by Jaime Marks
She wouldn’t be that brazen would she? Right. This was Steph. Shaking his head he walked over to the King’s bedchambers and opened the door to find her curled up on his bed. There was something laying on the pillow beside her and he walked over seeing her sketchbook. It was open to a portrait of Mythos that she’d sketched. It was actually pretty damned good.
Crossing his arms he stared down at her considering his options but really the King had given her permission to use his entire suite. It might not be proper in the eyes of the Fae but it wasn’t as if they were sleeping in bed naked together or something…and if they were he honestly didn’t need to know or care. What they did was their own business. She looked cold and finally he reached down and pulled the quilt over her, tucking her in.
She curled up closer to the pillow murmuring, “Mythos.”
He smiled slightly seeing that she was at least resting peacefully. Walking back out he closed everything up tight making sure to lock her quarters.
Alaria bowed as he exited. “Is everything alright, Liaison?”
“Yeah, I was just checking on the Lady Stephynia.” He replied glancing over his shoulder. God if she knew that they all called her that when they had to be formal she’d probably have their heads. “Makes sure no one disturbs her.”
“Yes Liaison.”
Crossing the hall he checked on Kylion tucking him in and kissing his head. He was still healing from Dracyn’s attack but he was back to his usual routine. Unfortunately he was also back to sneaking out of class but he was training his guards how to anticipate his actions and track him. He was a good kid, a bit rambunctious and high strung at times but he literally brightened Byryn’s world, much like Staryana.
They were everything and he would find a way to make this all work. He had to. Kylion was so attached to Staryana and Cymeryn was right. If he walked away from her, even by her own choice, it would leave her too vulnerable to that damned Priest. He just couldn’t figure out how to be fair to her. In the morning he’d have to find a way. There was no way in hell her awakening would wait another day. Keeping her balanced and minimizing the surges in her essence was keeping it at bay but it wouldn’t be much longer before it set in at full force on its own. He figured a day and a half max. Before it did he’d have to find a way to show her his past and pray that she didn’t decide he wasn’t worth the air he breathed.
Mythos stood by the window in his chambers looking out over the gardens. He wondered where she was, what she was doing. Hopefully as late as it was she was sleeping but he knew how she struggled in the eve. If there were a way he would call just to hear her sweet voice and assure himself that she were well.
Glancing back at his desk he wanted to scream but it would not help to clear the work that he had sitting there. It would take him at least another day to catch up after the time he had lost in the Realm of Balance this week. It had not always been thus. There was a time when nothing ever piled up.
Before the death of the Cerulyions the Lucerna Lines had been numerous enough that there was always somefae available to pick up the slack. Even after he had been able to rely heavily on Grifyn and Kato when things became too overwhelming. When he had learned of Reyana however, the only Fae he trusted to protect her in his absence were the two of them.
He had known Marcus of course would protect her but no Fae knew how stable he was or even where he had been all this time back then. Kato had been needed to assess him and even he had been uncertain of how the male would fair long term. Both he and Grifyn had sensed both Light and Dark in him, though now he wondered if that had been the effect of his bonds with Reyana even then. Still, they had been there to monitor and aide him every bit as much as they had been to protect her. Aside from that the forces that were sent to obtain her continued to increase. All three of them had been needed to keep her safe while he had struggled to find some way to protect her daughter once she awakened.
In the meantime Mythos had found himself suddenly alone, running the Kingdoms with nothing more than the aide of the Council. Of course they were of very little use and held their own agenda. The past five years had only highlighted the adversity between them as they openly criticized his lack of ability to hold back the Umbra while tying his hands by keeping him restricted to the Palace.
It had been a lonely and tedious time. Having his sister and Marcus returned to them, and now even Cymeryn as much as he might hate to admit it, was soothing in a way, but most of the time he was still forced to remain here in this Palace that had all but become his prison. It was far too quiet here and while he had many friends they were scattered throughout the realms and all had their own families and duties to attend to.
Yesterday and this eve with Stephynia were phenomenal. Having her by his side, spending every moment with her, he had not felt so at ease in many years. There had been no doubt, even before Alysse had confirmed it he had known she was his mate. No other had even called to him in this way. None had even caught his eye. In truth he had begun to think there was something wrong with him.
Even at the Academy when they were young he had never seen females as any different than he had the males. The others had commented on the beauty of one or the smile of another, some would remark on their features. Other males definitely took note of females before they met their mates. Of course after they generally only had eyes for one, but beforehand there was no question they enjoyed flirting, dancing and admiring the beauty of those around them. It was something he had just never felt.
