching into an attack. Using his essence Kyle threw the unawakened off him and jumped, placing his body between them. He physically held her back as best as he could manage with his hands chained behind his back.

  Using his height and weight for leverage he leaned against her and looked into her eyes. “Stop. She’s alright, Star. I swear she’ll be alright, but you need to pull it together. If you don’t, he’ll hurt Kylion.” Leaning closer to her ear he whispered, “You’re shifting.”

  “Listen to your brother, Princess,” John offered measuring them both. “I still owe you from our time in the dungeon. If I have to break that kid to get control of you I will. Luke?”

  When they looked up Luke was holding Kylion up by his throat as he struggled to breathe but it only served to make her fight him worse. “Fuck, John, stop. I swear I’ll get her under control but you’re gonna push her right over the edge and she will fucking kill you. She thinks you hurt Steph so as it fucking is.”

  His mentor measured him but nodded. “Fine. Put the kid down. If you can’t get her under control, Kyle. I will.”

  Grinding his teeth he fought to make eye contact with her. “Look at me, Star. They’re alright. I promise.” His essence embraced her, reaching into her with all the strength he could manage and he hoped like hell this worked. “Steph’s just sleeping and Kylion’s ok. I promise they’re both ok. You need to pull it together so we can keep them that way.”

  “I don’t fucking trust you,” she hissed and he ignored the pain that caused him.

  Really she had no reason to trust him but right now he was all she had. It didn’t matter anyway. Whether she wanted to admit it or not he knew she felt the connection between them. She was starting to calm down and absorb the comfort he was trying to give her.

  “I know and that’s alright,” he replied keeping his voice calm as he hooked his chin over her shoulder to hold her in some way and get closer to her ear. “Because I know you trust, Byryn and we both know he’s coming for you.”

  She hesitated and he used it to knock her back and pin her to the ground. Her Light essence tore into him in waves. He braced himself feeling the strength of it…but the pain never came. Her brow arched in surprise as she stared at him in confusion. First in disbelief that she hadn’t hurt him and then the realization hit of what exactly she’d tried to do. As they held each other’s eyes he tried to figure out what just happened. How the fuck wasn’t he burning?

  Whether she was more shocked by her own actions or the fact that he hadn’t been hurt she stopped fighting him and he struggled to kneel beside her. “I’m trying to protect you, Star,” he whispered hoping she believed him now, even though he didn’t even have a clue what had just happened. Maybe it was because they were related? Shaking it off he held her gaze trying to decide if she was back in control.

  Ploxyn came over ripping him to his feet. “What the hell was that? Did he just absorb Light?”

  John stepped up and shook his head but he was studying him shrewdly. “No, he blocked it like Alayne taught him,” he lied holding his gaze a minute. Why the hell was John try to protect him? “Don’t forget his lineage. That fucker’s stronger than you think he is. Get her up.”

  Star looked between them in confusion but didn’t say anything. He had no idea what she thought. He watched as Wytheryn pulled her to her feet and brushed the hair from her face. He assessed her with an almost clinical indifference. “She is stabilized. You will stay will me, Princess, and there will be no more issues. You might be my brother’s whore, but that doesn’t mean I will not break you to ensure your obedience.”

  “If you lay one finger on my sister, Warrior, I promise you, I’ll see to it that my Grandfather shreds the flesh from your body as she watches him destroy you,” Kyle growled smirking when he hesitated. “I may have betrayed my line, but Alayne knows I’ll put her safety first and that bastard will kill any that touch her. Threaten her again and I’ll see to it you find your grave.”

  John put a hand on his shoulder a minute as he readjusted Steph in his arms. It looked innocent enough but he felt the essence roll through him in reassurance. What the fuck was he playing at? “He’s right, so behave yourself, Wytheryn. Alayne will flip if you hurt her, but I’m warning you, Star, you’d damned well better chill out. The only reason I’m not killing that kid is because your brother stopped you and I know what set you off. You attack one of us again and I’ll break his neck. I’m not gonna hurt Steph, I don’t even want to hurt you so I suggest you listen to your brother. And you…” He turned meeting him dead in the eye. “I’m not stupid, Kyle, I know you. You’re working some agenda and I get it. I’ve seen what you’ve been through and I know why you’re protecting her, but if you keep it up you’re gonna cost both of you your lives and there won’t be anything I can do. You need to let me figure this all out. I’m pissed, I fully intend to take it out of your ass, but you�
��re mine. Stop fucking fighting me…Greg, Plox, keep an eye on him. Let’s go.”

