Dynamics (Mists of the Fae Book 7)

by Jaime Marks

  Wycelion nodded. “Although the Brood mentality might be a bit extreme. There was also a similar system they used at the schools with freshmen sometimes. The juniors and seniors would befriend one or two and show them around, help them get used to the school, and find their way. Some of them became friends or introduced them to different school clubs and that.”

  Byryn nodded. “Likely something between the two would be best, but that’s exactly what we need. Aunt Demytria you’re a genius.” He hugged her. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to help even the boys acclimate easier and I don’t know why, but never thought of that.”

  “You would have to screen mentors carefully. The main issue with the females is finding enough who are strong enough to hold such a role.” Wycelion held up his hand. “They all have the potential to be. I am not saying they are weak, but they cannot be timid and submissive if they are going to be guiding others.”

  “So we start by guiding a few. I think we should involve the girls.” Byryn looked up at Cymeryn. “Staryana, Felycia, Steph, if she has the time now, and even Astryn. They’re all strong females and would be able to help others find their way here. We just have to set some strong guidelines so none of them get into trouble and may be only mentor one or two at a time. We should start with the strongest females and teach them how to be mentors. Then we could have them mentor others when they’re ready.”

  Cymeryn nodded. “I will run it past Marcus and Reyana but it has merit. In the meantime I will entrust your judgment with Perylia, but if they are sharing quarters I want them on our level, in the Familial Lines corridor. There are very few occupied currently. The Council that are remaining in realm will take up some of the suites but there will still be room as the suites there are smaller and there are plenty of them.” He turned to Demytria. “Are you ready for the meeting? There may be some resistance.”

  She smiled. “Since when have you ever known me to shy away from a little resistance?”

  He smirked and shook his head. “This is going to be interesting. I do hope our fragile aristocrats know what they are doing if they attempt to challenge you.”

  She laughed. “As if you wouldn’t cut them down a bit for challenging your judgment and authority.”

  Her sire gave a curt nod. “Indeed. Speaking of that, I want guards on Talerys and Alyric, not for their protection.”

  She grabbed the folder from the corner of her desk. “Gavyn on Talerys….and, shit we really need to either pull more Guardians or get training started…um. Sheyna can handle Alyric but I need her in two days.”

  “I am hoping their stay will be short.” He paused. “One of us should make it a point to sense Talerys. I was remiss in not doing so immediately but I was trying to keep the meeting under control. There is something not right about this entire situation.”

  Byryn shifted. “I have sensed him and he came up clean, but I was meaning to ask you about that. I mean, what Fae lies flat out and pretends to be someone’s true mate when they’re not; not to mention how controlling and obsessed he is with Astryn. I get that they don’t like Kyle’s origins but it seems a bit much. Wycelion are you still on Astryn’s detail?”

  He nodded. “I will be sure to be vigilant. No one but the Lucerna Lines will get close to her.” He checked his watch. “Actually I need to relieve Trycen. He didn’t want to sit through the Council meeting so we switched earlier. It allowed me have breakfast with Perl so I guess it’s worth the monotony,” he smirked.

  “I’ll get your quarters squared away once I’m done at the meeting. That way you and Perylia can move in after your shift,” Byryn offered. “I’ll also get her enrolled in that class, but I think we need to get your official status taken care of so you can manage her classes and that yourself.”

  Byryn stood and clasped his brother’s arm then bowed to Cymeryn and Demytria before misting. They watched Wycelion bow and leave. She turned to her former mentor and Master studying him.

  “You need to talk or you’re going to blow a gasket in this meeting.”

  He walked over and stared out the window. After a few minutes he asked a question that almost floored her. “Did you know your Father awakened my long lost sister?”

  “What? You and Marcus don’t have a sister.”

  “Apparently we did. Queen Terysia and my Father had an affair and conceived a young, a daughter named Terynia. My Father supposedly never knew about her but the Queen left her with the dormant Fae of your line to be raised. She would visit with her but died before her awakening. Grifyion did not know of her origins until she awakened. In truth, if he had not found her she would have died. He apparently tried to bring her home, but she was scared and ran for whatever reason. She did well on her own for many years until she encountered Syneous while he was unawakened.”

  Demytria’s hand went to her mouth. “Divines, Kyle?”

  Cymeryn nodded. “At least I can save my nephew from the fate his Mother suffered.”

  “Do Reyana and Mythos know?”

  He nodded again. “It will be a very interesting meeting. Emotions are running high.”

  Demytria sighed trying to sort out everything in her own mind. They had all heard the rumors but it was such a foreign concept that they’d all dismissed it. There were always rumors about the King and Queen when Fae were upset about the war and it seemed ridiculous. For the Queen to have betrayed her bond to the King was treason.

  She had no idea what the implications of all this meant. In essence it didn’t really affect anything because all the parties involved, including her Father, had passed decades ago. All it really meant was that Kyle was meant to be there in more ways than one.

