by Jaime Marks
Byryn cursed, “John can’t stay here. Neither of them can.”
“Definitely not,” Cymeryn groaned. “Regardless of any other intention he may have, in his mind he has claimed her. It will not matter what the obstruction, he will not relent.”
Mythos ground his teeth. “You do not think the declaration of our courting will deter him?”
Byryn huffed, “With John? If anything it will spur him on. At one point he had tried to date Staryana just because I claimed her and it’s obvious he didn’t even want her. Luckily enough for him she didn’t pay him any mind.”
Cymeryn went to rise but cringed and remained in his seat still nursing some of the tenderness of his wounds. “He will likely not be as overt about his intentions but he will not stop on his own.”
Mythos glowered considering their options. “Then he leaves.”
Steph shifted uncomfortably. “Explain to me how this whole deal with Redemption works.”
Marcus studied her shrewdly. “We offer Shade and their unawakened progeny the option of having their Darkness balanced with the Light. It frees them from the hatred and evil that is bred into the Darkness and offers them a freedom in their lives they would otherwise not be able to have. They become Gray; like Grifyn, Kato, and Demytria.” He motioned to them.
“And how is it perceived? Do they trust it or even know what to make of it?”
Mythos watched her wondering where her mind was but simply offered her his hand and allowed his essence to flow over her. Her eyes flashed gold on and off but she appeared to be in complete control.
Demytria met her gaze. “They generally don’t trust us and when they come here they fear we think they are our enemies. Mostly they end up here for other reasons. Either their situation was so dire they had nothing to lose in taking the risk, or there is one they love that they fear for if they remain in the world of the Shade. Sometimes the patrols find them. Others they’re captured in battle and they’re brought in. They may even have family from their humanity that they wish to reconnect with. It takes time to prove to them they are truly free and some still revert to their previous behavior because it’s all they’ve ever known.”
She nodded lowering her head. “In your honest opinion, without taking Star’s, yours, or my feelings into account, how will kicking him out of here right now be perceived, Byryn? You’re the Liaison or what not right?”
Byryn’s jaw clenched as he studied her. “It doesn’t really matter how it will be perceived, Steph…”
“Yes. It does. Answer me…please,” she commanded with every bit as much authority as Reyana or even Mythos himself embodied.
He sighed. “It won’t be taken well. We just threw Dracyn out for attacking my son a few days ago. To throw out another unawakened that we feel is a threat without current reason so soon will breed more distrust. We say that we’re accepting them despite their pasts, but by turning them out we’re proving that isn’t always the case and they’re already looking for a catch.”
“What do you mean without current reason?” Grifyn snapped. “There’s plenty of reason.”
“Not since Redemption has been offered. They did not even know our rules or laws when the issue on the plateau occurred.” Cymeryn ran his hand roughly through his hair. “I do not like it any more than you, Grifyn, but Byryn is right.”
“Then they stay,” she spoke sternly. “On a probationary period. Can we enforce restrictions on them without it causing issue?”
Byryn met her eyes with an odd look and nodded. “After the crap on the plateau, yeah. No one would question us being cautious.”
“Caria, we will overcome their issues. I am not willing to take risks with your safety,” Mythos argued watching her.
She turned and met his gaze with a strength and will that reminded him so very much of her Grandfather, Commander Cerulyion. “Trust me, kicking them out would be my first choice. Hell, it’s the easier choice, but you’ve all been trying to build this new world around Redemption. Now, I may not understand everything but I understand that as tempting as it is to make the easy choice, ruling the realms means making the best choice for the Kingdoms not ourselves.”
Mythos could not help but smile a moment despite his discomfort with the situation. His voice was full of pride and reverence when he spoke. “What would you suggest, Stephynia?”
“Before you decide that, my lady,” Cymeryn gave her a rueful smile. “We need to discuss the raid because there is more to consider than their direct risks to our family.”