  Kyle shook his head as Star met his eyes, clearly seeing the questions there. He didn’t know if she thought he’d side with John or what she thought but she was his priority. What the hell did he even mean by that anyway? Not that he didn’t know John considered him his in a sense, only Steph came before him. The problem was that his mentor had always been a self-serving dick and while Kyle might care about him on some level, he knew that he’d sell him out in an instant if it served his needs. He’d watched it happen to their allies time and again.

  John had no true loyalty. With the life he’d lived he’d been taught that loyalty was fleeting and that’s how he employed it. More than likely he was hoping he could still bring Kyle around because he’d just saved his life in a respect. It wasn’t about him though. If he’d let Star hurt him, he’d lose her. John might not understand this, but he’d die before he let anything happen to her and he’d submerge himself in hell before he turned her over to Alayne. It might not make any sense, he really didn’t even fucking know her, but she was his blood.

  His Mother had taught him that you had nothing but your blood. No matter what Syneous tried to show him she had wanted him to understand that each person made their choices but that everyone deserved a chance. Your blood was all you had and those connected to you by blood were to be treasured, protected, and loved first. If they hurt you, if they betrayed or abused you, you had to make your choices based on that, but if not you couldn’t judge them solely because of their race or lines.

  He hadn’t understood it at the time. Maybe she’d known about Star or his brothers and she’d been preparing him. Or maybe it was something she’d learned in her own family, those she’d lost before he was born. All he knew was that his Mother was the embodiment of love and in loving his brothers and sister he honored her memory.

  It was also something he felt deep in his soul. They were a part of him. They were the best parts of him really. Star, Phil, Cal, they were all that kept him going these last few years. Cal was more like a son to him than a brother even though he couldn’t be close to him most of the time. He looked after the kid, taught him, took care of him as best as situations allowed. Phil had become a friend and reminded him of what it was like to just relax and be young. He was smart and so care free. Being with him reminded him of the better parts of his childhood. Star was innocent and sweet but so damned strong. She amazed him in a way.

  It wasn’t that he thought of females as weak, but his sister had redefined what he expected from them. She was never catty and she didn’t use her looks to get what she wanted. She wasn’t a bitch and she didn’t try to play hard to get or put up some front. What you saw from her was what you got, and despite everything that their Grandfather put her through mentally she never broke. Not only that but Star reminded him of his Mom for some strange reason. There was a slight resemblance and the strength she embodied coupled with that sweet innocence he damned well knew she still held…he hadn’t been able to protect his Mother. He’d stood by and watched her die, and he’d be damned if he repeated that mistake with his sister.

  Ploxyn spoke from beside him. “I don’t know who John thinks he’s fooling, but I don’t care what your lines are, you didn’t just block that damned Light, you absorbed it. I watched you.”

  He shrugged not willing to answer his questions. Greg chimed in, “We don’t know the process of Redemption. Maybe he started it already.”

  “Maybe…” Plox looked over him in disgust. “If so, I can’t wait until your Grandfather gets a hold of you, you fucking traitor. He’ll experiment on you and take you apart until he figures it out.”

  Kyle smirked. He’d felt Byryn through Star when her Light had surged into him. These idiots thought they were home free but he’d be enjoying watching his greatest rival tear them apart soon enough. Byryn might be an obsessive dick but this time he was damned glad he was. There was no way he’d let them reach Alayne. In his mind Star was his. These fools had taken his favored, his sister, and his son. If there was one thing he was sure of it was that Byryn was gonna tear them apart.

  Chapter 5

  “Son of a bitch,” Byryn cursed under his breath in disbelief.

  He paced a minute trying to contain his rage and fear. He needed to sort through everything he’d just witnessed. Staryana was losing control. When she attacked John he’d thought it was over. He had no idea what would happen if she killed him and his heart had stopped in his chest. If Kyle hadn’t intervened he had no doubt that scumbag would already be dead and she might have been lost to the Shade.

  He’d thought it would be fine after that until they’d both shocked the hell out of him. When Kyle had wrangled her to the ground to get better control over her she’d lost it. She’d tried to kill her brother using pure Light…and he’d taken it. At least he’d managed to get her under control but why? Did he know he could survive that hit? Was he working with John or against him?