  That boy was tied in one respect or another to every member of the Lucerna Lines alive today except Devyn. Reyana was his aunt. Marcus was his uncle and sire. Cymeryn was not only his uncle but had Claimed him as his young and sired him as well. Star was his sister. Byryn was his sire and blood bound to him if she understood correctly. Mythos was his uncle. She, Grifyn, Stephynia, Byryn and now Felycia were all connected to him through the adoption. Although she doubted he even was fully aware of that considering it would’ve had to been nearly a century before his birth. Neither she nor Grifyn had known about it.

  “Lucerna’s will, Cymeryn. It’s a good thing you spared that boy and a miracle Alayne never realized what he had,” she murmured. “He’s connected to all of us.”

  Cymeryn nodded. “Amazing is it not. Terynia apparently had some natural ability to mask as her essence was mixed with the remnants of Lunya’s pure essence in the womb. It must have also protected the boy. It explains the draw I felt to him. It was as if he may as well have been mine and Reyana’s young already. I could sense her essence and there was a definite familial connection I recognized from the moment I entered his mind that first eve.”

  Shaking her head she considered the strange way things worked. If this had come out too soon it would have shaken the Kingdoms. Mythion would have been forced to sentence both his closest friend and mate to death for treason.

  It was a ridiculous law, but no Fae ever really expected it to come to pass. She would hope that they would’ve chosen not to enforce it. Even if they hadn’t, however, Queen Terysia more than likely would have been dishonored and disgraced. They may well have called from her removal from the throne. Even her own Father may have faced some form of charges for keeping the truth of this hidden. It was a miracle that Kyle had been brought home at a time when there was no further harm that could be caused. There was no way to hold any of them accountable. Instead the truth of this had the potential to reunite their family.

  There had been a tension since Kyle joined them. Mythos was struggling to accept him and while he had made concessions this morn that helped to ease the transition, it was clear things were far from settled. If she knew their King, however, he would not be able to ignore the fact that he was his nephew. It would help to bridge the gaps between them.

  Chapter 23

  Kyle
guided her to her seat next to where Cymeryn had indicated his was. He glanced around the room to find her Father glaring at him but ignored it. There was no point feeding into his issues or reacting to him.

  As much as it bothered him that Astryn was alienated from her family because of him, it was clear her Father hadn’t exactly been respecting her in the first place and he didn’t regret giving her the power to stop it. He knew what it felt like being under your Father’s thumb; how it slowly broke you down, shredded your confidence. Just because Alyric didn’t hit her didn’t mean his words and actions didn’t cut her just as deeply. She might hold her head high and act like it didn’t bother her, but he’d seen the pain in her eyes. If it was in his power he’d make sure no one ever had the power to hurt her like that again.

  Kyle looked up as Talerys began walking across the room but Wycelion stepped around the table in front of them and approached the Fae. Whatever words were exchanged apparently weren’t taken well because Talerys glowered at him as he attempted to resume his approach. He didn’t get very far before he was physically stopped by a wall of Wycelion. Not a male you wanted to challenge. Kyle watched as two other guards approached and escorted him from the building. Wycelion walked back to them, taking up a position in front of their table that blocked Astryn from her Father’s view.

  “Thanks, Wyce,” Kyle offered as he glanced over his paper. “Dad doesn’t want me interacting with that pompous ass if I can avoid it.”

  He nodded but didn’t turn back. “It’s better that way. Keeps your hands clean and prevents challenges on your character. You should keep an eye out for him though. No reasonable Fae would need to be forcibly removed. Something isn’t right with him. His attitude and behavior more resembles that of a Shade but I do not sense the remnants of the Taint.”

  Kyle nodded squeezing Astryn’s hand but she only turned to him ignoring the issue with Talerys. “Did you notice the addendum? Do you think that’s because of me?”

  He skimmed down to the end of the document and saw they had added a segment on female rights and another for the announcement of the Heads of Securine. “I’m sure your situation is part of it, but I’m also sure you’re not the first female to have this issue. It’s probably necessary to make some changes to protect the unawakened female Shade as well.”

  With a nod she motioned behind him. He turned to see Byryn pulling out Star’s chair. She winced as she sat and he arched his brow. Her wounds should be mostly healed. He was still a bit sore but he’d been in a hell of a lot worse shape.

  “You ok, sis?”

  Star smiled with an almost coy look that made him pause but he shook it off, “I’m fine. I just slipped up during training and got knocked on my ass.” She waved him off and leaned forward to say hi to Astryn.

  Byryn seemed to frown but remained silent, taking his seat beside him. He studied his…he shook his head and refused to go there. He really didn’t know what to call the male. The closeness between them was unsettling sometimes.

  “You’re my progeny and my Fae in law, Kyle. Like I said before you don’t have to call me anything but I am your family now and I’d be honored just to have you accept me as your friend,” Byryn’s voice echoed through his mind. “Our blood-link makes every bit as close as the twins, if not more...” He trailed off and Kyle had to wonder if he felt that odd pull between them too. It didn’t matter, he’d never go there.

  “I know. It’s just difficult to accept this sometimes. I’m not trying to push you away…” What else could he say? This whole thing was messing with his head. Instead of trying to explain it he changed the topic. “How are you and Star holding up?”