Byryn turned to him. “What the hell happened in the raid, Cymeryn, because I’m pretty sure you almost died?”
“He did,” Marcus replied curtly crossing his arms over his chest. “A few more moments and he would’ve been lost.”
Cymeryn leaned back in the chair. “Stop being so melodramatic, brother. As I said it was the same risk any of us take during battle. Even I cannot foresee and calculate for every potentiality.” He shrugged. “Besides, I am still here unless our Queen decides to take my head.”
Marcus shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Now who’s being melodramatic?”
Mythos raised a brow but kept his opinions to himself. It was likely best if he stayed out of his sister’s love affairs. He kissed Stephynia a moment and she reached up and caressed his cheek before turning back to the Kings of Balance.
Cymeryn looked between them with a mournful smile before clearing his throat. “The Brood was overseeing the location. Malykus and Wycelion oversaw the two unawakened boys and eighteen females. Wycelion is attached to one of the females and was swayed easily. Your brother, Malykus, fell Byryn.”
He grunted acknowledge but said nothing else. It did not seem to faze him. While he appeared close to many of his line, Mythos had seen firsthand that he did not suffer the guilt of those that stood against them. To the contrary he was generally the first to meet their blades. Michael appeared to be the only exception.
“Crytos had attempted to mist into my battle with Malykus trying to pin me between the two of them but I misted out. Crytos’ strike landed in Malykus’ throat,” he smirked and Byryn swallowed shaking his head but still did not comment.
“That was when Gavyn and I misted in,” Grifyn offered seeming to sense the need to move beyond the subject. “Michael had set his sights on Wycelion and Trycen. Wycelion had taken up arms at his brother’s side. They were still handling the unawakened trying to reason with them. I injected myself into Cymeryn’s battle with Crytos to allow him to move more freely and Gavyn assisted the boys.”
Cymeryn nodded. “Naryn, Vicyn and Rolynd misted in trying to encircle me, but I detected their approach and easily anticipated the strategy misting before their strikes could land.”
Byryn’s head shot around. “Naryn, Vicyn and Rolynd?”
Cymeryn smirked. “Tell me, Byryn, before I continue, what catches your attention about this?”
“They’re fodder, expendable. Even throwing them in together they would be a waste of space and easily handled. Were they the only other back up?” Byryn asked seemingly to weigh it out.
“Yes.”
Alarm laced through him that flowed through the room. “We were meant to win. We should monitor even the females. Something isn’t right.”
“Indeed, you are perceptive, boy,” Cymeryn mused with a hint of pride. “As far as my injuries, Crytos landed a lucky hit on Grifyn and I misted in and buried my blade in his gut, unfortunately Michael followed suit burying his blade in my back. Very clever and dangerous that one. Not many can anticipate my actions so well. He would easily have killed me, but I misted off his blade.”
Byryn looked over Cymeryn deep in thought but turned quietly back to the mantle. Michael had a personal vendetta against him but Byryn felt somehow obligated to his brother. It was hard to tell what would happen if they met again. Byryn was fiercely loyal to the Lucerna Lines, but he also felt he owed his brothers and sisters a penance of sort. Last time he met Michael, he had almost allowed the
boy to kill him without so much as lifting his blade to defend himself. Grifyn had thankfully intervened.
“Kato and Demytria had misted in and were helping to finish things up. I dropped Crytos in the meantime,” Grifyn explained.
“And I moved to manage Michael but he misted out almost as soon and Crytos fell,” Kato offered.
Cymeryn nodded. “Demytria, I handed off command to you, will you continue debrief?”
Mythos rose a brow studying Cymeryn but he was otherwise preoccupied, or studiously ignoring him. That Fae was up to something…he paused at the thought. It was the first time even in his mind he had fully acknowledge Cymeryn was indeed Fae.
