Choices (Mists of the Fae Book 6)

by Jaime Marks

  “Mythos checked in with them before he went down to check on the ritual altar. He said she seemed to be doing alright but she doesn’t really talk much around him I guess. I’m sure they’ll be at the Bondings and…dinner.”

  Star raised a brow. Steph had almost said something and corrected herself. She was sure of it. “What was that?”

  “What was what?” She shrugged nonchalantly.

  “That.” She pointed to the way Steph’s eyes drifted to one side. “You’re hiding something from me Steph, spill it.”

  “Seriously Star, I have no idea what you’re talking about this time. Now I have to go unless you want your mate to string me up for making him wait longer than necessary. I’ll see you down there,” she replied simply but all but ran from the room before Star could argue.

  She folded her arms in a huff. “She can’t lie to me. She’s up to something.”

  Her Mom laughed. “Maybe she has a surprise for you at dinner. I doubt it’s a big deal. I would let it go and just enjoy the eve.”

  Star sighed. What was she gonna do go chasing after her? Really she wasn’t allowed to leave the suite. Byryn and her Dads had agreed that it would be best if she didn’t go wondering around until the blocks could be lifted. That way she and Byryn didn’t risk accidentally running into each other and they could better ensure her safety.

  She took a few deep breaths. The truth was she was getting nervous. She really didn’t like standing in front of everyone for these rituals. It made her feel like she was giving a speech she hadn’t prepared for to a full auditorium. She knew the rituals and had seen Trina and Grifyn’s but she hadn’t actually participated in them.

  She wondered what Byryn was doing but they had agreed not to link minds, as they called it, until after the rituals. Agreed, were ordered not to, same difference. Cymeryn had even placed some sort of blocks to help prevent them from doing it subconsciously. She missed him as silly as that sounded. They’d only been apart for three hours but without him in her mind it felt like an eternity.

  Byryn shifted impatiently by the thrones waiting for them to begin the ritual. He hated Staryana being out of his sight for even a few minutes after everything they’d been through. Especially with them not even linking minds it was driving him crazy. It would just be a little while longer though. Soon they’d be bonded and then hopefully everything would be safer for her. Between the Bonding and the Claiming all the ties to Alayne and Syneous should be broken. Then maybe he could relax a little and not worry about her being under a constant mental attack.

  She definitely needed and deserved the break. It was one of the reasons that he had orchestrated the ball this evening. It was technically a tradition of royalty but the others had initially agreed to forego it. It was a lot of work, most of which he’d had to agree to oversee himself, but he’d known how much it would mean to her so he convinced them to not only hold it, but to keep it secret from her. He’d even gone through the trouble of obtaining some stereo equipment. He and Steph had managed to hook it up through a battery run generator so they had some music she was familiar with and not just the ballroom, classical intonations of the Fae. Not that either of them would mind, the music was beautiful but there was one song in particular he wanted to dance with her to. He wondered if she’d even know the significance of it.

  His gaze drifted to where Astryn stood with Talerys. That Fae concerned him. He’d sensed him and he didn’t appear to be Tainted but there was something seriously not right about the way he attempted to control her. He wasn’t surprised to see that he was actively trying to hold her attention while she focused elsewhere.

  There was something different about her. Her essence wasn’t different really, but how it felt to him was. She felt a lot like Narysia felt only maybe even stronger and unlike Narysia she seemed to notice the connection too. At least he didn’t have to worry about his sunshine tonight. She was attending the ceremonies with Perylia, Wycelion, and Trycen. No one would dare mess with her with his brothers standing at her side. If only he could have made similar arrangements for Astryn.

  He followed Astryn’s gaze trying to figure out who she was watching with such intensity hoping it would help him understand. When his eyes landed on Kyle his brow arched. Maybe it wasn’t so much what had changed for her since they met, but what had changed for him. Was Astryn a Alyric somehow connected to Kyle? He seemed oblivious to the attention he was receiving from the girl but with everything that was going on with him and the way their essence was still merging as his adjusted and stabilized it might be that he was too distracted to notice her. He knew they hadn’t met but he had to wonder what would happen if he introduced them.