  Shaking his head he knew that the look on Kyle’s face had been shock and fear. He didn’t understand how he was still alive any more than Staryana did which meant he’d risked taking that hit. More than likely he’d weighed out the risks knowing the potential strength of her lineage and thought he’d have the best chance of surviving it without taking account for the full strength of her Light. He’d risked his life to save her. What the hell did that mean?

  Byryn tapped in fully to Staryana at that point to try to figure out what was going on. Listening he heard John lie to protect Kyle but it was clear Kyle seemed almost as confused by it as his sister. They all knew he hadn’t deflected her strike, he’d absorbed it, but he wasn’t Gray. It shouldn’t have been possible for him to take in that much Light without at the least getting ill. Really he should be dead. Byryn watched as Kyle met her eyes and nodded seeming to try to reassure Staryana that he was alright and still on her side but Byryn didn’t know if she believed him at this point. She might be under control but she was pissed off that her brother had stopped her from killing John and her thoughts were otherwise scattered.

  Reluctantly he pulled back from her mind. He needed to talk to Cymeryn about what John had forced Steph to do and figure out this shit with Kyle but when he looked up at the King of the Fae he didn’t want to say anything because sure as shit Mythos was going to lose it. He didn’t have much choice, they needed to know what was going on and be prepared for the fall out.

  “What is it, Byryn? Are they moving?” Cymeryn requested studying him with concern.

  “Now they are.” Taking a breath he deciding that as long as Staryana was under control the larger issue was Steph. He could deal with figuring out where Kyle stood and what the hell had just happened later. “Staryana kind of lost it for a minute but Kyle managed to calm her down,” he admitted. “There’s another issue we need to deal with though. What is Steph now? Is she unawakened, Fae, or something in between?”

  Mythos’ eyes narrowed. “She is likely awakening slowly. She has shown signs but she is not yet Fae.” The pain and fear that laced his voice was so out of character for the King but Byryn could relate. He was freaking out inside over his mate, his sisters, and his son. Steph might not be direct blood to him, but he considered her his every bit as much as Felycia at this point.

  The King’s voice broke. “Is she alright, Byryn?”

  With a grimace he avoided the question, not really wanting to relay this. He thought about attempting a mid-link but that would break his connection to Staryana. Unfortunately if he was going to keep an eye on things there was no other way. “Cymeryn, what happens when an unawakened Fae drinks the essence of an unawakened Shade?”

  Cymeryn’s brow lowered and he cursed, “Any number of things depending on the strength of their essences. Steph’s essence is very pure so she should not fall ill, but if she takes in enough and his essence is strong enough, she could well become Tainted. It would take several sessions but the larger issue in the short ter
m is that it will confuse her senses. John will have a certain amount of…control over her and she will have a connection to him that he can leverage.”

  “I will kill that boy,” Mythos growled.

  Byryn shook his head avoiding the King’s eyes. “He definitely had her drink enough that he has control.” Though he wasn’t about to explain how he knew that. The last thing Mythos needed was to be pushed over the edge knowing what John had done to his mate. “She’s sleeping now. John’s carrying her.”

  “If he gave her a large enough amount then it would have that result,” his Grandsire nodded. “Her body has to process it and there is hardly any Darkness in the girl to assist with it. Her body is likely fighting it as if it were an infection, but as long as she keeps it down it will absorb and the bind will take root. If he were to continue sharing essence with her in this way he could Taint her enough that he would be able to risk turning her immediately upon her awakening, even during it.” Cursing again he rubbed his brow, “She will be very vulnerable to him until the affects wear off…if he has done this with her before, it could be a dangerous thing.”

  “How is it that you know all this, Cymeryn?” Devyn demanded. “The essences were never able to merge. How is it the Shade knew they could?”

  Cymeryn exhaled a ragged breath and let his head fall forward slightly. “The Shade have no morals, Devyn. They do not care if their prisoners live or die. It was common to experiment with how best to employ the Taint and what it took to keep a hold on the subject.” Cymeryn pinched his brow. “The Priests were experimenting with how to convert the unawakened at my order before I gained Reyana and was hence detained. It was the main reason I had the unawakened gathered, they had been prepared to move forward. They must have continued in my absence in some manner.

  “In this case, it will not apply, however. John will not be able to awaken her as he is not yet Shade. Theoretically she would have to be turned as he awakened her. I was not there to see it tested. Based on what we know now the Shade can be awakened Gray but they cannot be awakened of full Light. It is presumable that the reverse is true of the Fae though we have not attempted a Gray awakening on the Fae.”