Demytria cleared her throat drawing his attention. “We easily dispatched the three fools they sent in as reinforcements. The unawakened surrendered and requested Redemption almost as soon as they saw me and realized it was Cymeryn they were fighting against. They had assumed it was Marcus. I set up a stretcher and had them carry it so that we could keep them more easily under control and transport Crytos. There were eighteen females mostly in their teens. Noticeably none of your sisters were present, Byryn. Most of the girls are of various branches of Narcyion’s lines. I had the eldest take care of the youngest and I positioned Trycen, Gavyn and Wycelion, around them; the latter closest to me so I could monitor and deal with him if it became necessary. Kato and Grifyn flanked us assisting Cymeryn so they could monitor the situation as well. The rest is pretty standard. We returned without further issue and Marcus took over upon our return.”
Mythos had to admire the way Demytria had handled herself. Still it was curious that Cymeryn had handed over control to her and not Grifyn, Second in Line to the Praetor, or Kato, a former Praetor himself. What was that Fae up to? He was always working some strategy in his mind.
“So you think that John and Kyle might be planning what exactly?” Stephynia requested. “Kind of not seeing what they could manage against the small army you all have here.”
Byryn did not turn to face them but spoke quietly. “They wouldn’t try to take on the entire compound. They would target specific people. Staryana, Reyana, possibly even you Steph, well definitely you actually. I can’t see John leaving without you. That’s provided they aren’t sending Tomas in with a strike while they obtain their targets.”
Cymeryn nodded. “If it were me, and let us remember what we have been through this last week. Alayne is far more subtle than I ever was. I would have them obtaining Staryana, as that is his primary target, and potentially Reyana, while I send in a small force to distract from my actual goals. I might even target the dungeon to reinforce my own forces.”
“I assessed the defense and added a third patrol around the plateau. Guards were added to the dungeon and I added two positions that looked to potentially be entry points we haven’t found the access to yet. I stationed Guardians to cover the rear of the castle, I’m not sure why but there was only a patrol extending there and it was a weak point in the perimeter. I doubled the archer positions on the walls and placed extra postings on all the passages that lead up here. I also added patrols in the corridors in addition to the regular guards. I suggest adding additional Personal Guards to Princess Staryana and the Lady Stephynia. I would suggest Reyana as well but that generally tends to be a waste of resources,” Demytria reported looking more like a commander from the fronts than the young girl they had all once known. Which in all honesty made sense. She had fought by Cymeryn’s side, deeply entrenched in this war. In truth, her insight and preparations were impressive.
“Well done, Demytria,” Cymeryn nodded studying her with a scrutiny that Mythos knew well. He had seen it when the Fae was sizing up the abilities of the males at the fronts to determine where they could best meet their potential. “Well done indeed.”
“Thank you, Sup…Damn, sorry Cymeryn,” she offered struggling within herself a moment.
He winced but gave her a rueful smile. “It is fine, Demytria. You did refer to me as such for forty years. Habits and such.”
She nodded but moved to sit in Kato’s lap, seeming to seek comfort.
Stephynia’s essence surged to the surface a moment and he looked to her noticing a gentle glow to her eyes. “If they are up to something, perhaps we do not restrict them, not openly anyway.” Her intonation had changed slightly.
Cymeryn studied her shrewdly. “You want to allow them to believe they have free reign, see where they go and what they do.”
She shrugged as her eyes cleared. “Isn’t that a strategy you and my Father often employed?”
Cymeryn watched her closely seemingly lost in thought. The rest of them looked to her in curiosity. It was clear she was channeling her ancestral knowledge, but she remained in control. Mythos sensed her as he gently rubbed her back. She was far more integrated than previously. As she settled more comfortably against him he could not help but wish they were alone.
“We would have to monitor their every movement without alerting them,” Cymeryn mused finally breaking the silence, “but we should also consider they could simply be a decoy…this is Alayne. Artful subtlety.”
“I’m not comfortable with them having free reign and I can’t promise if they try to approach Staryana that I can control my rage at this point,” Byryn replied nonchalantly.