  Steph entered the Throne Room pulling his attention back to his own nervousness and impatience as she nodded to him before approaching Mythos. Finally they were almost ready. If he didn’t see Staryana soon he was going to burst.

  His Dad squeezed his shoulder teasingly. “Relax, Byryn. I swear you haven’t taken a breath in nearly an hour.”

  “I’m fine Dad. I just…” He sighed, “Every time she’s out of my sight for too long something seriously bad happens and I know this is tradition but it’s making me crazy.”

  “They’re fine, Byryn,” Marcus assured him. “Do you really think Cymeryn and I would not take any precautions? We shielded the suite and set tripwires of a sort in place. No Fae can even link minds with either of them without our knowledge.”

  “I know the risks of Alayne’s connection to her, Byryn. We would not leave her unprotected any more than we would Reyana.” Cymeryn nodded adding with a smirk, “Although I must say I am impressed with your restraint given your typical impatience. We both know you could break through the blocks I have placed.”

  Byryn smiled. “You didn’t really think I’d risk messing this up now, did you? I did consider checking in on her once or twice, but it wasn’t about to risk it.”

  Cymeryn patted his back turning to his twin. “Come brother. I believe we are to begin.”

  Marcus nodded and followed his twin to the thrones where they would sit to witness Staryana and Byryn’s bonding. The Queen entered a moment later in a long, hooded ritual robe that covered her gown completely. Her throne had been moved down to floor level to avoid interactions with the Kings whose eyes remained forward. Byryn shook his head. He’d never have that kind of self-control.

  She stood waiting in front of her throne until the room silenced. “The Right of Bonding has been requested of the Princess Staryana a Marcus of the Cymarcion Line of Lucerna. As with any royal betrothal the request must be heard by all ruling members of the Royal Family and accepted by the heads of the ruling lines, both Mythion and Cymarcion.”

  His brows rose, they hadn’t informed him of that little bit of information. They only withheld it to screw with him slightly though. He knew this part of the ritual was merely for show and to adhere to tradition. Still, as Mythos rose he couldn’t help but feel nervous as if they were judging him to see if he were worthy of her. If that was really the case, he knew that he wasn’t, that he’d never deserved her, but none of them had ever agreed and he wouldn’t take back his claim on her now. He loved her with everything he was, she was his everything.

  “Who proffers the request for the hand of the Princess Staryana a Marcus?” Mythos spoke echoing through the hall.

  He swallowed the lump in his throat and approached the thrones kneeling before the four rulers of the Kingdoms, well five if you counted Steph but technically she wasn’t royalty yet, just a lady in waiting he supposed. “I, Lord Byryn a Grifyn of the Grifyion Line of Lucerna, Liaison of Redemptions and Head of the Personal Guard do so proffer the request for the Lady Staryana’s hand.”

  “Rise Byryn a Grifyn while your value is measured,” Mythos requested. “Lord Marcus a Cymarcion, what say you of this request?”

  Marcus rose. “Lord Byryn is impulsive and quick to temper; however he only responds rashly when warranted and never outside of the scope of his autho
rity. He is quick-witted and cunning and has displayed intuitive reasoning when anticipating the actions of the enemy. Time and time again he has placed the welfare of the Kingdoms ahead of his own needs and desires and he always places the Princess before himself. He is brazen and at times perhaps his boldness borders boundaries, but he has never crossed them and is ever respectful. In this he and the Princess are quite well matched. Lord Cymeryn, mine blooded twin and ruling head of the Cymarcion Line as my elder, I support this union.”

  Byryn breathed slowly as Marcus sat. This was not what he’d expected. They were seriously weighing out his pros and cons here. It suddenly felt more like a trial than his Bonding. At least they weren’t citing specific examples for every one in attendance to hear.

