Choices (Mists of the Fae Book 6)

by Jaime Marks

  Kyle rubbed his hands over his face. He couldn’t believe he almost died. He knew he might of course, but all he’d really been thinking about was his sister. “Is Star alright?”

  “Yes. She was unharmed. You will see her at the feast.”

  “What…What does all this mean, Cymeryn?” He felt a bit lost. Byryn a Trevyn had saved his life? He had three sires?

  “In truth, I do not know. As I said it has never before occurred. I believe it will simply mean you will be more connected to all three of us, rather than simply just myself. In some ways you would have been close to Marcus regardless because he is my twin. As far as Byryn, well, I know you are not exactly fond of one another but he is Bonding with your sister tomorrow. Perhaps after the events of this past day it is time you put your differences aside. They mainly arose over Staryana in the first place.”

  Kyle let his head fall back against the headboard. He really didn’t have a choice but to accept Byryn as Star’s mate. She’d pretty much put him in his place over it herself. On top of that he was now one of his sires…because he had saved his life. In some respects it was too much. It almost felt like he’d just slipped into some weird parallel universe. “I’ll try sire. It’s all I can manage right now,” he conceded grudgingly.

  Cymeryn nodded. “It is all I ask. Kyle…” He turned to face the King when his voice trailed off. “You should know that I spent a good deal of time in your mind, as did Marcus and Byryn. You may not have been aware of the connection because of how your awakening was conducted, but the memory share did occur. We, your sires, know your truth, but you will still need to prove yourself to Mythos and the others. You will also need, at some point when she is ready, to face the Lady Stephynia. She is betrothed to the King and of the Lucerna Lines. With myself and Marcus as your sires, and especially with Byryn, there is no way to avoid it. He and Steph have become close. He views her as his own sister.”

  Kyle raised a brow with a grunt but didn’t elaborate. He really hoped for that girl and Star’s sake that he never treated her like he had his sister.

  Cymeryn shook his head in disappointment. “You of all of us should know that things are not always as they seem, Kyle. Despite what you think, you do not understand Byryn as well as you believe. The two of you have far more in common than you could imagine.”

  “I’m sorry, sire,” Kyle sighed. Cymeryn was right. After what he’d done to Steph he had no right to even judge Byryn. “Old habits die hard. I’ll do my best to remember.” Cymeryn nodded watching him closely.

  Attempting to pull himself up he groaned at the pull in his chest. His muscles burned with pain. It made him hesitate and sense the extent of damage to his body for himself.

  “You will be sore for a day or so. As I said your wound and internal injuries were rather severe.”

  He nodded and jumped slightly as Cymeryn appeared in front of him assisting him to his feet.

  “Would you like robing? You are fine in what you are wearing if not.”

  Kyle looked down at the white silk pants he wore. He really didn’t feel like getting dressed. “You said Star and Lady Reyn…”

  “Queen Reyana,” Cymeryn corrected. “It is her true name. None refer to her by that designation outside the Shade. As with all you will be expected to pay her proper respect in public but I doubt she will require it of you in private.”

  He nodded in understanding. “Queen Reyana. Are they gonna join us for the feast? I should probably at least wear a shirt.”

  Cymeryn reached behind him and handed him white silk robing to match his pants. “These are ritual robes. Save them for you will likely need them in the future if you choose…” He trailed off looking into the distance as if debating how to proceed.

  “Cymeryn, I might not know you well, but I’ve never heard of you mincing words. If there’s something you need to know, ask. I won’t be offended but I won’t lie to you either.” He hesitated, “I’m done biting my tongue and hiding who I am. If that’s not alright, well…I wish you would have let me die because I can’t do it anymore. I can’t be something I’m not.”

