by Jaime Marks
“Mythos…” She murmured finally, drawing out his name before opening her eyes. “You’re Mythos, King of the Fae and I’m…” Before he knew what was happening she had her arms around him. “I’m so sorry. How the hell could I ever forget you?” She sobbed. “Do you hate me?”
“Never caria.” He held her tightly. “It is not your fault, Stephynia. None of it is.”
She shook her head against him but would not look at him. “You don’t even know everything I’ve done and you’re all but absolving me of my actions already. I don’t deserve you.”
He tilted her chin up to him. “We have discussed this at length, caria. I will not have you doubting yourself in this way because of what he has done or forced and manipulating you into doing. You did what you needed to in order to protect yourself and the others.”
“Are they all safe? I can’t remember anything. Well, I remember everything before but...It’s like…everything is foggy after I…I drank from him,” she cringed visibly.
“Yes, everyfae is fine, although shaken. The only one I do not know for sure is Kyle. I must admit I did not bother to check,” Mythos shrugged indifferently. “I do not care who he is now. I know he has hurt you and with everything that has happened it was better for the boy if I kept my distance.”
She nodded looking around. “Am I in my mind somehow? Why does it look like this?”
“Yes caria, but you are only dreaming. When we attacked you woke and became very confused. Byryn wounded John causing you to become irate and uncontrollable. I could not reason with you so I used my ability to ease you into sleep.” He gently ran his hand through her hair still seeking to soothe her.
“Yeah, I sort of remember that now. He told me my Father’s alive; that he knows where Ceryn is. He was telling the truth, Mythos, but you have to know I would never have gone with him. It was just supposed to be a way to gain his trust enough so I could find a way to fight back. I didn’t want him hurting Star or Kylion and I was worried about Felycia. I had no idea he’d make me…” She trailed off. “I think he would have done that anyway. He threatened Star to force me into it so I’m pretty sure it didn’t matter.”
“I know, Stephynia. Do you think you will be alright if I wake you? I do not like having you locked in this place. The Shadows and Darkness in your mind concern me.”
“It’s him,” she whispered. “His essence is still in me. I can feel him all round me and it makes me sick. I have no idea if I’m alright but I don’t know how to get rid of him either.”
Mythos grimaced, “Cymeryn may know. I am going to wake you regardless. If need be I will ease you again but I cannot bear you to feel trapped here especially at my hand.”
He did not give her a chance to respond as he drew back his essence and started lifting her slowly from the sleep he held her in. Cymeryn was standing against the wall as he woke looking worn and grim.
“I sensed her…The Darkness in her is pervasive, stronger than I would have thought but still not potent enough. It will dissipate,” Cymeryn spoke quietly watching as Stephynia roused. “She cannot afford for this to happen again while she is awakening Mythos, perhaps not ever. It will give him far too much control.”
“Mythos…” She murmured siting up holding her head. She jumped startled when she saw Cymeryn. “Hi.”
He offered her an apologetic smile. “Steph, do you know how many times this has happened? That he has shared his essence with you in such a way?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t even know he ever had before earlier. He said he used to spike my drinks with it and then cut his thumb and have me drink from him when I was already out of it…” She cringed a moment, “He said I drank from his neck too but I seriously don’t remember it. What the hell is up with that, anyway? I mean we’re Fae, right? Vampires drink blood and last I checked they weren’t real…Wait they aren’t right?”
Cymeryn chuckled, “No, there are no vampires, well not as you would suspect. You will find there is some truth in most myths and some myths on that subject do actually originate from human dealings with the Shade. If you look at the blood of the Fae or the Shade, however, you will see that it is not merely blood. There is essence infused within. It is why the Shade bleed black as the Darkness and Fae blood, if you take note, shimmers golden when Light hits it despite the red tone; the Gray apparently silver, or so I am told. Sharing it can form a potent connection.”
“It is why most of our rituals, especially the Claimings and Bondings that bind the bloodlines, involve a sacrament of the blood. It is the strongest way to bind our essences and considered an intimate act. The Fae only ever use it for ritual or between mated bonds,” Mythos explained. “The Shade…”
Cymeryn cut him off. “The Shade use it as a means of binding others too them. There is no sharing really, only a feeding. When the Fae share essence in such a way it is mutual, both drink and it increases the bonds between them. The Shade will feed their essence to another but it is rarely mutually. It can still be a very intimate and pleasurable experience for both involved but it allows a certain leverage of control to exist when the act of drinking is not reciprocated. If John were to come in here now, your confusion would return. He is slowly attempting to bind you to him, and in the process tainting you so that he might attempt to have you awakened Shade.”
“So I’m bound to him in some way? Is that why I’m not having the same reaction I was last time he…” She trailed off staring out the window.
“No,” both of them responded at once and Cymeryn raised a hand.
“You are not bound to him, Steph, not yet anyway. If he were to awaken you, or if you continued to share essence with him it is very likely. Right now you are infused with it and it will take time to wear off. He had you drink a substantial amount from best I can tell but in order for the binding to hold in both of your unawakened states it would have to be reestablished frequently. It would make the binding stronger later, once you are full Fae, but it will not hold now.