It was not that he thought one way or another regarding their behavior, just that there was a general apathy of it. He simply did not take note of females in that manner, not even when they were pointed out to him. When they were at the fronts he had been asked several times if he were interested in males as he had never taken note of the females even when quarters were tight enough to force situations where there was nothing kept private. He may have wondered himself except he did not notice males any more than females in such a manner. Tavaryion had even attempted to gain his attentions as males at the fronts sometimes did but while they had been close and there was a comfort between them it had turned into an awkward situation when he explained he simply did not see him or anyfae in such a respect.
It had not been until Stephynia had walked into Grifyn’s sitting room with Kato that he had known for sure that it had not been that anything was wrong with him. No, now he was certain it was simply that on some level he knew none could compare with the female his soul was destined for. She was intelligent, strong, compassionate and she lit up the world breathing life into it. Now that he knew her he could not imagine ever not having her smile and those topaz gems that shimmered with emotion to look forward to. There was this regal manner to her that was so natural, the embodiment of her line really, but she was so humble and graceful that she did not even see it. It amazed him that she questioned if she had the right or ability to be a Queen because from the moment he met her he could see her as nothing else.
It was true there were times she was brass and brazen, wearing her heart on her sleeve for all to see, but she was still young and this was a confusing time for her. He had noticed that she saved such behavior for when she was alone with their family but when they were in public amongst other Fae she remained formal and reserved even before she had realized the need for such things. It was a trait they were all conditioned to in their youth but she had never been taught such things. In truth she was born to the role he would grant her and it clearly embodied her being whether she could see it or not.
Settling down at his desk he began sorting through the reports scanning them for importance so he could address those most pertinent now and save the rest for the morn. It had been a long day. Four meetings this morn, two sessions of court, his visit to the Order, the emergency in the Realm of Balance and managing Grifyn’s issues, three meetings this eve, and a stack of reports, missives, and requests that he had already sorted had comprised it. Only the brief moments with Stephynia had
made it tolerable. The morrow he was going to have to do it all again only he would not be able to spend time with her. It seemed almost unbearable in truth but there was naught to be done about it. The Kingdoms needed to be seen to.
He smiled as he thought of her tentative shyness with him despite how bold he knew her to be. If he could get caught up early and move around some meetings perhaps he would be able to leave for the realm early. With a renewed drive he focused in on his work setting the goal to leave tomorrow noon rather than wait until the following morn. In the least if he could finish all of this back work, even if he could not shift the meetings, he would be able to be back with her by the eve.
He knew he should keep his distance to give her this time, but the bonds were already so strong and seeing her was an urge he was barely able to deny himself now. If this continued for four years he had no clue how he would be able to endure it but something Alysse had said made him wonder if it would be far sooner. He could only hope because his solitude was quickly becoming tedious, especially knowing he had only to mist to the entryway and make his way to the Palace to be close to those he loved.
Chapter 26
Reyana sat at her window trying to retrieve all the information regarding the Summit of the Divine from her mind. She had been stressing about it since that annoying imp had been banished from the realm and Cymeryn was trying to discern the best way to comfort her as he reviewed the information he needed for the raid.
It was also clear however, she was still irritated with him for volunteering to lead the raid on the group home in the morn. Every time they spoke she had tried to dissuade him from the mission and perhaps he should put it off or step back to ease her but the truth was he needed to do this for many reasons. This life they were building was something he needed to adjust to. He was not accustomed to sitting behind a desk or on a throne handing out decisions. It was true as Supryn that was indeed part of his station, making decisions and handing out duties while others carried out his tasks, but there had been very few days that he had not also submerged himself in battle. Training with the others took off some of the edge he was feeling but it would not do for him to remain idle in this way long.
Once he began to assume his duties as Praefect he suspected it would ease things for him in a way. There would be recruits to train, protocols to develop and put in place. It would not be unlike when he had taken his place as Supryn, or even Commander of the Fronts. It always took time when one assumed a new post to tailor it to fit their own designs. The only difference was he was able to begin fresh in this instance instead of attempting to remold what somefae had already developed.
This mission was not just about his restlessness however, it was also something he felt he needed to do to atone for some of his sins. The system that relegated how female young were raised and managed was one he himself had put in place and it was a wrong he needed to right. He had instituted the idea of purity by placing a higher value on females who were untouched. In doing so he had protected them somewhat, ensuring that most were at least the age of awakening when they were taken and far more able to handle the abuse they endured. It also gave them time to grow on their sires as well as their Masters which meant that some fared far bettered than they would have otherwise.
The Shade may not love but they could be fiercely possessive and protective of what they claimed as theirs. By giving females some additional form of value it meant that they were as coveted as sons, though for very different reasons. It was better than what had existed before his time when most females withered away in their youth until they were of a suitable age for use and then were often destroyed before they even came of age, but they still endured horrible hardships in their conditioning.