  Cymeryn smirked and gently guided him back to sit on the edge of the bed. “Sit, let us discuss this. First know, Kyle, that I expect nothing less from you. I will not accept you cowering in weakness afraid to speak your mind or own your person. You are my progeny. You have an inner strength that you fear and fight against which you must learn to possess. It does not own you, you own it, and we will teach you to control it. I know how your Father tormented you and how your Grandfather tries to wield control over you. Your awakening will allow you to resist it but it will not sever the connection. That is why Alayne did not fear me awakening your Father. There is a way, a ritual, which could break the connection however, but it would be solely your decision Kyle and you should know that I do not offer such a thing lightly...”

  Kyle took in the seriousness of his sire’s tone and the shift in his demeanor. Surely Cymeryn couldn’t be asking what he thought but there was only one ritual that he knew of that severed the control bonds of blood lineage granted. It was unheard of for the male to even make such an offer. As far as he knew just being chosen to be awakened his progeny was an honor because he had sired so few and he had never had any children of his own. It was rumored that Reyana now carried his young, but her child would be his first if it were even true. It was ridiculous to even think it, he had to mean something else. Why would Cymeryn even choose someone like him?

  “If you would accept it, Kyle, and you need not answer this eve, but I would Claim you as blood of my blood,” Cymeryn finally finished. “I wish to Claim you as my own son.”

  Kyle swallowed the lump in his throat. His own Father hadn’t really wanted him. Actually he knew for a fact that he tried to kill his Mother to dispose of him but Alayne had intervened because he might one day “prove useful”. No one had ever really wanted him aside from as a lackey, potential weapon, or a slave. Cymeryn wanted him?

  “Why?” He forced himself to choke out. “What do you want with me?” He couldn’t imagine why he would need to Claim him. Siring him would already ensure a bond between them and a certain amount of control, but he needed to be sure there wasn’t an ulterior motif.

  Cymeryn pulled out the chair and sat. “I know why you ask such a question so I will not take offense despite the fact that even you should be aware I would not Claim a young simply to further my own goals…especially not now.”

  He studied him thoughtfully a moment. “I see something in you, Kyle. A potential and strength that few possess and you should be free to explore that and know it for yourself; free of the influence of the Shade…as you always wished you could be. You suffer every bit as much as Staryana from Alayne and your Father’s intrusions and you do not deserve it. Also…” He paused seeming deep in thought. “I am connected to you in some way, Kyle, though I do not know how I know that this is right. If it was not, you would not have lived to make it back, let alone through the awakening. Surely it is even a miracle that Byryn intervened to save you. You must know for whatever reason you are meant to be here, son.”

  Rubbing his face he tried to figure out how to express everything he was feeling. Everything was so freaking surreal. It was like he woke up in some crazy ass dream and he was afraid that the wrong words would break the spell. “I do. I knew it the moment we entered the realm. It was like something shifted in me and I couldn’t shake the guilt for everything I was about to do. I had to betray John, betray my line. I knew people might get hurt. I knew I’d probably die and leave Cal and Phil to fend for themselves. None of it had ever weighed on me the way it was.” He shook his head trying to shake off those memories. John had no place in his life now. “When I saw Byryn I was furious and I definitely goaded him. I knew I needed to help Star but I didn’t have the slightest clue how. Nothing else mattered.”

  Kyle weighed out the truth of what he felt and whether or not Cymeryn would believe him. There was no reason to hide it anymore. “I t
old you when we met I knew I needed to trust you, but it was more than that. It didn’t make any sense. I mean, seriously, in the past you would have killed me just for my lines, but I wanted to tell you everything from the moment you entered Bearringer’s. When you were injured...When you fell in battle I should have alerted Syneous or Alayne but…I couldn’t. Seeing you there on the floor bleeding…it hurt,” he admitted. “I justified it but when we walked into the library and you were standing there it was like a weight lifted that I didn’t understand. The more I opened up to you, the longer I was here…the more it felt like home which was just weird. Nowhere is home.”

  “This is home, Kyle. Here with your sister, Marcus, and even Byryn. Here with me,” Cymeryn spoke sincerely, “if you wish it.”