  Mythos turned to Cymeryn. “As Head of the Cymarcion Line of Lucerna, you, Cymeryn a Cymarcion, have the right to proffer acceptance or to deny the Request of Bonding of the Princess Staryana a Marcus. What say you?”

  Cymeryn rose and stared down at him. “Lord Byryn is of great strength and intelligence but lacks patience and often questions his own character. Still…the boy’s love and devotion to the Princess is unsurpassed. He has put his life before her own on many occasions, and has gone over and above in protection of all of the Lucerna Lines. His birth origins trace to progeny of mine own essence but he has overcome the constraints placed upon him by his birth. He has continually surpassed my own expectations and I can think of no better suited mate for my soon to be bonded daughter. I accept the Request of Bonding.” Cymeryn sat back in his throne showing no emotional reaction at all.

  Byryn breathed slowly. This was torturous. When this was all over they’d be lucky if he didn’t string the lot of them up for not warning him about this. He glanced to his Dad who held no shock whatsoever. Yup. Every last one of them.

  “Lady Reyana a Mythion, your majesty. What say you of this union so that I might proffer my own determination?” Mythos requested.

  Reyana rose and smiled slightly before her visage reclaimed the regal seriousness it always held during rituals and other matters of the court. “Lord Byryn has been fair and just in all matters that affect these Kingdoms. He has shown great compassion and foresight in determination with the Redemption and awakening of the Shade and their unawakened, helping many to find their way. It is not always an easy road to travel as in many ways their history is his own and it causes him to face his own personal demons, but still he overcomes and perseveres despite all obstacles for the good of all Fae. He has shown to have wisdom and strength in all situations that any great leader must embody. Aside from that, the obstacles he and the Princess have overcome with their love and devotion are not only impressive, but leave me no doubt that there is no other who could ever hold my daughter’s heart. Lord Mythos a Mythion, brother of mine own blood and ruling head of the Mythion Line of Lucerna, I support this union.”

  Byryn forced himself to remain straight faced and still despite his desire to return the quick smile of reassurance she offered him. He may not have been briefed on their deliberation of his character, but he had been told he was to remain calm and still during the request portion of the ritual despite any distractions that occurred.

  Mythos faced him meeting his eyes head on. “Lord Byryn a Grifyn, I have heard the words of the ruling lines. I have witnessed you lead and defend our people with great strength of character. You are ever their advocate and even in situations where your own desires are contrary to that of the Fae you are able to exhibit self-restraint and intelligence to act solely on their behalf. At the same time you allow no disrespect and will not tolerate threats to your family nor to these Kingdoms. I have seen you exact harsh punishments when necessary in their defense. Your firm hand is at times necessary, however, and you temper it with compassion where it suits. Yet you are young and I see you drown in the guilt of the actions and exploits from your previous life when you think none bear witness. We must never forget the sins of the past Lord Byryn, lest they condemn us to repeat them, however we must not live in them either. Learn from them. We cannot live in the past nor can we jump too far into the future. We must remain grounded firmly in the present. Remember this. I see great strength and potential in you Lord Byryn and for that reason I accept the Request of Bonding. Kneel before these families.”

  Byryn knelt the relief washing over him in waves. Hopefully they could get through the rest of this without any more surprises. He kept his eyes on the floor as he had been instructed and saw Marcus’ boots pass in his peripheral vision. He closed his eyes to avoid distraction and keep himself from looking up. He knew the King was going to bring Staryana to the altar and he could hear their footsteps approaching.

  Once they stopped Marcus’ voice resounded beside him. “Lord Mythos a Mythion, I present the Princess Staryana a Marcus, daughter of mine essence.”

  “Princess Staryana a Marcus, a Request of Bonding has been proffered for your hand by Lord Byryn a Grifyn. His worth has been weighed by the ruling lines and he has endured his trials with dignity and honor to have been found worthy of your grace. Will you accept this Fae of worth, binding to his essence as his mate from now unto eternity?”

  “I will so bind myself to him, Lord Mythos, as he does so to me.”