Steph looked him over. “Alright Byryn, you haven’t been this distant and standoffish since the last time I saw you at school. Oh wait, let’s go the time before that….you were seducing Star the last time I saw you at school.”
He glanced at her but did not engage her challenge or respond directly to her comments. “You should go see her, Steph. The two of you don’t spend enough time together since you came here.”
“Now I know I’m right. You two are fighting,” she replied looking him over. “So then why the hell are you here? I’m not the one who should be going to see her, you are. I don’t really care what you did or what you’re arguing over. She loves you and I’ve never seen her as at peace as when she’s in your arms.”
“Not anymore,” he all but whispered looking thoroughly defeated.
“No Byryn, she is right,” Cymeryn mused looking to the ground. “We are both being, in my blooded twin’s words, foolish asses.”
“About time you wake up, brother. I was beginning to think all that blood you lost affected your brain,” Marcus laughed.
Byryn just stared at the wall. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t want them roaming free even if we are monitoring them. They need to be restricted. You couldn’t even handle seeing them, Steph, and if I catch them attempting to approach her…Well, let’s just say that they may not survive that encounter either considering I’ve already put John in the hospital twice.”
Mythos considered it all. “I agree with Byryn, we barely pulled you back, caria. You almost attacked him and I have no doubt the blow would have been lethal. Until we are sure that you can handle their presence they must be restricted. Also consider if we just allow them free rein after their behavior it might set them on guard. It would be contrary to our typical reactions.”
She met his gaze and her voice softened. “You’re right. What did you have in mind, my King?” It was spoken in an almost seductive lure and he had to clear his throat as his breath caught.
“Confine them to quarters, assign them classes. They are each to be assigned a guard detail that is to be monitoring them at all times and if you two are up for it, I thought the three of us might address their behavior on the plateau and perhaps discuss this fool’s obsession with my mate.” He met each of the twins in the eye.
Marcus and Cymeryn offered him mischievous smiles and uttered in unison. “Gladly.”
“Mythos…”
“Sorry my caria, but I told you I will take care of this. Marcus and Cymeryn will ensure I do not cross the line,” he reasoned and kissed her chastely. There was no way he would simply allow this to go unaddressed. He may not have been in her life when John attacked her but he would still defend her honor in any mann
er he was allowed.
Chapter 8
Star sat on their bed, well his bed she supposed. She couldn’t shake the images from her mind that he’d shown her. He wasn’t that boy anymore, the things he did; he wouldn’t ever do them again. She knew his heart, knew exactly who he was, right? Why couldn’t she just hold onto to that?
He was right. When she had seen everything he had ever done it was overwhelming. She wasn’t sure she could accept it. It was just too much. How could this man she loved, who held so much love in his heart have grown from a boy who was nothing but hate? She couldn’t change the love she held in her heart, but now she felt like a traitor for loving him. He had hurt so many people, and the things he had done to those women; what she had seen him do to his own sister, no wonder he was so haunted by his past. He deserved to be.
Was that really true though? Most of what he had done was at the direction of his Father and Trevyn was ruthless. He forced him to witness such acts of depravity as he grew up from such a young age; Byryn was just conditioned to it. How could you really know right from wrong when all you were taught was wrong? The joy he had taken in it that was so damning though, even with Keiyla, the only slave he’d treasured, he could be brutal and demanding at times. She not only saw his actions but heard his words and felt his emotions. She felt dirty as if it had infected her in some way, experiencing it through him like that.
She needed some air, there was no way that she could handle sitting here by herself another minute. The only person she wanted to see she couldn’t stand at the moment. She got up and ran into Trina at the door.
“Where are you off to Star?” She gave her an apologetic look.
“I need air Trina, and I don’t want to be here when he comes back. I’ll take my guards but I need to go for a walk.” She crossed her arms in defiance when she Trina didn’t move out of her way.
“I think until they deal with those unawakened you should stay here. Even if you decide to go back to your own quarters,” she offered.