  Looking down to hide the tears that he couldn’t hold back any longer, it felt like something inside him cracked open leaving him raw. He wanted that, that connection, the love he felt between them that was so fucking foreign to him anymore. It was something he hadn’t felt since his Mom died.

  Cursing himself he tried to pull it together. He couldn’t bear for his sire, once the fiercest Supryn, now the King of Night, to see him so weak. Suddenly he felt strong arms draw him into a firm embrace and he lost it. No one had held him since his Mother’s death. No one had ever cared to show him the slightest bit of comfort or compassion aside from John and that had always been conditional. He didn’t know if it was foolishness or weakness but he needed it. He didn’t know until this moment but he did and now he didn’t want to let it go.

  “You will never have to let go. I have you, Kyle, and I will not release you so easily. Let me show you what family really means. I lived one hundred years feeling how you have felt these years without your Mother. Allow me to help you find your way out of the Darkness, son.”

  He couldn’t talk and he didn’t have the strength to give into his fear. His need for this connection was stronger. He nodded against Cymeryn’s chest and the King held him tighter. He wasn’t sure how long they stayed that way but neither moved until there was a knock at the door.

  “Come,” Cymeryn called but didn’t release him.

  “Everything alright?” Byryn spoke hesitantly.

  Kyle wiped his tears before pulling back and looking up to the man who he once considered one of his greatest enemies. He could feel the draw of the bond between them and that was just…odd.

  “Yes, Byryn. We were just discussing a few things and I lost track of time,” Cymeryn offered.

  Byryn nodded looking him over. “How do you feel, Kyle?”

  “Sore,” he admitted, “but otherwise…good. Thank you, Byryn.”

  He watched him shift uncomfortably a moment but he seemed to wave it off. “You’re welcome. Now let’s get you to your feast before your sister kicks my ass. She can be a bit demanding and it pisses her off when I placate her,” he shrugged with a smirk.

  Kyle almost had to laugh. He wanted to be angry with Byryn but he couldn’t find the hate in his heart he had held for him even this morning. It was awkward and uncomfortable and Byryn appeared to be struggling to adjust to the reality of it every bit as much as he was, but honestly it wasn’t as hard as he would have thought to accept this connection to him.

  “Well, can’t have that now can we.” He forced himself to stand and Cymeryn caught him under the arm half way up to assist him. The muscles in his chest and abs were still raw.

  Byryn looked at him with genuine concern. “I’d suggest we mist, but I’m not sure you’re healed enough for that yet. Though you’ll heal faster than before.”

  Kyle grimaced through the discomfort in his chest. “I’ll make do. Wouldn’t be the first time I had to push through the pain. Someone used to excel at bruising and breaking my ribs.” He shrugged with a smirk.

  Byryn shot him a smug grin. “Yeah well, keep up with your training and you won’t have to experience that again anytime soon.”

  Cymeryn chuckled and Kyle looked up to see him smirking. The King looked pleased as he asked, “Why is that, Byryn? Have you changed your mind?”

  He had no idea what they were talking about. His sire might find this amusing but in his current state Kyle didn’t think it was funny, especially not considering Byryn was one of his sires now. Was he challenging him already?

  Byryn shrugged nonchalantly but didn’t seem to meet Cymeryn’s eyes. “I already put him on my training schedule. We’ll begin the day after tomorrow.” He turned quickly and headed down the hall as he called back. “Better hurry it up yourself Grandsire, your mate’s looking for you too.”

  “What was that about?” Kyle asked out of curiosity watching Byryn round the corner.

  “That was Byryn’s way of forgiving the past and moving forward. He was letting me know that he has agreed to mentor you,” Cymeryn explained watching him closely for a reaction.

  Kyle’s brows shot up and his jaw about hit the floor. Byryn might have overseen the Brood but Kyle could count the members he had personally mentored on one hand and he had never offered to mentor anyone aside from his brothers.