“I sensed you thoroughly when I first found you. If there had been Darkness in you then I would have known and there was none. I could barely sense essence in you at all for that matter, but I remember clearly the lack of Darkness you held because it is extremely odd to find one so pure. He is not full Shade and his essence is too diluted as of yet to hold, aside from that you may have some defense against it that allows you to remain pure in such a way. I assure you, your purity is quite rare especially in one who has endured as you have. I do not believe it is simply a coincidence considering your birthright. I am certain in time his influence and what you are feeling, or will be feeling, will fade. Once you awaken and bond to Mythos I suspect it will render any tentative bonds he has forged inconsequential.”
Mythos caressed her back as Cymeryn explained it to her. He despised that she had to go through this. That boy should die for the amount of damage he had done to her, yet the Covenants forced him to keep him alive. Perhaps his niece was right. John would awaken soon, if none attended him he would die. It may not be very Fae of him but he was seriously debating leaving the boy to his fate in their cells.
Steph sat quietly staring at nothing as if lost in thought. “Is that why…is that why I feel like I need to protect him? I mean I know he knows something about Ceryn, my Father, but it goes beyond that somehow and I can’t figure out why.”
Cymeryn met Mythos’ gaze then continued to study Stephynia as if trying to gage a reaction, but she did not look to either of them. “Yes, you will feel protective of him and likely drawn to him. He will call you to him if he has the ability because if he can get you to drink, to continue to bind to him, he will be able to leverage control over you. The act can be quite…addictive for some, when there is enough of the essence in their system. You will crave it, and make no mistake, Steph, he will try because right now you are his best hope of escape.”
Her attention snapped to him and she glared at him in indignation. “I would never help that bastard escape. I don’t ev
en want to be near him!”
Cymeryn nodded with a sigh, “We know, but when he summons you, you will feel the pull and if you drink he will use the control he has on you to force you to help him. If you let your control slip you are a very impressive force. If he were to gain control of you…you would be a very dangerous weapon.”
Mythos pulled her tightly as she bowed her head. “No Stephynia, I will not allow you to shame yourself for him any longer. This was not your doing and I will not allow you to retreat from me, from us, because of a male who does not even deserve the air he breathes.”
“I will leave you. I must check on the boy,” Cymeryn stated flatly.
“Boy?” Mythos requested though he suspected he already knew.
“The Healers are seeing to Kyle’s wounds. They were extensive…” Cymeryn looked out the window. “We do not know if he will live.”
Mythos felt Stephynia tense against him but had no idea how she felt about Kyle’s condition. In truth the boy had caused her harm and tormented her under John’s direction, Mythos did not particularly care if he died. His only concern was for his niece.
“Is Staryana alright?”
Cymeryn nodded, “Byryn brought Kyle back himself. Apparently he counseled and supported her through the ordeal. They had him taken to Staryana’s former quarters so they could monitor his condition and safety without leaving Kylion. All of the Personal and Royal Guard have been placed on duty and guards have been placed at the boy’s side, though he is no threat at the moment. It is merely a precaution, predominantly for his protection, while we determine how we can deal with these breaches we have had as of late.”
“What of Felycia? How is her head?” Mythos asked in concern.
“Marcus and Devyn were able to heal her enough to stave off danger. Had we not misted her in truth, we may well have missed the severity of the wound, though as she is Fae it would have healed in time regardless. Apparently Devyn has taken her to his quarters to tend to her. He says she will remain until she is well and feels safe on her own, but I think we both know if she wishes to stay he would never turn her out.” Cymeryn met Mythos in the eyes, “Marcus said that when she almost passed it shook him in a way that he had never thought Devyn capable.”
“I have never seen that Fae show emotion as he does with her,” Mythos mused. “I have never heard of it either. She is good for him. Let us hope this bond between them grows.”
“She needs him too. She just doesn’t know it yet. He makes her feel safe enough to be inside her own skin again,” Steph spoke so softly that if they did not have such acute hearing he would not have heard her.
Taking in her words he realized that she may have been speaking of Felycia and Devyn, but she was referring to herself and how much she needed him as well. She was feeling broken and vulnerable in a way that he had thought they were past. Whatever had occurred, it had shaken her badly and she needed him to help her through. He kissed her head gently holding her close and glanced at Cymeryn to signal him to leave. He bowed and misted from the suite.
Positioning them back on the bed, Mythos drew a quilt over them both and just lay there comforting her a while. They would need to talk, but he knew she was not yet ready. First she needed to rest and come to terms with what had been done and what was happening to her. For now he was content to just have her in his arms.
The banquet had become a luncheon as a result of all that had occurred so there was no more to be done for this eve. They were to dine together and discuss precautions once all were feeling up to it but perhaps it would be best that they all take the time they need and reconvene in the morn. Their mates needed their attention more this eve.
Chapter 8
Demytria listened as the boys gave her report of their findings. There had been two Guardians found hidden in a passages near the dungeon. Both were under the care of the Healers having sustained gunshot wounds but they were stable. Two others had been found bound and gagged in Kyle’s room and another in a random hall but they were all conscious upon their discovery. Really it could be far worse. They were lucky the attack had been perpetrated by unawakened and not full Shade. They did not leave witnesses.
