by Jaime Marks
Crossing his arms Talerys glared at her. “I suppose it would not hurt. How soon do you suppose you will return her?”
“When I’m finished with her,” the Prince replied turning and continued down the hall ignoring him. She fell into step as he leaned over to a male that looked like a thinner younger version of him. “Make sure he’s not following and have someone keep an eye on him.”
“Got it.” He nodded and branched off down a hall.
The Prince turned to meet her eyes. “Are you alright?”
“I…Of course, my lord,” she replied not wanting to cause any further issues.
“Astryn, you don’t have to lie to me. I saw what happened and heard what was said.” He sighed, “If you tell me what’s going on maybe I can help.”
She flushed in embarrassment. “He’s one of my suitors. My Father wants me to accept him but there’s nothing there. I hate him.”
“Have you told him that?”
“Of course but…” She looked away not really wanting to discuss it. “It’s what my Father wants.”
He turned and paused at what appeared to be a dead end and hit something in the wall opening a hidden doorway. Guiding her inside they continued until they emptied out into a store room. She watched as a Fae and the other male that she thought was one of his brothers each picked up a box.
After a moment he turned gently taking her hands. “Be honest with me Astryn, has he ever harmed you? Does he scare you?”
“He…not really. He’s just annoying and tends to make me uncomfortable.”
It was mostly true. Sometimes Talerys really did scare her but he wasn’t Shade and she knew he’d never go too far. She wasn’t about to tell them that the only reason he pushed his luck with her the way he did was because he thought she was dishonored and figured if she hadn’t waited he didn’t have to. It was a lie, but it wouldn’t matter. Dishonored females were treated like lepers.
He sighed as if he didn’t believe her. “Look, I’m going be honest with you. I don’t trust him. I know what Staryana overheard between the two of you the other day and what I saw just now bothers me. There’s not much I can do about it today but I’ll be talking to the King tomorrow and I intend to let him know what I think. I know he’s friends with your Father.”
She cringed. Lord Mythos and her Father were close and he’d always sort of been like an uncle to her. The problem was if the King approached her Dad about this it wouldn’t be Talerys that would bear the scrutiny. He’d blame her for giving Talerys a hard time. That’s why she was always making excuses to go to the Order. She almost never stayed there but it got her away from both her Father and Talerys. It was the only place they didn’t insist they had to follow her.
“I know you’re trying to help Prince Byryn, but…really, it’s fine. I…” She shook her head cutting off her words. She wanted to ask him about his friend but now wasn’t the time or the place.
He measure her a moment as if he saw through her. “You feel different.”
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Sorry, just…your essence. It feels different today than it did last time we met,” he explained. “I was trying to figure out what it means.”
Well at least she knew she wasn’t losing it. “I…I noticed the same of you, my lord, but I have no idea why. If there is nothing else you need, could I return to my quarters?” She really wasn’t feeling right. It wasn’t as bad as it had been earlier but she needed time to sort through it all in her mind.
He sensed her again but nodded as he took her hand. She blinked and they were there. She stepped back uncertainly and glanced to the door. It wasn’t really proper to have a male in her bed chambers. “Sorry, I didn’t want Talerys alerted to your return. I figured you could use a break at least.”
“Thanks. I’m sure I’ll be forced to deal with him at the ceremonies later anyway. I just want to rest now though.”
His lips twisted like he wanted to say something but seemed to think better of it. “How long are you in realm?”
“I think another two days. It depends on what my Father needs to accomplish for the school they wish to build.”
He nodded. “If you need anything please come see me. I know you’re worried about what will happen if you complain about Talerys, Astryn, but I promise, if you let me, I’ll help you.”
“Things aren’t always as simple as they look, my lord.”
He smirked. “They aren’t always as complicated as we make them out to be either. Has something changed since I saw you last, Astryn? Have you met anyone new?”
She almost told him about what she’d felt earlier. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him everything she’d experienced during the Claimings but after everything that had just happened she felt nervous and awkward. He hadn’t even acknowledged her and even if he had Talerys had more than reminded her of why a male like him would never accept her.
“I’ve met a lot of Fae since I’ve come here, my lord, including yourself.”
His shrewd gaze made her feel like he was looking right through her again, but she didn’t know what to make of it. “Alright. I’m sure I’ll see you before you leave then. Take care of yourself, Astryn. Something tells me we’ll be speaking again soon. I get the feeling you’re more than you believe you are.”
She watched as he misted from the room wondering what he meant by that. Her head couldn’t even wrap itself around everything that had happened since the banquet. She wished that there was somefae she could talk to about all this but really she didn’t have any friends outside of Maveryous and he thought he was in love with her. It didn’t really feel right to ask him about how it felt to meet your mate. Besides, he wasn’t here. He’d returned to the realm after his meeting. The Princess came to mind but that was a ridiculous notion. Not only was it her Bonding this eve but they had only just met and it was hardly proper to discuss such things.