  “Do not be so surprised. He is your sire now and I am his Grandsire as well as his Fae in law. You two are connected every bit as strongly as his blood.”

  The words resounded in Kyle’s mind as if they held a stronger meaning than he sensed but really Kyle didn’t know what to say to any of this. In a respect he felt honored, in another he felt leery, but he supposed he would ride it out and see where all this took him. It couldn’t be any worse than where he’d come from.

  He limped along beside Cymeryn as they made their way to the dining hall and he explained his expectations and the restrictions he needed to accept in order to make concessions for Steph. He couldn’t fault anyone for that. He wasn’t really sure how he was going to face that girl. He never expected her to forgive him and he would never push her. There was a lot he wasn’t sure of, but all he could do was what he’d always done…keep moving forward and survive.

  Chapter 16

  Kato stepped into their chambers and ran his eyes over his mate; Demytria, his heart, his soul, the very pulse of life that beat within him. She knelt at the foot of their bed, her eyes seeking his as he entered. The Light of the essence lamp on his desk illuminated her beautiful form, shining over her pert breasts and the swell of her hips. Her legs were spread wide exposing the pink glistening lips of her sex, moist with her arousal. So perfect in every way and so very his.

  She held his gaze as he approached, stopping in front of her. Gripping her hair in his hands he gently pulled her to her feet. “The Kingdom is secure. Both Felycia and Kyle have stabilized and woken. You felt the boy’s awakening?”

  “Yes love, I felt the echo.”

  “Good. Then you know all is well and there is nothing for you to concern yourself with outside of this room, girl. You are mine and mine alone,” he reminded her knowing how difficult it could be for her to relax and give herself over to him when there were matters to attend to.

  She felt such obligation to duty, some deep need to atone for the sins of her past in some manner. At times it was all consuming. When she first assumed her post here as a Guardian he had quickly realized that she was not eating or attending to her needs properly. She would run herself ragged, continually assuming excess duties and responsibilities, putting all before her. If he had not interceded she would have driven herself ill.

  It was then that he had realized that her mind rarely quieted, that she needed more from him than a few words and soft comfort but it had taken longer for him to fully understand. There were no longer such questions and doubts for him however. He understood the truth intimately and thrived in his ownership of it.

  His hand drifted to her side, grasping the bruise that Kevyrn left on her during their battle. “You are every bit as beautiful as the day we bonded, Demytria, my lovely girl, but I do not enjoy seeing the marks of battle on your skin when I know you can easily avoid them. You allowed this intentionally despite my commands.�
�

  Her small smile warmed his heart but her lack of a response told him exactly where she was. This day had worn on her. The abduction of the young of their lines, the constant struggle to keep the Kingdom safe while her command was consistently undermined, the battle with Kevyrn, even Cymeryn claiming new progeny; it had all weighed her down and she needed to relieve the pressure that built within. It was something she would not admit unless he forced the issue but there was no need for such things. They had fought those struggles and she knew he understood.

  Kato kissed her softly releasing his hold on her hair. “No more thinking, no more worrying. There is only you and I now, girl. Undress me.”

  He watched her as she undid his robes and slid them off his shoulders. She reached down and hooked her fingers in his pants and took them to his ankles as she knelt. He stepped out of them holding her gaze and watched as she gathered his robes, folded them, and set them on the desk before resuming her original position.

  Staring down at her he ran the tip of his sex, wet with the bead of his arousal, over her lips. Her tongue slipped out tasting him and he bit back his reactions. Soon he would lose himself in her, but for now he held a tight rein on the control he held.

  “Take me in your mouth, girl. Taste me.”

  She took him deep as he wrapped his hands in her hair, savoring in the feel of her. He allowed her to work him, enjoying her little moans as her tongue ran over him until he felt his arousal spiking. As much as he enjoyed taking his pleasure from her this way it was not what she needed this eve.