In truth the concept of placing them in group homes was more about strategy and his own comfort than anything. It had been not only a distraction and liability for Shade to have slaves at the fronts but it had disgusted him the conditions they kept them in and how little they valued them for anything more than to use and break. When Cymeryn had taken command of the Umbra their bodies had littered the ground everywhere he turned and the bloodlines of the Shade had begun to dwindle. There were few births, if any, and turning the Fae had been far more difficult to accomplish in those days. He had made the changes he had with females as much to regrow their numbers as he had to manage his own reactions in an attempt to hide what he had known would be perceived as weakness.
At the time he had not cared about how females were treated so long as he did not have to witness it. Trevyn had been one that was notoriously brutal towards his females and women, but he also took to the policies Cymeryn had put in place. His line was one of the largest amongst their faction and it had always gained him favor because his sons were amongst the most formidable and his daughters the most coveted slaves and concubines. Both genders held a strength that few possessed as he tended to cultivate them. In truth Cymeryn had served him up as the example amongst his progeny both turned and awakened many times. It disgusted him now and if he could correct it, he would. Females should be revered for their strength and abilities and he would see to it that he freed as many as he could from the fate he had consigned them to with his decisions.
As much as he wanted to appease his mate, this was something he needed to see through. Aside from that they had been born warriors, trained and honed for battle. It was part of who he was and something Reyana would need to accept. There would be times that both he and Marcus would need to answer the call to arms. It was the nature of their positions not just as Kings, but also as Protectors of the Realms.
“Do you ever wonder why we try?” She asked suddenly pulling him from his thoughts and Cymeryn looked up wondering what had caused her mind to turn in such a fashion while he had been distracted.
He rose and went to sit beside her as he considered her words. “We try because there is no other alternative. You do not know the meaning of the word surrender any more than I, Rey. I am a warrior and you my love, are a Goddess and Queen with power and responsibility beyond measure. We fight and refuse to give up because the consequences are too great should we yield. We try so that we can protect those we love, and we keep going so that we may finally lead the lives that we desire together.”
Reyana sighed offering him a small smile but he could feel her frustration and turmoil. Reaching up he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, enjoying how she still sighed at his touch. “Tell me, what has you in such a way my love? Where has that beautiful mind of yours wandered off to?”
“It’s just that every defense, every strategy that has ever been used to keep me safe from Lazurys fails horribly in the end. Alayne knows about the young which means now so does my brother. He’ll stop at nothing to possess these twins and if he can’t gain control of both of them he’ll do everything in his power to separate them, taking one and manipulating them like he did with you and Marcus. I’ve tried to wrap my head around a way to block him in this mortal form but if even my Father can’t stop him, what’s the use? Why even try? He’s only going to destroy everyone and everything I love to get to me. Maybe if I was Lunya I’d have a chance, but as Reyana? I just don’t possess the ability.”
It was an odd concept for him to consider Lazurys as her brother but they had both made the reference. Then again it was still new for him to accept the idea that the Divine Being had breathed life into them both when to him the Dark Lord was the vilest of Darkness and his Rey was the sheer perfection of love and existence but it was something he was beginning to understand. The strength he sensed in her was immeasurable. It left him in awe very much like Lazurys’ had once.
“I wish you could see what we all see in you, Reyana,” he murmured pulling her into his lap. “You have the power and ability locked inside of you. We all see it and I can feel it. In time you will figure out what you need in order to unlock it fully, but you are so much more than you perceive.”
Marcus appeared beside them and gently rubbed her back. “He is r
ight, Reya. Every Fae who meets you sees it. It is why those among the Kingdoms who oppose you would never dare challenge you directly and why so many others gain hope just from your mere presence.”
“They gain hope from my existence. It wouldn’t matter if I was a helpless idiot,” she scoffed. “They know the prophecy and they think because of it that I hold every answer.”
“No, Reyana,” Cymeryn shook his head kissing her. “They may have sought you out originally because of it but that is not why so many follow you. Consider the wording of the prophecy. ‘There will be one reborn of both Dark and Light. She who shall end the wars. She who has the burden of choice. Should she choose Light an end shall come to Dark and fright, but should she choose Dark, there will be forever night. She who shall be savior of her chosen race.’ You have already taken a different route than the prophecy foresaw. You did not choose Light or Dark. You chose balance and began carving out an entirely new path in our world.”
“You have created an entirely new race within our species,” Marcus reasoned. “Your wisdom, strength and compassion inspire hope and change in all who meet you. The Fae believe in you Reyana, but you need to believe in yourself.”
“I know and I do, in most things. It just seems impossible to beat Lazurys in this form. I mean he outsmarted me once and I have literally paid for it ever since. I just don’t want Star and the twins to suffer for my mistakes.”
“They won’t. We’ll see to it together. You’re forgetting that you aren’t alone in this anymore love and you are far better prepared for Lazurys’ advances in this incarnation. You know who and what you are, you know that he’s coming and you have the knowledge of all that has come before.” Marcus reminded her.