With a sigh she climbed into bed and let her head rest. For some reason she was exhausted and she knew it would be a long night. She needed some rest if she was going to be forced to endure another eve of Talerys’ advances. As her tension faded and she drifted to sleep the face of a male she’d never even spoken to came to mind and it gave her a comfort she couldn’t explain. She wasn’t even sure what his name was. She’d been so distracted every time he’d been introduced that she hadn’t heard it. His presence almost seemed to drift through her mind and she slipped into a dream where she danced in his arms.
Chapter 24
Stephynia stretched in the tub arching back against Mythos causing him to bite back a groan as she pressed into his erection. They had stayed to witness Staryana’s Claiming but had discreetly excused themselves after. The family understood and their subjects might speculate but they would not dare speak out of turn. He would be certain to present a united front at the Bondings and the ball that would follow, but they needed this time and he hated having her so close to Kyle.
He ran his fingers through her hair. “Your hair is growing. It almost reaches your shoulders.”
“Hmm,” she mused as his hands massaged her shoulders and arms. “How is it that everyone else…has awakened….and I’m still…waiting?” She groaned savoring his touch.
He chuckled against her ear and kissed her neck. “Soon caria.” He let his fingers gently brush the side of her breasts.
She was naked against him, though he had his shorts on. It was skirting a very dangerous line, but she needed her mind off of all the stress so that she could relax and he could control himself for her, though it was getting more and more difficult to refrain. He was every bit as frustrated as she was that her awakening had yet to progress. He leaned her forward slightly as he worked the muscles in her back occasionally running his hands down her sides to her hips.
“Are you sure I’m even going to awaken? I mean, my Mother never did,” she sighed.
“We are quite certain, Stephynia. Alysse has promised it will be soon but technically you are not even of
age yet. There is no cause to be concerned, especially with the amount of essence that you command already,” he reassured her as he pulled her back against him kissing the curve of her neck. “You must be patient.”
“I’m trying. I just…” She trailed off with a sigh as she pulled his arms around her.
“What is it, caria? Tell me, my Queen, so I might ease you.”
“That’s just it, Mythos. You can’t ease me. Not yet anyway,” she mumbled.
“Not yet?” He repeated trying to decipher her answer. She shifted and the scent of her arousal mingled with the soaps and oils of their bath drifting over him. “Ahhhh, well perhaps I can relieve some of your tension then.”
He scooped her up carrying her to the bed as he smiled down at her knowingly and lay her down before him. He stood admiring her body. Her golden tan skin shimmered with Light over the tight curves of her form. Her breasts peaked up with their deep pink nipples as she stretched her arms above her. Her legs were parted ever so slightly giving him the barest hint of her delicate folds that he already knew were moist and ready for him. He could smell her arousal clearly now. He forced his view to her face watching her smile up at him, those intense topaz gems telling him she knew the full extent of the effect she was having on him. His sex throbbed for her, but he needed to control this.
She stared up at him in curiosity. “What are you going to do, Mythos? We both know we can’t take this as far as we want to.”
He dropped to his knees on the bed beside her ignoring the question and lifted her leg gently massaging her calf slowly working his way up her thigh. “You have no idea how beautiful you truly are, Stephynia. You are not the only one waiting for your awakening I assure you.”
“Mmmm.” Her eyes drifted closed in pleasure as he massaged the tension from her body, her lips parting slightly.
He worked his way up to the juncture of her thighs and allowed his fingers to gently brush against her sensitive nub taking note to how just the right pressure caused her back to arch slightly off the bed.
Tracing his finger down the thin line of hair that led to her core, the rest blessedly bare, he gently massaged her watching how easily her body responded to him. He leaned down kissing as nipping at her ear as he whispered to her. “Tell me caria, do you like that?” He traced around the place he desperately desired to be as he fought the urge to slide them inside her before returning his fingers to her clit. “Or would you rather feel my mouth? My tongue, my teeth?”
“Both, more,” she moaned out.
He captured her mouth with his own as she softly called out his name. He continued to work her with his fingers until he could almost feel the pulsing in her core as her muscles tightened and released. Kissing his way down her body he stopped to tease and taste those tempting peaks of hers, nipping each nipple before drawing it into his mouth as her body arched up into him.
“Please Mythos,” she moaned impatiently as he chuckled.
“Patience caria, I must taste you,” he murmured as he raised her knees to his broad shoulders opening her core to him.
Allowing his tongue to dip deep into her, his fingers continued to massage her nub. His tongue thrust in and out of her, making love to her with his mouth as they both wished he could do with his sex. Her body trembled as he held her on the edge of release driving her higher. Sensing her buildup he merged his essence, letting it flow throughout her. Her hands speared his hair as he felt her core spasm on his tongue, her sweet nectar flooding his mouth as she crested over and he drew her out. “You are delicious, Stephynia.”