“All the other passageways appear to be clear but there are only three of us. There could be more that we have missed. It would be best if we could do random sweeps for the next few hours, entering at varying points,” Wycelion recommended concluding his debrief. Really it was Trycen or even Gavyn who should have reported but it was clear Trycen was deferring to his older brother and Gavyn had merely nodded his concession to her. She suspected he was attempting to keep Wyce feeling calm and in control. “What of our blood? Where are Felycia, Kylion, and Byryn? What of my brother’s mate?”
Demytria offered him a small smile as she guided him to a seat which he refused, crossing his arms to study her with impatience. It reminded her of Cymeryn for a moment which was amusing as Byryn had always reminded her of her sire as well. Most of the boys she had taken a liking to embodied similar mannerisms but very little of their Father. The only way they embodied Trevyn was in their appearance and the way he tended to emulate their Supryn.
“Kylion was unharmed, just some minor bruising from his binds and a bit shaken. He is resting and will be fine. Felycia, however sustained a head wound. The Healers have stabilized her and as she awakened this morn it’s really not as severe as it sounds. They had to mist her in order to ensure her safety which worsened the wound, otherwise it would’ve healed on its own. She is resting and will be well by morn.”
She left out where she was resting and with whom figuring it would be better served to allow Byryn to address the growing connection their sister had with Devyn. They accepted him as head of their lines in this realm even if it was only the two of them. They were used to it in some respects as he had been the Commander of the Brood. In their brother’s absence however, Wycelion often took lead and if he was uncomfortable he could well attempt to intervene without Byryn there to stop him. No, she would leave that information out until either their brother or Cymeryn could manage the fallout.
Trycen nodded, “Remaining on Earth any longer than necessary is too dangerous. It would’ve exposed her to our brothers. We would’ve risked misting her as well. Can we see her?”
“You’ll have to discuss that with Byryn but he’s tending to Kylion and Kyle right now. Kyli…”
“Kyle? Why would he be tending to Kyle?” Wyce scoffed stepping forward. “That Priest is his rival and there’s no love lost between them.”
Demytria breathed deeply. “Kyle is Star’s brother. From what I understand he protected her as best as he could today and you know that while your brother may not trust him, such actions will afford him some protection until he is conscious enough for Byryn to sort this all out.”
Wyce groaned, “He should just let the fool die. I know Byryn will view this as a debt to be repaid but that boy is trouble.”
“Your Grandsire doesn’t agree. He feels the boy is more than we see and deserves a chance.”
That gave both boys pause as they exchanged looks of confusion. “But he’s a Priest,” Wycelion contended. “He is not only a Priest but has also been revealed as the grandson of the High Priest Alayne. What the hell could Cymeryn possibly see in the boy?”
She smiled knowing she’d had the same reaction initially, “I don’t know but Cymeryn wouldn’t save him or risk such things idly. He may be Fae but do not discount him as weak or misguided, Wycelion. Remember that it was Alayne that almost took his mate. She carries the only young he has ever sired and he views Star as his own blood. If he did not thoroughly weigh out Kyle’s worth he would not afford him protection nor would he save the boy’s life which he is determined to do.”
Gavyn stepped forward changing the subject, “Forgive me my lady, I don’t mean to interrupt but I wanted to ensure you knew that the guards in the dungeon have not been increased and I’m concerned as this is a point that has been breached twice now.”
Grinding her teeth she drew a breath but nodded. It was clear somefae, likely Kevyrn, had undermined her. She wouldn’t let it slide this time but first the security of the Kingdom had to take priority. “I’ll see to it. In the meantime I need you all on duty in the Royal corridor unless Byryn directs you elsewhere. All Private Guard are to be on duty.”
The three of them nodded and turned to go but Wycelion paused and turned back to her. “Thank you. I know you have no reason to trust me and I know we have no allegiance…”
Demytria cut him off, “I was not born your blood Wycelion but I am your lines. Cymeryn is my sire and your Grandsire and that essence flows through me. There is no need to say more.”
He smiled slightly and nodded. “Thank you Aunt Demytria. Please inform me if anything changes with our sister.”
“Of course,” she agreed.
Felycia was every bit as important to her as were the boys, if not for her discomfort she would have offered to awaken her herself. Unfortunately she had been there the last time she was assaulted by the Brood and she hadn’t intervened. There’d been little she could have done really and honestly in their world? If Felycia had become valuable to her brothers they would have trained her, protected her. It was a sick and twisted way of thinking but in the mind of the Shade she had been, it was what had been best for the girl. Otherwise they would have either killed her or sold her in slavery to one of the other lines where she would have fared far worse. It was only once her Father had gotten involved that she’d alerted Cymeryn, knowing how ruthless the male could be.
Her intention had been to take Felycia under her wing once the Brood had reclaimed her. She would have protected her and taught her how to best survive that life. Graciously Byryn had saved the girl from such a fate and Kato had saved Demytria’s soul. She did not blame the girl for not trusting her and she hadn’t adapted to their new life well since she’d arrived.