  Her voice was a sweet cadence of melodies to his ears after going so long without hearing her voice. It soothed him having her so close after being denied the ability to connect with her for so long. Every part of him wanted to turn to her and make sure she was safe and unharmed but he forced himself to keep his eyes focused on the floor. They’d come so far and he’d be damned if he screwed up now.

  He heard footsteps before Mythos replied, his voice sounding from directly in front of them, “Rise Byryn a Grifyn.”

  He rose standing to face her as he took her hands in his, all the tension from the last few hours giving way to anxious excitement. This was it. After tonight they’d be bound for eternity before the Divine; not that they hadn’t been since birth, but now it would be official and no one would ever have the right to take her from him. He knew it wouldn’t be so simple, but this would help to protect her and he would keep her safe. She was everything and she was his.

  Mythos held a gold chalice in his hands murmuring an incantation softly as first, his voice gaining volume with each repetition until it began to glow. He walked around the altar and stood before them, the chalice in one hand a glowing dagger in the other. “Your left arms.”

  They offered their arms, holding them up against one another so they were both palm up, as they stared into each other’s eyes. Neither flinched or wavered as a deep slice cut across both wrists in one fluid motion. Mythos held the chalice under their arms collecting their essence until the cup was full and handed it to Steph who stood beside him. Reaching over to Staryana he used the dagger to cut a thin flap of fabric from her gown. They’d both originally thought it was a simple decoration when they had examined their robes earlier, but he should know everything in the ritual had a purpose.

  “What favor will you offer his Lordship, Princess?” Mythos requested as he wrapped the fabric tightly around both of their wrists joining them together and aligning the slices in their arms.

  Byryn watched as she reached behind her and raised and single section of her beautiful golden brown and silver hair. “I offer him a piece of my being so that he may always hold me close despite any distance.”

  Mythos reach over with the dagger and cut the hair close to the base of her skull. It took everything Byryn had to refrain from wincing. Not only did he feel that was too close to her head, he loved her hair. As much as he appreciated the gesture he would have been just as content if it had stayed on her head. Mythos tied it around their binding as a warm glow spread through him.

  “Lord Byryn, what token of your heart do you offer the Princess?”

  Byryn reached into his robes and brought out the necklace he had fashioned for her. “You have always been my brightest star leading me out of my Darkest nights. Nothing c
ould ever fully represent the beauty of your soul, but this perhaps can show the beauty of your Light.”

  He opened his hand revealing an antiqued silver and diamond princess style necklace with a shimmering starburst pendant of diamonds. She gasped and stared at him with shimmering eyes and he couldn’t help but smile.

  Mythos took the necklace and dipped it in the chalice of blood holding it just above it as the remnants dripped off and he recited another incantation in the Sacred Language of the Fae. The necklace glowed brightly, their blood seeming to absorb into the gems rather than drip off of them. He watched as Mythos placed the necklace around her neck fastening the clasp and the glow seemed to spread throughout her.

  “To complete the binding you must accept the essence into your body and hearts,” Mythos spoke solemnly as he handed Byryn the chalice. “You must first speak the words and then drink. Each of you must drink half. Remember the Chalice will glow when you have sated,” he reminded him quietly.

  Byryn carefully took the chalice and stared into her eyes. “Staryana a Marcus, I bind myself to you. My heart, my mind, the very essence of my soul, every part of my being belongs to you. I shall honor, respect, and cherish you from now unto eternity. I drink of your body and your essence accepting you into me as I give myself to you.”

  He drank slowly, savoring the taste of their combined essence. Byryn felt her flow through every part of his being completing him in a way he couldn’t even begin to try to describe. Time seemed to drift into nothing but eventually the chalice began to glow and he forced himself to stop and handed her the mixture of their essence.

  She took it meeting his gaze as she spoke the words, “Byryn a Grifyn, I bind myself to you. My heart, my mind, the very essence of my soul, every part of my being belongs to you. I shall honor, respect, and cherish you from now unto eternity. I drink of your body and your essence accepting you into me as I give myself to you.”