  “Well enough. There may be something I need to discuss with you later. I just need some time to sort it out in my head first,” Byryn responded out loud turning to meet his sister’s eyes.

  “I’m here when you need it,” Kyle replied meaning it. He felt closer to him as time went on and he could feel the connection the male felt to him. It was new and still a bit weird, but comfortable despite how nervous it made him. He considered Byryn for a moment. “Can you censor your thoughts for a moment? I want to ask you something.”

  Star shot him a look of irritation but one look from her mate and she turned her attention back to her paperwork. He had to hide his smirk. It was clear she didn’t like being out of the loop but she was actually cute when she was mad and he had years of annoying his little sister to make up for.

  When Byryn nodded Kyle reached through their bond. “I was thinking of getting away later tonight. To that garden courtyard maybe? Can it be sealed off?”

  “Of course. You’re a Prince. You can seal off any part of this castle you want,” Byryn chuckled. “What did you have in mind?”

  “I thought about seeing where that radio you used for the ball went and taking the girls dancing. Just the four of us. We could all use a break and I want to make today special for Astryn. I’m not trying to exclude anyone per se, but I just don’t want to deal with all the fallout from earlier right now.”

  Originally he thought he’d want it to be just him and Astryn, but including Byryn and Star felt right. The closeness and connections developing between them were intense and the girls could use some time to bond. With everything that had happened lately it would be good for them to get away.

  Byryn nodded. “That might be best. They need to address that amongst themselves and come to terms with it. It’s not about you at this point. It’s about their parents and the loss of your Mother when they were never given the chance to know her. None of us really need to be there for that and the four of us have enough other stuff to deal with. Staryana needs something like that right now, where she can just have fun and be herself. I’m in. We’ll have Haylia set up dinner and make a night of it. As long as we have the guards it’ll be fine.”

  Just then they jolted from their connection as a firm hand landed on each of their shoulders and his Dad’s essence flowed through them. “You both need to practice mind-links. You look like fools staring into the distance, especially here,” his Dad scolded them. “Now Kyle, what occurred with Talerys?”

  Byryn raised a brow but Kyle shrugged. “He was walking over as if he meant to talk to either Astryn or myself. Wycelion intercepted him but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He had him escorted from the hall. What was he even doing here anyway?”

  “He is Alyric’s assistant. You refrained from involving yourself?”

  He nodded. “You asked me to avoid them, Dad. I understand the reasons. The guards handled it appropriately.”

  “Good. Are you alright being here, Astryn?”

  “Yes, Lord Cymeryn. Thank you. I’m a little nervous being up here in front of every Fae, but I’ll get used to it,” she smiled shyly. “I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done for me.”

  He patted her shoulder affectionately. “It is no trouble, my dear. You are family now in every way that counts. Do not worry, this is actually as new to my son as it is to you. You will learn to adapt to this life together.”

  Kyle watched as his Dad took his seat. He could see the strain in him even if he was hiding it from everyone else. He’d taken the news about his Mother every bit as hard as Kyle had. It was different for him than the others though. It didn’t really change anything about his life aside from knowing more about his family. He honestly didn’t even know the Fae involved, but they did. It wasn’t just finding out they had a sister, but that she’d been abandoned and kept secret from them until it was already too late. They hadn’t know anything about her and now she was dead. On top of that there was the disgrace of their parent’s actions. He supposed it was a lot to handle, especially since they were Fae and that kind of thing wasn’t supposed to happen here.

  It was a lot for him too, but Astryn was right. It didn’t matter how they were connected he still loved and respected his Dad, he still cherished the memory of his Mom, and he still hated his sperm donor. His Mom’s lineage didn’t affect where he was in life
, or what had been between them. If anything the knowledge helped him to understand himself a little better. That’s how he had to look at it. If he got caught up in the rest it would diminish everything he had here with his family and he didn’t want that.

  “Good noon, Kyle.”

  He looked up into Mythos’ face, shocked that the Fae would approach him. Apologizing was one thing, and had obviously been difficult for him. Being friendly seemed to be a stretch.

  “Lord Mythos,” he respectfully inclined his head.

  “I was wondering, if perhaps, you would have time this eve that we might talk?” The King’s voice was quiet and cautious.

  Kyle studied him wondering what this was about. “I actually have plans this eve.”

  Mythos nodded almost seeming to deflate in front of him. “I see.”

  He sighed glancing at his Dad who was watching him carefully. Mythos was his King. He was obviously trying to include him and make things right between them since this morning. As uncomfortable as it was he should really try to meet him in the middle. “We could talk in the morning if you’re free and that’s acceptable.”

  The King nodded and seemed to ease slightly. “Yes, I would like that. Would you like to join me for breakfast, or just meet in my study?”

  “I’d like to have breakfast with the Lady Astryn, actually, and I wouldn’t want to infringe on your time with the Queen.”

  Cymeryn interjected, “My understanding is we are having breakfast in our sitting room as a family tomorrow.”

  “Right. I apologize, I forgot. Then we will meet in my study after meal?”

  “That’s fine,” Kyle agreed.