Mythos moved them both up the bed off of the now damp area and wrapped a dry blanket around them. He held her close as he watched her eyes flutter closed. She was exhausted. The signs of the awakening were worsening but she had yet to progress with her essence. The muscles aches, the exhaustion, her appetite was decreasing. Reyana had gone through a similar situation before her awakening but it had occurred more gradually. This was rapidly increasing. He could sense it in her but he had no idea what to expect. Her essence had not surged in a couple days but with this rate of deterioration it should be.
He kissed her forehead hating that he could not explain what was happening with her. Alysse had said that she was an essential part of saving their people, that she would be Queen. That could only occur if she awakened so he had to have faith that she would come through without issue. The fear would not however abate. It was not unheard of for the pure Fae to die during their awakening though it was rare. When the human born awakened however the risk was far greater. The strain on their bodies during and prior to the awakening could be intense. There were often loses, especially if they were not attended to quickly enough. He would have to ensure she stayed close until the awakening occurred.
Kyle sat alone at his desk staring at the journal he’d requested. He wanted to write like he used to, before Syneous had ruined his life. Everyone said the awakening was really the start of your life and to leave your old life behind, almost like your time as human was a different existence. After everything that had happened to bring him to where he was now he figured he should maybe write something so he’d always remember, considering the Fae lived hundreds of years. The only problem was as he stared at the blank page he wasn’t even sure what to write.
He still had no real clue where he fit in here. Until the Claiming he kind of assumed he’d end a puppet like he had been before, not really in control of his own choices. Cy-…Dad and Sire Marcus had saved him from that fate. His sperm donor and Alayne no longer controlled his choices or what he did. He’d never have to endure the punishment his choices brought again…provided they never managed to reclaim him.
More importantly they had freed Star. He squeezed his eyes shut at even the thought of Alayne and Syneous getting their hands on her. No one deserved to endure that life but least of all his sister. He couldn’t even imagine what she had to think of herself growing up with all that shit going on in her head. Alayne had the ability to display his vision for others to witness. He’d made him watch what he’d put Star through more than once hoping it would strengthen his Darkness. It didn’t. It only made him turn from it more.
He had never fit in amongst the unawakened Shade. The things they did, the things they enjoyed, turned his stomach. Hell, half the time he tried to save their victims. It was constantly getting him in trouble. He’d been shocked when Syneous told him he was giving him an assignment. He’d thought protecting his sister and keeping her pure was the perfect task because it meant he could get to know her and still keep to his principles. He’d wondered what he’d done to earn such a reprieve. That is until they’d introduced him to John.
That fucker was every bit as sick as Syneous and Tomas. It had been easier getting by with John as his mentor but he had strict rules and expectations. When Kyle crossed them he could be just as ruthless as his blood. Of course John wasn’t allowed to know about Star either so every time he did something to protect her from Byryn he not only had to deal with him but then John beat his ass because he was showing too much compassion or putting his neck out or some shit.
Targeting her had been John’s idea. He thought that Kyle would give into his depravity if he was forced to watch others touching her and claim her himself. He thought he could get one up on Byryn and foster his Darkness by binding Star to him as his slave once they’d broken her in. The bastard had no idea what was really going on. If he’d had his way Alayne would’ve killed them both, not to mention there wasn’t a chance in hell that he was gonna hurt his sister.
Kyle knew there wasn’t anything he could do to protect Staryana so he manipulated the situation to get Byryn involved. There was no way in hell he would stand for her purity to be tainted but a gang rape. Taking that beating kept her safe and he was actually rewarded with a reprieve for it. John was laid up for a week and it took several after that for him to fully heal. Sure he’d been pretty fucked up himself but no one had bothered with him.
He sighed staring ar
ound the room. He could feel her here. It must’ve been her room at one point. Byryn had spent some time here too apparently. He still couldn’t believe that Sh…no he wasn’t Shade. If he wasn’t living breathing proof of it himself, he would never believe Redemption was real, or that Byryn of all unawakened had been Redeemed. He never thought that male had anything other than hate and rage in him. Not to mention that he’d hated him. Now he was his sire and if it wasn’t for him he’d be dead. It was a lot to swallow.
A knock sounded at the door and he cringed. He had no idea who would be coming to see him. Honestly he didn’t even know how he was supposed to act around these people, Fae, whatever. He rose to his feet and tried to look like he belonged here. “Come in.”
He rose a brow as Byryn entered and studied him. “Next time sense who’s at the door before granting entrance. I know you know better, Kyle. It may be safer here but you still need to be vigilant. Are you planning on wearing that to the Bondings?”
“Uh,” he hesitated looking down at his ritual robes. He’d put off getting changed because he wasn’t really sure he should go to the Bondings considering the argument that had echoed down the hall before the banquet. He really didn’t want to be an issue.
Byryn shook his head. “You’re not getting out of it, Kyle. Your Dad and Marcus are Bonding to the Queen. I’m Bonding to your sister. You have to be there.”
“Wouldn’t it cause less problems if I just chilled here tonight? I mean, do you really even want me at your Bonding, Byryn?” He challenged. “And I’m pretty sure it’ll be easier on Steph if I stay out of her way.”
